July 4, 2018
Raspberry Pi 3 or Raspberry Pi 3+ Use LibreELEC USB-SD Creator to write libreelec-rpi2.arm-8.2.4.img.gz to SD card. Use LibreELEC USB-SD Creator to write libreelec-rpi2.arm-8.2.4.img.gz to USB memory stick. Add “program_usb_boot_mode=1” (without double quotes) to config.txt on SD card just once and boot your Pi to flip a bit in a write-once register to enable USB […]
May 27, 2018
Inkscape has a number of commands to form new paths from two or more preexisting paths. The z-order of the paths is important. It does not matter if you click object A first and then object B, or vice versa – it is the order of the parts i.e. which part sits on top that […]
April 13, 2017
I use Windows Sidebar Gadgets (originally developed for Windows7) in Windows 8/10. You can install 8GadgetPack from the internet to do so. I like being able to use my computer as an alarm clock to show me a message after X minutes or at a specific time. Most countdown / alarm clock timers play a […]
November 4, 2016
Description The HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor uses sonar to determine distance to an object like bats do. It offers excellent non-contact range detection with high accuracy and stable readings in an easy-to-use package. From 2cm to 400 cm or 1” to 13 feet. Its operation is not affected by sunlight or black material. Acoustically soft […]
November 2, 2016
Description You can purchase long flexible strips of small surface mounted LEDs that come on a spool. You can cut the strip to length at the cut marks. You can solder strips together by using the solder pads. There are a number of different type of SMD (surface mounted device) LEDs available: The most common […]
November 1, 2016
Description Do NOT interface an Arduino board with any mains power cabling, components, etc. However, rather than telling you what you can’t do, the polite thing to do would be to at least provide you with a solution how you can achieve the desired result in a safe way. Remote Control Mains Operated Switch In […]
October 30, 2016
Warning Do NOT use this tutorial to connect a relay to 230Vac mains power. I have blown the cap of a LED by connecting it directly between +5Vdc and ground once. I have melted an electrolytic capacitor by connecting it to a voltage higher than it was rated for. There are not too many people […]
October 30, 2016
Electrical safety considerations This article is a strong warning to not open or manipulate any mains powered electrical equipment. Do NOT interface an Arduino board with any mains power cabling, components, etc. This document provides some basic guidelines how to make electronics equipment electrically safe. If anything I hope you will learn something from this. […]
October 28, 2016
Description A Real Time Clock (RTC) is basically just like a watch – it runs on a battery and keeps time for you even when there is a power outage. Using an RTC, you can keep track of long timelines, even if you reprogram your microcontroller or disconnect it from USB or a power plug. […]
October 26, 2016
Description Bipolar stepper motors always have only 4 wires. They require a dual H-bridge to drive them. Bipolar motors offer increased torque compared to unipolar motors. Flyback diodes are required to prevent voltage spikes when the power to the coil is turned off and the stepper motor acts like a generator briefly (back-emf). Note: You […]