Underfloor Heating Valve Actuator Board revD | Voltlog #466

In this captivating video, Voltlog unveils the latest iteration of their revolutionary ESP32-based Valve Actuator project – Revision D. Designed to streamline manufacturing and offer improved functionality, this enhanced version is a testament to the project’s ongoing evolution. Originally conceived as an open-source solution for controlling underfloor heating systems, the Valve Actuator project has gained a loyal following due to its compatibility with popular platforms like Tasmota, ESPHome, and Home Assistant.

With over a couple of hundred units already in operation, the RevD promises to further elevate the user experience and simplify assembly. One of the most notable updates in this revision is the ability to power the valves with a separate AC voltage, such as 24V AC. This feature caters to users with pre-existing underfloor heating systems, providing greater flexibility and compatibility.

Additionally, Voltlog has optimized the PCB design by transitioning from through-hole components to surface-mount technology (SMT) wherever possible, improving manufacturability and reducing potential errors during assembly. The RevD also introduces an innovative LED control feature, allowing users to turn the output status LEDs on or off via GPIO16.

This not only conserves power but also enhances the device’s versatility, making it suitable for discreet installations where visible LEDs are undesirable. Voltlog’s commitment to quality is evident in their collaboration with PCBWay.com, the official provider of printed circuit boards for the channel.

The limited-edition first batch of RevD boards boasts a stunning red solder mask with gold-plated ENIG finish, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail.

InTheMail | Voltlog #446

Welcome to another exciting edition of “In The Mail” where we unbox and explore the latest electronics goodies that have arrived at my doorstep. This time around, we have a diverse array of items ranging from radio modules to antennas, charging solutions, wiring essentials, and even some handy tools.

Let’s kick things off with the CC1101 sub-GHz radio module, a popular choice for wireless communication projects. I plan to connect this module to an ESP32 and explore platforms like Tasmota, ESPHome, or others to create an RF bridge to Home Assistant. This will allow me to capture signals from devices like smoke detectors with built-in radio signaling capabilities.

Moving on, we have a couple of USB-C charging modules that promise to upgrade our charging game. The TP4057 module with a USB-C connector and an integrated battery protection chip looks promising, while the second module offers switch-mode charging and boosting capabilities, all packed into a tiny SOT23.5 chip.

Speaking of USB-C, I’ve also got some handy adapters to bridge the gap between USB-C and USB Type-A, ensuring seamless connectivity across devices. And for those times when you need to extend your charging reach, I’ve got a couple of 1-meter USB-C extension cables, albeit a bit thicker than expected due to their high-speed data and power delivery ratings.

Wiring is an essential part of any electronics project, and I’ve stocked up on some silicone and PVC wires in various colors and gauges. These will come in handy for quick prototyping and testing, and having multiple color options makes it easier to keep track of connections. For my LoRa and LoRaWAN adventures, I’ve acquired a couple of antennas, including a beefy 55cm 12dBi 868MHz antenna and its smaller 37cm sibling.

I plan to put them through their paces with a nano VNA to test their center frequencies and SWR performance. Rounding out the mailbag, we have some handy tools like a J-Link PCB adapter for ARM microcontroller debugging, specialized screwdriver bits for electrical work and security screws, an electric engraving tool for PCB modifications, a sturdy syringe booster for dispensing viscous materials, and a multifunctional flume wrench kit for tight spaces.

InTheMail | Voltlog #444

In the latest installment of the popular “InTheMail” series, tech enthusiasts are treated to a diverse array of electronics and accessories straight from the mailbag. From compact chargers and carry cases to specialized tools and sensors, this episode covers a wide range of products that cater to various needs.

Kicking things off is the VOLTME dual USB Type-C phone charger, a compact and powerful solution for charging multiple devices simultaneously. Its small form factor and GaN technology make it an ideal travel companion. Next up are EVA hard shell cases, offering protection for soldering irons and oscilloscopes during transportation.

The Ulanzi VL49 RGB LED light is a versatile addition for photography and videography, boasting impressive specs like high CRI, adjustable color temperature, and long battery life. The episode also showcases a learning RF remote control with an impressive frequency range, perfect for hobbyists and tinkerers.

For those in need of cable management solutions, the video covers keyrings, USB cables (including right-angle and USB Type-B variants), and silicone-insulated cables designed for soldering applications. Fiberglass cable insulation rated for high temperatures is also highlighted, catering to projects involving hot environments.

The mailbag also unveils a hidden GPS tracking device with 4G support and an upgraded USB-to-CAN adapter for CAN bus interfacing. Specialized tools like a BNC T-split connector and ceramic heating plates are also explored, offering potential applications in electronics and temperature control projects.

Finally, the episode touches on a radar sensor module and a waterproof temperature/humidity sensor, both useful for home automation and outdoor sensing applications.

Voltlog #276 – What Is The CO2 Concentration In Your Home?

Welcome to a new Voltlog, in the previous video I showed how I built this monitoring system for CO2, it’s based on an ESP32 development board and it uses two sensors the MH-Z19B and the CCS811. In that video I explained the differences between these two sensors so please watch that to better understand the current video and the conclusions presented here.

I’ve let the system run and collect data for the past few days and now we can take a look at the data and draw some conclusions which might help you decide what sensor to use in your future projects or it might determine you to build a similar data logger to check the CO2 levels in your home because I assure you if you do not have a ventilation system, chances are you are sleeping in some high CO2 concentration levels.

Voltlog #275 – CO2 Concentration Measurement System With MH-Z19B & CCS811

Welcome to a new Voltlog, you might remember these two sensors from a previous mailbag, this is the MH-Z19B and this is the CCS811 both of these report CO2 levels but they measure this differently and I’ll explain this in a moment. I got these two sensors in order to monitor CO2 levels in my home, to determine if the levels rise too much at night, especially during the winter time when we tend to keep the windows closed most of the time. I live in an old apartment building where there isn’t much provision for ventilation and so I suspect the air I breath during sleep is high in CO2 levels as it builds up over night.

In this video I’m gonna show you how I built the monitoring system using an ESP32 board that reads the sensor data and then sends it over the network to an MQTT server running on my raspberry pi. I then use node-red to insert the data into InfluxDB and then finally Grafana to monitor all of this data in a nice graphical user interface. The beauty of this setup is that all of this software is free to use and open-source.