Month: November 2015

Magnet sensor (A3144’s) + magnets + spinny disc = tachometer.

Here’s the quick and dirty code I used — it’s good enough for a demo.

EDIT: Ha, I found a video of someone else doing the same thing, but with roughly a BILLION more steps. People gotta learn how to be lazy.

In this article I’ll show a simple 3D design for a servo mount to control a light switch for about $3, plus some electronics to drive it with a neat little interface. This article explains how I used it to regulate my air conditioner, but the basic bracket allows control of any U.S. standard wall switch.

I just moved into a new office and there’s a window-mounted air conditioner. There’s a remote control to set the target temperature, but the unit isn’t smart enough to turn off at night. Instead, there’s a physical wall switch so you can turn it off with your actual physical hands, like a barbarian.

I’m not going to put up with a hot office in the morning, nor will I let the unit blow cold air all night and weekend when nobody’s around.  Instead, I will Build Some Crap.

Details after the break. Continue reading AC power control without touching AC power→