Ask HN: What is your hardware/garage side-project? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: What is your hardware/garage side-project?

#11

Post by cmdrfred » Mon, Dec 05, 2016, 8:23 PM UTC

colorcoded wrote: post #8

I'm building a two person research submarine with some friends. Targeted diving depth: 100m I have an electronics/IT background so building something so mechanical is a fun learning experience. http://ubaad15.org

Now that's cool. Do you have some automated way of testing it or will you be in it on the first test at that depth?

Re: Ask HN: What is your hardware/garage side-project?

#12

Post by loxodes » Mon, Dec 05, 2016, 8:27 PM UTC

I'm developing an open hardware microwave vector network analyzer [1]. A previous switched single receiver prototype have worked for measuring S11 (reflected power, useful for antennas) up to about 4 GHz. I'm currently working on bringing up a full two port four receiver version that should work up to about 10 GHz.

[1] - https://github.com/loxodes/vna

Re: Ask HN: What is your hardware/garage side-project?

#13

Post by korethr » Mon, Dec 05, 2016, 8:28 PM UTC

Presently, none, but I have had a few ideas I've been wanting to get started on when I have more time for a hardware side project.

The first one to come to mind is an LED lighting setup that shift's it's color temperature according to the time of day, à la f.lux[1] or Redshift[2]. LED continue to improve for general lighting purposes, but it can't be good for my sleep patterns to have daylight temp lighting in my home right up until bedtime. It would be really nifty to the lighting in my home adjust to warmer temperatures with the solar day like my computer screens do.

1. https://justgetflux.com/

2. http://jonls.dk/redshift/

Re: Ask HN: What is your hardware/garage side-project?

#14

Post by Sir_Cmpwn » Mon, Dec 05, 2016, 8:28 PM UTC

I'm working on a device that mounts to a baseball cap and uses infared LEDs to block your image from digital cameras (at least the ones that don't have infared filtering, i.e. most surviellance cameras, which need to see at night). First attempt was underwhelming: https://sr.ht/SBGV.jpg

Currently obtaining much more powerful LEDs. Next version is going to need cooling and an external power supply :D

Re: Ask HN: What is your hardware/garage side-project?

#15

Post by bloudermilk » Mon, Dec 05, 2016, 8:29 PM UTC

I'm currently converting a cargo van into a camper van suitable for full-time living. I bootstrapped the project out of a garage in two weeks and will now be doing most of the work in SF out of the van itself. It's an exercise in woodworking, metal working, solar/electronics, and interior design. I'm documenting the build on Instagram (same username) if anyone wants to follow along.

Re: Ask HN: What is your hardware/garage side-project?

#16

Post by JKCalhoun » Mon, Dec 05, 2016, 8:32 PM UTC

Sir_Cmpwn wrote: post #14

I'm working on a device that mounts to a baseball cap and uses infared LEDs to block your image from digital cameras (at least the ones that don't have infared filtering, i.e. most surviellance cameras, which need to see at night). First attempt was underwhelming: https://sr.ht/SBGV.jpg Currently obtaining much more powerful LEDs. Next version is going to need cooling and an external power supply :D

> I'm working on a device that mounts to a baseball cap

Maybe a red one: MAGA. ;)

Re: Ask HN: What is your hardware/garage side-project?

#17

Post by colorcoded » Mon, Dec 05, 2016, 8:38 PM UTC

cmdrfred wrote: post #11

colorcoded wrote: post #8

I'm building a two person research submarine with some friends. Targeted diving depth: 100m I have an electronics/IT background so building something so mechanical is a fun learning experience. http://ubaad15.org

Now that's cool. Do you have some automated way of testing it or will you be in it on the first test at that depth?

I imagine that the first test pilot will be a computer. Submarines are really nicely simple systems, which is why it is possible for a bunch of amateurs to build one.

Re: Ask HN: What is your hardware/garage side-project?

#18

Post by niccl » Mon, Dec 05, 2016, 8:42 PM UTC

A lighting desk for lighting live bands. The other desks on the market don't support the busking that this is designed for. The aim is 'no friction between the music and your lights'.

36 motorised faders, 2 DMX universes built in, up to 8 more with ethernet adapters. uses two Beaglebone Blacks and a Raspberry Pi 2, as well as 42 Atmel ATTiny828s. GUI code written in Python using pyside, and the other stuff written in Go.

No blog, just a single facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ManyHandsLighting/photos/a.79431027....

Re: Ask HN: What is your hardware/garage side-project?

#19

Post by khedoros1 » Mon, Dec 05, 2016, 8:43 PM UTC

I'm building a USB-connected OPL3 synthesizer. I'm using an Arduino Nano as a command processor, so that the host computer sends register change commands, and the Arduino manipulates its output pins accordingly to actually send the data to the hardware.

When I've got that working, I'll make some modifications to Dosbox, to make it pass through Adlib/Adlib Gold commands over serial to the device.

Re: Ask HN: What is your hardware/garage side-project?

#20

Post by Keyframe » Mon, Dec 05, 2016, 8:43 PM UTC

Not yet, I'm in research / learning / pooling resources for pcb fab on a desk, all-in-one. I've done CNCs before as a hobby, film scanners and stuff like that and I have some concepts which I think could yield an 'affordable' all-in-one pcb. You give the machine gerbers, you get (a few layered) pcb out. Maybe even a pick and place inside, but that's further down in concept. One step at a time, as time permits.