New Remote Unit
I replaced the previous keychain remote unit (about the size of a jumbo pack of cigarettes) with a new one not much bigger than a matchbox. The new one also has the advantage that it's a simple push-on push-off unit, rather than one designed to drive a power door lock switch.
(Note for new readers: The remote doesn't really do anything other than power up the electronics. Controlling the thing is strictly hands-free thanks to the weight sensing controller. But it's a little tricky to step onto the board when it's active, and bending over to flip a switch is just too undignified).
I bought the thing from All Electronics, a company in Van Nuys whose previous store (in downtown LA) I visited a few times when I was in college. The store is definitely worth a stop if you're in the neighborhood, and the catalog and web site are also worth a look if you're looking for fun, cheap electronic components and doodads.
(Note for new readers: The remote doesn't really do anything other than power up the electronics. Controlling the thing is strictly hands-free thanks to the weight sensing controller. But it's a little tricky to step onto the board when it's active, and bending over to flip a switch is just too undignified).
I bought the thing from All Electronics, a company in Van Nuys whose previous store (in downtown LA) I visited a few times when I was in college. The store is definitely worth a stop if you're in the neighborhood, and the catalog and web site are also worth a look if you're looking for fun, cheap electronic components and doodads.
posted by Frank at 9:00 PM
1 Comments:
Unfortunately this thing (powered of the DC/DC converter) draws around 17mA from the 36V pack: over half a watt. Ouch!
Ideally I'd have a little microcontroller that would wake up every hundred milliseconds and see if someone has pressed the remote button, but this will have to do for now.
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