16 May 2024 mmWave occupancy with ESP32 & LD1125H Use of an ESP32 running ESPHome to interface with a LD1125H mmWave occupancy sensor, Also monitoring of room temperature, humidity and pressure via the same device. Categories Electronics/Home Automation Comments: 0
30 April 2024 MAME Cabinet Raspberry Pi 4 An old Taito standup arcade cabinet that I’d previously kitted out with MAME, came back from storage and I decided to refit it with something more maintainable. MAME and emulation should be a lot simpler now than it was back then shouldn’t it? Categories DIY Projects/Electronics/Entertainment/IT & Networking/Projects/Technology Comments: 0
24 November 2023 Automating “should be the bins be out… and are they?” Use of ESPresence, BLE iBeacons, Node Red and Home Assistant to tell if it is rubbish day, which bins need to go out (and only if the bins haven’t been put out yet) Categories Home Automation Comments: 5
25 September 2023 700km Drive in the Atto 3 We drove our BYD Atto 3 from Auckland to Wellington, and this was the first long distance trip we have taken it on. So how was the charging and how much did it cost? Categories Electric Vehicles Comments: 0
20 August 2023 Dual Dashcam for the BYD Atto 3 Installing a front and rear dashcam in a BYD Atto 3. Although the Atto 3 has a dashcam, it doesn’t record when parked. Dash cameras are great, and I like having them in all of our cars. The first one i installed was around 9 years ago and they have saved us a few times when involved in a fender-bender that wasn’t our fault, and really helped a couple of times when there has been a carpark ding. Categories CCTV/Electric Vehicles Comments: 2
7 August 2023 Home EV Wallcharger Setup & Installation Tips Having had electric vehicles for a few years now, I thought I’d share a few tips and photos regarding our current EV charging setup. We currently have 2 EVs (both that live outside) and 2 charging points, one beside the other. Categories CCTV/Electric Vehicles/Home Automation/Security Comments: 0
6 August 2023 Appliance Completion Notification with Node Red Use of Node Red and Javascript to monitor power to an appliance and notify when complete. It also can log to a csv file and do calculations based on total power used and the cost of that power, with peak/offpeak rates taken into account. Categories Home Automation Comments: 0
4 August 2023 Tasmota Rule Examples Below are some rules for Tasmota that I’ve used over the years, including doing basic standalone automations (no Home Assistant, no Node Red, or other additional tools). Standalone automation can be handy, and in simple cases you don’t need any working wireless for basic functions. If you install smart devices, you can safely disconnect your networking (eg if you sell your house) and still have some basic smart functions. Categories Home Automation Comments: 0
28 April 2023 Cheaper Sodastreaming with bulk CO2 We like our bubbly water, and although you can get fridges that carbonate… they are horrendously expensive. The next best thing is a sodastream machine, but again… this can be a huge cost if you stick to the sodastream brand cartridges. So, what options are there to DIY ? Categories DIY Projects/Projects Comments: 0
21 March 2023 BYD Atto 3, 2023 – Yet another new owner story I have had a 2014 Nissan Leaf for 5 years, and it is possibly the most sensible car I’ve ever had. We needed a vehicle to replace our aging Mazda MPV which we tow a caravan with and wanted another EV. After much searching, we discounted overall towing performance, (I bought an American Ute for this). The Atto 3 started to become popular and a small dealership opened at our local shopping centre so we bought one. Categories Electric Vehicles/Vehicles Comments: 0
