Shmoocon 2012, 757 Labs and Harbor Freight
Last weekend was quite exciting, as a few members of 757 Labs built a project for Shmoocon. It was an audience feedback moose that took feedback via an internet website and visually (then audibly) responded. The eyes were BlinkM LEDs and the audio feedback was done by means of a Harbor Freight airhorn kit powered by ham radio power supplies.
Of course, being a con project, it was a bit last minute. Planning and software started much earlier, but it's just how things go. One huge last minute issue was when a relay failed. This relay was supplied with the Harbor Freight airhorn kit, and was used to switch the high current load of the compressor by means of the the microcontroller which was triggering the relay by means of a MOSFET.
After only a few tests the relay seemed to fail. One would guess the transistor failed, given that it's a 40 amp automotive relay. This failure, however, seemed to echo some online comments about the air horn kit.
Before heading to Radio Shack, I popped the top on one of the relays and low and behold, it's a lie. The 40 amp relay is really a fake case on a 5 amp relay. It was purposely made to look like it was a heavy duty 40 amp automotive relay, when it is not! I've heard about Chinese vendors doing this with capacitors, but never have witnessed it in real life. So here you have it, the 40 amp relay included with the Harbor Freight air horn kit is a lie.
The fix was ultimately to go to Radio Shack and pick up some replacement relays. A few taxicabs and a few Radio Shacks later relays that looked pretty similar to the Harbor Freight ones were in hand, but the Radio Shack ones weighed quite a bit more. We had 3 of the air horn kits, and sourced 3 replacement relays. The air horns draw at least 20 amps, so there is no way the supplied 5 amp relay (mocked up to look like a 40 amp relay) would last very long.
Relays before removal of cover. "40 Amp automotive relay":
Relays after removal of cover. It's really a 5 Amp PCB mount relay:
Unfortunately this delayed the airhorns until mid-day Saturday, as the Radio Shack nearby in the city closed early.
I wonder if Harbor Freight knows their supplier is lying to them?
December update!
It's been a good while since there has been a post on the blog. For anyone that doesn't know, there is a mailing list with a link over on the right side of the 757labs.org page where you can sign up for a mailing list. The mailing list allows people to post as well as read, bi-directionally.
757Labs has an interim board, and investigation is being done into 501(c)3 status.
There is a high probability that 757Labs will be moving to a different space in the same building. The space is smaller, but it will allow us to focus better. It will be a good move.
Microcontroller Mondays (every Monday, 7pm) continue to amaze. From introductory simple projects to demonstrations of quad-copters, it's been amazing.
Open hack nights continue to be great social events. Meet those into technology in the area.
Some members of 757Labs are working on an event for next year that is posed to be pretty epic. More details after the paperwork is signed.
Various members are working on a number of projects. Members have a key role at MAGFest, the Music and Gaming festival in Maryland on January 5th through 8th. There is also a project to be unveiled at Shmoocon in Washington DC. There is some upcoming involvement with another project that should be at PAX East in Boston. There are some other secret projects that could be huge. Once we clear the new year we hope to start posting some videos of what is going on. So hang in there!
Fabric Hack Recap
The first ever monthly Fabric Hack meeting was a success. Several attendees worked on getting two sewing machines up and running. Being the first and introductory, the future looks good for this group. Please feel free to attend the next one! They are open to all.
On another note, if anyone knows of a multi-needle single head commercial embroidery machine that is available cheap that needs repair (electronic repair), please drop us a line. We'd like to add this to the range of tools available at the lab.
757 Labs Fabric Hack – Wed. Nov. 9, 6pm – 10pm
The first ever fabric hacking meeting at 757 Labs happens Wednesday, November 9th. The lab has had a sewing machine since near it's beginning and it's finally going to get some use! Come join at this public get together.
When: Wednesday, November 9th, 6pm to 10pm EST.
Where: 757 Labs, 233 W. Bute Street, Norfolk, Virginia.
Start Norfolk, Starting November 11th.
Just a heads up that November 11th marks the beginning of the first ever Start Norfolk event. This event is being sponsored by We Are Titans, Grow Interactive, 757 Creative Space, Innovation Research Park @ODU, and the Norfolk Department of Development. Modeled after similar events in other cities, it is a 48 hour event where participants work to take an idea and turn it into a company. It is mostly focused around rapid start mobile/web applications. There is an exciting list of people who are involved in the event, and tickets are available to those interested in observing the events. In addition to all of this, are are musical guests and food involved! What more could you ask for?
Check out the event page and register at startnorfolk.com
A group of entrepreneurs brainstorm their next big thing.
757 Labs Class: Intro to CAD Design & 3D Modeling Saturday Oct. 29th, 1:00-3:00pm
- SketchUp is a free (also a paid version) application that can be used for all kinds of design (think tiny or large) and has been used on several projects at the lab already. Base product being free, the integration to Google Earth and its simple UI make it attractive but do not let that fool you, it is powerful and can be extended using Ruby scripting. This software works on Windows and Mac only at this time. Download a free copy here.
- AutoCAD is a paid application which is known as the most common CAD platform out there (closed source-wise). This is an industry standard type of application, and originally the flagship product from Autodesk. AutoCAD works on Windows and Mac only at this time. Download a 30 day trial here.
- This will be a 2 hour session that will start with one product, give you the working basics, Q&A, etc.. then move to the other design package. Stories, insight and open dialogue.
- At the conclusion of this you will be familiar with the applications to create and work with your own designs.
- This will also tie into the next 3D Printer (Makerbot) and Laser Cutter sessions, once you can design your own items you can print prototypes and usable pieces.
- Both applications are available within the lab on the graphics machine if you do not already have a copy.
- There are quite a few other software packages available, this session will be dealing with only the two mentioned above. It does not mean that these are better or worse than any that you have heard about, learned or used.
- If time permits we will share an overview of another application, Autodesk 123D, currently in free beta.
This session is free and open to members and guests.
Microcontroller Mondays – Tonight – 7pm till 11pm
Heads up that tonight is the 3rd edition of the weekly Micro-controller Mondays at 757 Labs.
7PM until 11PM.
Bring your project, idea or come to learn!
AVR, Arduino, TI MSP, HC11, PIC, Xilinx, Altera, whatever!
Hack the Whole Weekend
Friday, Oct. 21: Open Hack Night
Saturday, Oct. 22: LAN party
Sunday, Oct. 23: Comic & Cartoon Creators
Monday, Oct. 24: Microcontroller Monday
Ready to get your geek on for a whole weekend? Come out to the lab and join in an event! Or join all the events!
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- Up front Matt & Kitty setup the night before the LAN party while Harold plays…music?
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- August 20, 2011 LAN party was a full house
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- At the LAN party, Kyle and others play something that is not TF2
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- Chillin’ on the couches during Open Hack Night on July 15, 2011
We begin Friday with our monthly open house, or "Open Hack Night". This is a great opportunity to see the lab for the first time and take a tour. It's a very casual atmosphere where you can shoulder-surf members actively working on projects or just chill and discuss ideas. Sometimes there is a loosely-coordinated dinner/drinks outing to somewhere along nearby Granby Street. A few people might even start setting up for the next day's gaming event, which is...
Saturday is the LAN party, which usually begins around 1 PM, but may have even began the night before. BYOC (bring your own computer) and try to do all your downloading and patching at home before joining in on the festivities. Team Fortress 2 is the most popular game, especially since it's free, though other games are certainly welcome -- Diablo, Minecraft, Quake, you name it.
Feeling creative? 3 PM Sunday is the 757 Comic and Cartoon Creators meeting. Bring something to draw with.
And just when you think the weekend is over, it's Microcontroller Monday! Beginning at 7 PM, discussions will focus on everything microcontroller-related; from hardware to software. Beginners and advanced users are both welcome.
Ignite HR – Five minutes, 20 slides. Oct 11 2011
Hello everyone! 757 Labs this year is a proud sponsor of the exciting Ignite Hampton Roads talks! This is the second Ignite Hampton Roads and it is being held in conjunction with the MODSIM World Conference and Expo at the oceanfront.
"Each presentation has 20 slides that automatically advance after 15 seconds. It is a worldwide movement. Ignite events were originally conceived as technology variety shows, but they have grown into much more than that. Ignite is about ideas. Ideas can change the world. And it takes less than five minutes to spread one"
Event time is 7PM. It's free, but ticket registration is required.
Website for more information and to get Free tickets:
http://www.ignite-hr.org/
See you all there!
Open Hack Night – Tonight (Friday) – 7PM until 11PM
Just a heads up that tonight there is an open hack night from 7pm until 11pm at 757 Labs!
Location
@757Labs
- Our site is back to normal. Let's hope congress sees fit to let it stay that way.
Links
User Groups
- 757 CCC Comic & Cartoon Creators
- 757 Objective C Group Objective C and Cocoa programming group.
- 757 Python Users Group
- 757.rb Ruby Users Group
- HR Geeks Hampton Roads Geek Community