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Built in flashlight
03/19/2017 at 05:41 • 0 commentsAs I am constantly in need of a good flashlight, I have decided to add one to this checklist. I have found a really neat, 1 watt LED that I can mount on the back of the case, and hook directly to the battery through a physical switch.
1 Watt Cool White LED - Heatsink Mounted
From <https://www.adafruit.com/products/518>
The current daw on this should be low enough not to drain the battery too fast, but much testing will need to be done to determine the effect on battery life and case temperatures.
I am considering the following switch as it is very simple, rugged, and easy to operate blindly.
Breadboard-friendly SPDT Slide Switch
From <https://www.adafruit.com/products/805>
The built in flashlight would be made much more effective with the addition of magnets or a belt clip of some sort.
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Random Thoughts
03/19/2017 at 03:57 • 0 commentsAfter reading a few automotive articles involving extensive Bondo work, I have decided to try to build the case for this project out of Bondo. The stuff is super tough, easy to work with, molds well, and can be sanded and finished quite easily. It also drills really well and I am sure I can tap it for case screws as well.
I would also like to embed magnets into the case to allow it to stick to random surfaces so you could mount it as a dash cam or flashlight or something if needed. Would be a very handy tool for automotive work, as you could use the flashlight and checklist functions at the same time. Just turn on the light, bring up your transmission mounting checklist, and stick it to the frame somewhere.
Still very excited to finish this project up as it will be one of my largest projects and most useful. I should have plenty of time and funds available within the next two months and might be able to hammer it out pretty quick. Figured I'd provide a quick update for those following and write some quick ideas down.
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Project On Hold
11/25/2016 at 18:59 • 0 commentsAfter moving again, starting a new job, and a few other major events, I am unable to work on this right now. I have most of the hardware needed, but I am not a programmer yet. I will be going through codecademy soon, and will return to this when done. This is the most complex of all my current projects, and also the one I want to turn out the best. I am going to master a few more skills first and return to this when I have nailed the hardware and software on a few other projects. Still haven't given up on this.
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New Parts Are In.
08/25/2016 at 20:00 • 0 commentsJust got my micro HDMI to HDMI adapter and Raspberry Pi Zero v1.3 in the mail the other day. Accidentally kind of stepped on the shipping envelope, but I think everything is ok. I opened them, inspected them carefully, set the on my desk, and that's where they have stayed for about 3 days now. Too busy to so anything with it now, just gathering parts and thinking about the project from time to time. Mostly thoughts regarding how useful this thing would be if I actually had it working right now...
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Delay: Lack Of Hardware.
08/18/2016 at 18:04 • 1 commentI have been putting this project off lately for a few reasons. Mostly due to getting used to a new job, lack of sleep, lack of time, and the biggest one: Lack of proper hardware. I have the Raspberry Pi Zero, an HDMI to DVI cable, a monitor with DVI, a wireless keyboard with touch pad that works with the Pi, a USB OTG adapter, a simple LCD module, soldering equipment, everything needed to prototype the hardware, and SD cards to write the images for the Raspberry Pi Zero.
I am missing an HDMI adapter, a proper power supply, a USB hub, epoxy putty to make the case, battery and charging circuitry, and the knowledge to program this thing properly. I will try to order the missing hardware tomorrow when I get paid. I am hoping to get the hardware together by next week so I have a stand alone device, even if the software isn't ready. The software roadblocks will be significant for me, but I know I can tackle the hardware pretty quickly, so I am just going to focus on that for now.
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Getting Back To This Project Again.
08/18/2016 at 17:17 • 0 commentsIt has been a while since I even thought about this project, but I really need to get back to it ASAP.
Things that need done to achieve bare minimum functionality:
- Outline that simplest process for flipping through tasks and toggling them "Done."
- Get the LCD screen working with Raspberry Pi Zero, then solder connections.
- Mount the screen straight to the Pi.
- Get a battery and charging circuit.
- Make a temporary, 2 piece case from epoxy putty, screw it together before set so it can be taken apart.
As I find myself busier than ever, trying to get ready for winter, I find that completing this project will make my life much easier and help me stay on top of the ever growing list of things I need to remember, and take care of. Right now, I am going to focus on the core checklist functionality, keeping other desired features in mind as I design a temporary case, software, and peripherals. Even if I have to edit the code every time I need to add to the lists, that will be ok. I can keep writing things down in my notebook and add them to the Raspberry Checklist when I get to my computer next. This process should annoy me enough to force me to include a full keypad on the back or something.
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Church Rummage Sale Score.
08/11/2016 at 23:19 • 0 commentsPicked up a really nice looking USB OTG adapter today for a quarter. The best part: Only had a $10 bill, and I saw somewhere there I knew many years ago who gave me a quarter. Saved me $2.70. One step closer to having this project moving again. Still waiting to get paid in the morning, then sorting out budget to see if I can afford to get the rest of the needed supplies for this project. I still NEED to get the Micro HDMI to HDMI adapter in order to get the Raspberry Pi Zero working. I will be buying the version 1.3 Pi Zero with the camera adapter as well, when it is back in stock.
Of all my projects, this is the most exciting to me, as it will replace the little black notebook and pen I carry around constatnly. I am hoping to find a simple way to input new note items into the Raspberry Checklist directly from the little LCD. I may very well make a very tiny keyboard on it using the same type of push buttons that the LCD keypad uses. Just added a bunch on the front, since this thing has to be scaled up to accomodate a big battery anyway. Not set in stone yet. Need a good way to quickly input text into this thing, as well as the code to handle it. Very complicated at this point. May have to make the super simple one first, then start adding the features I dream of on the next version.
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Switching Development and Testing to the Zero.
08/02/2016 at 16:25 • 0 commentsAfter assuming my Raspberry Pi Boards(Versions 2B+ and 3) are damaged from a crappy USB power supply, I have decided to invest the money needed to replace them in everything needed to get the Raspberry Pi Zero ready for testing, and buy a few more as backups. Developing the software on the Raspberry Pi 3 would be much easier, but not accurate to the final hardware, which may very well leave me with something that does not run properly on the Zero. I had considering this for a while, but hadn't committed to developing on the actual hardware just yet. This alos gives me a good reason to buy the new Raspberry Pi Zero with the camera port, and tinker with the idea of including a camera for taking quick picture reminders. Placing the order on adafruit.com, as I have never had a problem with them and have problems with a few other brands recently.
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Need More Time in the Day...
08/02/2016 at 16:05 • 0 commentsA few weeks ago I started a new job and have been picking up as many hours as I can, leaving me with precious little time to dedicate to my projects. This project has been on hold since my last log entry as NONE of my raspberry Pi boards will work with ANY power supply I put to them. They just give the undervolt warning. As I have bills and such, I cannot justify buying another Raspberry Pi for testing and development. I am probably going to buy an iPad charger as Apple actually makes very good USB chargers, and the iPad charger should give plenty of clean power to the Pi.
I will be getting back to this project ASAP, and think about it every time I need to write something down, or remember something.
Off to add a few more components to the list so I don't forget that I want to use them.