Tomas McGuinness
@tomasmcguinness.bsky.social
Software developer with an interest in DIY, smart home tech and home heating. I make videos on YouTube https://youtube.com/@tomasmcguinness and blog at tomasmcguinness.com
Going to try another small micro controller. These are ATtiny85.
November 29, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Going to try another small micro controller. These are ATtiny85.
I can get a count of the fabrics, but I'll be damned if I can iterate across them 🤬
November 28, 2025 at 6:47 AM
I can get a count of the fabrics, but I'll be damned if I can iterate across them 🤬
What's that, Tom? It's just a ReactJS being served from a webserver running on amESP32-S3 :)
November 27, 2025 at 7:34 PM
What's that, Tom? It's just a ReactJS being served from a webserver running on amESP32-S3 :)
In position!
November 25, 2025 at 7:55 PM
In position!
It only bloody works! Soldered and flashed. I’m over the moon with this! Few code tweaks to make, but this will do nicely for version 1!
November 25, 2025 at 4:45 PM
It only bloody works! Soldered and flashed. I’m over the moon with this! Few code tweaks to make, but this will do nicely for version 1!
I’m gonna be just fine!
November 25, 2025 at 4:42 PM
I’m gonna be just fine!
They have arrived!
November 25, 2025 at 11:58 AM
They have arrived!
@jamesmunns.com Hi James. I see you’re a Rust developer. I’ve started picking up the language. Not very far along :)
November 25, 2025 at 7:09 AM
@jamesmunns.com Hi James. I see you’re a Rust developer. I’ve started picking up the language. Not very far along :)
Next project is on the drawing board!
November 23, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Next project is on the drawing board!
I'm pleased with how this board is shaping up. Next move for me is making the JST connectors and button surface mounted. I'm considering adding a coin battery, but wondering if that's getting cocky with my code performance :)
November 22, 2025 at 7:56 PM
I'm pleased with how this board is shaping up. Next move for me is making the JST connectors and button surface mounted. I'm considering adding a coin battery, but wondering if that's getting cocky with my code performance :)
Got this little clamp delivered today. I realised this might be better than soldering in a headers. If I ever get to the point where I have 10 boards, programming will be quicker.
Would anyone be interested in buying these boards?
Would anyone be interested in buying these boards?
November 22, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Got this little clamp delivered today. I realised this might be better than soldering in a headers. If I ever get to the point where I have 10 boards, programming will be quicker.
Would anyone be interested in buying these boards?
Would anyone be interested in buying these boards?
My little PCB is sipping at power. This excludes the LDO, which will add about 6µA. I still think it's drawing too much power as it should be asleep.
November 20, 2025 at 7:15 PM
My little PCB is sipping at power. This excludes the LDO, which will add about 6µA. I still think it's drawing too much power as it should be asleep.
Next iteration of my PCB is ready for printing. I've introduced traces onto the back of this board, which is new for me.
November 19, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Next iteration of my PCB is ready for printing. I've introduced traces onto the back of this board, which is new for me.
It’s alive. Soldered on the LED and flashed another board.
November 18, 2025 at 1:46 PM
It’s alive. Soldered on the LED and flashed another board.
SMD components are insane. This is about 2 or 3mm long. Need the macro lens on my phone to see the polarity marking!
November 17, 2025 at 7:54 PM
SMD components are insane. This is about 2 or 3mm long. Need the macro lens on my phone to see the polarity marking!
Deployed! Amazingly, it worked. I wasn’t sure about the two resistors as I soldered them by hand. The readings look good, so I’ll take that as a win!
November 17, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Deployed! Amazingly, it worked. I wasn’t sure about the two resistors as I soldered them by hand. The readings look good, so I’ll take that as a win!
Each version includes something new
November 17, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Each version includes something new
Not great, but a vast improvement. These cross timbers have reduced movement significantly. Should be good enough.
November 16, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Not great, but a vast improvement. These cross timbers have reduced movement significantly. Should be good enough.
I remove the lower board. It was held on with a nail. FML. Need to secure this now, somehow.
November 16, 2025 at 12:15 PM
I remove the lower board. It was held on with a nail. FML. Need to secure this now, somehow.
People often ask me why I DIY. It’s because of things like this: this flat piece of timber has my freestanding bath tap attached to its it’s not even fixed to the joist. The tap is now leaning at an angle.
November 16, 2025 at 12:01 PM
People often ask me why I DIY. It’s because of things like this: this flat piece of timber has my freestanding bath tap attached to its it’s not even fixed to the joist. The tap is now leaning at an angle.
First go soldering a module to my new PCB. Not a bad attempt. I’m certainly getting better!
November 15, 2025 at 8:19 PM
First go soldering a module to my new PCB. Not a bad attempt. I’m certainly getting better!
My trench has partially collapsed :(
November 15, 2025 at 9:19 AM
My trench has partially collapsed :(
My heat pump simulator is now connected to my energy manager. I spent some time getting to grips with the parts list and rendering the device types. You can see the heat pump parts alongside my Tiny Dishwasher.
Next step is generating getting the heat pump to generate an energy forecast.
Next step is generating getting the heat pump to generate an energy forecast.
November 6, 2025 at 9:46 PM
My heat pump simulator is now connected to my energy manager. I spent some time getting to grips with the parts list and rendering the device types. You can see the heat pump parts alongside my Tiny Dishwasher.
Next step is generating getting the heat pump to generate an energy forecast.
Next step is generating getting the heat pump to generate an energy forecast.
Looking at this again. I have finally figured out some of the PartsList stuff in Matter. This is my Heat Pump Simulator showing the few "Devices" that make up a heat pump.
November 6, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Looking at this again. I have finally figured out some of the PartsList stuff in Matter. This is my Heat Pump Simulator showing the few "Devices" that make up a heat pump.