Cheap cable reused to add USB to your project

September 11, 2010 By 38 Comments

You get what you pay for. [Jkx] wanted to see how a USB to RS232 cable could be sold for just $1.70 and found out that it’s not actually RS232 compliant. The cable communicated as TTL levels, not the 12V expected of RS232 (although it can handle 12V incoming). He didn’t really want to use them for their intended purpose … Read the rest

Filed Under: Microcontrollers Tagged With: , , ,

Keypad door lock, better than last years keyfob?

September 11, 2010 By 13 Comments

It’s that time of the year again. The leaves are changing colors, it’s getting colder outside, and all the littler hackers are off to college. Which means we get to see an influx of dorm room locks and openers.

[Adam] is back at it again with a new keypad dorm room lock. Last year he had an exceptional setup … Read the rest

Filed Under: home hacks Tagged With: , , , , ,

Macro lens for a Nexus One

September 11, 2010 By 14 Comments

[Thomas] tipped us off about a macro lens attachment for his Nexus One. As you’d expect, adding the lens helps the phone’s camera bring tiny details into focus. He re-purposed a lens from a pair of mini binoculars, using epoxy putty to make a mounting bracket. Now the last time we saw this putty used with a phone it

… Read the rest

Filed Under: Cellphone Hacks Tagged With: , , , , ,