Strav's blog

I've had a tab open for McMaster-Carr in my browser for years now for the one-off times I need to order hardware that they sell.  Time to save it off to my blog and close that tab out. more »

This company (Specialty Products Company) produces custom alignment parts for vehicles that don't allow for a full range of adjustments. more »

Here is a link to a YouTube video detailing how to learn the TPMS system. TPMS learn procedure video more »

Here is an article on creating a basic web service. Create a Basic Web Service Using PHP, MySQL, XML, and JSON more »

Here's a YouTube video on setting up HASSIO and Tasmotized Sonoff UPDATED: get HASSIO and Tasmotized Sonoff up and running! more »

Here's a link to a YouTube clip detailing an inexpensive DIY Temperature, Humidity, Light, Motion and RGB LED sensor. $15 DIY Multisensor - Temperature, Humidity, Light, Motion, and RGB LEDhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpjfVc-9IrQ&t=931s more »

This goes into setting up an AP with private WIFI access on DD-WRT DD-WRT (Virtual)AP with guest and private WIFI access (on 2nd router) more »

NirSoft has a bunch of tools for windows.  Some are very niche and others are simply handy.  All are high quality. more »

Here is an article on setting up the Initial configuration after flashing a device with Tasmota firmware. Tasmota Initial Configuration more »

It's frustrating to deal with SSH connection issues - particularly when using a private/public key pair which *should* let you log in without a password but doesn't.  I've troubleshot these issues a number of different ways in the past, adding a '-VVV'… more »

Motorized window blinds are definitely a priority on my Home Automation wish list.  Here are some links on the topic. Motorize and Automate your Blinds for $10! (WiFi) The Hookup Motorized MQTT Blinds (GitHub) iblinds: Make Existing Window Blinds Smart… more »

I have started using Home Assistant for Home Automation.  Here are some of the introductory links that I used to get started. The Beginner's Guide to Home Assistant - HassIO Awesome Home Assistant Getting Started with Home Assistant's new User Interface… more »

Here are a number of posts about the Arduino esp8266 and MQTT. ESP8266: Connecting to MQTT broker How To Use Basic MQTT on Arduino How to use ArduinoJson with PubSubClient Callback function and MQTT Arduino client Strings, bytes, char arrays MQTT arghgh… more »

I had a need to be able to transfer some files and didn't want to store them on my server.  I found a cross platform application called sendanywhere which has worked well.   sendanywhere more »

Errors like this: 2014-07-26 21:06:11 [Server Watchdog/FATAL]: A single server tick took 35.28 seconds (should be max 0.05) 2014-07-26 21:06:11 [Server Watchdog/FATAL]: Considering it to be crashed, server will forcibly shutdown. May be resolved by… more »

To reinstall the OEM springs on the SS, I needed to remove the shocks.  In order to remove the shocks, I needed to 'depin' the Mag Ride connector.  Here are some links regarding that procedure. How to disconnect Mag Ride Shock How to: Unpin your ZL1… more »

The Chevrolet SS has some one time use fasteners on the suspension that need to be replace during an alignment.  There is little information about this and much of it is conflicting.  Here are some of the more accurate threads I've found on the topic.… more »

Here is the info I need for changing the oil on the SS 15mm Socket/Wrench Filter Tool Rags Catch Can Funnel Torque Wrench - 18ft/lbs for the Drain Plug. Here is a link with additional information if desired. Oil Change more »

Here is some information on lifting/supporting the SS SS Jack Stands and some Random Jacking Points Putting the SS on 4 Jack Stands Place for jack stands? Lift point information more »

I'd really like to be able to check the pool temperature from the house somehow.  Here is some information on setting this up. ESP8266 Pool Temperature Monitor MQTT more »

As a first time pool owner, I learned that I need to fill my pool very often - during the hot summer months, sometimes daily.  Failure to do so will result in a situation where the water level is below the skimmer and the pump will pull air instead of… more »

Here is an article on upgrading the GTO/Lemans chassis. Pontiac GTO Chassis Upgrades more »

Here is some information about LiPo batteries and charging via the Imax B6 charger: Lipo Battery Balance Charging and Care SkyRc iMAX B6 Testing 18650 Li-ion Batteries from Old Laptops with my Imax B6 charger more »

Here are a couple videos on drawer installation: Kreg Kitchen Makeover Series Part 3: How To Install Drawers Kreg Drawer Slide Jig more »

The Halogen Headlights in the LeMans are actually an upgrade from the standard incandescent bulbs but are woefully dim when measured by current standards.  Here are some links about further upgrades to the lighting system. 1967 Headlight Upgrade… more »

W3 HTML Elements more »

Forscan is a software scannerfor Ford, Mazda, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles.  I used it to enable the reverse camera on my Mustang when I installed the NAV unit.  Here are some helpful links. Standard and Extended licenses for Windows Helpful links on As… more »

I've got 2 different sets of solar mounting rails.  The older ones use a Quick Mount PV Classic Composition Mount to attach to the roof and the newer ones use a Unirac mount.  Here are various links to the two systems. Quick Mount PV Classic Composition… more »

I needed to do some hard drive management for a friend's computer and it had a UEFI boot partition.  In order to accomplish what I was after, I really needed to understand the UEFI boot process and this article helped tremendously. UEFI boot: how does… more »

This Ford VIN decoder is helpful to determine what specific options a Ford vehicle was manufactured with. more »

Our patio and walkways - particularly by the pool, are riddled with wide expansion joints which generally are filled with cracked and broken pieces.  I believe that the solution is a "concrete expansion joint" such as the SlabGasket.  It's pretty… more »

Generally speaking, Windows Defender has evolved to a point where I can now (along with common sense) use it as the only antivirus on a Windows system.  There are times, however, when it needs to be disabled permanently (for a non-networked machine.… more »

Similar (though not nearly as complete) as rsync for linux, I often use robocopy to synchronize Windows filesystems.  The microsoft documents on robocopy are very complete, however since there are a LOT of options, it is always nice to have a common… more »

From time to time, I need to securely erase data from a hard drive.  In the past, I've generally used Darik's Boot and Nuke or DBAN however, DBAN does not work on SSD's.  Parted Magic, however, does have a utility to securely erase SSD's which is… more »

Since I'm constantly using rsync and needing to refer to examples, here is a link to rsync examples. 10 Practical Examples of rsync Command in Linux How to Exclude Files and Directories with Rsync Also, here is an example of how to duplicate a (live)… more »

My (not to be named) company does not allow running jobs through cron.  While I understand the reasons behind this, there are times when this restriction creates issues that are difficult to solve using the company approved enterprise task scheduler.… more »

Given the number of built in units and cabinets I plan on making for the house, a quality, large shelf pin hole jig is going to be a necessity.  Here is one option my meg products that I ran across. meg products - shelf pin holes ...and here is a link… more »

This mobile project center and accessories by Kreg is something that would come in very handy on a lot of projects, not the least of which would be cabinet door making... Mobile Project Center Bench Dogs 3" Bench Clamp more »

If/when I drywall the front garage, I will need to do something to channel the sunlights through the ceiling drywall.  My neighbor Chris sent me some links to sun tunnel hardware that may work. Westside Wholesaler VELUX Sun Tunnels more »

After having our car broken into, checkbook stolen and unauthorized checks written against our account, we decided it would be a good idea to lock down our credit accounts.  We chose to "freeze" our accounts as opposed to "lock"ing them.  Freezing and… more »

I have an Ultimarc ArcadeVGA card for my MAME Arcade Cabinet.  Over time, it has become more and more difficult to get it up and running as OS's have changed.  Here are some links about this and related material. Ultimarc ArcadeVGA not working A guide… more »

Given the vast number of accounts I have on various systems, I've needed a password manager for many years.  I've used PHPchain for quite a while and overall, it's been decent, however, it doesn't lend itself well to mobile devices and if my website is… more »

The ABSOLUTE WORST part of Windows 10 is that the non-enterprise versions will automatically reboot to apply updates.  I've lost countless hours of work and research due to this 'feature'.  While I can understand the reason for it, I felt that the… more »

BSplayer is my media player of choice.  I generally do not like to have file history turned on but even when turned off, BSplayer still remembers the last file played.  It doesn't show a list of history items but starting the player and hitting the… more »

Preview of pdf files from an explorer type program has been on my wishlist for many many years.  While I've been a licensed user of XYplorer for a while, I just found an article on how to set up exactly that. XYplorer does not preview PDFs. What can I… more »

I've been after a spot welder for a while now so I can use it to affordably rebuild battery packs - in particular for my DeWalt 18v tools. I had intended on building a Microwave Oven Transformer spot welder but I stumbled upon this quite affordable one… more »

Flash firmware to tasmota using Tuya Convert Set the module parameters as follows Set the MQTT parameters as follows   Tasmota on the Teckin sp10 Setting up the Sonoff Tasmota MQTT Switch Oukitel X6P Plug more »