I'll do anything for money $$$!!

[stugray]

After getting attention with the title, here's my proposal:

Everyone on this forum talks about DIY, but many of us only have a limited skill-set. Some are great at carpentry, or acrylics, or electronics, some even have CNC acrylic laser cutters at their disposal....

How about we pool our resources and do "jobs" for each other? ( I would gladly trade a Circuit board for a laser cut flange, or a chunk of acrylic tube ).

I have seen threads where someone has a really great idea, but just not the resources to finish it.

I have tons f projects in my head that I could do, and plenty of others want it done, I just dont have the $$$ to do it myself.

What if we had something like the "Ansari X-Prize" for reef projects?
First we need to make a list of projects that someone needs done, and how much they are willing to contribute and other people can offer their services.

An example is: I want to build a 1-wire AC power distribution center, and I have the know-how, I just dont have the $$ to do the development and lots of people out there have the $$ but not the know-how.

How can we organize our needs to get more done?

Stu

[Theexp]

It seems like that two would have to be made, one for the moeny suplier, and one for the other person. but the cost would have to be small enough so that it couldn't be produced for cheaper in a store. I like the idea of trading skills, and having "group" projects. But i think for the idea is not feasible, becuase i know i would not be weary of "funding" a project that is not my own.

[liveforphysics]

I could trade welding of all metal types (even titanium!) in exchange for quality acrylic work. I can also fund the acrylic.

I am looking for a large acrylic cone to be made for me. 11.5" base diameter and 30" height.

I will pay materials if someone can make this for me who would like some specialized welding done for a project.


We did this sort of a program on a race engine design forum (it was a private forum). It actually worked out really well for everyone. Many people were able to do projects that they couldn't have completed without the network of folks to help them.

I hope this works out!
Best Wishes,
-Luke

[BeanAnimal]

Hrmm... I am looking for a nice lady who enjoys cooking and cleaning. One who likes reef aquariums and messy workbenches. I can offer for trade, a limited but growing electronics knowledge and computer programming skills.

[Adam]

Bill,

I am looking for a double jointed nymphomaniac supermodel who owns a brewery.... access to free concert tickets and open minded twin sister are a plus.

I can offer smart alec comments and a seemingly endless supply of West Virginia and/or sheep jokes. Oh, yeah... and acrylic work too!

In all seriousness all... this is a grea idea, but shipping is a major hang up, especially when you start talking carpentry.

That said, we have had many examples of this kind of bartering around PMASI. We have carpenters, electricians, AV specialists, computer geeks, and more who have helped fellow club members with various projects, even some that aren't directly related to their aquariums.

[BeanAnimal]

Adam has a wood stove and makes his own beer and acrylic projects. His wife drinks beer, likes the wood stove and enjoys Adams fish tanks, as well as has her own nano.

So in other words and will trade homemade beer or acrylic work.


Yes, I can see shipping being a problem for some of the skills.

Stu, you wouldn't want to go blind soldering a few 100 pin TQFP Atemag2560s for me would you? I am not sure what I have to trade... You appear to be getting up to speed on the 1-wire stuff.

[Donw]

Stugray,
I dont know anything about your onewire stuff but I may already have something for your power center. If you can supply Bean with his new women I'll even ship it for free.
But seriously I do have something that may work for you, just need more info to know for sure.

Don

[hebygb]

I am tagging along on this one. I too am interested in a single wire power center. In otherwords... something that plugs into the house once, has switches like a DJ switch box, but has realistic outlets that allows for DC adapters and or timers. too much to ask for? I've seen the 30 page threads and the Melev solution, but I just dont have the electriacl know how to pull that off.

[Donw]

Originally posted by hebygb
I am tagging along on this one. I too am interested in a single wire power center. In otherwords... something that plugs into the house once, has switches like a DJ switch box, but has realistic outlets that allows for DC adapters and or timers. too much to ask for? I've seen the 30 page threads and the Melev solution, but I just dont have the electriacl know how to pull that off.

I think were talking about two different things here. One wire is meaning onewire sensors. What I have, there is a picture in my galley. I almost tossed it in the dumpster this morning until I read this.

Don

[BeanAnimal]

Originally posted by hebygb
I am tagging along on this one. I too am interested in a single wire power center. In otherwords... something that plugs into the house once, has switches like a DJ switch box, but has realistic outlets that allows for DC adapters and or timers. too much to ask for? I've seen the 30 page threads and the Melev solution, but I just dont have the electriacl know how to pull that off.

You best bet may be to visit cyberguys.com and grab a few power cord liberators to go with your DJ center

[BeanAnimal]

Don you rmoving away from the Serial relays and over to 1-wire?

[Donw]

Originally posted by BeanAnimal
Don you rmoving away from the Serial relays and over to 1-wire?

No my new system just doesnt have near the automation and there are no outlets what so ever. I just saw this post and didnt want to junk it if Stu could use it.
I dont know much about one wire and the control boards but if Stu can just get a dc ground signal out it will turn on and off the outlets easily and any left over outlets could be an ato or somthing of that nature.

Don

[BeanAnimal]

Yup.. I am cocentrating my automation efforts to sunrise and sunset... not so much anything else. I went from the "controller" approach, back to a "modular" approach. I can never make up my mind

I get some of my 5" touchscreen in the mail tomorrow and have most of the code worked out for interfacing it to the lighting controller.

[stugray]

My plan for a 1-wire power center is the following:

Using the Dallas 2413 Dual channel addressable switch, I can control the state of a latching relay. Pulse one side of the 1-wire sw to open, pulse the other side to close. The relay stays where it was put regardless of power cycles.

The Latching relay controls the on/off state of an AC I/O power module. It can provide 120V AC @ 3.5 A. I can get larger SSR relays for more current if required.

Here's a diagram ( Just multiply the pic times # of outlets you want to control ):



Parts list:
Latching relay - Digikey part# 255-1008-5-ND $3.31 - 16C 12vDC(16.7mA) Panasonic TQ2-L2-12V

AC Output modules - Full size: Digikey part# GH3039-ND $10.79 - 15VDC control 120VAC @ 3.5A Grayhill 70G-OAC1DS5

1-wire switch: DS2413 Dual Channel Adressable switch TSOC $1.00

Total parts cost per outlet: ~$15 ( 10 outlet power center ~$150 )

Then you would need outlets, a GFCI, an enclosure & a 1-wire bus master ( $18-$30 ). So I am guessing I could build one w/ 10 outlets ( 12 if you count the GFCI ) for ~$220. If you want the fancy module holder for the AC I/O modules add $45 per 8 outlets.

Stu

[Donw]

Originally posted by BeanAnimal
Yup.. I am cocentrating my automation efforts to sunrise and sunset... not so much anything else. I went from the "controller" approach, back to a "modular" approach. I can never make up my mind

I get some of my 5" touchscreen in the mail tomorrow and have most of the code worked out for interfacing it to the lighting controller.

I'm not even messing with it this time around. I mounted those little tiny timers directly in the fixture. They are hard wired so no need to deal with plugs and mess. I'm really liking the clean no wire look and feel. Ive got it town to one 12g cable and 2 1/4 tubes going to the wall and nothing more. Even in the stand there is not a single exposed wire.

Don

[Donw]

Originally posted by stugray
My plan for a 1-wire power center is the following:

Using the Dallas 2413 Dual channel addressable switch, I can control the state of a latching relay. Pulse one side of the 1-wire sw to open, pulse the other side to close. The relay stays where it was put regardless of power cycles.

The Latching relay controls the on/off state of an AC I/O power module. It can provide 120V AC @ 3.5 A. I can get larger SSR relays for more current if required.

Here's a diagram ( Just multiply the pic times # of outlets you want to control ):



Parts list:
Latching relay - Digikey part# 255-1008-5-ND $3.31 - 16C 12vDC(16.7mA) Panasonic TQ2-L2-12V

AC Output modules - Full size: Digikey part# GH3039-ND $10.79 - 15VDC control 120VAC @ 3.5A Grayhill 70G-OAC1DS5

1-wire switch: DS2413 Dual Channel Adressable switch TSOC $1.00

Total parts cost per outlet: ~$15 ( 10 outlet power center ~$150 )

Then you would need outlets, a GFCI, an enclosure & a 1-wire bus master ( $18-$30 ). So I am guessing I could build one w/ 10 outlets ( 12 if you count the GFCI ) for ~$220. If you want the fancy module holder for the AC I/O modules add $45 per 8 outlets.

Stu

The module that I was offering up would replace the last relay in your diagram x8 and has a 15 breaker. You just connect to the module via a serial cable with ground going to 8 of the 9 connections and your done. All the relays for the outlets are in the module already.

Don

[stugray]

Donw,

I would gladly take that AC module off of your hands.

What do you need? I have lots of surplus junk laying around, FAR more tools than I really need, and I can build you something.

How about a 1-wire water on the floor sensor?

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...readid=1258212

Do you have any 1-wire devices?

Stu

[Donw]

Originally posted by stugray
Donw,

I would gladly take that AC module off of your hands.

What do you need? I have lots of surplus junk laying around, FAR more tools than I really need, and I can build you something.

How about a 1-wire water on the floor sensor?

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...readid=1258212

Do you have any 1-wire devices?

Stu

Oh no, I dont want anything for it. I just thought it would fit your application nicely. If you open it up you will see how nicely its done. Just trace the tracks. Give the the common a 12v + and each of the other pins a - and your set. Go to the usps web site get a priority flat rate shipping label, email it to me at sales@reefwerks.com and I'll drop it in the mail. Its dusty but still works fine.

Don

[lhoy]

Okay, so I have basically no DYI talents to offer except ideas with no implementation. What can I get for that?

I already have the double jointed . . . (oh man, my wife would so kill me if she read this thread! And a preacher nonetheless.) Excuse me while I go pray. ; )

Lee