Join devRant
Do all the things like
++ or -- rants, post your own rants, comment on others' rants and build your customized dev avatar
Sign Up
Pipeless API
From the creators of devRant, Pipeless lets you power real-time personalized recommendations and activity feeds using a simple API
Learn More
-
I made a ridicously hilarious hack recently. My refrigerator it's broken, it has a huge leak of water, my hack was to let the water flow in a plastic box and make a circuit with two water level sensors, a relay and a PIC16F628A to activate a pump that sucks water away through a tube that I wedged intlside the gasket of the washbasin. This gave me the time to buy a newer and better one.15
-
I fucking hate Internet of Things, I think that it's a ridiculous idea to connect things, that work perfectly fine, to the internet.
The 'convenience' you get is minimalistic and most of the time non existent.
It is also often insanely insecure and expensive. The burdans it brings with it most of the time just outweigh the positive sides of it.
Now today happened something that made me hate it even more. Today was the First Lego Lego (Lego competition with ev3 robots, etc.) and one part of the tournament is to find a solution for a given problem. This year the general topic was hydro-dynamics and so the problem was how you can reduce water usage and 'save' water.
Our idea was to make reusable coffee cups and give them to the local coffee shops. One time use paper cups use take around 400ml water when produced) Basically you buy a cup once for 5 bucks and you get your coffee served in it. After drinking the coffee you return the cup to a local cafe and get a chip as pawn. When you buy your next coffee, you give them your chip and get it served in another reusable cup. The are at the moment already around 1000 cups going around the city.
Now this was our idea and we got ranked third. I am not too mad about our rank but what really drives me fucking mad is the team who ranked first.
Their idea was to make a pump (using an arduino) and a humidity sensor which you stick into a plant and the pump pumps water when the plant is too dry.
However (you probably guessed it already) they went a step further and connected it to the internet. They also made a web 'interface' for it so you can control the pump with your smartphone / computer / smartwatch / tv / whatever the fuck is connected to the internet nowadays 'thanks' to the iot 'revolution'.
So it is a pump that waters your plant when it is too dry BUT it is also connected to the internet.
WHY THE FUCK DOES THIS HAVE TO BE CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET.
"Oh look it is connected to the internet, wow awesome, oh it is also 'smart'. oh cooool. Nice I don't have to water my plants anymore"
A funny thing is that one of my friends built basically the same thing without connecting it to the internet. He built a small box with a pump and a humidity sensor that measures if the dirt is too dry and then waters the plant. It checks every few hours and the also is a small 16x2 LCD and a knob that you can turn to control how much water it should give the plant each time it waters it. He built it and I programmed it for him. Works perfectly fine and I don't see any reason why there should be any need to connect something like this to the internet.
Anyway we got ranked third, they first. I guess we should connect our coffee cups to the internet in some way ...17 -
So, I set up my computer after moving and settling in.
Turns out all the jostling killed the pump on my water cooler 🙁 It now sounds like an unmaintained soviet train at full speed, and starts burning up. Poor thing.
Guess it’s time to build a new one. Though parts aren’t exactly available right now...
Bleh.23 -
Project: pool cleaner.
Hey guys. So here's the story I mounted my pool one month ago in a very hot day, but the weather is getting freakyer with each year and this was the first sunny day.
But I fill my pool with water from a well. Chlor takes care of bacteria but the damn algy are a problem.
First part: pump the shit out.
First test: not working properly.
- Reason? Buie keeps the dirt from reaching the motor;
- Hazardous: motor must be always under water
- Main problem. Pump is ment to sink in the bottom and pull water out, so only has one exit, the entry goes directly to the engine.
Workable? Turned a snail into fine dust, needs a hose with a buie that goes directly to the motor.
Just having fun... I would be in the pool if I had cleaned it last week
2 -
I think that was that automated greenhouse thingy.
This is basically a Raspberry Pi with sensors, a fan and a water pump controlling the air circulation and watering of the greenhouse. The data from the sensors gets stored in a database and you can check the temperature & humidity history on a shitty web interface.
This was one of my very first projects and I'm really proud of finishing it although it's really not perfect. When I started it I had never worked with
1) databases
2) sensors on the raspi
3) webinterfaces
before and somehow managed to get it working.4 -
My Data Communication & Computer Networks (DCCN) teacher was the best teacher I've seen.
Teaching can be super hard. You're one against like sixty others who aren't interested in being there. To make that good learning environment, making the subject interesting etc, it not easy. Some justify that, "I can only bring the horse to the water" & proceed to just regurgitate whatever is on the book. Others cross question you & impose punishments - try to make you learn by fear.
But my DCCN teacher - she had the right balance between strictness & humour. So kids took her seriously (did homework, weren't late), yet never feared her - we felt comfortable asking doubts/questions.
She had some good tactics, like asking us to teach certian chapters - that made us learn better. She would revise them in the end also, incase we missed anything.
My best moment with her was when I scored the highest in my internals. She picked up my paper & showed the class - "see? Just two pages & he scored so much". There's was always those students who pump out a lot of stories/essays or whatever that comes to their mind about the topic in question. Lots of teachers just blindly give marks - "oh, s/he wrote this much, so it must be right".
But my DCCN teacher had zero tolerance for garbage. If you're wrong, you're wrong. Some even believe that the number of marks = number of lines you have to write!! Doesn't matter what you write. So, I was super glad when this teacher upped the standards. -
Theregister.com is wrestling with gpus that need 700 Watts of juice and how to cool them. 50 years ago I was reading an excellent magazine called "Electronics". And I remember that IBM came up with a scheme to absorb enormous amounts of heat from chips. You simply score the underside of the chip in a grid pattern and pump water through it. Hundreds of watts per degree Celsius can be removed. Problem solved.4
-
Reliable Water Heater Service by Pipe Doctor Home Services, Inc. in Woodmere, NY
A functional water heater is essential for the comfort and convenience of your home. Whether you need a hot shower, clean dishes, or warm water for laundry, a well-maintained water heater plays a crucial role in your daily routine. At Pipe Doctor Home Services, Inc., we specialize in comprehensive water heater services in Woodmere, NY, and surrounding areas. From repairs to installations and regular maintenance, our expert technicians ensure that your water heater operates efficiently and reliably year-round.
Why Water Heater Service is Important
Your water heater is one of the most important appliances in your home, and like any major system, it requires regular care to perform at its best. Here are some key reasons why water heater service is essential:
Improved Efficiency
A well-maintained water heater works more efficiently, using less energy to heat water. This can lead to lower utility bills, as your system won’t have to work as hard to produce hot water.
Increased Lifespan
Routine maintenance helps extend the life of your water heater. By preventing issues before they become significant problems, you can avoid costly replacements and keep your water heater in good working condition for years.
Safety Assurance
Regular inspections and maintenance help ensure your water heater operates safely. Faulty water heaters can pose risks, such as gas leaks or dangerous buildup of sediment, which can lead to malfunction or even cause fires.
Consistent Hot Water
A properly serviced water heater provides a steady supply of hot water when you need it most. Whether it’s for a warm shower or filling up a bath, you can count on your water heater to perform efficiently.
Common Signs Your Water Heater Needs Service
If you notice any of the following issues with your water heater, it may be time to call Pipe Doctor Home Services, Inc. for professional service:
Inconsistent or No Hot Water
If your water heater is producing inconsistent hot water or no hot water at all, there could be an issue with the heating element, thermostat, or sediment buildup inside the tank.
Strange Noises
Sediment buildup in the bottom of the tank can cause popping, banging, or rumbling noises as it heats. These noises are a sign that your water heater needs to be flushed and maintained.
Water Temperature Problems
If your water heater is producing water that’s too hot or not hot enough, it could be a sign that the thermostat is malfunctioning or that there’s an issue with the heating element.
Water Discoloration
If the hot water coming from your faucets is brown or rusty, this could indicate that your water heater’s tank is corroding, and the unit may need repairs or replacement.
Leaks Around the Unit
Any water pooling around your water heater is a cause for concern. Leaks could indicate a damaged tank or faulty connections that need immediate attention.
Increased Energy Bills
If your energy bills have spiked unexpectedly, your water heater may be working harder than necessary. This could be due to inefficiencies in the system that require professional attention.
Our Comprehensive Water Heater Services
At Pipe Doctor Home Services, Inc., we provide a full range of water heater services to meet the needs of homeowners in Woodmere, NY, and nearby communities. Here’s how we can help:
1. Water Heater Installation
If you’re in need of a new water heater, we offer expert installation services for a variety of systems, including:
Tankless Water Heaters
These energy-efficient units provide on-demand hot water without the need for a large storage tank. Our experts can help you choose the right size and model for your home.
Traditional Tank Water Heaters
Whether you need a replacement for an old unit or are upgrading to a more energy-efficient model, we provide reliable installation services for traditional storage tank water heaters.
Hybrid Water Heaters
Combining the benefits of a traditional tank with heat pump technology, hybrid water heaters are highly energy-efficient and ideal for households with higher hot water demand.
2. Water Heater Repairs
If your current water heater isn’t working properly, our skilled technicians can perform thorough diagnostics and provide efficient repairs. We can fix a variety of issues, including:
Faulty thermostats
Broken heating elements
Sediment buildup
Leaks and corrosion
Gas and electrical issues
Our team is trained to repair all types of water heaters, including gas, electric, and hybrid models. We use only high-quality parts to ensure long-lasting repairs.
6
Top Tags
Weekly Rant
View