Wiegand data lines idle at 5V, and the ESP32 is not 5V-tolerant. You don’t need a level-shifter IC or a resistor divider — a single signal diode does the job, and it does it better.

MicroPython rewrite of the Impression 5 giant calculator — 9-digit NeoPixel 7-segment display with 20 physical buttons, running on ESP32 or Raspberry Pi Pico.

ESP32 ESPHome device that monitors a Carrier furnace — reads a differential pressure sensor for filter restriction and a phototransistor to decode blink error codes from the status LED.

ESPHome config for a Wiegand keypad reader built on a thin-edge philosophy — the device only captures input and relays it to Home Assistant. Now folded directly into the garage’s RATGDO board instead of running on its own standalone ESP32.

Cable/PCB adapter that converts any VirtualAccess/GW power supply connector to a standard USB-to-TTL/3.3V serial adapter for quick debug access on Westermo GW-series devices.

Daughter PCB that exposes the internal USB port externally on the VirtualAccess GW1152 router from Westermo.

Two ESPHome configs for a SONOFF S31 smart plug that auto power-cycles a device when it stops responding — one using ICMP ping loss detection, one using Home Assistant API connection loss.

Python tool for validating cellular SIM activation on a Digi WR21 router — auto-detects carrier, cycles through known APNs, and reports results via a 2-line I²C LCD with RGB rotary encoder interface.

Arduino library for reading an array of photocell (LDR) sensors with a sliding-window moving average and configurable threshold detection — supports multiple sensors with individual sample rates.

Arduino Micro Pro HID device that prevents screensavers when room lights are on — uses a dual-criteria light-change algorithm to distinguish light switches from gradual daylight changes.

Interactive museum exhibit at Impression 5 Science Center — visitors use RFID tablets to explore botanical migration routes on a lit map, with green/red LED feedback guiding correct selections.

Arduino Mega replacement for Impression 5 Science Center’s giant calculator exhibit — custom LED display and keypad controller using big-number arithmetic.

Eagle CAD Arduino Mega shield PCB designed for Impression 5 Science Center exhibits — standardizes wiring, connectors, and power for the Giant Calculator and Genome Map projects.

Raspberry Pi Zero W chore tracker — physical buttons and NeoPixel LEDs show daily task progress in a tactile, screen-free display for kids.

Custom Arduino shield redesigned for an intro Arduino class after SparkFun discontinued the original Danger Shield — adds improved components and layout while keeping the same hands-on exercise set.

A quick hands-on demonstration giving novice users a concrete feel for what an Arduino is, what it can do, and how easy it is to get started — progressing from blinking an LED through buttons, analog I/O, servo control, and sound.

Detroit Maker Faire demonstration reproducing Edison’s original incandescent light bulb — pencil lead as the filament, D-cell batteries in a PVC pipe as the power source, and a glass bottle as the envelope.

Non-blocking, interrupt-driven Arduino library for the VLSI VS1053 audio decoder chip — streams MP3, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, WMA, and WAV from SD card over SPI.

The electronics half of the HarpsiGourd — 15 pumpkins wired as capacitive touch keys driving a Music Maker MP3 shield. Pairs with the CNC Faux Piano shell for exhibition use.

Oversized playable Tetris built from 200 addressable RGB LEDs across a 10×20 grid, controlled by an Arduino with a Wii Nunchuk. Presented at Detroit Maker Faire and used in the Lansing Silver Bells parade float.

Exercise bicycle with an automotive alternator powering a Jacob’s Ladder spark display — the spark activates when the rider hits 88 MPH on the speedometer. Shown at an early Detroit Maker Faire.

Full LCARS-style bridge simulator — hand-built capacitive touch consoles at every station, BSG 2003 aesthetic, support craft, narrated training, and spectator viewer portals.

A fully open source, 38-foot, 4-lane pinewood derby timing system built for Cub Scout Pack 2222 — Arduino Mega, custom PCB, IR sensors, solenoid starting gate, and 7-segment displays.

Arduino Mega sketch for sequenced Christmas lights using Vixen lighting software — supports daisy-chaining multiple Arduinos for up to 51 channels per board via serial passthrough.

Reverse-engineered the IR protocol between Syma toy helicopters and their controllers using Arduino, enabling cross-control of multiple choppers or repurposing the controller for other devices.

Arduino library for measuring free RAM at runtime — critical for debugging out-of-memory crashes on AVR boards with as little as 2 KB of RAM.

The original non-blocking, interrupt-driven Arduino library for the SparkFun MP3 Player Shield (VS1053) — superseded by the generalized vs1053_for_SdFat library.