fantastic sounding raspberry pi solenoid sequencer

 Electronics, Input and Output, interfacing, python programming, Raspberry Pi Hardware  4 Responses »
Jan 302013
 
fantastic sounding raspberry pi solenoid sequencer

I went along to the Oxford Raspberry Jam last night at RS HQ. There were several impressive demos. But this one was definitely the best sounding of the lot. Peter Andrew has put together a solenoid sequencer (a bit like a drum machine) which is driven by a python script on a raspberry pi. He’s also written an android app to program the beat with his Nexus 7 tablet. Solenoids are pulsed to make them strike a tin can, a jar lid, a small glass jar and a saucepan lid. The saucepan lid sounds wonderful. […more…]

How to make a RasPi into a NoSPi

 Electronics, Input and Output, interfacing, Raspberry Pi Hardware  8 Responses »
Jan 282013
 
How to make a RasPi into a NoSPi

I’ve been doing some prototyping of a new Pi related hardware project I’m working on. I’m not ready to let on what it is yet, but it involves a potentiometer. The pot in question is one of those that you need a small screwdriver to turn. So here’s what happened. I left the screwdriver standing in the pot like this… …and it fell, shorting something out. Not sure exactly what, but it may have bounced on a pin carrying 12V for a motor. What I do know for sure is that an ic chip that […more…]

HDMI to VGA Video Converter with sound for Raspberry Pi – Review

 raspberry pi, Raspberry Pi Hardware, Review  19 Responses »
Jan 112013
 
HDMI to VGA Video Converter with sound for Raspberry Pi - Review

One of the compromises that had to be made in designing the Raspberry Pi to be so small and so cheap was the decision to exclude a VGA connection. The BCM system on a chip already has HDMI and composite onboard. Adding VGA capability would have needed additional hardware in the form of a VGA chip and a VGA port. VGA ports are quite chunky too. Adding one would take up as much “edge space” on the board as both HDMI and composite ports together. Have a look at this photo… I took this VGA […more…]

The Self-resetting Raspberry Pi

 Input and Output, interfacing, Linux usage, python programming, raspberry pi, Raspberry Pi Hardware  13 Responses »
Dec 212012
 
The Self-resetting Raspberry Pi

Recipe for auto-reset Pi. Take one Rev 2 Raspberry Pi, a few carefully selected slices of fresh Python, one GPIO port (’25 vintage, preferably), one relay (a twin pack is OK, but not AA), one Darlington array (leave the spikes on), a sprinkling of mixed wires and arrange it all carefully with a breadboard. It should end up looking something like this… I decided to take the P6 reset header one step sillier further. Just for fun. ;) The idea here is to use one of the Pi’s own GPIO ports to switch a relay […more…]

Making a Reset Switch for your Rev 2 Raspberry Pi

 Input and Output, Raspberry Pi Hardware  85 Responses »
Dec 182012
 
Making a Reset Switch for your Rev 2 Raspberry Pi

One of the changes on the Rev 2 Raspberry Pi board, which I haven’t seen anybody write about yet, (apart from Eben in his original announcement) is the addition of two holes for a header at P6. These were added to enable a reset facility. Shorting those two pins together resets the processor. This was too good an opportunity for my curious mind to pass up, so I decided to add a 2 pin header there and try it out. As luck would have it It just so happened that last week I was given […more…]

Quick2Wire Pi Interface Board Beta Review

 Input and Output, interfacing, python programming, Raspberry Pi Hardware, Review  6 Responses »
Dec 072012
 
Quick2Wire Pi Interface Board Beta Review

Quick2Wire Pi Interface (Beta) review The Quick2Wire Pi Interface Board is a new interface board for the Raspberry Pi. It’s not yet released, but it is in Beta. I managed to get hold of one of the Beta kits for research and review. :) I also had a chat with Romilly Cocking, Director of Quick2Wire (more on that at the end).   So, What’s in the kit? 1 PCB 1 Ribbon cable (nice colours) 4 jumpers 11 assorted headers 2 FETs 1 tantalum capacitor 1 LED 1 push button 3V3 voltage regulator 1 diode array […more…]

Review of ModMyPi case for the Raspberry Pi

 raspberry pi, Raspberry Pi Hardware, Review  2 Responses »
Nov 302012
 
Review of ModMyPi case for the Raspberry Pi

I was looking for a Rev 2 Pi, as I wanted one to see if the revision checker function of the Python Gertboard programs worked properly. Farnell was quoting up to 3 weeks lead time, RS are out of stock. :-( Nobody else seemed to have it in stock, but over at ModMyPi, they said they would have some in within a few days. Sold to the man in a hurry :-P It turned out that it was with me within 48 hours, which was excellent. If you buy a Raspberry Pi from ModMyPi you […more…]

Pi controlled light and fan from mains power socket

 Input and Output, interfacing, python programming, raspberry pi, Raspberry Pi Hardware  50 Responses »
Nov 232012
 
Pi controlled light and fan from mains power socket

Don’t try this unless you know what you are doing. Mains electricity can kill you. Update Since publishing this blog post, I’ve had some feedback about the way I’ve done this and it needs improvements and a redesign to make it safer. Please don’t copy this. I’ve removed some photos so I’m not setting a bad example. Back to the original post Ever since getting my Gertboard in late September, I’ve been thinking about using a Raspberry Pi to switch “proper things”. By “proper things” I mean real, useful, BIG things using mains electricity. :eek: […more…]

Temperatures, light levels, pressure, logging, LCD, PCB – bringing it all together

 Input and Output, interfacing, python programming, raspberry pi, Raspberry Pi Hardware  8 Responses »
Nov 132012
 
Temperatures, light levels, pressure, logging, LCD, PCB - bringing it all together

Ever since getting the LCD working and temperature and light level logging using COSM and the Pi Cobbler, I’ve wanted to compact all of this onto a single add-on board. I’ve mentioned this in forum posts and other blog articles, but a part of me thought it wouldn’t happen. It took me a few weeks to bring it all together, but it’s finally done and it works :) The circuit I don’t have a full circuit diagram. I may try to put one together later. :) It’s a bit messy but I’ll try to describe […more…]

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