Thursday, May 8, 2008
Videx CyberLock - The Lock of the Future, Now!
Related entries: Home Automation
It’s 2008 and locks haven’t really changed much. Sure, we have RFID based access control systems and biometric (fingerprint) but those typically cost a lot and can’t be easily retrofitted. I just found out about a company called Videx and their Cyberlock system. CyberLock cylinders are electronic versions of standard mechanical lock cores so they can be easily retrofitted and because they have no keyway, dirt and moisture cannot interfere with the operation of the lock.
Each cylinder has a unique ID and is programmed with access codes that identify it as belonging to a system. CyberLock cylinders have memory for storing the most recent 1100 access events: the keys that have contacted the lock, with the date and time of the contact. The cylinder even stores when an unauthorized key tries to open it.
The battery in the CyberKey is what powers the CyberLock system. When the key touches the lock, the battery powers the circuitry in the CyberLock so that the key and lock can communicate. Two different keys are available: one with a replaceable 3-volt battery and one with a rechargeable lithium ion polymer battery.
I’m really thinking about switching out my locks to they CyberLock system… I’ll find out what cost is, but based on my initial conversations, it sounds like typical locks range from $200-$300 each and $90-$150 for a key.
Videx - Cyberlocks
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Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Belkin Mini Surge Protector & Dual USB Charger
Related entries: Cool Tools
Here is a great pocket-sized surge protector that also can charge or power a pair of USB devices like an iPod or mobile phone. The Belkin Mini Surge Protector & Dual USB Charger
costs under $20 so this little gadget is a must have around the house or in the travel bag.
- AMAZON.COM — Belkin Mini Surge Protector & Dual USB Charger
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Monday, April 28, 2008
HOW TO: 12-Volt, 5A. DC Power Supply For R/C Battery Chargers
I’m back into R/C Planes (my next one is the Micro-Telemaster). I did find out that getting into electric park flyers requires using Li-Poly batteries that require expensive chargers which seem to only run on 12-volt DC power supplies. Ideally, ones that can go up to 10A, but since my needs are only 2-3 Li-Poly cells, a 5A, 12-volt DC power supply works fine. The Hobbico 12v, 10A power supply costs over $80 and my version costs under $25! Check out the video above for the details. You’ll need this Power Supply
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Saturday, April 26, 2008
E-flite S.E.5a Slow Flyer 250 ARF
Related entries: Hacks & Mods, R/C Models
I’ve wanted to get back into R/C Planes for a while now and since I live across from a park I wanted to try out the new electric planes. I went to my local hobby shop (not many around anymore) and found a E-flite S.E.5a Slow Flyer 250 ARF. The kit is pretty much ready to go, you just need to glue a few things together and put your electronics in. I already have a Futaba 9 channel controller (T9CAP) so it wasn’t a big investment to get started again. I’m amazed at how advanced electronic planes have become! I’m used to the Nitro .40+ planes but these electrics are really nice… the motors, ESC, batteries, servos and receivers are tiny! The whole plane only weighs 8oz… I will be flying
One thing I did find out getting into electrics is that all good Li-Poly battery chargers require a 12v DC power source and most of these power supplies, like the Hobbico, cost over $80 and that’s not including the charger… so in my next post I will show you how to make a 12v, 5A source for under $25.
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Friday, April 25, 2008
Oprah Showcases Home Automation!
Related entries: Home Automation, TV Shows
Well folks, it looks like Home Automation is finally getting some prime time coverage! Today on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Nate Berkus will be showing off high-tech homes! The featured home uses technology by Control 4 (not my first choice in home automation technology — but oh well). They show how a “handheld screen or remote control” allows a user to “direct everything in the house with just the touch of a finger. It controls the lights, temperature, music, television and security.”
Definitely a step in the right direction — too bad I wasn’t invited on the show to talk about practical home automation! It’s about time home automation starts making itself known to the general population and the Oprah Show is the best vehicle to do so. I hope they also talk about how home automation can be used to save energy.
- Oprah Winfrey Show — High-Tech in Your Home
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Monday, April 21, 2008
CUWIN3500 - 7” Inwall Touchscreen Controller Running Embedded Windows CE
Related entries: Home Automation
I’m always on the look out for a good priced touchscreen controller that I can put my custom home automation software on. I found the CUWIN 3500 by Comfile Technolgy, Inc. and it seems like they have a product offering that may suit my needs. Priced at $600, the unit is feature rich:
- 7” wide color TFT display
- 800 x 480 resolutions, 260K colors
- Touch panel
- SD card supports
- Ethernet supports
- RS232 x 2 / RS485 x 1 or RS232 x 3
- Speaker with Audio output
- Real time clock (Battery backup)
- Visual Basic, EVC supports
- USB I/F (active sync)
- Keyboard or Mouse supports - ARM9 32bit 266MHz processor
- Windows CE 5.0
- 64MB FLASH, 64MB SDRAM
- Size(WDH) : 220 x 150 x 50mm
I still prefer the Nobu because it features Windows XP Embedded allowing my software to run without any modifications. Hopefully Comfile Technology has a Windows XP Embedded version coming soon!
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Saturday, April 19, 2008
DIY: Microwave Leakage and EMF Detector (Meter)
Related entries: Home Improvement
Couple months ago I posted, “DIY: Checking You Home Drinking Water Quality”. A co-worker told me about EMF (Electromagnetic fields) radiation from electronics and power-lines and let me borrow his high-end Triaxial EMF Meter so I could test out my house for EMF radiation. My house checked out in safe ranges for EMF, however, I did notice high levels of EMF when streaming from my MacBook Pro via Airtunes. I’ve since stopped using this feature if I’m sitting directly in front of my MacBook Pro computer.
I don’t have any CRT based devices in my house anymore, which emit a high level of EMF when in use, however, our microwave, which we rarely use was the highest offender of EMF radiation! The meter would display O.L. which is higher than it can measure when it was running — and this was standing about 6 inches away from the microwave oven. Terrible! When the unit is off, the microwave still produces high levels of EMF do to the megaton (the device that turns electricity into microwaves). I highly suggest you purchase a Portable Microwave Leakage Detector
($30) to check to see if your microwave is leaking harmful EMF radiation. If it does, get rid of it or limit its use. I’d also recommend you purchase a higher quality EMF meter to check your workplace and schools. Why expose your family and yourself to something you can often control? Be safe.- Amazon.com: Portable Microwave Leakage Detector
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Wednesday, April 16, 2008
New Blog In Town: Frillas - Frills for the Home and your Lifestyle
Related entries: Announcements
My wife has always wanted her own blog (www.frillas.com) and I’ve been too
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Friday, April 4, 2008
FSL-F-50 Draper Flatscreen Lift
Related entries: Home Theater
The other day my wife showed me an article in Martha Stewart Living magazine about how to hide home electronics. Fundamentally, I have issues with that since I love seeing my home electronics. We have been debating about whether or not we should have a TV in the bedroom (we do have a 22” LCD in the bathroom). Ascetically, TV’s don’t look great in bedroom’s, so having one popup from a little cabinet is a pretty cool idea. I’m all about building my own furniture (here and here) and love the idea of getting a lift — more gadgets and mechanics — problem, cost!
Draper has released their FSL-F-50 Flatscreen Lift that can accommodate virtually any available model of display up to 50” diagonal. The unit is an easy “drop-in” installation into your cabinetry or furniture so you don’t need to engineer anything special. In addition, it features a unique secondary shelf beneath the display itself, allowing you to attach a matching trim piece to fill the opening left by the open cabinet lid for a clean, finished appearance when raised.
Here are a few more specs:
- Lifting capacity is 210 lbs.
- No display width limitation
- Vertical extension up to 148% of its stored height
- depth is 4” Overall height is 29.75”
- Optional cable management system
- Optional RS232 control
- Travel Speed is 13/8” per second
- Deployment time (without load) is 33 seconds
- Universal Mounting Bracket is included
The FSL-F-50 retails for $3325 with options adding $57 - $215 — making this flatscreen lift idea a pretty expensive one.
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Thursday, April 3, 2008
AS SEEN ON TV: Jimmy Kimmel Has A Russound System?
Related entries: Home Automation, TV Shows
In a few hours (PT) Jimmy Kimmel will be airing his 1,000th episode on ABC and as I was reading about it on CNN, I noticed Kimmel has a Russound UNO-S2 keypad on the wall, next to his bed. Not sure if this is blog worthy, but it’s not everyday you see a Russound UNO-S2 keypad on TV.
And yes, that’s Richard Simmons.
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