confessions of a backyard inventor

Category Electronics

Home Automation: RISC (Remote IoT Switch Controller)

Problem: Traditionally, to activate a device – like the mosquito zapper I have in the backyard, or the fairy lights on the tree in the yard – I need to physically flick a switch. I’d like to be able to… Continue Reading →

TSRD (Temperature Sensor Relay Device)

A device used in a small server cabinet to power a cooling fan when the temperature gets too hot.

DIY Home Automation: Coopener – Source code and IoT functionality

IoT functionality completed. Coopener is now centrally controlled and accessible by web.

DIY Home Automation: Coopener – Hardware and OS installation

Raspberry Pi to Arduino communication using Python and serial comms.

DIY Home Automation: Coopener – Testing and retrofitting

Building a framework for Home Automation devices, starting with the worlds first IoT chicken coop.

Thermistor and PWM speed controller

Build your own temperature sensor and fan speed controller.

Haptic compass band, revisited

Ever wanted to have a 6th sense?

Hacking a Riverbed Steelhead CX755

Install *nix on your Riverbed x55

Complete Media System – PART 3 [Linux to Arduino comms]

The final steps to completing your project.

Complete Media System – PART 2 [Hardware and OS]

Want to build your own completely flexible and customisable, yet small and energy efficient home Media System? This is not a simple media server or NAS (Network Attached Storage), although it does that too. It is everything your run-of-the mill… Continue Reading →

Complete Media System that fits in the palm of your hand – PART 1

I already have existing servers, but I figured it would be best to build an entire Media System which stands alone and try to make it as small, efficient and automated as possible. This way, the system can be replicated… Continue Reading →

SleepTrack – Sleep Apnea measuring and prevention machine

UPDATE: 25/2/2014 – Fritzing file is now available for Breadboard, Schematic, and PCB views. Above image is a screen grab of the Breadboard view in Fritzing. This is v1 hardware and will work on all v1.x versions of code (see… Continue Reading →

Coolsculptor/FrankenSculptor – PART 4

This is part 4 of a four part project. Click here for Part 1 Click here for Part 2 Click here for Part 3 This part concentrates solely on the controller and cleaning up the prototype wiring to increase the ease of use… Continue Reading →

Coolsculptor/FrankenSculptor – PART 3

This is part 3 of a four part project. Click here for Part 1 Click here for Part 2 Click here for Part 4 (DISCLAIMER: Use the information below at your own risk. I am not a doctor nor do I know… Continue Reading →

Coolsculptor/FrankenSculptor – PART 2

This is part 2 of a four part project. Click here for Part 1 Click here for Part 3 Click here for Part 4 At this point the device is nearly ready for a test run. Temperature sensors were installed in each plate to… Continue Reading →

Coolsculptor (Cryolipolysis) codename: FrankenSculptor – PART 1 [DIY Coolsculpting machine]

This is part 1 of a four part project. Click here for Part 2 Click here for Part 3 Click here for Part 4 I’ve been working on building my own Coolsculpting device as Zeltiq are offering.It is a machine which reduces… Continue Reading →

Car side mirror replacement

I broke my left side mirror (oops!) and needed to have it replaced. Buying from manufacturer costs 3 times the amount for one mirror. Instead, I ordered a set (left and right) online with the added ability of a motorized… Continue Reading →

Fix motorbike blinker cluster

My brother bought a motorbike recently. The bike was in good condition, but the blinker cluster was broken — It wasn’t able to ‘click’ properly to the left and sometimes it would not engage the indicator lights at all. My… Continue Reading →

Installing marine audio deck in to boat

My existing Kenwood deck is no longer working. This is the second Kenwood deck i’ve installed that has failed in 2 years. Each time it fails not long after the warranty period ends! So no more Kenwood for me. This… Continue Reading →

Power Generator – Part 2

Part 2 of my power generator project (part 1 is here). Looks like this is going to be a multi-part project as it is taking longer than I thought. I am currently up to the stage of building the covering/casing… Continue Reading →

Fixing my Hakko soldering station

My soldering station stopped working. I love this soldering station, so I opened it up to see whats going on inside. The transformer contacts had come loose, so I tightened them and VIOLA! all good. But not longer after it… Continue Reading →

Power generator – Part 1

Part 2 of this project is available here. DIY Power Generator Input: Fuel, in the form of petroleum Output: 12v DC and 240v AC electricity! While overseas in the Philippines I was very impressed by the way the locals improvised,… Continue Reading →

My first Car PC, from 1999!

Blast from the past! I was going through some old photos and came across a set from back in 1999! Apologies for the sub-par pictures, some of them were taken with my first ever digital camera (an old Kodak camera…. Continue Reading →

Nintendo NES USB controller, from 2002!

Blast from the past! link to video of controller in use This particular project I’ve created quite a few years ago and posted it online on a different blog. The post ended up being featured on Hack-A-Day, Engadget, Gizmodo and… Continue Reading →

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