Category Archives: Tinkering

Arduino Solar powered weather station

Nice build, 2 arduinos (one on the weather station, another on the receiver end of a wireless RF to display data).  This could be expanded too for other systems to use, and as one commentor added, other weather stuff added … Continue reading

Posted in Arduino, Cheap | Comments Off on Arduino Solar powered weather station

Cheap simple T-Copter build

Nice write-up on building a cheap…well under a $100 by my guess…t-copter.  Why not a quad or tri?  Well the author explains why in his write up (cost, ease of build, etc). http://www.instructables.com/id/Cheap-crash-resistant-portable-T-Copter/

Posted in Cheap, robots | Comments Off on Cheap simple T-Copter build

Arduino + Ultrasonic = Range Finder

Nice write-up on how to use the ultrasonic board with a serial board and arduino (oh and display) for a simple range finder.  Supposedly this can go up to 16 feet in distance.  Not positive on that one. http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-ultrasonic-range-finder-with-lcd-display/

Posted in Arduino, Cheap | Comments Off on Arduino + Ultrasonic = Range Finder

automatic vent shutoffs with arduino (ish)

A father/daughter team basically built a system that is like NEST but for your heat vents.  So it will shut off/open vents as needed, thus saving the costs of heating/cooling your entire house.  Its using some arduino like clone for … Continue reading

Posted in Arduino, Cloud, Misc-Life, robots, sensors, Software Development | Comments Off on automatic vent shutoffs with arduino (ish)

How to reset you RPi Password

Nice write-up on how to reset the password for your Raspberry Pi, but on the same note, makes me nervous since its pretty easy to do.  Guess encrypting the SD card isn’t in the works. http://www.raspberrypi-spy.co.uk/2014/08/how-to-reset-a-forgotten-raspberry-pi-password/

Posted in RaspberryPi, Security | Comments Off on How to reset you RPi Password

The Hangurer, nice gizmo you can print out

I typically don’t post about things on thingiverse, but this caught my eye, basically its a slidable hanging kit that you use with a pvc pipe.  Since similar stuff costs alot of cash.  This is worth keeping an eye on … Continue reading

Posted in Cheap, CNC/3D-printing | Comments Off on The Hangurer, nice gizmo you can print out

Waterbottle to supersoaker

Looks like I missed this kickstarter project, it converts a waterbottle into a pump action supersoaker.  Neat idea, thought a bit pricy when I could just cut a slot in the bottle and squeeze water out.  Still worth keepin and … Continue reading

Posted in water | Comments Off on Waterbottle to supersoaker

Yup, i want a giant light staff too

Pretty crazy project, the  author built a large LED light staff that can pulse, change colors, etc etc.  Building one is a bit sketch in directions, but it sounds like he is not done yet. http://makezine.com/2014/09/04/what-all-larpers-now-need-an-eight-foot-led-light-staff/?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 http://hackaday.io/project/137-Light-Staff%20

Posted in Arduino, Misc-Life | Comments Off on Yup, i want a giant light staff too

Android on x86

Interesting article on a quasi distro for the x86 for Android.  The author questions the use for this.  Me, its sometimes easier to find old intel systems to tinker with android on, or put it in a VM (yes I … Continue reading

Posted in android | Comments Off on Android on x86

Nice RPi Arcade build

For a coffee table that is.  My 2 cents, I would have used an existing table if I could.  Another nice build of this style is listed below http://www.instructables.com/id/Raspberry-Pi-Arcade-Table/ Others: http://www.instructables.com/id/Coffee-Table-Pi/ http://www.instructables.com/id/MAME-gaming-table-with-Raspberry-Pi/  

Posted in RaspberryPi | Comments Off on Nice RPi Arcade build