Blogs

Just a quickie post on installing a VPN client plugin to KODI running on Ubuntu 18.04. You can configure it to start the VPN when starting KODI or doing it a la carte. Follow these simple steps to install and use VPN Manager for OpenVPN Add-on: 1 - Download zip file from this link:  hxxps://github.com/Zomboided/repository.zomboided.plu...

Well after using this setup for almost a decade I am looking to downsize the whole house audio part. Being empty nesters we just don't seem to use all six zones much so I will be looking to sell off some of the Technics  SA-EX140 stereo receivers. I might also be selling off the Shinybow SB-5548 Audio Video Switcher unit as well. Still working out th...

Sheesh, its been 2 years?  wow.  I guess I should adjust my expectations of how often I update this blog.   I do have a semi-valid excuse this time.  My wife and I welcomed our 2nd child to the family in January 2014.  Its amazing how much time the munchkins take away from my hobbies.   Anyhow first the things I hav...

The final piece of my system has been finished. The multizone audio amp proved a real bugger getting it on-line. But now I have it running with RS-232 comm for remote control. The big change was retiring my SQ Blaster remote system for the iRule remote platform. Without a doubt, iRule is the final solution for remote controls to date. In fact I am now a d...

Once in a while I make mention of some of the more advanced features of UPB - but rather than bury this deep in someone's thread, I figured I should put them in their own place that can be referenced.   I had a handful of UPB switches in my last house just for testing, but really didn't need more.  Well, we started a family and needed a big...

My previous server was an HTPC. As a result my case was more form than function as it was visable in my home theater setup. As an HTPC the demand for hd space grew, and eventually overwhelmed its capacity. An upgrade to a roomier home was invenitable. Heres the fat little pig below with is top off, stuffed to the max with electronic delicacies.http://i996...

What I wanted to do today was to somehow be alerted when I was watching TV that there was motion upstairs.I run XBMC throughout the house and I have a Ness\Elk M1 Gold which is controlled by Elve.To do this I created a Http driver within Elve and then simply created a rule that activates whenever the PIR upstairs is activated.    ...

I finally decided on a 3D printer design and I'm going with the Prusa i3 . I was going to buy an existing kit, but, found that I could save ~$400 by sourcing everything myself. Let's see if that pans out.   The i3 is essentially a combination of a Mendel  and a Wallace . Of course, I start down this road and then find a design that I like b...

Through reverse engineering I was able to decode the protocol used to transmit temperature to a main zone input on the Elk M1 control.  This will ONLY work on a main zone and NOT on an input expander.  This is by design on the Elk itself.

So here it is.  Manchester encoded:

· 3 start bits of ‘1’
· 8 data bits –...

We're building a new house. We're set to go to the initial plan review this week, I'll be recording my journey here.

The builder is pretty strict on who does the work - they're people. I think it's so they can charge $180 for a 'data drop'. The great thing is that I've been talking with the GC and a few other key people and they're agreed to 'turn...

Now that I was happy that everything was working fine, I organized the wiring some.

Things still left to do:
- Get the M1XEP running off of the VAUX rather than the wall-wart.
- Mount VAUX, SAUX, and speaker terminal strips on a Leviton security bracket above the M1.
- Install Pulseworx UPB

I wanted to put the covers on the Panduit for the picture, but...

After spending thousands on Z-Wave modules we decided to make an effort to protect them. The final straw occurred about 9AM last weekend - 3 rapid-succession power outages happening all within maybe 2 seconds or so. I thought my Z-Wave thermostat was semi-fried - it was allowing me to set the date / time but would not "save" it. Turned out OK...

So activity here on the sale of our current home has slowed down, so we wait.... Once things pick back up and we lock in a buyer we start to build the new place.  At that point I will add more details here on the blog.

Well I didn't realize it had been so long since I last posted.  It is amazing how time flies when you are having fun.  Over the last year I have been busy conducting experiments and doing some small projects related to home automation and power saving.  In addition, instead of attempting to build my own power monitor, I went ahead and purchased the...

Hello everyone - wonder if any other wizards out there might have access to data on the annual market size of touchcontrollers - or any one companies gross touchscreen sales - like RTI, HAI, CTRL4, Clipsal, etc.

Ok, so I finally got this phone up and working. There weren't a great deal of resources out there about the KX-TGP550 but putting together what little I could find I got the basics in order.

First off... this is what the phone looks like:



On the...

This week the house passed electrical inspection as well as plumbing and framing. Drywall starts next week. In the meantime I've started adding components to the cans in the mechanical room:



Here is the bottom of the first can that now has the Netgear...

So I guess some background, as I don't think I gave much....

We have a 3200 sq ft house, not counting the unfinished basement, that we want the unit to be able to heat.  We currently have a 4 ton air exchange heat pump, and I'm dis-satisfied with its heating capabilities.  Our duct work is more than sufficient for a new geo furnace, so really...

Thought I would post a few more screen shots of my skin. jwilson56 helped me get bunch of stuff cleaned up this past week and looks like I am getting close to releasing skin.

Home Screen

By jumbodogs at 2010-03-29


Music...

I got around to installing a bunch more UPB switches this weekend, and finally tackeled a 3-way switch.  It was pretty straight forward, and worked the first time out of the chute.

At the Aux switch location, I did not have a neutral, so I wired the neutral to teh ground, which the instructions said was an acceptable alternative.  The way the Aux switch...