MAVROMATIC » DIY

REVIEW: Microwave Leakage/EMF Detector (CEM DT-2G)

Danny Mavromatis — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 03:54:34 +0000

The responsible folks over at LESS EMF INC. sent me the new version of the Microwave Leakage/EMF Detector that I blogged about last year. The CEM DT-2G offers a backlit LCD display and an even higher sensitivity meter that never needs calibration. The meter also provides an audible “beeping” alarm and red flashing light when it senses microwaves above the 5 mW/cm². It’s sensitive down to 0.01 mW/cm² at 2450 MHz and will read all the way up to a roasting 9.99 mW/cm² in hundredths of mW/cm². The battery operates for more than 12 months under normal use and comes complete with carry case to keep your unit in perfect condition. The CEM DT-2G can also be used to measure radiated power from wireless keyboards, modems, cell phones and all other wireless devices using the 2450 MHz analog frequency. The meter is available now and retails for $34.95.

I measured my home and I’m in safe ranges… phew!

- LESS EMF – MICROWAVE OVEN METER

Myro Control Releases 8″ In-Wall Touchpanel and v1.5 of Myro:Home

Danny Mavromatis — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:33:01 +0000

Myro Control has announced the availability of their 8″ in-wall touchscreen panel and version 1.5 of the Myro:Home interface control software. The in-wall touchscreen panel features a fan-less design that is both energy efficient and elegant looking while the latest software release adds support and features from HAI’s new firmware 3.0 (or greater) release. If you have a HAI OmniPro Home Automation system running firmware 3.0 (or greater) you should do yourself a favor and check out Myro Control today.

The 8″ in-wall panel with software retails for $1999 and the software only option retails for $249 and $498 depending on features needed.

- Myro Control Releases New 8″ In-Wall Panel

DIY: Water Flow Meter For Monitoring Water Usage

Danny Mavromatis — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:42:25 +0000

I’m currently investigating what I need to get Water & Gas (Natural) monitoring added to my home. I already have Power via Energy Inc’s TED 1001 & Myro:Home. However, it would be nice to add Water & Gas to the mix so I can monitor and control its usage. Currently, I’m checking out different flow meters from Flow Monitors Inc. Anyone have any other brands that have an output that I could rig/modify/extend? The nice thing about the CoolPoint line is that they offer outputs that I can use to interface with my automation controller.

Universal Flow Monitors – CoolPoint CP Series Water Flow Meters

OLIMEX PIC-WEB – Compact Webserver For Your Projects

Danny Mavromatis — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:47:31 +0000

I’ve been testing an Olimex PIC-WEB Ethernet Web PIC Development Board for a bit now and this little board comes in handy for projects that need quick web access. The PIC-WEB offers a very small but powerful webserver based on the PIC 18F452. The development board has everything you need to serve web pages with 1 megabit storage on board! I also have an Arduino with an eShield which I will be testing next!

Available from SparkFun Eletronics.

Challenges Working With Embedded Devices

Danny Mavromatis — Sun, 03 May 2009 18:52:17 +0000

I’ve been busy working with on the new version of Myro:Home which will run on the 8″ in-wall touchscreen panels. My original plan was to have the same “downloadable” software being able to run on these types of panels, however, the truth is that these panels need special care in order to bring the best performance and stability. I’ve chosen Windows XP Embedded as the OS and can get everything running very quickly. Now, I’m working on adding in specific hooks to the hardware to take advantage of controlling the “bare metal” like LCD and GPIO. Since these devices are not full powered desktop PC’s where you can be a bit less strict using CPU cycles, you cannot afford running things that aren’t necessary. Heat is the biggest problem and when you put panels in walls where ventilation is an issue, you need to use less powerful (less heat producing) architecture.

In the end, I feel I will have a very powerful home control solution that is cost-effective and very competitive!

Sd-10 by Gilderfluke & Co.

Danny Mavromatis — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:28:14 +0000

If you have been looking for a small stereo audio playback system for use in home automation or pretty much for anything you should check out the Sd-10 by Gilderfluke & Co. This miniature stereo Mp3 and .wav AudioFile player holds up to 255 AudioFiles on MMC or SD flash cards and includes RCA line level outputs, two trigger inputs and TTL serial port. Five operating modes. It can be used in Store-Casting, Music-On-Hold, Museum, Haunted Attraction, Safety, Industrial or Entertainment applications. Anywhere you need a solid state, high quality audio system that will play for years. The Sd-10 can be dropped right into an audio system in place of a CD player.

You should also check out some of their other cool gadgets!

- Gilderfluke & Co.

Samsung Q1b Hacked with SSD and XP Embedded

Danny Mavromatis — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 02:19:28 +0000

I had an old Samsung Q1b laying around, I ripped out the 1.8″ Hitachi HD, replaced it with a 1gb SSD by Apacer. Then I created a custom build of XPe which boots up into Myro:Home. Here’s a video of the results.