Anyone want to float some project ideas?

[Martin Riddle]

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

 

[Martin Riddle]

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

 

[Bruce Gordon]

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.

 

[vaughn]

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

 

[vaughn]

...
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

 

[Martin Riddle]

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-E02-Multimedia-Sharing-Device/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/ha...engines-pogoplug-v2-reviewed?showall=&start=2


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?title=Getting_Started:_Pogoplug

Wayyy.. cooler than doing another Pic project..

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

Cheers

 

[vaughn]

...

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

Network connection plus 4 USP ports.

Vaughn

 

[Gordon]

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...

 

[Martin Riddle]

..

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

 

[vaughn]

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

 

[Winston]

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.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=plasma-turns-garbage-into-gas

"The plant is scheduled to go online by 2011; it will process 1,500
tons of garbage a day, sending 60 megawatts of electricity to the
power grid (after using some to power itself)."

--Winston