I’ve been working on a compact field deployable lighting effects rig.
Based on bike brake discs makes them really tough and easy to attach to
ropes and cable ties. They can be daisy chained with a single IP68
connector providing both power and data.
A layer of clay between the WS2812 PCB and the brake disc allows the
disc to act as a heatsink.
The control model is loosely based on an audio synthesizer - in the
sense that there are various properties to change live that interact to
produce different effects.
Small thermal printers commonly used for printing receipts have
become more affordable and can be useful for all sorts of projects like
interactive exhibits, custom Point Of Sale system or just printing
notes.
The ESC/POS specification can be found in this document
from EPSON however the functionality actually implemented in each model
of printer varies.
This ZJ-5802LD printer from ebay can be connected
with USB, serial or Bluetooth and contains a lithium battery allowing
printing from mobile phones or tablets in the field.
This example implements all the text functionality of the ZJ-5802LD
printer and produces the output shown above. We are connecting the
printer using the USB port which is presented as
/dev/usb/lp0 in Linux.
In a future post I will cover printing barcodes and images.
I purchased this relay from eBay intending to use it with a Raspberry
Pi. I connected this up to 5V, GND and Pin 12 on the Pi and switched pin
12 on and off but nothing happened.
I checked the signal pin with an oscilloscope and it was alternating
between 3.3V and 0V expected but the relay (and the LED on the relay
board) would not switch.
This is an early stage of a boat design. It mixes ideas from both
kayaks with outriggers and from sailing catamarans. The idea is to make
a boat that is good for both paddling and sailing and can be packed up
to the size of a very large suitcase.
The two outriggers provide all the buoyancy and the tiny cabin in the
middle fits one person with their legs stretched out.
The sparse connection between the cabin and outriggers is to allow
decent room for paddling (the red stick).