Posts

Single KVM that "Swaps" Monitors between two different laptops - The Cheap Way

 I wanted to have my two external monitors connected to two separate laptops, but noticed that when I switched KVM inputs, it would disable the external monitor for one laptop, and enable the other. My preference was to use my larger monitor as the "primary", for whichever laptop was in-focus on the KVM, but my smaller monitor would still carry the signal from the second laptop. Off the shelf solutions exist which require extensive configuration, are limited in their ability to perform in all scenarios, and are expensive. I saw another way. The secret sauce is two of these:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082CXZP71 These are HDMI splitters, which create two identical copies of a single HDMI input. The pivotal part is that you get a KVM that has two inputs *per PC*. For my scenario, I wanted only one external monitor per-laptop, for two laptops, displayed on two screens, with the display "flipping" alongside the KVM switch.  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GQT8SZ11  This has...

Having Your Garage Opener Safely Trigger High-Wattage Bulbs

5.5mm pigtails for low voltage DC : https://www.amazon.com/43x2pcs-Connectors-Security-Lighting-MILAPEAK/dp/B079CKL6P9/ USB to 5.5mm : https://www.amazon.com/3-Pack-JacobsParts-Type-Barrel-Copper/dp/B0761XV6H1/ Light socket to USB :  https://www.amazon.com/Borju-Adapter-Decorative-Lighting-Surveillance/dp/B0CKQH37KR/ (eliminates needing a light-socket-to-120v plus a USB-wall-charger, thus eliminating a point of failure) DC to AC Solid State Relay (SSR) with heatsink : https://www.amazon.com/CGELE-Heat-Sink-DC-25A/dp/B09GLRRGLT/ From here, you'll want to design your own light socket arrangement.  I ran AC cable from the output of the SSR to a dual wall socket, and connected that circuit to 120v, at the same outlet where the garage opener gets its power.  Then, I run two separate light sockets with standard plugs, each affixed to the garage supports on the left and right side of the garage.  With the SSR able to pass more amperage than the breaker for my garage allows...