Reliable Narrator
Reliable NarratorI miss Radio Shack when they could be depended on to sell EE parts and tools with a side of RC toys.
If you happen to have suggestions for that sort of store open to the public in the Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Phoenix triangle then I would love to hear them. I haven't settled in any particular section of the US's SW but a solid hacker supplies store would be a deep gravity well for my travels.
#vanLife
Reliable NarratorThere's something sweet about assembling electronics in a van in a mostly ignored section of desert. It ranges between almost freezing at night and 50s and 60s (10 to 15c) during the day which is perfection IMO. At night the smols and I snug in for books and films with occasional breaks to look at the stars.
This little assembly will control a few relays and respond to RFID taps, all thanks to ESPHome.
#vanLAN
Reliable NarratorOn one hand, using canvas grocery bags as storage in the van while I build furniture and run lines is handy because I often move everything out of an area to work there. Also, multiple bags can be stored in a clump with each bag taking only space needed by the contents, unlike hard bins.
That said, whoooooo dog I am over digging around in bags to find things. Furniture with drawers and cabinets will be a welcome addition.
#vanBuild
Reliable NarratorI trained on map reading starting with a merit badge, then in uni anthropology and geology classes, then in wilderness survival courses, and then making software that generated maps.
Still, I want to be able to point my pocket computer camera at a random mountain range or peak and have it tell me what I'm looking at with links to sources like Wikipedia, local lore, and relevant governmental organizations like the National Forest Service. This seems doable.
Reliable NarratorI realized today that I'm so used to web sites snitching every keystroke for the motherships that I not only self-censor toots but I avoid typing anything spicy in web browsers.
So, that's happening.
Reliable NarratorI'm just going to say it: If you build out a camper then I recommend making room in the vehicle and in your heart for a little 3D printer, a filament dryer, and a few rolls of PETG. Being able to print parts while in a remote area has saved me from many trips to town or failed projects. Also, it's just frickin cool.
#vanBuild
Reliable NarratorHere's your moment of hacker inspiration:
https://youtu.be/WjnO_WXJ6tw
This design comes after many iterations, each improving the build process, electronics, and elegance.
I love how they YOLOs the mechanisms, making them significantly less complex than I would. I have good reasons for my choices but so do they!
Reliable NarratorI am not a canologist but this one I found in the Mojave looks "kinda old". I'm tempted to soak it in rust remover and then take a wire brush to it.
I don't know. What do people do with old steel cans?
There are many abandoned mining sites where for quite a large area the scrub has collected cans and other containers that were thrown by the winds. I can't imagine that rust is great for the flora and fauna.
Reliable NarratorGroggy morning thought: A small screwdriver shop specializing in rooftop devices that provide neighborly services like weather station data, astro- and cloud-cams, birdcall recognizers, mesh nets, fora, p2p messaging, etc.
Reliable NarratorTesla might be pleased with my camper van electrical system as it's DC from collecting photons to loads*. ~Everything runs on USB-A 5V or USB-C PD via hubs on 12V runs from the batteries.
It helped to get USB-C to barrel plug adapters that negotiate for their preferred voltage so I could ditch a mess of wall warts.
In my van, all of the 12V DC lines are terminated with XT60 connectors, standardized so the load side is male and the source side is female. The USB hubs all run on 12V and so their leads terminate in XT60 male connectors.
* the induction cooktop and coffee grinder are 120V AC
the aircon and petrol bunk heater use 12V DC but they have their own runs directly from the batteries, no USB involved
#vanBuild