Introduction: Minion Grace

Minion Grace

Alter Ego: Grace

Minion Grace is a fun loving sweetheart.  She likes to draw people and be read too.  Although she admits she is unable to draw in the lines well, she feels she can draw eyes really well.

Van Brakes, Again

Well, I was a bit under the weather this weekend so I didn't get much of anything done.  I felt somewhat better on Monday so I took the day off and did some projects around that house.  Well, that was the plan.  I was only able to work on one project but I did get that done.

I just did a brake job on the Caravan's front brakes.  When I got done, they were still very spongy and didn't really stop the van.  I decided to buy a brake bleed kit and change out the brake fluid to see if that fixed it.  (Sometimes air can get in the line and cause just such a problem.)  Once I got out to work on them Monday morning I realized I have four wheel disk brakes and I only changed the fronts.  The back breaks needed changed too.  That is what happens when you finish a brake job in the dark and you go from memory.  =)

Tonya and I went into town and got some brakes and rotors ($115 for the rear.  It is not hard.  Do it yourself and save quite a bit of money).  I replaced the rear brakes and changed out the old brake fluid with new synthetic brake fluid.  The kit worked well but it was faster to use the kit while having Mrs. Ffreeze pump the brakes to get all of the fluid out.  It works much better now and the Caravan is clear to cart the Dr. Ffreeze family around.

Lots of work this weekend

This weekend was a busy one but not on many things terribly fun.  Saturday we went to town and got Winter gear for the kids.  I think we are all ready for the snow to fall as far as the kids are concerned.

Saturday night the four oldest in the house played Pathfinder.  We had a blast.  The kids are figuring out roll playing games more.  You can just see their eyes light up as they get sucked into the story fighting to protect each other from the bad guys.

We bought tall cabinets for each of the kids' rooms.  We put one together so far but I am thinking I will "improve" them a bit when I have the time.  I plan to make them their toy box so we can keep the rest of the house cleaner.

We bought quite a bit of car stuff.  I need to do the front breaks on the Caravan, add some coolant to the Caravan and Suburban, and do an oil change on the Caravan, Suburban, Kawasaki Mule.

I started on the breaks first.

Opps

Tonya was in town so I had her pick up a lugs and a few lug nuts.  We kept working...

Car repair crew

Teamwork

Teamwork

And More Teamwork

Just a bit more...

I then realized they gave me the wrong break pads.  I just put brake quiet all over them.  Opps.  I called Tonya and had her pick up a few more car things.  I got all of the car stuff done and cleaned up in the dark, but at least it is done.

I am a bit bummed that I didn't get to work on our desk as it is a gatekeeper for us delving into our electronics stuff.  I have a few more "get done before Winter" projects and then I expect to have more time for the electronics stuff.

All in all, it was a GREAT weekend!

Introduction: Minion Jocelyn

Minion Jocelyn

Alter Ego: Jocelyn

Minion Jocelyn is a great and happy hard worker who loves to help others in school during her recess and can't wait to get started in electronics.  She thinks princesses are kinda neat too.

Minion Lance: about myself!

These are somethings about ME! So I like Mine craft do you? I also like electronics and here are some  thins I want to make: a tank,robot,and LED switch.Do you like electronics? I also like legos and i like to make lego tanks! I have some friends to.These are some facts about me.

NZXT Source 530

NZXT Source 530

I should receive this Thursday and I can't wait.  My current case is missing a few sides and it is a wonder my old Intel 750 2.6GHz overclocked to 3.3GHz is still working with all the dust that gets in the heat sink.  Hopefully this will the last case I will ever need.

Introduction: Minion Lance

Minion Lance

Alter Ego: Lance
(to blend in better)

I would like to introduce Minion Lance to you.  He is a bright young 3rd grader that enjoys school, reading, Legos, and has a big heart.  I will see if I can get him to stop by tomorrow and put together a post in his own words.

Have you ever hung a computer?

Well, before today neither have I.  I have been thinking about it for quite a few though and I finally got around to it.  We have a large (15') computer desk and I wanted a way to get the kids' small form factor PCs out of the way.  This is what I did...

Take a small form factor PC

Add some 1/4" x 2" eye bolts

Finished eye bolts

Hang two screw hooks

Hang the PC

As seen from afar

I will paint each PC black so it blends in better with the desk (I am still working on the desk).  I may add a black 4" magnetized wood strip that overhangs the rear of the PC to hide the cables, but I am not sure.  I may also add an external 120mm exhaust fan on the back side to better cool the PC.  I will have to see once I get the desk done.

Project Idea: Lego Magician Type Robot

Sparkfun Magician Chassis

Sparkfun has this for $15 but I think we could have more fun making something like this with our Legos and the servos we just got.

Project Idea: Steam Powered Tesla Turbine

With trees all around us, it would be neat to find a way to generate some electricity from wood fuel.

Vehicle Designs

Minion Lance and I did a ~30 minute design jam before bed.  Here are the results of our labors.

Minion Lance

Dr. Ffreeze

~$300 Amazon Gift Card gets you what?

Hello All,

A great start into the electronics hobby for Dr. Ffreeze and (2) Minions.

SunFounder, H20, Pressure, Voltage, Electrons, and Holes Oh My

My goal is to share what do together so that it may inspire others to get involved with teaching their children electronics at a young age.  We will meet the Minions at a later time as they are all in bed now.

I am not sure how best to lay out the blog but if you want to purchase some of the items we are using I have included our original Bill of Materials below.

Peace,

Dr. Ffreeze

Bill Of Materials (BOM)

[Count / Item / Cost Ea]
(3)     SunFounder Mega 2560 R3 Project Super Starter Kit     $53

(3)     Amazon Basics USB 2.0 A-Male to B-Male Cable - 6 Feet     $5
(1)     1 ohm - 10M ohm 1/4W Metal Film Resistors Assortment Kit     $9
(1)     Elenco TL-6 Standard Alligator Lead Set, 10-Piece     $6
(2)     INNOVA 3320 Auto-Ranging Digital Multimeter     $20
(1)     microtivity IL451 5mm Clear White LED w/ Resistors (100ea)     $10

(1)     HOSSEN® 5pcs Genuine Mini SG90 Micro 9g Servo     $14
(3)     Arduino 9V 1A Power Adapter     $6

(1)     RHX 100x Quality Mini Micro Momentary Tactile Push Button Switch     $4

(1)     microtivity IL188 5mm Assorted Clear LED w/ Resistors (8 Colors, 80total)     $4
(3)     Keyes Thumb Joystick Module for Arduino     $3
(3)     Passive Speaker Buzzer Module for Arduino     $2

Is this thing on?

Hello Everyone,

I am just trying out a blog to see how I like it.  I used to post my thoughts and experiments on the web many moons ago as Dr. Ffreeze.  Well, I am back but this time as Dr. Ffreeze and Minions.

I would like to use this blog to post about being a father, teacher, and inventor.  We will see how it goes.

Peace,

Dr. Ffreeze