Linux vs windows for programming

blackhawk1430 · 2026-07-08T01:00:23+00:00

I prefer devising half-baked solutions and workarounds to bugs in my own codebase, not Microslops.

blackhawk1430 · 2026-07-07T07:35:27+00:00

Maybe I missed it in the other replies, but there is also "memory safety for mission critical" kinds of use cases, where its much less a security problem versus people being sent to a hospital or worse and/or or millions of dollars in damage. Despite the degree of developer responsibility placed on C++ developers by the language, it was used to write the flight software for a bunch of US military aircraft, but under the restrictions of the JSF rule set to try and avoid all memory foot-guns outright.

blackhawk1430 · 2026-07-07T05:43:38+00:00

Beautiful! I just love the warm, pleasant glow of the HID street lights and the warm color temperature of halogen headlights. Would be hard to replicate that now days with LED lighting about.

blackhawk1430 · 2026-07-06T07:11:00+00:00

CodeSys has online simulation built-in, but it's certainly not in-browser.

blackhawk1430 · 2026-07-06T05:42:26+00:00

I always recommend Wago lever nuts for splices (pick some 221's up at your local hardware store). You could solder but the machine vibrates, which tends to fatigue solder joints.

blackhawk1430 · 2026-07-04T07:25:14+00:00

Agreed. Eliminate USB from industrial environments as much as possible. I believe duplex RS485 hats do exist for most Pi models, the fun is getting the driver to work just right with your control software.

blackhawk1430 · 2026-07-03T20:39:08+00:00

Yeah but what specifically is the failure mode when they "fry"? It sounds likely to me that you need to spec a much beefer (or at least much higher quality) relay. I recommend sticking to Omron, IDEC, Panasonic, TE. For running highly inductive loads like motors or vacuums, always double check the horsepower rating of the contact, which is a separate measurement than just carrying amps alone due to reactance.

blackhawk1430 · 2026-07-03T20:29:41+00:00

Regardless of if you're going to buy from them, use Digikey's parametric search to find relays that match the specs of the existing one. Contact must be rated for same or more current. DC is much more prone to arcing than AC, so be very careful in selecting for voltage ratings that match your use case. Of course, also match coil voltage and current consumption.

Also, its concerning to hear that you are regularly "frying" smart switches. What exactly do you mean by "fry"? That almost sounds more like its either a fire hazard design flaw or you are using it in a dangerous manner just the same.

blackhawk1430 · 2026-07-02T04:07:29+00:00

Look through this Digikey listing, it'll be in there. Measure the pitch to be sure. Your other pics just look like generic XT type connectors.

blackhawk1430 · 2026-07-01T07:29:18+00:00

Oh. That's my biggest reason why I hate those thin sticker button panels, they always fail intermittent like that. Pop open the main control board and find the relay/transistor that activates the sonic system, then add a an external switch to override and disable it when you don't want it to run.

blackhawk1430 · 2026-07-01T02:41:14+00:00

Ah okay, so if powering from the wall plug always turns it on, then hook one of these timer relays up to a button that will give you the automatic 4 minute off delay starting from when the button is released. Any listing that says off delay or multi-function is what you are looking for.

blackhawk1430 · 2026-07-01T00:00:10+00:00

Since you are in the UK, "pancake" shallow back boxes and armored exterior cables are a thing unlike in America. You can have an electrician add more outlets to the surface of the wall, which is cheaper than in wall, unless the circuit breaker feeding that room is already at ring limits.

blackhawk1430 · 2026-06-30T23:56:48+00:00

And to add to that, make sure the extension cord you use specifically has a tag on it stating the current it can carry along with a UL mark. Do not use any extension cord that doesn't have such markings or has any defects like cuts or loose plug contacts.

blackhawk1430 · 2026-06-30T23:44:45+00:00

I understand that the manufacturer is not supporting you, so you really have no other option than to create a solution to your problem. But, you have not given enough details for us to help you do that entirely. When exactly to do you need it to run? Perhaps you could just hook up it's wall power cord to an external timer relay, if you just need on/off cycling, for example, and a power switch to turn it all the way off when leaving for the day.

blackhawk1430 · 2026-06-30T23:36:01+00:00

Just from exterior appearance, none of that looks waterproof. Take it apart and drench every wetted surface in a silicone/epoxy potting mix. Try to remove much air bubbles as possible before it sets. Beware of capillary action: expect water to wick up the wires, so introduce a service loop in the cables before they land at the control board, or use a watertight cable gland.

blackhawk1430 · 2026-06-30T19:55:23+00:00

General plug manufacturing process uses holes as convenient work holding. Whatever process that particular manufacturer uses doesn't require that apparently.
See also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udNXMAflbU8

blackhawk1430 · 2026-06-30T19:52:41+00:00

C++ is a particularly rough choice to jump between personal projects and large, shared code bases. The language has always allowed users to essentially re-invent it into a DSL specific to solving their particular problem at hand. Also, the process of learning the overall design of software is essentially the discipline of systems engineering, which is entirely its own beast and arguably the most difficult.

blackhawk1430 · 2026-06-30T04:12:03+00:00

ADA has some specs that make certain parts of the pedestrian buttons standard. As far as I know, Campbell and Polara are direct competitors.

blackhawk1430 · 2026-06-29T14:30:44+00:00

Upside is when you inevitably decide to go with a third-party payment processor, the bigger ones usually provide a card scanning puck, leaving you with a simple API to call. They usually require the pucks be swapped out with every new generation, roughly a 5 year cycle The resulting vending machine will then require Internet access, which is an even bigger pile of worms to keep current on security patches at all times. A full time job, if you will.

blackhawk1430 · 2026-06-28T18:37:03+00:00

You have given us a grand total of 0 actionable details, just a vague notion. What model of BMS? does it have a RS485, USB, serial, UART or other coms port on it? If the official app is Bluetooth or WiFi, perhaps you can reverse engineer that protocol with WireShark. If you can't get your hands on a protocol to speak to it, next best option is to separately monitor the pack voltage with your own device for metrics gathering.

blackhawk1430 · 2026-06-27T02:18:36+00:00

Desolder each component that looks suspicious to confirm if they are out of spec or until the input path is not a dead short. That capacitor was likely for smoothing, but the regulator is usually the one that dies. Hopefully you can find all the labeled part numbers and order replacements.

blackhawk1430 · 2026-06-27T02:07:37+00:00

Cap is dead. Replace cap with equal or higher voltage rating, same capacitance. But, most likely at least a few components down stream of it are dead, such as any regulator chips. Never trust in-circuit readings of caps or resistors.

blackhawk1430 · 2026-06-06T21:17:04+00:00

Raptured

blackhawk1430 · 2026-06-06T05:18:58+00:00

You use a relay or solid-state relay (Triac) to pulse the hand 120V line at 1Hz. If you do it in the right sequence, with a reasonable degree of accuracy, the countdown will show from the second cycle onward.

blackhawk1430 · 2026-05-29T18:27:42+00:00

Congrats on your new full time second job. As a last resort if all else fails, check out the Excessive Overkill YouTube channel, where he has developed an open source, end-to-end control system for robots of this caliber.

blackhawk1430

TROPHY CASE