Zero-Cross & Triac Optically Isolated Switch “Tail”: https://www.powerswitchtail.com/pssr-zc-tail
arduino: https://amzn.to/2P12JaL
RealTimeClock (RTC): https://amzn.to/2NTKsjg
15W Dimmable LED https://amzn.to/2OqlHL0
CR2032 battery for RTC: https://amzn.to/2Ov8elf
sourcecode: https://github.com/curiousinventor/AC-triac-arduino-led-dimmer
Curious Inventor Blog
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Course on Bitcoin, Blockchain, Decentralization
Our new course on Bitcoin, Blockchain and Decentralized technology gives a crash course on Bitcoin and many other blockchain projects, like Ethereum, MakerDao, IPFS, SlockIt, the DAO, Zerocash, and more. There are demos on how to acquire, store and use Bitcoin, including web, hardware and paper wallets. Some of the latest topics in Bitcoin are also covered, like soft vs hard forks, segregated witness, the lightning network and more.
SMS to Cheap Scrolling LED using Arduino USB Host Shield and Android App
This project shows how to send SMS text messages to a cheap scrolling LED display via an Android app and arduino with USB host shield.
The project was originally inspired by a friend wanting to make a “sexting themed” costume, with a scrolling LED display of live texts sent from people at the party. We found a $13 LED belt buckle online, which looked cool, but only had a few buttons to manually enter in messages. A couple wires and lines of arduino code later, we were able to automate entry of messages.
Continue reading “SMS to Cheap Scrolling LED using Arduino USB Host Shield and Android App”
The Essence of How Bitcoin Works
A brief intro to the main ideas behind How Bitcoin Works, including how money is transferred, who keeps track of it, and how the whole thing is secured.
SMT Stencil Review, including BGA Reballing
A review of SMT stencils from BEST, Inc. 10% off coupon: ‘Curious’
How Bitcoin Works in 5 Minutes
A short introduction to how Bitcoin Works. Written version:https://www.imponderablethings.com/2014/04/how-bitcoin-works-in-5-minutes.html
RPi Spectrum Analyzer Display with LED Strip
A python-based real-time spectrum analyzer. Plays MP3s and does FFTs in real time using code from the LightShow Pi project and Numpy.
Full code and instructions at instructables.
Augmented Reality Circuit Building Guide
An iPad app that provides augmented reality steps for building a circuit on a bread board. Graphics are overlayed on the actual breadboard to show you exactly where to put parts, and provide extra information, like values, tolerances, and voltages.
How Bitcoin Works Under the Hood
A somewhat technical, but concise explanation of how Bitcoin works.
How to Desolder Through-Hole Joints
This video demonstrates the use of solder wick (braid), a solder sucker (desoldering pump), and desoldering gun. It explains why some joints are hard to desolder: large ground planes or components, small holes, low quality pcbs. Finally, some alternative methods are shown, including cutting the leads, pulling one lead out at a time for resistors and other two-legged parts, and heating all the pins at once, using an iron, hot air or ChipQuik.