I just took a 12mm x 60mm piece of wood, and made a slit for the acrylic plastic using a circular saw, and removed a part for the back-plate using a wood router. I found a piece of acrylic in my shed, cut it to the right size using the circular saw. Slapped some paint on the wood.
I want to be able to use the sdk whenever i want, so i made a sliding window thingy. ( With wooden handle so the frame looks intact when closed. )
Then I 3D printed some holders, which I designed using Openscad.
While working on my game, i had to come up with some solutions i could not find an answer for on the internet.
I’m not going to post every little detail of my game on this blog, my main reason is sharing my experiences and solutions.
16 SWITCHES
16 Switches on a Wemos Arduino. While push buttons are easier to connect, I needed ON/OFF switches. Push buttons are easy, there is only one active, so 4 enable lines and 4 scan lines and you’re golden. 16 Switches can be enabled all at the same time. So you need some extra components to get a good result (0-65535)
Above schematic works, you need 4x 1k Pull-up resistors and 16 diodes. I used 1N4007
CONTROLLING 24V using Arduino and a buck convertor
Next problem, i’m using some elevator buttons for a project. These have build-in leds but run at 24V. I only have 5V from the Arduino. Regular leds you can connect directly to the Arduino using a 220ohm resistor. So i used a Buck-Step-Up-Convertor. This little module converts 5V to 24V. (You can control the output voltage using a variable resistor) To control the lamp/leds i used a PN2222a transistor to switch the lights on/off using a pin of the Arduino.
I love shellies, easy to implement and hacker friendly.
MQTT out of the box. Curl in and out – you can switch it on/off using curl, but it can send a http command also. I’ve used this with Domoticz and Home Assistant. It has a webinterface, with timers, and there is also a client for Android/Iphone You’ve got some own gpio pins to your disposal and the unit is flash-able!
curl -X POST https://shellydevice/device/relay/control -d "channel=IDHERE&turn=on&id=ID&auth_key=AUTH"
The device is not isolated from the mains. To flash it, the mains must be disconnected.
SHELLY 1
I use this for simple on/off switches around the house. Using it with a physical switch and MQTT (Nodered)
Same as above but this one has a build in power meter
SHELLY DIMMER
Generic dimmer
Dimmer with low voltage rotary encoder! https://www.instructables.com/Shelly-Dimmer-Wall-Switch-With-Rotary-Knob-and-Hom/
SHELLY RGBW2
A RGBW / 4 Channel controller You can connect RGB strips, but also dimmable white strips in 4 channels. 12V or 24V. NOTE! : There is a common 12V connection, and GND will be controlled!
SHELLY PLUG S
I love these small wall plugs, i’ve used these also to find power consuming devices around the house.
For example, i made a nodered flow, to see if the washing machines are running or not.
But I really wanted a cutter, so there it is … the Sculptfun S9
First test. crafting paper. No burning and a really high resolution!
This laser module has a new optical design, so it can cut wood as thick as 10+ mm. It can engrave metal, cut non-transparant acrylic, leather and more.
Software:
I’m using Inkscape, with the lasercutter tool plugin from Jtech. https://jtechphotonics.com/
I’ve also tested with LaserGRBL, which can be run under linux using Wine.
I’m trail testing LightBurn. (Native Linux App)
I will post my findings and test on this post.
UPDATE: 20230221
A stone slate engraved
Speed
3000 mm/s
Laser Power
100%
Lines per mm
10
UPDATE: 20230306
Calibrate your machine! .. But NOT as found on YouTube using a 10x10mm or 1 inch by 1 inch. square. As big as you can. This is far more precise!
Composite video print designed and ordered from china.
Changed some vlans in my network. I need to think of a way to extract/migrate domoticz 433 info into a new instance. For example .. i’ve got some instances in my device list which are only being controlled by domoticz, there is no remote i can reuse.
Tried welding again, because i could not do it for a long time, i noticed i have to practice again after 2 years. (I’ve got a dedicated power outlet outside now .. 🙂
Last 8mm films work done. (Converted all of my dad’s old 8mm reels)
Designed a hidden remote cabinet, holding remotes out of sight for the occasions when automation doesn’t work.
Designed also a wooden wall with hidden cabinets in our bedroom.
Repaired a Gardena Leafblower .. again!
"If something is worth doing, it's worth overdoing."