https://smcleod.net/categories/hardware/ Recent content in Hardware on smcleod.net https://smcleod.net/logo-painted-350.svg https://smcleod.net/logo-painted-350.svg Hugo -- 0.152.2 en Tue, 05 May 2026 10:33:16 +0000 https://smcleod.net/2023/11/open-source-locally-hosted-ai-powered-siri-replacement/ Mon, 20 Nov 2023 01:00:00 +0000 https://smcleod.net/2023/11/open-source-locally-hosted-ai-powered-siri-replacement/ Using an ESP32 S3 Box 3 with Willow, Home Assistant and Large Language Models (LLMs) create a locally hosted, offline, AI powered Siri / Alexa replacement. https://smcleod.net/2021/07/rancilio-silvia-upgrade/ Sun, 11 Jul 2021 14:00:00 +0000 https://smcleod.net/2021/07/rancilio-silvia-upgrade/ <p>Weekend upgrades to my Ranchilio Silvia v4 espresso machine.</p> <ul> <li>Added a digital <a href="https://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/blog/2018/10/01/whats-a-pid/">PID</a> <a href="https://www.jetblackespresso.com.au/shop/p/rancilio-silvia-pid-preinfusion/">kit</a> for improved temperature control</li> <li>Replaced the boiler element</li> <li>Thermal insulation</li> <li>Basic <a href="https://www.cygnett.com/products/smart-wi-fi-plug-with-power-monitoring">&ldquo;smart&rdquo; power control</a> with Siri integration</li> <li>Upgrade the standard Ranchilio basket to a <a href="https://www.dukescoffee.com.au/shop/vst-precision-basket-ridged/">VST 18g Ridged</a></li> </ul> <p><img loading="lazy" src="https://github.com/sammcj/smcleod_files/blob/master/images/silvia_upgrades_2021/assembled.jpeg?raw=true"></p> <p><img loading="lazy" src="https://github.com/sammcj/smcleod_files/blob/master/images/silvia_upgrades_2021/siri.jpeg?raw=true"></p> <p><img loading="lazy" src="https://github.com/sammcj/smcleod_files/blob/master/images/silvia_upgrades_2021/vst_18g_r.jpeg?raw=true"></p> <hr> <h2 id="rebuild-photos">Rebuild Photos</h2> <p>Note the damage to the boiler elements terminals, this was shorting and causing the houses RCD to trip</p> <p><img loading="lazy" src="https://github.com/sammcj/smcleod_files/blob/master/images/silvia_upgrades_2021/boiler_element_damage.jpeg?raw=true"></p> <p><img loading="lazy" src="https://github.com/sammcj/smcleod_files/blob/master/images/silvia_upgrades_2021/boiler_out.jpeg?raw=true"></p> <p><img loading="lazy" src="https://github.com/sammcj/smcleod_files/blob/master/images/silvia_upgrades_2021/element.jpeg?raw=true"></p> <p>Wiring the PID controller</p> <p><img loading="lazy" src="https://github.com/sammcj/smcleod_files/blob/master/images/silvia_upgrades_2021/pid_interface_wiring.jpeg?raw=true"></p> <p>Replacing the boiler thermostat with one connected to the PID controller</p>