[ale] OT: Two for the EE and hobbyests

[Watson, Keith R.]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ale-bounces at ale.org [mailto:ale-bounces at ale.org] On Behalf Of
Robert
> L. Harris
> Sent: Monday, October 16, 2006 09:40
> To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts
> Subject: [ale] OT: Two for the EE and hobbyests
> 
> 
> 
>   Well, in setting up for Halloween I have two little projects I want
to
> accomplish.  First, I have a fogger with the extended cord with a
button
> for triggering the fog.  Last year I had it on an X10 to control the
> power via a Linux Cron and just clamped down the button so it would
spray
> when the power was on.  This year I'm thinking I'd like to remove the
> button and hook it up to a motion sensor, something like from one of
> those cheesy rocks that howl when you get two close.  I figure that
> would be easy enough, but I am thinking I'd like it to run for 30
> seconds, then stay off for 45 seconds or such so my house doesn't fill
> up with Fog.   Has anyone built something like this?
> 
>   Second, I have a bright red light I'd like to put on a timed dimmer
so
> the light would pulse on and off in window'd hallway over the front
> door.  Anyone have any ideas on something other than a cron'd X10 that
> would slowly dim in and out?
> 
> Yes, I like Halloween...
>   Robert
> 
> 
> :wq!
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> -
> Robert L. Harris                     | GPG Key ID: E344DA3B
>                                          @ x-hkp://pgp.mit.edu
> DISCLAIMER:
>       These are MY OPINIONS             With Dreams To Be A King,
>        ALONE.  I speak for              First One Should Be A Man
>        no-one else.                       - Manowar

Robert,

Light-O-Rama - manufacturer of user programmable light controllers.
http://www.lightorama.com/


Welcome to Computer Christmas! Home of the 320 Circuit Parallel Port
Controller Box! This is the place to be if you are looking for
information about controlling Christmas light displays with a computer.
http://computerchristmas.com/


A list of lighting control vendors
http://www.planetchristmas.com/vendors.htm


Make Magazine seems to have interesting ideas
http://www.makezine.com/03/halloween/


Light Dimmer - DC Controlled Kit K8064 - this can be controlled via a
computer interface referenced on the same page.
http://www.apogeekits.com/light_dimmer.htm


Happy hardware hacking,
keith

-- 

Keith R. Watson                        Georgia Institute of Technology
Systems Support Specialist IV          College of Computing
keith.watson at cc.gatech.edu             801 Atlantic Drive NW
(404) 385-7401                         Atlanta, GA  30332-0280