Monthly Archives: February 2015

Another use of a Joule Thief, sucking out the last of the juice out of a battery

Posted on February 18, 2015 by robertwilkie

Its another basic Joule Thief circuit, but the author uses it to get the last bits of juice out of batteries for a flashlight. http://makezine.com/video/give-dead-batteries-another-life-with-the-vampire-flashlight/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=%24{feed}&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+%24{makezineonline}+%28%24{MAKE}%29&utm_content=%24{GoogleReader}

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life | Comments Off on Another use of a Joule Thief, sucking out the last of the juice out of a battery

20 Mini Jobs to Earn Extra Cash

Posted on February 18, 2015 by robertwilkie

Interesting article that brought up some places I have already heard of (fiver, Amazon’s Turk) but a few new ones I haven’t, in particular one that interested me is ReceiptHog.  Which involves you sending a pic of a receipt for … Continue reading →

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GoCupi, cheaper version of Makelangelo, and All opensourced

Posted on February 18, 2015 by robertwilkie

I stumbled on a few more interesting drawbots.  The GoCupi, which had a kickstarter project last summer.  Its around 250 (plus 20 to ship) for the entire kit.  They published all the designs and code from the looks of it … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, CNC/3D-printing, Misc-Life, RaspberryPi | Comments Off on GoCupi, cheaper version of Makelangelo, and All opensourced

Alternatives to Belkin’s WeMo

Posted on February 17, 2015 by robertwilkie

Nice article summing up 6 other remote control outlet devices over the Belkin WeMo’s.  Why am I looking at this.  I have kids that love to use appliances and lights, and leave them on forever.  This is an area I … Continue reading →

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RPi + Etekcity remote power outlets = Wireless controlled outlets

Posted on February 17, 2015 by robertwilkie

I was thinking of doing this myself.  But they guy beat me too it.  He uses a Raspberry Pi to controll the Etekcity remotes (run over 433 MHz RF) and an transmitter/reciever module to controll them.  He figured out the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, RaspberryPi, sensors | 1 Comment

RPi Thermostat write-up

Posted on February 13, 2015 by robertwilkie

Interesting conversion of using an RPi for Thermostat control.  Thought I think there could be a cheaper route to do this. http://www.nooganeer.com/his/projects/homeautomation/raspberry-pi-thermostat-part-1-overview/

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$9 Charger build

Posted on February 13, 2015 by robertwilkie

Interesting build using a joule thief for a charger. http://www.instructables.com/id/Solar-Wind-and-Hydro-on-your-faucet-turbine-powere/

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If I ever build a router table, I am doing this

Posted on February 12, 2015 by robertwilkie

The author build a motorized router table so he doesn’t have to manually adjust it up and down.  He is using an arduino for the controller with a displace and a DC motor to do the up/down.  I have watched … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, Cheap, Tools | Comments Off on If I ever build a router table, I am doing this

3D print your own portable wind power

Posted on February 12, 2015 by robertwilkie

Nice idea that has the frame be 3D printed out on a printrbot simple (so a small printer).  It looks like it uses cloth for the panels.  Down side, no spec’s or files or designs that I could find on … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, Wind | Comments Off on 3D print your own portable wind power

Want to protect your code from Reverse Engineering

Posted on February 12, 2015 by robertwilkie

Look at this new tech called HARES, Hardened Anti-Reverse Engineering System.  It sounds neat, but still has some weak spots.  Right now it looks like its still a research project. http://www.wired.com/2015/02/crypto-trick-makes-software-nearly-impossible-reverse-engineer/ http://blog.jacobtorrey.com/hares-faq

Posted in Security, Software Development | Comments Off on Want to protect your code from Reverse Engineering