Smoke Machine Modified for Digital Control

This year, my kids and I are working on some motion-activated effects for the trick or treaters.  As part of that project, we have some desired effects we want to be able to remotely control.  Most of them (i.e., sound effects, lights) have been easy to create.  However, remote control of a smoke machine was more of a challenge.  This project details how I combined a Powerswitch Tail 2 DC Controlled Power Switch and 400W Fog Machine  to create a digitally (i.e., computer/Arduino)  controlled smoke machine.

Full details after the jump; here's a video of the smoke machine in action, connected to an Arduino using infrared motion detection as a trigger.

Baseball Scoreboard - Update to display Box Scores

Overview

In previous posts (1 2), I discussed having programmed all of the graphical hooks to support real time box scores but had been unable to implement due to a lack of freely available sports feeds.  By leveraging some resources Mike Metral uncovered in building his sports ticker, I was able to finally implement the functionality fully.  (More including video of the finished update after the jump)

Baseball Scoreboard - Start Here

   NOTE:  This is currently my 14th post on the subject of the baseball scoreboard.  Previous posts have covered each component of the scoreboard and what it took to create that part.  This post is intended to introduce the subject with references to the other 13 posts, depending on where your particular interests lie.

Background

    For  almost four years now, I’ve been scoring baseball games via GameChanger (https://www.gamechanger.com).   For those who don’t know, it’s a fantastic tool for scoring games.  The scorekeeper scores via an iOS/Android app that streams wirelessly to an internet server where fans who couldn’t make it out to the game can watch its progress.

    Last year at one of our games, I was put in the position of having to score via GameChanger while also operating the scoreboard at the game.  While I was able to pawn off scoreboard duties to an eager kid, in the back of my head I got this idea that it would be great if the GameChanger app could also update the team scoreboard.  At this beginning of this season, I decided to give scoreboard building a try (see results after the jump).

Baseball Scoreboard - Bill of Materials

    All said and done, the whole project cost a little under $400.  About twice what I was expecting to spend but still not unreasonable, all things considered.  For those interested in what went into the scoreboard, the bill of materials is included after the jump.

Baseball Scoreboard - Using the Scoreboard

    As I got to the all-in-one quick start, I quickly realize that I hadn't written anything about how to actually use the scoreboard.  This post will give a real quick introduction on using the scoreboard.

Baseball Scoreboard - All-in-One Quick Start Guide

    For those who don't want to dig through 9 different posts in order to figure out how to construct your own scoreboard, I put this all-in-one quick start guide together.  If you follow this from start to finish, you should be able to set up your own scoreboard in a minimum amount of time (Guide starts after the jump).

Baseball Scoreboard - Things I'd Like to Improve

    While quite a bit of development has gone into this project thus far, there are still some things I see as shortcoming.  After the jump, I'll go through the things that I see as needed improvements.  If you see anything I may have missed, please feel free to chime in in the comments below.