tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39240361681019873862024-03-14T03:18:56.723-04:00Magic SmokeRelax with hacksTomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-34102523813279362392021-06-09T17:26:00.184-04:002021-06-15T03:05:44.863-04:00Shiny LED Panels Run Hot<div id="i4c-draggable-container" style="height: 0px; position: fixed; width: 0px; z-index: 1499;"><div class="resolved" data-reactroot="" style="all: initial;"></div></div><div id="i4c-dialogs-container"></div>LED panels are great for grow lamps and all sorts of other purposes, but they are liable to overheat if the back surface is bare aluminium. Simply painting the top of the panel could almost double its thermal capacity, allowing you to run it at much higher current.<div><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsFYJDnNkyPDdANDcol3zuWyD40ziOtbGc5Ogl3rYQMfsuxt1KvOiAXv3oMOoXv18jYllPKvSZ7V8ZLD-KefBdHBOr8h2qitd_D-puvJr8gxG4p-y8M35cwyWprK6ZlspUKiiuE6k07uj/s1024/thermacal_panel_annotated-1024x561.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="1024" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsFYJDnNkyPDdANDcol3zuWyD40ziOtbGc5Ogl3rYQMfsuxt1KvOiAXv3oMOoXv18jYllPKvSZ7V8ZLD-KefBdHBOr8h2qitd_D-puvJr8gxG4p-y8M35cwyWprK6ZlspUKiiuE6k07uj/w400-h219/thermacal_panel_annotated-1024x561.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="https://www.bromptontech.com/features/thermacal/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Brompton Technology</a><br></td></tr></tbody></table><br></div><div><br></div>
<span></span></div><a href="http://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/2021/06/dont-believe-hype-led-panels-run-hot.html#more">Read more »</a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-7445279607910327342020-05-30T10:54:00.007-04:002021-06-10T00:41:01.253-04:00Adafruit Lost A CustomerLast week I placed a $200 order with Adafruit. Today, after finding out that the order had not been processed in any way, I asked Adafruit when it would ship. The customer support representative could not say. Then, without any prompting from me, she cancelled my order and told me to find a new supplier. Apparently, my query was so unwelcome that Adafruit doesn't want my money, or indeed any future orders. :/<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAE41EWCsSb-ORQoFEY5PiB5QG8M3up5lKycLMo_HyfJXqrdbnQt0pdGbrAVUJSl6pPdyX3igTzLmIbPaDcXEop6yZZ4AB2Q_h_QnsOmN2bALoIONsMhnQHkfhKnoPrLICg5cLJmJU8tR/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAE41EWCsSb-ORQoFEY5PiB5QG8M3up5lKycLMo_HyfJXqrdbnQt0pdGbrAVUJSl6pPdyX3igTzLmIbPaDcXEop6yZZ4AB2Q_h_QnsOmN2bALoIONsMhnQHkfhKnoPrLICg5cLJmJU8tR/w360-h640/ada1.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><i>Update, June 11th. </i>The Adafruit website now states that "Non-urgent orders are shipping within 7-10 business days, sometimes sooner." Why couldn't Kelly have told me that when I asked? In addition to cancelling my order, I now find out that Adafruit has also placed my shipping address on a blacklist to prevent future orders. If you are reading this, Limor Fried — thanks for nothing.<br /><div> </div></div></div></div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-56778780678460592882020-05-24T00:42:00.012-04:002020-05-24T02:09:11.108-04:00Pi Zero Print Server<div>I can't believe it! I actually finished a project the same day that I started it. A while back I won a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XFZC3BX/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B06XFZC3BX&linkCode=as2&tag=httpsmokedprb-20&linkId=207421380736c819d7f1a3dc04d41eb0" target="_blank">Raspberry Pi Zero W</a> in a promotional competition for Zipcar, and today I set it up as a wireless print server.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A9Q4NqxFkuE/XsnxkCWhqTI/AAAAAAAAgxM/mG4rKLSVUmQ1euVEwi41-DO9UP2km2aTQCK8BGAsYHg/s0/2020-05-23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2810" data-original-width="3986" height="283" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A9Q4NqxFkuE/XsnxkCWhqTI/AAAAAAAAgxM/mG4rKLSVUmQ1euVEwi41-DO9UP2km2aTQCK8BGAsYHg/w400-h283/2020-05-23.jpg" width="400"></a></div>
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<div></div><a href="http://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/2020/05/pi-zero-print-server.html#more">Read more »</a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-70020378021650344222020-02-14T20:03:00.000-05:002020-04-27T23:06:39.853-04:00Valentine's Day Wearable<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Recommended attire for Valentine's Day. Please note the <a href="https://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/p/heart.html">electronic accessory</a>, held in place with a barrette ;)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81QjmM7gSgGn3T3-sSpy8Gftt8tWJTz93HksT6exP0LIS-030__VldO67rJYUTPOveKSn6bMSXksXCY27ErvwU0Gl7y63GnMrT1jP94eLfBASxHD8NZjCnywNv-cujtdQyBe3TshjLuKH/s1600/amber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81QjmM7gSgGn3T3-sSpy8Gftt8tWJTz93HksT6exP0LIS-030__VldO67rJYUTPOveKSn6bMSXksXCY27ErvwU0Gl7y63GnMrT1jP94eLfBASxHD8NZjCnywNv-cujtdQyBe3TshjLuKH/s320/amber.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-4959259428922862422017-03-17T20:49:00.000-04:002017-04-13T22:33:24.549-04:00Magic Mote MSP430G2553 Wireless Sensor Node With NRF24L01+ Module<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AKDlOG2M4ALtqPQBsuq8hpodz8H4y32QXXPzQWawfBk9B5BLgx-2AkS8CTJqBYN6IRAYJCE_sB-iEjE1-MH1EJXM5r3iFyQnOF721o_gmifis2JXbuL9wTAPRbay6-Ody3_RLky7_x_1/s1600/magicmote2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AKDlOG2M4ALtqPQBsuq8hpodz8H4y32QXXPzQWawfBk9B5BLgx-2AkS8CTJqBYN6IRAYJCE_sB-iEjE1-MH1EJXM5r3iFyQnOF721o_gmifis2JXbuL9wTAPRbay6-Ody3_RLky7_x_1/s400/magicmote2.jpg"></a></div>
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<a href="http://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/2017/03/magic-mote-msp430g2553-wireless-sensor.html#more">Read more »</a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-38444986998020798352014-02-21T12:06:00.002-05:002017-03-17T15:05:38.500-04:00Proto Cape For BeagleBone<div>
This add-on board for the <a href="http://beagleboard.org/Products/BeagleBone">BeagleBone</a> or <a href="http://beagleboard.org/Products/BeagleBone%20Black">BeagleBone Black</a> allows easy prototyping using through-hole components. <i><a href="https://www.tindie.com/products/t0mpr1c3/proto-cape-for-beaglebone/">More than 300 sold on Tindie</a>!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeR4lM9kBqolddtvmxx3iu5tGqb8-4DevtmO7utx126gRXM7jfxv4Y8QrzbCH7W8TgPuezIycdlteQ4en9YCBFk3kCoc97RqAW63s3GUGCFpHde5hmRxxs_NjuWz70rf2B1RNYeXAhKl-P/s1600/ProtoCape1-smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeR4lM9kBqolddtvmxx3iu5tGqb8-4DevtmO7utx126gRXM7jfxv4Y8QrzbCH7W8TgPuezIycdlteQ4en9YCBFk3kCoc97RqAW63s3GUGCFpHde5hmRxxs_NjuWz70rf2B1RNYeXAhKl-P/s400/ProtoCape1-smaller.jpg"></a></div>
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<a href="http://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/2014/02/proto-cape-for-beaglebone.html#more">Read more »</a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-31875299153936290742014-02-09T10:54:00.000-05:002017-03-17T16:52:14.825-04:00Hacked Wall Clock (after Lord Vetinari)This clock ticks erratically but still keeps accurate time. Its mechanism has been replaced by a programmable chip that emits 64 randomly spaced ticks every 64 seconds.<br>
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://i1.ytimg.com/vi/H9GE0kEWT_o/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/H9GE0kEWT_o?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/H9GE0kEWT_o?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></object></div>
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<a href="http://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/2014/02/hacked-wall-clock-after-lord-vetinari.html#more">Read more »</a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-26266573038494293242014-02-07T23:56:00.000-05:002014-02-08T00:04:27.559-05:00February Swag Bag: Noritake VFD<div>
<a href="http://www.noritake-elec.com/">Noritake</a> recently offered samples of these <a href="http://amzn.to/MzvOZO">impressively bright 16 x 122 pixel graphical vacuum fluorescent displays</a>. Their <a href="http://www.noritake-elec.com/arduino-code-library-quick-start-guide.php">GU7000 Arduino library</a> is easy to set up and use: it took just a couple of minutes to get out this message. I like!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBB9KobtgtuSJjz8ZGUUvEXFEeGkl6R4qEx1WwG-Eh09BSIt25M2268D2V5bpaLH0dN9YaxyIrTTYmvL9FrY96oFElxMDNlPl-5oxm1ZfONznrDgD-omw5YARcv-lQTPpibHSfKMj-n5Zw/s1600/noritake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBB9KobtgtuSJjz8ZGUUvEXFEeGkl6R4qEx1WwG-Eh09BSIt25M2268D2V5bpaLH0dN9YaxyIrTTYmvL9FrY96oFElxMDNlPl-5oxm1ZfONznrDgD-omw5YARcv-lQTPpibHSfKMj-n5Zw/s1600/noritake.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-63251212911516739932014-02-07T12:50:00.002-05:002014-02-10T16:18:16.890-05:00Daisy Chainable I2C Level Shifter<div>
An improved <a href="http://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/2013/08/stripboard-i2c-logic-level-converter.html">I2C level shifter</a> PCB compatible with the daisy chainable <a href="http://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/2014/02/daisy-chainable-i2c-splitter-pcb.html">I2C splitter</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekmdG6LCDc10c8LBXszeZdcGnAukwAqyNsZQKhcv0jnfIZN_i9nyI6g5Q82NSyputCZ-UtV_sbuT1XfqT0OzGPu48xenaaUYnoUTZqfKpODezyp3oGQoAqWgSBL_V35xcBtlqic-1lEQM/s1600/i2c-shifter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekmdG6LCDc10c8LBXszeZdcGnAukwAqyNsZQKhcv0jnfIZN_i9nyI6g5Q82NSyputCZ-UtV_sbuT1XfqT0OzGPu48xenaaUYnoUTZqfKpODezyp3oGQoAqWgSBL_V35xcBtlqic-1lEQM/s1600/i2c-shifter.jpg" height="300" width="400"></a></div>
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<a href="http://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/2014/02/daisy-chainable-i2c-level-shifter.html#more">Read more »</a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-51291890299145396222014-02-03T13:52:00.003-05:002014-02-03T16:32:37.979-05:00Lo Fi Blinky Card<div>
Snow day project with 4 year old Rachel: a greetings card with flashing illuminated LEDs.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-gfxWzyWIqM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<a href="http://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/2014/02/lo-fi-blinky-card.html#more">Read more »</a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-49210388006182945202014-02-02T00:04:00.001-05:002014-02-03T07:44:34.392-05:00Daisy Chainable I2C Splitter PCB<div>
One of a series of modular expansion boards for the I2C bus: a 1-3 splitter for branching I2C signals.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWaT6c0CPI2oz-WkqrIr-vt2zk36erCEFkyeQ8UMyUZDVzzOoHu1848m62eUYudV9OrlYB7tbNOheGPQ_C10lm6Y3lXGQSur9pKrvxib8FQOnJQqw11yOZJibDInUs9CB_c-5zR2rkeID/s1600/i2c-splitter-pcbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWaT6c0CPI2oz-WkqrIr-vt2zk36erCEFkyeQ8UMyUZDVzzOoHu1848m62eUYudV9OrlYB7tbNOheGPQ_C10lm6Y3lXGQSur9pKrvxib8FQOnJQqw11yOZJibDInUs9CB_c-5zR2rkeID/s400/i2c-splitter-pcbs.jpg"></a></div>
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<a href="http://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/2014/02/daisy-chainable-i2c-splitter-pcb.html#more">Read more »</a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-18420975236433435922014-01-25T20:45:00.001-05:002017-03-17T17:12:58.233-04:00Valentine LED Chaser<div>
The object of your desire will not be able to resist this heart shaped kitsch-o-tron, lovingly hand-crafted on perfboard with a CD4017B decade counter and 555 astable. But you probably can't go wrong with flowers and chocolates as well. Just to be on the safe side.<i> <a href="https://www.tindie.com/products/t0mpr1c3/heart-shaped-led-chaser/">Kits now available from Tindie!</a></i></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/89mJJ2xoDwU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<a href="http://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/2014/01/valentine-led-chaser.html#more">Read more »</a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-35336497024455118222014-01-16T21:22:00.001-05:002014-01-28T07:52:40.594-05:00$1 Lithium Coin Cell Charger<div>
Got a buck? Make a charger for LiR2032 coin cells. It could hardly be cheaper or easier.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVo1JCJLCoap-MLskp9FsjkRFw59A6cYT5Juu_QQWlWhRZ0tmmY8zKcWmacO93gULoew0JyK7z3u4Mka_bPhyphenhyphenHPlHh5x-kgTJ7Ud83DkIvZlPy2oHzKCQBFytAuNlPoRvMHs0FGFgATFu/s1600/LiR2032-charging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVo1JCJLCoap-MLskp9FsjkRFw59A6cYT5Juu_QQWlWhRZ0tmmY8zKcWmacO93gULoew0JyK7z3u4Mka_bPhyphenhyphenHPlHh5x-kgTJ7Ud83DkIvZlPy2oHzKCQBFytAuNlPoRvMHs0FGFgATFu/s1600/LiR2032-charging.jpg" height="146" width="400"></a></div>
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<a href="http://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/2014/01/1-lithium-coin-cell-charger.html#more">Read more »</a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-22482951421681618202013-12-31T21:52:00.000-05:002014-03-13T16:50:42.435-04:00Magic Mote Thermostat and Wireless Temperature Sensor<div>
A homemade thermostat up in the basement rafters controls the heating in my home. The smart bit is the radio frequency communication that connects it to a remote temperature sensor.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYsDioZxocpalFl0H5ouijilfVcfzj1UeDvzgytA-Y2pIPQKMoZr4WY-1QBYJBmHuvCFb9oLgyZ1YnX4YUzJXDEXKxXXt2-XXHnVoTiPT3j81YKBdJz_EwSo09AIUN9brvnIl3cnT3yPc/s1600/furnace-relay-magicmote-controller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYsDioZxocpalFl0H5ouijilfVcfzj1UeDvzgytA-Y2pIPQKMoZr4WY-1QBYJBmHuvCFb9oLgyZ1YnX4YUzJXDEXKxXXt2-XXHnVoTiPT3j81YKBdJz_EwSo09AIUN9brvnIl3cnT3yPc/s400/furnace-relay-magicmote-controller.jpg" height="300" width="400"></a></div>
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<a href="http://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/2013/12/magicmote-thermostat-and-wireless.html#more">Read more »</a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-2003416968227940512013-12-31T21:51:00.000-05:002017-04-13T22:36:24.467-04:00Magic Mote Wireless Sensor Node<div>
This compact PCB interfaces a low power <a href="http://www.ti.com/product/msp430g2553">MSP430G2553</a> microcontroller with a Nordic <a href="http://www.nordicsemi.com/eng/Products/2.4GHz-RF/nRF24L01P">NRF24L01+</a> 2.4 GHz radio frequency transceiver module. It's well adapted to <a href="http://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/2013/12/magicmote-thermostat-and-wireless.html">serve as a wireless sensor node</a>, but has enough I/O options to be put to use wherever a small microcontroller is required.<i> PCBs now available from <a href="https://www.tindie.com/stores/t0mpr1c3/" rel="nofollow">Tindie!</a></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyB2cggi74HB8an7tb66mKD6O9EF57PoOpVwp9us-Kb8LuOEglG6Mz1r5vj3SDpVmjLay8unoN3Q6WGJnGvcf2jnJKz97oeHaDBHljTqwSPXVB6JT8Adgl-EiOrQYBHYLHPjhSGiy7HWV/s1600/wireless-thermometer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyB2cggi74HB8an7tb66mKD6O9EF57PoOpVwp9us-Kb8LuOEglG6Mz1r5vj3SDpVmjLay8unoN3Q6WGJnGvcf2jnJKz97oeHaDBHljTqwSPXVB6JT8Adgl-EiOrQYBHYLHPjhSGiy7HWV/s400/wireless-thermometer.jpg"></a></div>
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<a href="http://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/2013/12/magicmote-wireless-sensor-node.html#more">Read more »</a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-25431791893182126252013-12-24T02:21:00.004-05:002013-12-24T02:44:09.052-05:00Home Grown Bhut Jolokia Peppers<div>
Hannah and I made chili sauce from the devilishly hot Bhut Jolokia peppers that I grew this year.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1pm0ivw8ZHwom810CvhNn_ujZt-tMYlo-nWE7xT-alx3_NFGgIfgCpz8JyLD56JoMJJhbp4BynHeGQMNEtxi5HR6XLwSa0xOoIIKPlebYzb8YohuhRPoqODBJE6-mANMfRZdV1UYuvdj/s1600/bowl-of-chili.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1pm0ivw8ZHwom810CvhNn_ujZt-tMYlo-nWE7xT-alx3_NFGgIfgCpz8JyLD56JoMJJhbp4BynHeGQMNEtxi5HR6XLwSa0xOoIIKPlebYzb8YohuhRPoqODBJE6-mANMfRZdV1UYuvdj/s320/bowl-of-chili.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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<a href="http://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/2013/12/home-grown-bhut-jolokia-peppers.html#more">Read more »</a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-61129540322639317902013-12-23T00:40:00.001-05:002013-12-23T09:33:43.197-05:0012mm Rotary Encoder Breakout<div>
0.925" x 0.925" breakout board for 12mm rotary encoder with switch. The PCB has enlarged holes to fit generic encoders.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCXW4oJyt0Yt3o9apclueVD6N799gwdt-MKSfz8qnLcD25QSP4c7F3S0evhDQg28_EltTw7pBZPSyZFSZdbQziLhCvUaBhyOPc4bMGbIDA8h3Ll-ur441XyYxeA3Hw_mswpd6gzwFq76b/s1600/assembled_rotary_encoder_kit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCXW4oJyt0Yt3o9apclueVD6N799gwdt-MKSfz8qnLcD25QSP4c7F3S0evhDQg28_EltTw7pBZPSyZFSZdbQziLhCvUaBhyOPc4bMGbIDA8h3Ll-ur441XyYxeA3Hw_mswpd6gzwFq76b/s400/assembled_rotary_encoder_kit.jpg" width="400"></a></div>
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<a href="http://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/2013/12/12mm-rotary-encoder-breakout.html#more">Read more »</a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-11191008016744585342013-12-22T15:11:00.002-05:002013-12-23T03:22:29.674-05:00Booting Linux Live USB on a MacBook AirI have a MacBook Air with an Intel i7 core running OS X Lion 10.7.5. Booting linux from a flash drive was not straightforward, to the point that when I finally got it working I laughed with surprise. Evidently doing such things is not part of the one true Apple way. The instructions were cobbled together from from <a href="http://www.michaelevans.org/blog/2013/01/15/boot-ubuntu-from-an-sd-card-on-your-macbook-air/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.warp1337.com/content/install-ubuntu-1210-quantal-quetzal-macbook-pro-101-retina-solved">here</a> with a fair bit of trial and error. Needless to say, the <a href="http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-mac-osx">procedures documented on the Ubuntu website</a> did not work for me.<br>
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<a href="http://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/2013/12/booting-linux-live-usb-on-macbook-air.html#more">Read more »</a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-78962554558767237332013-12-09T22:59:00.003-05:002013-12-10T14:21:14.033-05:00Stirplate Hot Fix<div>
A digital stirring hotplate in decent used condition will set you back about $250. I paid a fraction of that for one with a broken heating function. The problem turned out to be nothing more than a duff switch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QAj_JsNUPEzTjy5nO0S-26JhOz9h9U24ZFjHi-W8FK5soualp2IJPsA9ljlUJDKp4zyTSTCpSJwAAckezw2E2BADEQ5zM-VaFKAgSHnjU5h4EimaSZBt7vYJ9An3hmt3xeHajmwvQQeG/s1600/hotplate2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QAj_JsNUPEzTjy5nO0S-26JhOz9h9U24ZFjHi-W8FK5soualp2IJPsA9ljlUJDKp4zyTSTCpSJwAAckezw2E2BADEQ5zM-VaFKAgSHnjU5h4EimaSZBt7vYJ9An3hmt3xeHajmwvQQeG/s400/hotplate2.jpg" width="400"></a></div>
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<a href="http://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/2013/12/stirplate-hot-fix.html#more">Read more »</a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-50308840897092086722013-12-06T23:17:00.001-05:002014-02-21T12:04:20.399-05:00I Wanted A Puppy For Xmas<div>... and <a href="http://www.digikey.com/us/en/mkt/fb/wish/wish.html">Digikey</a> made my wish come true. I'm planning a home automation system, and <a href="http://beagleboard.org/Products/BeagleBone">this little computer</a> will be its brain.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic87aXZT5j7ZdZor7-K7Vh12rYN7mFC-e59Vicv8ZGHMNrVOh5X6a9IfPPzKpMBkaT-CVVMvCyS16TqzC1BaWBi3QUcKfh4b6s8czIy5q6Y7ugbL6cDJN48dO7jBS6X6rcTWZ9Q6AYm3uU/s1600/BB1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic87aXZT5j7ZdZor7-K7Vh12rYN7mFC-e59Vicv8ZGHMNrVOh5X6a9IfPPzKpMBkaT-CVVMvCyS16TqzC1BaWBi3QUcKfh4b6s8czIy5q6Y7ugbL6cDJN48dO7jBS6X6rcTWZ9Q6AYm3uU/s400/BB1.jpg" /></a></div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-6502116319501308842013-12-04T23:27:00.001-05:002013-12-04T23:48:36.886-05:00Homemade MSP430 LaunchpadsWhen I ordered some <a href="http://forum.43oh.com/topic/2696-snordic-nrf24l01-rf-boosterpack/">NRF24L01+ boosterpacks</a> from the <a href="http://www.store.43oh.com/">43oh store</a>, I asked for a couple of MSP430 Launchpad v1.4 PCBs. These are legacy boards kindly provided by TI (thanks LariSan!) It was fiddly soldering to the tiny 0402 pads since my components were all 0805. The LEDs were especially <a href="http://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/search/label/Tricky">tricky</a>. But they both turned out OK as you can see. Here they are (alongside a genuine Launchpad on the left) running the breathing LED demo from the <a href="https://code.google.com/p/osx-launchpad/">OSX Launchpad toolchain</a>.<br />
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<br />Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-29704012726301634762013-11-30T09:05:00.001-05:002013-12-05T23:29:29.496-05:00A Little Something To Be Thankful For<div>
Thanks <a href="http://www.elecrow.com/">Elecrow</a> for a $10 voucher in their <a href="http://www.elecrow.com/blog/new-registered-giveaway-results/">Black Friday giveaway</a>. I have heard good reports about their PCB prototyping service, especially the free color option, and I am keen to give it a try.
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<a href="http://www.elecrow.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MJsYAIJ_DAoSGiIfrZ9vt111A-RRU85gIJuxFj0Z2Kj6mkMW5zItyuCyXMZNCqD5gfI1QRO0QIEp8f6YtmnHGQWaqhe1OCkBCXzckamZ5HZJLJ0o258akxtVr6LTX2NEQHyRqSdV8kJZ/s400/giveaway.jpg" /></a></div>
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-16362818897075144612013-11-27T21:00:00.000-05:002013-12-01T20:56:36.607-05:00Pedal Powered Menorah<div>
Exercise bike + magnets + LEDs = festival of light. Devised by T.J.Hunt with specialist engineering expertise from Rabbi Shena Potter Jaffee. Come along 3rd December to the Mayerson Jewish Center of Cincinnati. Pop a beer, grab a latke, and take a spin. Happy Hannukah! </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/2Stftr-kUrA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<a href="http://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/2013/11/pedal-powered-menorah.html#more">Read more »</a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-41769646540867751892013-11-24T04:30:00.000-05:002014-02-09T12:55:19.771-05:00Twin Triac AC Switch on DP5050 PCB<div>
Two triacs switched by zero-crossing optocoupled drivers act as solid state relays on a <a href="http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/Sick_of_Beige_standard_PCB_sizes_v1.0">Dangerous Prototypes standard size PCB</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiWb0GXSd9MbXt9U7XYIwzRolEq3oDDu1HnL-cakHDZEY2E8Rf6afNToDFCJaArj6s3yYYVEPAj1h_us1EftvfaCS3zrBjHSbiFEGYK59PAXVZF9l-X9vbZzGUlhs6p9cFWTlSucw2ozQ/s1600/populated-board.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiWb0GXSd9MbXt9U7XYIwzRolEq3oDDu1HnL-cakHDZEY2E8Rf6afNToDFCJaArj6s3yYYVEPAj1h_us1EftvfaCS3zrBjHSbiFEGYK59PAXVZF9l-X9vbZzGUlhs6p9cFWTlSucw2ozQ/s400/populated-board.jpg"></a></div>
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<a href="http://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/2013/11/twin-triac-ac-switch-on-dp5050-pcb.html#more">Read more »</a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3924036168101987386.post-34249203970761271742013-11-23T16:56:00.000-05:002013-12-23T20:53:12.384-05:00Twin Relay Control Board on DP5050 PCB<div>
Just for good measure, a breakout board for twin Songle SRD series relays to fit the <a href="http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/Sick_of_Beige_standard_PCB_sizes_v1.0">Dangerous Prototypes standard PCB size DP5050</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEz4mKot5S7uUx7CMo31Lq_1ADTyFjo6AN82NKiDc-munSMA0GdqhyphenhyphenQJgkOnt80NEAmTIPC1v4uLxNesceeINVfR5JRcXvAxYkvaJldyPfz-qjUxpHsEuHyHmxwh7C7ptOx7pwSRgxckIe/s1600/RD01-populated-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEz4mKot5S7uUx7CMo31Lq_1ADTyFjo6AN82NKiDc-munSMA0GdqhyphenhyphenQJgkOnt80NEAmTIPC1v4uLxNesceeINVfR5JRcXvAxYkvaJldyPfz-qjUxpHsEuHyHmxwh7C7ptOx7pwSRgxckIe/s400/RD01-populated-small.jpg" width="400"></a></div>
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<a href="http://smokedprojects.blogspot.com/2013/11/twin-relay-control-board-on-dp5050-pcb.html#more">Read more »</a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638219372372008654noreply@blogger.com2