Author Archives: robertwilkie

A cheap fire power kit

Posted on December 8, 2013 by robertwilkie

I got a kick out of this build.  Basically you only cost is the Thermoelectric Cooler for $20 after shipping.  Everything else you could “pull” off a junk computer and a tin can.

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Even Cheaper outlet Control

Posted on December 6, 2013 by robertwilkie

OK this is even a cheaper solution to control 3 outlets.  It uses Home Depot’s RF outlet controller, and arduino with eithernet shield (OK thats not so cheap) and a cheap RF module. http://hackaday.com/2013/12/06/android-and-arduino-rf-outlet-selector/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+hackaday%2FLgoM+%28Hack+a+Day%29 http://www.33snowflakes.com/blog/arduino-wireless-outlet/

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easy glass bottle cutter made up of common parts

Posted on December 5, 2013 by robertwilkie

Interesting way to make a bottle cutter, if you have some spare casters around, may be worth building. http://www.instructables.com/id/easy-glass-bottle-cutter-made-up-of-common-parts/

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Web Controlled Powerstrip

Posted on December 5, 2013 by robertwilkie

This could be an interesting project, it uses an RPi as the controller so you can control each socket individually.  This could be useful for future holiday (Haloween) decorations.  I won’t call it cheap thought, if I totalled up everything … Continue reading →

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DART: yet another programming language

Posted on December 5, 2013 by robertwilkie

Another programming languauge, this time out of Google.  Its interesting language, it is very similar to C, but its goal is to replace JavaScript and apparently is quiet a bit faster.  This could be a good transition language for C/C++ … Continue reading →

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Nice write-up on using the L293D

Posted on December 5, 2013 by robertwilkie

L293D is a common motor controller chip.  The author built a nice circuit for the chip and gives nice directions on it. http://www.electronics-lab.com/projects/motor_light/027/index.html http://makezine.com/2013/11/14/making-a-dc-motor-driver-with-a-l293d/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=%24%7Bfeed%7D&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+%24%7Bmakezineonline%7D+%28%24%7BMAKE%7D%29&utm_content=%24%7BGoogleReader%7D

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App for arduino to control lights via bluetooth

Posted on December 5, 2013 by robertwilkie

Interesting, someone wrote an android app to controll lights via bluetooth to an arduino…sounds like a kickstarter project I sponsored could use this…. http://hackedgadgets.com/2013/11/16/androidarduino-lighting-controller/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HackedGadgets+%28Hacked+Gadgets%29 http://www.plastibots.com/index.php/2013/11/12/glo-control-android-app-arduino-controller-2/

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Interesting wireless Proximity Sensor

Posted on December 4, 2013 by robertwilkie

Interesting prox sensor build.  It uses an atiny, prox sensor, and RFM12B RF transmitter for the build.  The article figures the cost for each one to be around $15.  How I don’t know (atiny board $10, transmitter $5, sensor $3, … Continue reading →

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Powerisite – convet dewalt batteries to USB

Posted on December 4, 2013 by robertwilkie

I have to say this is a pretty good idea, basically the author has a kickstarter project where for around $12 you can get an adapter that would convert your dewalt battery into a USB charger.  Thus making the batteries … Continue reading →

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Make your own toy raygun

Posted on December 4, 2013 by robertwilkie

Kit is $20 at makershed (plus shipping). Oh and +20 for the “case”.  It looks pretty neat and is very adjustable in sound.  I wonder if there is an opensource project for this somewhere. http://gizmodo.com/build-this-ray-gun-synth-that-generates-wonderfully-ret-1472689361?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gizmodo%2Ffull+%28Gizmodo%29

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