Thursday, October 27, 2016

Materials Scientists Make Martian Concrete

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/545216/materials-scientists-make-martian-concrete/

Scientists Have Already Built a Prototype Greenhouse for Mars | Motherboard

http://motherboard.vice.com/read/scientists-have-already-built-a-prototype-greenhouse-for-mars

NASA's New VASIMR Plasma Engine Could Reach Mars in 39 days - Industry Tap

http://www.industrytap.com/nasas-new-vasimr-plasma-engine-reach-mars-39-days/33646

Record, Paperwork and File Keeping | Clark Howard

http://www.clark.com/record-keeping?ecmp=clarkhoward_social_facebook_sfp

New For 2016: Springfield's 1911 Loaded Parkerized Pistol

http://www.tactical-life.com/firearms/springfield-1911-loaded-parkerized/#sprwk16-lpp-lead

Introduction to Lenses: LED Optics Explained - LEDSupply Blog

http://www.ledsupply.com/blog/led-optics-explained/

Gun Review: STI Guardian 9mm 2011 - The Truth About Guns

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2016/03/jon-wayne-taylor/gun-review-sti-guardian-9mm-1911/

Inside the Cunning, Unprecedented Hack of Ukraine’s Power Grid | WIRED

https://www.wired.com/2016/03/inside-cunning-unprecedented-hack-ukraines-power-grid/

This DIY Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Generator Is Simple to Build, Fries Small Electronics

http://lifehacker.com/this-diy-electromagnetic-pulse-emp-generator-is-simpl-1788086529?utm_campaign=socialflow_lifehacker_facebook&utm_source=lifehacker_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

The #1 Facebook security feature you're probably not using | Clark Howard

http://www.clark.com/facebook-security-feature

Saturday, October 8, 2016

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

FarmBot | Open-Source CNC Farming

Imagine 1 or 2 each of these working at hundreds of thousands of homes, year after year.
https://farmbot.io/

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Power a Raspberry Pi with PoE (various DIY solutions)

Pop a hat on your Raspberry Pi to power it over Ethernet (May. 27, 2015):
    Discount code: E5OFF

POE Splitter kit (with long cables) for Raspberry Pi:

TP-LINK 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet PoE Desktop Switch with 4 PoE Ports (TL-SG1008P):
TP-LINK 8-Port Fast Ethernet PoE Desktop Switch with 4 PoE Ports (TL-SF1008P):
TRENDnet TPE-TG50g 5-Port Gigabit PoE+ Switch:

4 port POE power over ethernet injector for IP Camera, Access Points:
"Can't beat the price. This little gem works great to supply Power Over Ethernet to my Escam Brick QD300 IP cameras.
I powered it with 48VDC and used an iCreatin Active 12V PoE power over Ethernet Splitter Adapter on the device end.
This allowed me to provide 48VDC over the Ethernet cable and then regulate it down to 12VDC at the device... This allows for much longer cable runs due to less voltage drop. The 4 Port POE injector has a jack that was just the right size for the 48VDC CISCO power supply I had laying around. Power can also be supplied using the screw terminals or you could use these terminals to "daisy chain" to another injector module."

WS-POE-8-48v60w Passive 10/100 Power over Ethernet PoE Injector for 8 IP Cameras, VOIP Phones or Access Points, 48 volts, 60 Watts Total Power:
• power 8 Cameras, WiFi AP's or IP Phones with 60 watts total power 
• power any 802.3af device - any 12v,PoE device (see video for info) 
• Wall mount version 
• 8 data in, 8 data + PoE out 
• this is not a switch - you use it to add PoE to any switch or router 
• extend power to 328 ft or 100 meters 
• power is on all the time. 2.1mm DC connector
Power Supply Included 
• 48 volts DC, 1.25 amps, 60 watts
• 110 to 220 volt AC operation 
"802.3af and 802.3at PoE devices have internal voltage regulators. They may require 12v when using a DC power adapter. But, if they're powered using a PoE switch or mid-span PoE injector, they receive a higher voltage (usually 48v) on the Category cable, then step the voltage down internally to whatever is needed. 802.3xx PoE technology allows each device manufacturer to design their equipment as they need, simply taking the "bus" voltage then dropping it using an internal voltage regulator. The supply side of the circuit sends a constant voltage, independent of the component or its needs."
"This device is the 10/100 version - since two pairs are used for data, and 2 pairs for power. There are Gigabit versions "WS-GPOE" that use transformers to share power and data - so all 4 pairs are active and gigabit rates are supported "

PiPoE - powering a Raspberry Pi over Ethernet:
The project uses these components:
  A DC power supply - any voltage between 12V and 24V, regulated or unregulated, will do. In my tests, powering a Raspberry Pi used under 200mA at 15V, so make sure the supply is rated at least 250mA (at 15V) or 300mA (at 12V) for each Pi you will be powering.
  A passive PoE injector box. The one in the pictures was £7 on Amazon for a 4-port one - many other types are available.
  A short length of CAT5 cable with a RJ45 plug attached. (I cut the end off a short Ethernet patch lead where the plug on the other end had broken).
  A DC-DC step down converter module. (Search for 'LM2596' on Amazon or eBay - the one shown in the pictures was about £2).
  A PCB-mounting RJ45 socket.
  A two-pin 0.1" pitch socket (for a Raspberry Pi), or DC jack plug (for Beaglebone)
  A small piece of prototyping pad board. (Note this has to be pad board not strip board).
  Wire, cable ties

A DIY PoE solution:

Spare wires Power over Ethernet (POE) Injector and Splitter adaptors:

How do I modify my Raspberry Pi to be powered over PoE?

DC Power Over Ethernet (Injector Adapter) For: Router, AP, Switch, Hub:


Saturday, May 28, 2016

Reborn Ex-Military 1984 K5 Blazer



AR-Stoner AR-15 A3 Upper Receiver Assembly 7.62x39mm 16 Barrel

Would need magazines also ($329 - May 2016):
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/104578/ar-stoner-ar-15-a3-upper-receiver-assembly-762x39mm-16-barrel

Other sources - often without Bolt Carrier Group (BCG) and charging handle ($239 and up):
http://palmettostatearmory.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=7.62x39+upper

http://www.radicalfirearms.com/category-s/2087.htm

https://www.hardenedarms.com/ecCat_32

http://www.badgerstateordnance.com/categories/spartan-built-upper-receivers/7-62x39.html

http://daytonatactical.com/collections/7-62x39-parts/products/16-7-62x39-upper-10-quadrail-with-bcg-or-charging-handle

http://www.deltateamtactical.com/Ar-15-AR-16-Complete-Upper-Kit-762x39-Nitride-Hbar-Barrel-12-Keymod-Handguard-NO-Bcg-_p_4519.html

https://www.model1sales.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=281&CFID=99014334&CFTOKEN=87890482


Making An AR-15 in 7.62×39 Work Reliably:  
http://www.alloutdoor.com/2014/11/25/making-ar-15-7-62x39-work-reliably/


Also 9mm upper: https://www.model1sales.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=303&CFID=99014334&CFTOKEN=87890482

 
#AR-15, #AR15, #AR-40, #AR40, #AR-45, #AR45, #AR-9, #AR9, #AR-16, #AR16, #M-16, #M16,

 

Swenson Semi Drop-In Barrel 1911 400 Cor-Bon conversion

Should also buy a matching bushing and a 24# - 26# spring (or strongest available):
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/516168/swenson-semi-drop-in-barrel-1911-400-cor-bon-1-in-16-twist-5-government-steel-matte-black

More info:  https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/.400_Cor-Bon

Another source (4.25, 5, & 6" barrels):  http://www.e-sarcoinc.com/barrels.aspx

See this article also:  Gun Tests 1911-hotrods-400-cor-bon-460-rowland-and-the-50-GI-2 

.400 Corbon - Handguns and Conversions:  
    https://www.liquisearch.com/400_corbon/handguns_and_conversions

" Since a .400 Corbon conversion virtually matches the performance of the 10 mm yet does not require purchasing another handgun, some call it the "cheap man's 10 mm." A conversion also retains the versatility of easily converting back to .45 ACP as needed."

"Lone Wolf Distributors also offer a drop-in conversion barrel in 400 cor-bon for the Glock 21. StormLake offers drop-in for Glock 21 and Glock 30."


 

 

Ruger SP101 Trigger Job Guide

http://www.sp101trigger.com/

454 Super Redhawk review

http://www.sixguns.com/range/454_super_redhawk.htm

How to Build an NP203/205 Doubler For A 4L80E Transmission

Also mentions a completely new transfer case option:
http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/transmission-drivetrain/1605-how-to-build-an-np203205-doubler-for-a-4l80e-transmission/

Sunday, May 15, 2016

A Modern 1976 Jeep Wagoneer Sleeper

http://www.fourwheeler.com/features/1509-a-modern-1976-jeep-wagoneer-sleeper/

1974 Ford Bronco - Brand Loyalty

A big Ford Windsor motor and strong axles are part of the package:
http://www.fourwheeler.com/features/1508-1974-ford-bronco-brand-loyalty/

Seven Boring Cars That Are Quicker than a 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/g2453/7-boring-cars-that-are-quicker-than-a-ford-mustang-shelby-gt500/

Arduino Bipolar Stepper Motor -Use Arduino for Projects

http://duino4projects.com/arduino-bipolar-stepper-motor/?utm_content=buffer034cd&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

America's 1st Freedom | First Gear | Ammunition—These Aren’t Your Daddy’s Cartridges

Two piece casings with permanently color coded bases. And more ...
https://www.americas1stfreedom.org/articles/2016/5/8/first-gear-ammunition-these-arent-your-daddys-cartridges/

Authors of FBI Study Backtrack: Mass Shootings Are Not Increasing - Breitbart

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/06/11/authors-of-fbi-study-backtrack-mass-shootings-are-not-increasing/

3 surprising uses for old tech | One Page | Komando.com

Old cell phones, tablets, and PCs put to use:
http://www.komando.com/columns/358480/3-surprising-uses-for-old-tech/all

Monday, May 2, 2016

Tranny Ratios (mostly Chevy)

http://www.oldengine.org/unfaq/leadfoot/trans.htm

An image of the site:

Automatic Transmission Gear Ratios

1st 2nd 3rd 4thReverse
GM
Powerglide1.761.001.76
TH3502.521.521.001.93
TH4002.481.481.002.00
200r42.741.571.000.672.07
700r43.061.621.000.702.29
4L60E3.061.621.000.702.29
4L80E2.481.481.000.752.08
Chrysler
7272.451.451.00
9042.701.541.00
5182.451.451.000.69
5002.741.541.000.69
Ford
C-4 & C-62.461.461.00



Horsepower requirements for some transmissions
  • TH350 -- 35hp
  • 700r4 -- 70hp
  • 727 -- 40hp
  • 904 -- 35hp
  • E4OD -- 65hp

Southwest Power Sports (4x4) trucks, etc.

Home page:
http://www.southwestpowersports.com/


Tire Size & Lift Kit Chart

http://www.southwestpowersports.com/TIRE%20&%20LIFT%20KIT%20CHART%20SL.HTML

GEAR CHANGE & TIRE SIZE CHART

With explanation
http://www.southwestpowersports.com/GEARCHANGE.HTML


gear-chart.gif 618×332 pixels

RPM at 65 MPH - black is optimal for daily driven vehicles:
http://www.southwestpowersports.com/gear-chart.gif

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Mounting a solar panel on a vehicle

Note that small solar panels won't provide enormous amounts of energy, but they can keep small electronics working, particularly if they keep a spare car battery topped up. A coworker uses a panel on his Nissan Xterra to run everything required to login into work from the desert when he gets paged on camping trips (assuming a cell signal is available).

The first link from camperizecom.com
http://www.camperize.com/solar-panel-mounting.html

A similar link:
 http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/79454-Solar-Panels-Installed-On-Roof-Rack

Amazon searches for useful products:
"30 watt solar panel" - multiple small panels can be more flexible in mounting.  60 watts or more seems desirable. Check overall dimensions and allow space for mounting brackets.
"Solar panel controller" - required for most panels.  Match to power output.
"Solar panel vehicle mount" - a variety of fixed and adjustable mounts are available.

At the current state of the art, factory installed solar panels aren't worth their cost:
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/410454/does-car-mounted-solar-make-sense/

Seven of the Most Fun Front-Wheel Drive Cars You Can Buy

Not necessarily the most powerful or the most expensive models:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/g6511/best-front-wheel-drive-cars/?

How SpaceX's Red Dragon could change the way we land on Mars | The Verge

http://www.theverge.com/2016/4/29/11526886/spacex-red-dragon-spacecraft-mars-propulsive-landing

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Passive WiFi uses very little power

"All the networking, heavy-lifting and power-consuming pieces are done by the one plugged-in device. The passive devices are only reflecting to generate the Wi-Fi packets, which is a really energy-efficient way to communicate."


Saturday, February 6, 2016

This Old Pill Bottle May Look Like Trash, But It Could Save Your Life. I'm Doing This Tonight!

These items need a large pill bottle - a peanut butter jar might be a better choice, but regardless you can build a useful kit in a pretty small container.
http://www.littlethings.com/pill-bottle-survival-kit/?utm_source=amer&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=misc

Monday, January 11, 2016

Thursday, January 7, 2016