I was receiving the below message while trying to upload new code to the Arduino Micro.

avrdude: butterfly_recv(): programmer is not responding

After a lot of research I found that you have to hold down the button on the Ardunio Micro while uploading the code from Arduino IDE. Once IDE reports it is uploading code the button can be released.

I found the info for the Micro at http://arduino.cc/en/Guide/ArduinoLeonardoMicro?from=Guide.ArduinoLeonardo#toc11

Mother's Mag & Aluminum Review

A picture says a thousand words. I have not used another product to clean aluminum but on first try this turned out well. Easy on easy off. No need to press hard just rub til you arm falls off.

Before

After

Very Dirty Car Cleaning

I wanted to encourage my Dad to drive his old car again. I decided I could detail his car like mine. Didn't realize the job I signed up for. I've worked on the interior and exterior. The exterior has oxidization and will be dealing with that soon. Dad hasn't cared for his car very well in the last couple of years. Pictures say a thousand words.......Before and after pictures of initial cleaning. I'm glad I can help him out. I've learned a lot about detailing the last 3 years and still much to learn.

Engine Cleaning

I've been wanting to clean up the oil and dust on my engine. I found out it is very possible. A fairly easy task. Just need to make sure to cover all electrical connections, avoid the alternator and the fuse box. Instead of figuring out what needed covered, I covered all electrical connections to be safe. I even covered the alternator. I found that the de-greasers do not say in big letters on the front of the container "engine de-greaser". I used a product called Purple Power. (Note to self... take before and after pics) I'm very happy with results. A shout out goes to Chemical Guys since they claimed that this was easy enough for a women to do. I agree... easy enough for anyone. This is a 5 year old Eclipse and it took approximately 4 cleanings. Maybe it would've taken less if I had wanted to scrub some of the grease areas but the oil just fell off by layers.  The hardest part? Waiting for the engine to cool. 

If you fear getting anything wet just cover it!

Outdoor Herb Garden Update

Raised Concrete Garden Bed

My first try at a raised concrete bed. I will be putting herbs in this area. So excited to be moving what is left of my existing herb bed that is intermingled with flowers into their own area.

I managed to find the oregano and a sprout of parsley. Maybe I'll find a little more tomorrow

Adalight Arduino Ambient Lighting Project Update 3

I decided to use zip ties that I then inserted the tails into the vents. The very bottom I taped the lights to the monitor due to the lack of vents. Seems to be stable enough and they can be moved very easily.

 Perfection!

Tiny Arduino Music Visualizer Project

Having fun with the Tiny Arduino Music Visualizer Project. The hardest part was soldering all the pins on the LED square pixel matrix unit. I have found it is not super accurate. The lights will continue to dance for a few seconds after sound is detected. Not a surprise based on the notes on the project. The arduino unit just can't be super accurate. Still a fun project for any audio fan.

Indoor Herb Update

Three of the seed cups are sprouting. I will have to wait and see if the others sprout and to identify the ones that are sprouting. Mental note to self.... "Always label your seeds when planting"

OpenWRT & Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH

I wanted to play around with setting up a guest wireless network and managed to configure the AP where it was no longer accessible. Unfortunately holding down the reset button while plugging the router in does not reset the settings. Thanks to Ersin Gencturk's Blog I was able to find the answer.

Indoor Herbs

Attempting to grow herbs indoors in an old 35 gallon aquarium with a plant light. Starting the herbs from seed. Created seed cups out of paper to start the process. I replaced the broken hood opening with cd cases that are taped together. Makes a decent fit.

Side Hanging

My NOC

I work in the coolest NOC in the world! We may not have fancy equipment but how many have a record player and a red alert light?

Adalight Arduino Ambient Lighting Project Update

I've wrapped the front half of the false wall in paper and added two more cd cases. So far so good. 

I

Adalight Arduino Ambient Lighting Project

I came across this project Ambient Monitor Lighting and thought it would be a great way to get introduced to the Arduino. Who doesn't love a little ambient lightning? I realized after an evening playing with the lights that I was not going to have the ambiance that I was looking for. It dawned on me!

I needed a back drop for the light to dance off of. I utilized some old CD cases to create a false wall behind my monitor that was not against a wall. I taped these spare cases together using packing tape.

False wall seems to balance on the monitor stand well and has some rigidity. It also does not obscure the view to much over the top of my monitor. I thought about using cardboard but this was simpler since I did not have to worry about making a straight edge. This is a 24" monitor. I may add two CD cases to the bottom to help with the reflection.

Next step is to cover the CD cases with white paper to increase the reflection and to clean up the LED's. I will be taping them to the monitor. This will lead to possible repairs in the future but I won't have to make permanent changes to the monitor this way. Also considering hot glueing the LED's to the monitor which would make it more permenant.