Author: James

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Guess what I’ve been working on?

It’s been a while since I posted so I thought I would give you all a sneak peak of what I have been working on, full details coming soon. Can you guess what it is? Let me know what you think…

 

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Dealing with wear/slipping of the blind controller gear

Gear_Coupler_v2_3_3

If you’re finding the plastic gear on the blind controller is wearing and the motor spindle slipping as I have (my blinds are over 5kg). I have designed a new gear that uses a metal coupler held in place by a series of short M3 screws. I find the 6mm option works perfect and they are available here: https://www.banggood.com/custlink/KKDGZIzOGb

Note you will also need to print the revised gear surround to accommodate the slightly larger gear. 3D files are available from thingiverse.

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Blind Controller PCBs – Almost Sold Out!!

I am now down to my last remaining custom PCB board for version 2 of the Blind Controller. Thank-you all for supporting my work, I hope to continue to build upon it’s success adding new features in the future, watch this space!

For anyone that may miss out, I will have more available soon, but for now get yourself the last one!

Available at etsy and eBay

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IoT Push Button (D1 Mini)

I made an IoT Push Button (Think of those Amazon Dash things) that you can use to control your central heating, turn on/off your lights and even request drink refills when relaxing in the garden (provided your other half is making the drinks of course!).

This project uses a D1 Mini micro-controller and should run for months on a single battery using the deep sleep feature.

You will need:

D1 Mini
https://www.banggood.com/custlink/3v33H1lji3

3.7 Li-ion 14500 battery:
https://www.banggood.com/custlink/Gv3vPToo9Y

AA style Battery Holder:
https://www.banggood.com/custlink/DKvDHTOOIt

Push Button and cap:
https://www.banggood.com/custlink/3KvDFuajZC

3D-Printable housing, some short lengths of wire and a glue gun to fix

Further details available at instructables:
https://www.instructables.com/id/Request-a-Drink-IoT-Push-Button/.
and Thingiverse:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3733153

 

 

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Blind Controller v2.02

Released today v2.02 of the Blind Controller sketch which includes the following additional features:

  • Safety cut-off (Cuts out control if motion is prevented)
  • Enhanced app LED (better replicates physical LED)
  • Tabs introduced in-app to separate calibration from control
  • Ability to customise LED brightness

Screenshots:

In Use:

org_video_6685525_1561481088000.Still001

Download it here!

The Blynk app should update itself if configured via the following QR code.

Check out Blind Controller app I've made_

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Wireless Power Monitor

RenderTitleBlynk2

Ever wanted to remotely monitor/log power usage of your electronic appliances? Well now you can with this DIY, 3D printable monitor.

As well as the 3D printable parts available from thingiverse, you will need the following:

Simply connect the parts as shown in the schematic below, solder the switch in place after assembly within the 3D printable housing.

Note: To allow use of the sleep mode you will also need to solder a connection between the RST and D0 pins of the D1 mini.

Power-Monitor-Schematic

Download and install the Blynk app, use the following QR code to get your own copy of the power monitor app.

 

Configure the Arduino sketch for your own WiFi SSID and password as well as your unique Blynk autherntication token.

The latest Arduino sketch can be found here. Further details can be found at instructables.

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DIY Solar Power Supply

Create your own solar power supply with this easy design, based on a previous tutorial, solar power for small electronics projects.

This could be used to generate a near permanent power supply for a variety of electronics projects, including potentially the blind controller! Watch this space…

For this project you will need:

TP4056 Li-Ion Battery Charge Controller:

https://www.banggood.com/custlink/KGmmYIsB5L

TP18650 3.7V Li-Ion Battery (2600mAh):

https://www.banggood.com/custlink/KKDmESs4HB

6V 4.5W Mono crystalline Solar Panel:

https://www.banggood.com/custlink/GvD3YIs0PU

5V 1A USB Step Up Converter:

https://www.banggood.com/custlink/mvK3ESN6SK

OR MT3608 DC Boost Module

https://www.banggood.com/custlink/KGmvJ1h7GL

The 3D printable housing can be found at Thingiverse:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3622230

Circuit details:

Circuit-Basic

More images: