daniel bates

Essay : What is the role of crypto-currencies in an alternative economic system, and does this support ‘green growth’? pdf link here This is an essay I've written for the EV7104 Environmental Politics and Economics module at the Centre for Alternative Technology. Comment below.  

A wdf30k-921-029-ex thermostat failed on an otherwise usefull fridge freezer. I've used some high-tech home-automation techniques here to see what I can do to control the fridge by other means... The fridge is a Hotpoint, Bosch or something I can't actually tell because the label's been rubbed off. Hardware I used: - emonBase (Raspberry Pi 3B+) with server running, I'm using emonCMS from OpenEnergyMonitor.org and fitted it with a RFM2Pi module fitted to the rP 3B+. - WiFi Smartplug. I'm using a Sonoff S20 flashed with the Tasmota firmware. - emonTH with 433Mhz radio.   How it works: the emonTH sends temperature data from the fridge to the emonBase via radio, the data is stored in emonCMS. The emonBase runs node-red also, and this is the home-automation software which has a 'flow' I designed which sends MQTT data to the Sonoff smartplug. The above node-red 'flow' uses the emoncms node. Alternatively I could've used an http GET request

For the summer of 2021 I worked with Partneriaeth Ogwen to build eBikes. Find more information use the links below. https://www.ogwen.wales/en/community-projects/beics-ogwen/ https://www.partneriaethogwen.cymru/en/dyffryn-gwyrdd/transport/ I've since created my own project. Now trained in cycle mechanics with Dewi at CycleWales, Llangefni, and running my own servicing, build and ebike conversion workshop. https://www.facebook.com/ebeicseryri/  

I've had this digitally controlled kettle for a while, and through 'drift' of internal components due to age it had begun NOT switching off, instead it was boiling forever. The workaround was to set the temperature to 90degC, but if someone else wanted to use it I'd have to communicate this. I set out to fix it. The aim, to fix the kettle such that it turns off at 100degC, as normal.   For some reason the label says it's a 15 BAR ESPRESSO MACHINE. Beginning to open it up, pried open with a flat-head screwdriver. Only a couple of PH1 screws, and a single PH2 screw holding the control board. Front of the control panel. Rear of the control panel. Front of relay panel. Rear of relay panel. The thermistor wire ends with a 2.54mm header put on for probing with a multimeter. VIDEO HERE VIDEO HERE Here's a resistor I soldered in parallel with the thermistor to make it work. I watched the resistan

See here for pictures of the new verandah I've built for my cousin.

I've installed temperature and humidity sensors in my cabin. They've logged a summer's worth of data. I'll write a fuller post at some point, analysing the data in more detail, however here's the most important thing I was interested in: The temperature and humidity readings of the cabin roof buildup, in particular the outer deck of OSB. The cabin roof is been through it's second year so readings should be indicative enough of a long-term situation. I basically have a warm deck roof, OSB ontop of foil-face foam board insulation. EPDM single-ply membrane adheared to the OSB. No vapour barrier though, and a gas cooker inside. - - - EPDM OSB 50mm Foam Board Insulation Joists. Plasterboard. - - - Readings for the inner face of the OSB have not gone below 81% relative humidity the whole summer. I take a general conclusion that it's best to ventilate the OSB layer with counter battens, if timber deck is required for the outer layer

This March I refurbished a narrowboat in Hebden Bridge. I worked for a friend, Ken Boak, to achieve the conversion he wanted, adding functionality and flexibility to the space. See build photos here. https://goo.gl/1XgPeh Ken Boak's blog - http://summatabootmary.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/marys-spring-refit.html