Anyone want to float some project ideas?
 

I've got a itch to do a small project in my spare time. Problem is I
don't know what.
Spence got me thinking, maybe a PIC based web server or a home remote
monitor.
Or something along those lines. Perhaps some 24/48v specific stuff.
Ideas welcome, I'd post the project and BOM somewhere.

Cheers

Re: Anyone want to float some project ideas?
 

"z" <z@yada.yada.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9E14704585B37zyadayadayada@216.196.97.131. ..
> z <z@yada.yada.com> wrote in
> news:Xns9E13C33F36E96zyadayadayada@216.196.97.131:
>
>> "Martin Riddle" <martin_rid@verizon.net> wrote in news:i9dip0$3lf$1
>> @news.eternal-september.org:
>>
>>> I've got a itch to do a small project in my spare time. Problem is I
>>> don't know what.
>>> Spence got me thinking, maybe a PIC based web server or a home
>>> remote
>>> monitor.
>>> Or something along those lines. Perhaps some 24/48v specific stuff.
>>> Ideas welcome, I'd post the project and BOM somewhere.
>>>
>>> Cheers
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> How about a strain guage like power generator? I need something I
>> can
>> tie between trees so when the wind blows they somehow make power.
>> Michael B asked if I had any wind, well one of the issues I have with
>> wind is the fact that I'm surrounded by trees. Watching them move
>> today I was thinking there is some energy there.. not huge amounts
>> but
>> I'd be slick to just hook a few trees together and let them blow in
>> the wind.
>>
>> -zachary in Oregon
>
> Peizoelectric Bunji cords!

I was thinking more along the lines of a gadget that you could use in an
existing system.

Besides, my Oaks don’t sway that much.

Cheers

Re: Anyone want to float some project ideas?
 

In article <i9fsq3$smc$1@news.eternal-september.org>,
"Martin Riddle" <martin_rid@verizon.net> wrote:

> I was thinking more along the lines of a gadget that you could use in an
> existing system.
>
> Besides, my Oaks don’t sway that much.
>
> Cheers

How about someone with sheet-metal fabricating expertise, helping design
an Engine Exhaust Heat Extraction System for small (3-20 Kw) Gensets.
Think co-generation. I have a preliminary design, but not the expertise
to do the fabrication.

--
Bruce in Alaska add path before the @ for email

Re: Anyone want to float some project ideas?
 

"T. Keating" <tkusenet@ktcnslt.com> wrote in message
news:l0ntb61e1j413psq9icrg8rf8kjcrs88uu@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 16 Oct 2010 21:16:11 -0400, "Martin Riddle"
> <martin_rid@verizon.net> wrote:
>
>>I've got a itch to do a small project in my spare time. Problem is I
>>don't know what.
>>Spence got me thinking, maybe a PIC based web server or a home remote
>>monitor.
>
> I purchased a couple of these to replace my PC based household
> file/web/email/ftp/HA/fax/voice/NTP server and to reduce my 24x7
> household power consumption.
>
> http://www.pogoplug.com/home-en.html?
>

Forgive me if this is stupid question, but this product is entirely new to me.
Will the USB ports on the Pogoplug support devices other than drives?
Specifically, I find MagicJack tempting, but have no desire to run my 100-Watt
desktop 24/7 just to keep my phones alive.

Vaughn

Re: Anyone want to float some project ideas?
 

"Jim Wilkins" <kb1dal@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:b03d3f11-4ba9-43d7-a5b8-fdfa419f6b88@i5g2000yqe.googlegroups.com...
On Oct 20, 9:19 am, "vaughn" <vaughnsi...@gmail.invalid> wrote:
> ...
> Specifically, I find MagicJack tempting, but have no desire to run my 100-Watt
> desktop 24/7 just to keep my phones alive.
>
> Vaughn

>How about an older laptop on its AC adapter? They sell pretty cheap
>when the batteries are dead. This Latitude draws 20-25W at idle and my
>older Armadas go as low as 14W.

Yes, I've thought of that. Thinking further, a cheap netbook with a static
drive might also be a good option, as long as it has some form of Windoze.

It's truly odd that MagicJack doesn't sell a stand-alone voip adapter for their
service. Whatever, it's crazy for me to keep paying $30+ for a landline we
hardly ever use.

Vaughn

Re: Anyone want to float some project ideas?
 

"T. Keating" <tkusenet@ktcnslt.com> wrote in message
news:l0ntb61e1j413psq9icrg8rf8kjcrs88uu@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 16 Oct 2010 21:16:11 -0400, "Martin Riddle"
> <martin_rid@verizon.net> wrote:
>
>>I've got a itch to do a small project in my spare time. Problem is I
>>don't know what.
>>Spence got me thinking, maybe a PIC based web server or a home remote
>>monitor.
>
> I purchased a couple of these to replace my PC based household
> file/web/email/ftp/HA/fax/voice/NTP server and to reduce my 24x7
> household power consumption.
>
> http://www.pogoplug.com/home-en.html?
>
> If you wait long enough Pogoplug v2's can be found on amazon for
> $48ea.. (The price changes every week or so.. sometimes it goes up..
> sometimes down+ free shipping.. wait for the right price..)..
>
> http://www.amazon.com/Pogoplug-POGO-.../dp/B0033WSDR4
>
>
> 1.2 Ghz ARM cpu with memory management, 256MB ram, 512MB flash.
> 4x USB 2.0 ports, 1x 10/100Mb/1Gb ethernet port. runs 2.6 linux..
>
> Draws about 3.6 watts @ idle with ethernet connected @100Mb & 2Gb usb
> flash. The single Internal logic board run's off of a single rail
> +5V switching power supply, so it's fairly easy to convert into pure
> DC unit or add in a small UPS/battery circuit.
>
> Photo's of interior.
> http://www.smallcloudbuilder.com/har...owall=&start=2
>
>>Or something along those lines. Perhaps some 24/48v specific stuff.
>>Ideas welcome, I'd post the project and BOM somewhere.
>
> A fair bit of 3rd party linux activity is centered around this
> product. I.E. Replace firmware.. boot your own customized Linux.
>
> http://www.plugapps.com/index.php5?title=Main_Page
> http://www.plugapps.com/index.php5?t...rted:_Pogoplug
>
> Wayyy.. cooler than doing another Pic project..

Interesting, but I see little info on hardware. no I/O ports?

Cheers

Re: Anyone want to float some project ideas?
 

"Martin Riddle" <martin_rid@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:i9qkll$mn9$2@news.eternal-september.org...
...
>
> Interesting, but I see little info on hardware. no I/O ports?

Network connection plus 4 USP ports.

Vaughn

Re: Anyone want to float some project ideas?
 

T. Keating <tkusenet@ktcnslt.com> wrote in
news:l0ntb61e1j413psq9icrg8rf8kjcrs88uu@4ax.com:

> I purchased a couple of these to replace my PC based household
> file/web/email/ftp/HA/fax/voice/NTP server and to reduce my 24x7
> household power consumption.
>
> http://www.pogoplug.com/home-en.html?

So how is that working out?
Did you use it out of the box?
Or did you do the Linuk mod thing?

I have been thinking of putting together a
home server. Mostly I have been thinking of
is FreeNAS (Google it). But I don't want to
dedicate a full box to the task. One of
these plug devices may be just the thing.
Maybe not for FeeNAS, but if I could get the
same functionality in an enrgy efficent
device...

Re: Anyone want to float some project ideas?
 

"vaughn" <vaughnsimon@gmail.invalid> wrote in message
news:i9qngj$6fi$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>
> "Martin Riddle" <martin_rid@verizon.net> wrote in message
> news:i9qkll$mn9$2@news.eternal-september.org...
> ..
>>
>> Interesting, but I see little info on hardware. no I/O ports?
>
> Network connection plus 4 USP ports.
>

Too bad there is no GPIO's or ADC's and DAC's. The PIC webserver I have
draws less than the pogoplug, and could provide more useful information
and control.
Probably better off with some X-10 stuff than the pogoplug.
But it might be good if you want to stream live video or something along
those lines.

Cheers

Re: Anyone want to float some project ideas?
 

"ghelf" <ghelf@sbcglobalDeathToSpam.net> wrote in message
news:bo-dndFKeOoAlGvRnZ2dnUVZ5tqdnZ2d@giganews.com...
>
> If we could burn our trash we could capture that energy and eliminate our gas
> bill. The problem is the pollution created by burning our trash. Figure out a
> way to eliminate that and you may have a marketable idea.

They already have figured that one out, but it only works with modern (megabuck)
central incinerators. The technology would be way too expensive for home use.
A side benefit of the central method is resource recovery. The downside is the
expense and energy consumbption of the collection process.

Vaughn