bigclive
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Take two. The SmarTap remix with PCBs
🕑 Added 2024-02-17 00:30:27 +0000 UTCThe first version of the video didn't go deep enough. So here's the luxury version with images of the main PCBs for exploration, a look at the (rusty) motors and encoders, and the user interface.
Comments
Dave Frederick
Yea. Kind of kewl I guess but without sounding like the old man that I am, I think I prefer nice faucets that you turn on and off by yourself. Thanks Big Clive.
Gordo
Ha ha, I laughed when you started with "all this stuff is open".. it couldn't be less open.. But joking aside, for the tinkereres among us, there's a project called Tasmota which allows devices based on Espressif ESP32 SoCs (eg. SONOFF IoT kit) to be flashed with an alternate, open-source firmware giving complete control over our devices and what they connect to. You can host your own home-automation server while still having smart-device control and stop worrying about your vendor going bust..
Bill Kerr
I distrust devices that require an internet connection, especially when not specifically needed. Many Chinese devices make regular outbound connections that seem unrelated to the device's function. I have seen this on security camera systems and on a NAS.
Joel Murphy
So cool. thanks for digging into this magical IOT failures. Bravo!
Big Clive
The X10 system was developed in Scotland. It still seems to exist in various forms.
Big Clive
I think that's an advertising site that may have featured it. Not sure.
Christopher Seal
Is SmarTap still a thing? There is a web page for it at https://archello.com/product/smartap
Mike Bird
Back in the 1970s, in the USA, we had a system called X-10. It was created by a stereo equipment manufacturer. It used the superimposition of data over the domestic power line at the zero-crossing point. The modules could handle a 16-bit address. They had either a thyristor (recommended for lighting) or a relay (recommended for inductive or appliances). Then they had a whole bunch of transmitters. Push button modules that fit standard (American) switch boxes would transmit signals to the address set on them. All modules with matching addresses would listen to the signal. There was a whole developed infrastructure. The best thing was that you only had to switch back to standard switches and unplug the receivers, and your flat was back to normal.
