Taste The Code latest blog posts

I brought a blank Mitsubishi Colt dashboard screen back to life by cleaning off old resin and soldering chip pins loosened by years of heat cycles.

Taking apart the SLZB Ultima 3 gateway to see how it runs Zigbee and Thread at once, and investigating what it really can do.

Testing every function of the FNIRSI LPM-10 network cable tester, from wire mapping and length measurement to tracing a single cable through a ceiling.

Building a standalone RFID door lock with the RC522 and an ESP32 that learns and forgets cards using a single push button.

Building a wireless environment monitor with a BME680 sensor and an ESP32 running Tasmota, sending temperature, humidity and air quality data over MQTT.

A brand new RS485 weather station arrived completely dead, and the fault turned out to be one solder joint that looked perfect but carried no current.

I flash the DFRobot UNIHIKER K10 with ESP Claw firmware and let an AI agent write its own scripts to control its LEDs and screen.

Upgrading my DIY irrigation controller to water three garden zones independently using Tasmota, a NodeMCU, and a washing machine valve.

Building a Tasmota-powered pellet stove level sensor using an HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor, NodeMCU ESP8266, and 3D printed magnetic enclosures.

Turning an Arduino Uno into a real industrial PLC using the free OpenPLC editor and ladder logic programming.

Building a laser-cut wooden bench power supply enclosure with the Longer B1 40W, including a surprising direct copper etching test.

Salvaging an 850mAh lithium cell and a working USB-C charging circuit from a disposable vape and examining what is on its PCB.

Testing a 7-inch digital microscope for PCB inspection, solder joint analysis, and SMD work to see how much detail it can really reveal.

Testing salvaged 18650 cells from old laptop batteries using a 4-channel tester to measure capacity and internal resistance on each cell independently.

I opened up my mom's vintage boombox to bring it back from the dead.

Using an optocoupler instead of a transistor in a custom PCB power switch gives full electrical isolation and removes noise from MPPT solar charge controllers.

I attempt to repair a USB-powered plasma ball by diagnosing a blown transistor, replacing it, and exploring why the lightning effect stopped working.

I set up an ultra-wideband asset tracking system using Reyax RYUW122_DK kit to precisely track an RC car's position in real-time.

Learn how to add touch control to your DIY electronics projects using the affordable TTP223 sensor module and the ESP32's built-in touch pins.

Learn how I easily fixed two broken speakers by replacing the old USB port with an affordable USB-C breakout connector.

I built a simple portable power supply using tool batteries and PocketPD to get adjustable voltage for electronics projects anywhere.

In this article I walk you through assembling and setting up the Meshtastic N39 kit with the Heltec V4 board, flashing the firmware, and testing GPS tracking in a real-world park scenario.

I walk you through the design and prototyping of a P-channel MOSFET switch controlled by an ESP32 to efficiently power external sensors only when needed.

I tested the real-world range of two nRF24L01 modules, from indoor walls to open-field distances, to see how far they can actually communicate.

Build a real-time LoRaWAN Class C relay controller using the ESP LoRa 32 in this step-by-step guide covering hardware setup, TTN configuration, and instant downlink control.

Learn how to build a smart keypad-controlled access system using an ESP32 while exploring the strengths and shortcomings of the EEmentor IoT Starter Kit in this practical, hands-on guide.

I built a simple infrared controller using an ESP-01 and ESPHome to reconnect my GREE air conditioner to Home Assistant after its original Wi-Fi module failed.

I built a LoRaWAN sensor that sends temperature, humidity, and pressure data to The Things Network and goes into deep sleep to save power between transmissions.

I built a simple, portable DIY device to test and verify that a newly installed LoRaWAN gateway was operational and could successfully communicate with end nodes.

Follow along this step-by-step investigation, from a confusing no-power issue to finally finding and replacing the faulty backlight LEDs, to fix my Panasonic TV on a tiny budget.

A hands-on review of the TOOCAA L2 laser cutter featuring a DIY project where I build a WLED controlled RGB wall sign from recycled PC motherboards to test its precision and performance.

I set up a presence sensor, a water leak sensor, and a smart sprinkler timer to see how well they perform with Home Assistant and the Meross app.

I built a custom, automated filament dryer from a cereal box to effectively remove moisture from 3D printing filament using a controlled heating system.

I built and tested the Meshnology N30 and N32 kits to start exploring Meshtastic as a LoRa communication network

Learn how to set up Matter devices in Home Assistant using the ZBDongle-E, avoiding deprecated add-ons and running Zigbee and Thread networks reliably.

Learn how to set up ESP-NOW for fast, low-power wireless communication between ESP32 devices, including indoor and outdoor range tests and long-range mode.

Learn how I used RTC memory and SPIFFS on the ESP32 to save data during deep sleep and even across full power resets.

I built a Bluetooth-to-LoRa emergency communication gateway with the Reyax RYLR999 module that works without cell service or any other network.

Learn how to build a stylish edge-lit night lamp with a 3D-printed base, custom PCB, and CNC-engraved acrylic for a professional DIY lighting project.

Learn how to build a stable, Home Assistant-controlled LED light with a 3D printed base filled with plaster for weight, including wiring and smart switch setup.

Discover how to hack a Zigbee 3-gang switch like the Zemismart K6 to control unrelated lights using Home Assistant automations - no extra hardware needed!

Learn how to design a custom PCB for edge-lit acrylic signs—from schematic creation in Altium to 3D-printed enclosure fit checks—in this beginner-friendly DIY electronics guide.

I used a computer power supply, an XH-M229 breakout module, a SK35 buck-boost converter and a 3D printed enclosure to make a bench power supply for my workshop!

Learn how to connect an RS485 Modbus wind speed sensor to an Arduino using a TTL converter, read data reliably over long distances, and display real-time wind measurements.

Discover the Elecrow All-in-One Arduino Starter Kit – perfect for beginners with 15 sensors, 21 step-by-step lessons, and everything you need to start coding & building projects fast (no experience required)!

I used a LX-LBU2C module and salvaged 18650 batteries to make highly functional DIY power bank with special red light.

Learn how to build cloud-controlled DIY devices without coding using the KME Smart platform - control relays, sensors and automations from your phone easily!

Learn how to easily add Bluetooth control to your Arduino or ESP8266 projects using the RYB2340 module, so you can wirelessly control devices from your smartphone!

This project demonstrates how to create a smart home dashboard using the CrowPanel ESP32-S3 display integrated with ESPHome and Home Assistant..

I tested the ACMER S1 laser engraver and put it through its paces to engrave on different materials and to create a PCB with it.