Small-Scale Solar Experiments
While sheltering in place this week, I’ve been tinkering with a small-scale setup for solar power generation. I’ve got a 100 watt solar panel, and access to the sun. What fun things can I do with this? Is it actually…
Constant Power Battery Discharge
Recently I’ve been looking at battery datasheets, in preparation for an off-grid solar project. I’ve noticed something strange about the “constant power discharge” numbers in the datasheets of several 12V lead acid batteries. Here’s an example from a 20 Ah…
Shelter In Place
My family and I have been ordered to shelter at home until at least April 7, to help stop transmission of COVID-19 in the San Francisco area. Many of you may already be living under similar orders, or will be…
Backyard Metal Foundry Dreams
Sometimes my brain works in unexpected ways. I haven’t started any new electronics projects lately, but my thoughts have been spinning in other directions. Last weekend I jokingly told my kids that I was starting a home-based ore smelting business. Because…
BMOW Store Trouble
Yesterday’s upgrade to PHP 7.1 has broken the BMOW store checkout process. You can add items to your cart and authorize your payment, but the final “confirm payment” step leads to a blank screen. The payment never gets processed, and the…
Floppy Emu SoftSP Warning
I’m calling attention to a hardware issue with the third-party “softSP” card that can damage your Floppy Emu when the two are used with a Disk II controller card in an Apple II+ or Apple IIe. This issue creates a…
Windows 10 External Video Part 5 – Failure
I’m either very persistent or very stupid. After 4+ months, I’m still chasing unexplained problems with external video on the HP EliteBook x360 1030 G2 laptop that I bought in May. Recently I thought I’d finally solved it, but I…
Wombat Released into the Wild
The Wombat ADB-USB input converter is now back in stock at the BMOW Store. Head there to get yours now. Wombat what? The Wombat is a bidirectional ADB-to-USB and USB-to-ADB converter for keyboards and mice, and was developed by Steve…
Floppy Emu and Disk Daisy Chainer Restock
After a few weeks’ absence, the BMOW Floppy Emu disk emulator for vintage Apple computers is back in stock. Get yours now at the BMOW store. This is the latest version Floppy Emu Model C, with OLED display. Floppy Emu…
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