MAVROMATIC » DIY

Powerbuilt Digital Torque Adaptor – My Favorite Tools – March 2010

Danny Mavromatis — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:23:37 +0000

When I’m changing my breaks I just tighten to what I think is “tight enough” — not always a good thing. All automotive bolts and parts have a recommended torque amount that should be followed. Sure, you can get yourself an analog torque wrench, but why would you when you can get the Powerbuilt Digital Torque Adaptor that turns any 1/2″ rachet into a digital one?

This little gadget not only can be used to calibrate analog torque wrenches (which you’d pay about the same as the adapter if taken to someone to calibrate) but you can use it in situations where you need precise torque pressure using a standard rachet wrench. The feature I really like is that you set the torque amount you want to achieve and then as you tighten you get both visual (LED light & LCD torque amount) and audible indication.

The Powerbuilt Digital Torque Adaptor is Mavromatic’s, “My favorite tools”, for March 2010. It runs about $50.

- AMAZON.com – Powerbuilt Digital Torque Adaptor

Garmin ecoRoute HD bluetooth wireless dongle

Danny Mavromatis — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 02:29:32 +0000

The Garmin ecoRoute HD is a bluetooth wireless dongle which plugs into your vehicles ODB port allowing you to monitor sensors such as intake air temperature, coolant temperature, throttle position and engine load, intake manifold pressure, battery and charging system information, mass airflow rate, timing advance and emissions — you can even check and clear engine trouble codes without visiting the car dealership.

The ecoRoute works with newer Garmin Nuvi GPS units that feature ecoRoute firmware, but since this is bluetooth… A) is it hackable? B) will an iPhone App be released from Garmin to pair with the device?

At $149 (retail) the Garmin ecoRoute HD is a great feature to add to your Garmin Nuvi GPS. It’s available for pre-order now from Amazon.com.

Niles MS220 – The Best IR Sensor!

Danny Mavromatis — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:00:32 +0000

It’s freaking 2010 and we’re still using IR, WTF? Oh well… if you are looking to find the most reliable IR Sensor to connect to your IR connection block (used in applications where you want to put AV components in a remote area but still have control), I highly recommend the new Niles MS220. I have used different units by Xantech, Russound, even Niles and the MS220 is the most reliable. How do I know? For starters, all the others I have used you needed to choose between CFL/Plasma friendly and not. You’d get weird noise (the LED on the sensor would flash) from stray “IR” signals. The MS220 utilizes a “smart” electronic circuit to filter out noise and works with all IR formats. Check out Niles Audio for more information.

- Product Page
- Product Specification Sheet [PDF]

Myro:Home Automation Controller Running In Apple iPad Simulator

Danny Mavromatis — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:53:28 +0000

Just downloaded the newest iPhone SDK (3.2) and ran the Myro:Home iPhone app in the iPad Simulator. It works (you can press the 2x to zoom it, seen in the second image) Once I release the iPhone app, I will be focusing on making a native version for the iPad. This should be fun! A $499 home automation controller is perfect — the iPad is Myro Control’s wireless home controller!

SNEAK PEAK: Myro:Home for iPhone (HAI Controller)

Danny Mavromatis — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:08:26 +0000

Here is a sneak peak of the Myro:Home iPhone application. As you can see, progress has been coming along. I’ve been getting the design finalized and now I’m just tweaking the look and feel a bit. The mobile framework has also been set in the core Myro:Home application which acts as a server on your home network. The iPhone version connects into Myro and loads and controls the HAI panel via a secure channel.

The key focus has been getting control of your home via the iPhone in the quickest time possible. As it works now, I can load and control in less than 3 seconds (if on WIFI).

- MYRO CONTROL – Myro:Home

The Energy Detective (TED) 5000 Whole House Power/Energy Usage Monitor — Mavromatic’s 2009 Holiday Gift Guide

Danny Mavromatis — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:00:52 +0000

TED 5000 WHOLE HOUSE POWER MONITOR ($239) — Give the gift that keeps on giving money back and can also help make the world a cleaner, better place! The TED 5000 is the latest in home energy monitoring from Energy Inc. that can measure electricity usage in real-time. Just recently, Google and Energy Inc. announced that anyone in the U.S. can purchase and install the TED 5000 and see personal home energy data online using the free Google PowerMeter web application. This device not only lets you manage energy usage but predicts your monthly energy costs and carbon footprint instantly, thus helping you reduce power waste and save you money.

For the complete 2009 Holiday Gift Guide, click here.

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.