Lost Model Tracker – site updates

The domain home page has been changed to provide quick basic info before getting into the detail pages and navigating the blog. Pages recently updated the info pages for the lost model tracker transmitter, receiver and yagi antenna. I still have my links page which I have set to my […]

rcbeacon.com page

switchboard power meter

What does your power cost – Power Meter

Portable Power Meter I have added some information here and a store product here for the plug-in type power meter. These plug-in power meters are low cost and great for checking appliances etc. You can move them around, leaving connected to each appliance or a group of appliances for a […]


Q-BOT Quadcopter – repair 1

What is it At US$39 these are possibly not worth repairing, but it’s always interesting to see what’s inside, how it works and there’s the challenge of making it work again. Available from Hobbyking. Most parts are available as spares. The problem – The repair One motor then two wouldn’t […]

q-bot repair

Raspberry Pi Alternatives

A Camera Project I have been looking at putting together a remote self powered wifi connected camera project for a while using a R-Pi, a couple of low cost web-cams and a wifi adaptor with directional antenna. The cameras and wifi adaptors have just arrived. The shop-display packaging looks like […]


Kristil Basic Support Info.

I have added a page of general information – Here. I am receiving a few questions about the system and how to support it. Home owners are stuck, Electricians don’t have the information needed to help, and Smart House has vanished leaving everyone in the dark. Anyone with information that […]

kristil smart switch

ESC set up for testing

ESC failure and repair

Failure At the last indoor flying event I found that one of the motors on my quad was doing its own thing; beeping randomly, starting and stopping when the controller was in safe mode. The ESC is one of 4 HobbyKing SS (super simple) 20 Amp I bought about 2 […]


Web Server setup update

WordPress Web-Server Failed The original web server I was using failed to restart after applying some routine updates. It was getting stuck in POST and not getting as far as trying to boot the OS.  I swapped out the power supply then RAM, but the fault stayed with the motherboard. […]

mini-itx web server, zoneminder

low battery relay

12V Low Battery Relay – Monitor

I have been updating information on a low voltage detector for 12V battery monitoring. When the applied nominal 12V supply drops below the trip set-point, the relay changes state. This can be used to switch off equipment or trigger an alarm etc. when the battery voltages drops too low. To […]