
Geminid, image taken on 12. december 2012 at 22UT, Nikorr 18mm @ f/3.5, ISO1600, 70 s
First thing needed was to figure out what HEX values the remote in use is producing to communicate with the device. I am using a remote that was bundled with USB TV-tuner, which is mainly used in another room. My remote has a total of 29 buttons however I am only interested in the fraction of them, here are the HEX values in use obtained for my remote.
The next thing to figure out was how to control the 8-relay module. Every relay in this module has 3 screw-type pins to control the high voltage AC current named NO(normally closed), NC(normally open) and COM(common connection). The 220/110V AC input must be connected to COM. The switch inside the relay is moved by the electromagnet that is indirectly connected to one of the Arduino ports. When the relay is turned off the COM is connected to NC and when turned on connected to NO. I am using the relay with revered logic which means that the relay is turned on when port is set to LOW. For every relay there is an on board LED that shows if it is active. The module has additional safety factor as all the relays are optically insulated, this means that all Arduino really does is turn on an LED inside an optocoupler, and that turns the relay on. So far I am using the relay module for switching the lights in my room, further applications are on the way.
Another novelties on the board are DS1307 RT Clock and piezo buzzer. Clock and buzzer together, combined with way to turn on/off the light bulbs in the room can be used for a brutal alarm clock.
Further things to add:
Useful links:
As you can see my first sieve had too big holes therefore I had to use another one with smaller holes to separate all the hair from the dried red hips. There is no need to remove the seeds. The final step is to put the dried rose hips into a airtight glass jar.
To make a tea use a teaspoons of dried hips for every cup of boiling water and steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Sweeten with honey and enjoy.
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The next usable part of the plant are Elderberries. Harvest the berries when they are fully ripe (deep purple not red) in late August. They will be round and plump, and hanging off the branches in large, heavy clusters. Elderberries cannot be eaten raw, therefore they must be dried before consumption. The easiest method for drying them it to hang the berry clusters on a string in a warm, dry place. I usually dry them in the attic where the air is always warm in the middle of the summer. When dried remove the stems and store them in airtight glass jars in a dark place.