tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33973832325033131832024-03-14T01:46:36.995+05:30Rasika & Harsha's Home PageRasika Ambepitiyagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00652164599437866116noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3397383232503313183.post-66983311693231073712008-09-16T21:15:00.018+05:302009-08-16T09:30:12.676+05:30DIY - Camera Dry Box<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As soon as I realized limitations of my Sony Cybershot T-70 point and shoot camera, I wanted to buy a DSLR. After going through so many reviews I decided to buy a Sony alpha A350X DSLR camera with 2 lenses. 18-70mm & 55-200mm to be specific. I got this down from Broadway Hongkong through one of my friends last month. I got 4GB Sandisk CF card, LCD protector and Camera bag free of charge from Broadway. After I purchase it, I realize there are so many other little accessories I need to have with the DSLR. So I end up purchasing a wireless shutter release, 2 UV protectors for my lenses, rubber blower with metal valves etc. I got these through ebay which is quite cheap. </span></span>
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<br />After all these, again I realize I need one more thing. A Dry Box or Dry Cabinet. So I called 2 local shops in Colombo, Sri Lanka to check prices. I got shocked by listening to the price.
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<br />One shop wanted LKR 18,000/- (USD 169) for a Dry Box with analog meter and electrically rechargeable desiccants. Two of lower versions of available for LKR 4,500/- (USD 42) which is just a plastic box with some silica gel bags in it. Another cheep version was available with an analog meter with silica gel bags for LKR 7,500/- (USD 70).
<br />For me Dry box is just a box which can keep the humidity lower than the outside humidity. So I decided to do some research on this to see whether I can build my own Dry Box and I ended up with this.</span> </span>
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<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SM_ZoT8Q61I/AAAAAAAAAXM/v2mY0WJR1nY/s1600-h/DSC03467.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246651377480952658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 443px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 348px" height="343" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SM_ZoT8Q61I/AAAAAAAAAXM/v2mY0WJR1nY/s400/DSC03467.JPG" width="447" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">So I decided to share what I have done with others so anybody who is interested can build their own Dry Box for 20% of the cost of what is available at the shop. In my opinion this is better than what is available in the shop since this has a digital meter to show the humidity and this holds the camera and lenses from moving inside the box which adds more protection.</span>
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<br /><strong><span style="font-size:100%;">What have I done?</span></strong>
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<br />1.Found a box which can be fully sealed (air tight) which is adequate enough to put my gadgets. I ended up purchasing a Microwavable food container for LKR 1225/- (USD 11.50)
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<br />2.Then I bought a sponge of 4 inch thickness. LKR 380/- (USD 3.5 )
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<br />3.Digital Hygrometer with temperature meter from ebay. With shipping it was USD 11.98 ( Unit was 3.99 and shipping was 7.99)
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<br />4. Rechargeable dehumidifier from ebay for USD 15.99. This is the item which was difficult to find and I had to pay LKR 140/- as taxes for Sri Lanka customs.
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<br />So the total cost for me was USD 43 for the total solution.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Below are the items I have used and how I have made my Dry Box. This is quite simple. So I am not going to explain step by step. Hope pictures speaks for it self.</span>
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<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SM_fyNusbBI/AAAAAAAAAXU/jbI5O0rdyn8/s1600-h/DSC03471.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246658144681880594" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SM_fyNusbBI/AAAAAAAAAXU/jbI5O0rdyn8/s200/DSC03471.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SM_fz6u1dHI/AAAAAAAAAXc/WtiyIrn46nU/s1600-h/DSC03465.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246658173941937266" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SM_fz6u1dHI/AAAAAAAAAXc/WtiyIrn46nU/s200/DSC03465.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SM_f0vhf8EI/AAAAAAAAAXk/LLJrzZdbSmk/s1600-h/DSC03472.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246658188113080386" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SM_f0vhf8EI/AAAAAAAAAXk/LLJrzZdbSmk/s200/DSC03472.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SM_lZK74X7I/AAAAAAAAAX0/s976WopJz4c/s1600-h/DSC03474.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246664311504920498" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SM_lZK74X7I/AAAAAAAAAX0/s976WopJz4c/s200/DSC03474.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div><div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SM_lZ9CgheI/AAAAAAAAAX8/A8IPJDE62H8/s1600-h/DSC03475.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246664324954490338" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SM_lZ9CgheI/AAAAAAAAAX8/A8IPJDE62H8/s200/DSC03475.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SM_mmX3qfVI/AAAAAAAAAYE/24mzvX2cWQs/s1600-h/DSC03477.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246665637826821458" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SM_mmX3qfVI/AAAAAAAAAYE/24mzvX2cWQs/s200/DSC03477.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SM_nuA6SRqI/AAAAAAAAAYM/kRo8aVb7Owg/s1600-h/DSC03478.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246666868614383266" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SM_nuA6SRqI/AAAAAAAAAYM/kRo8aVb7Owg/s200/DSC03478.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SM_ovo8wG_I/AAAAAAAAAYU/ddAbpwxbKII/s1600-h/DSC03479.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246667996053642226" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SM_ovo8wG_I/AAAAAAAAAYU/ddAbpwxbKII/s200/DSC03479.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SM_p5cxdlQI/AAAAAAAAAYc/hDjOCNIoaXw/s1600-h/DSC03481.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246669264095384834" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SM_p5cxdlQI/AAAAAAAAAYc/hDjOCNIoaXw/s200/DSC03481.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SM_f1PVedqI/AAAAAAAAAXs/IBTAaemrOWc/s1600-h/DSC03468.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246658196652586658" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SM_f1PVedqI/AAAAAAAAAXs/IBTAaemrOWc/s200/DSC03468.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SNBU2TPYfbI/AAAAAAAAAYk/W7bfD9fLpt4/s1600-h/DSC03486.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246786857741090226" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SNBU2TPYfbI/AAAAAAAAAYk/W7bfD9fLpt4/s200/DSC03486.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SNBcpC-wDnI/AAAAAAAAAYs/omlNF7VJ7qY/s1600-h/DSC03488.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246795426131086962" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SNBcpC-wDnI/AAAAAAAAAYs/omlNF7VJ7qY/s200/DSC03488.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3397383232503313183.post-36364444829588632292008-09-03T11:01:00.014+05:302008-09-07T20:05:08.043+05:30How to convert fixed satellite C Band dish to rotatable dish? DIY<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">I had this question in my mind for quite a some time and I have searched the web but without success. So I thought about it, and with a help of my friend Nilanka I have managed to make my eurostar powder coated fixed dish to rotatable semi automated dish. Cost was very minimal compared to a ready made rotatable dish. I thought of sharing the idea with others, so who ever interested can <strong>D</strong>o <strong>I</strong>t <strong>Y</strong>ourself. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><br /></div></span><div><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Items used </span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;"></span></strong></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">1. Original 2' ring came with the fixed dish</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">2. 3'6" Galvanized pipe & 3 metal bars.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">3. Old tire rod from my previous car</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">4. Used universal joint of a vehicle (Used spare parts shops are having these)<br />5. Adjustable pole which came with the original dish</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">6. 24” eurostar actuator </span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">7. 2 nos of on/off switches8. 16V 2.5A power adopter ( I got a old laptop power supply)<br /></span></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Method</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></span></strong></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Weld the universal joint to the center of the 2’ original ring with the use of 3 metal bars</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241664986543137570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SL4iiKKBoyI/AAAAAAAAADg/Gn8I8LNc7IE/s320/rotator-medium.jpg" border="0" /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241665250724911858" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SL4ixiT3mvI/AAAAAAAAADo/KKUbEmEtkcM/s320/stand-medium.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Fix the tire rod to the side of the ring </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241665637107369522" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SL4jIBsoBjI/AAAAAAAAADw/8Se33ivQi8w/s320/tyre-rod-medium.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Fix the adjustable bar, which came with the original dish to the tyre rod and with a clamp fix the other end to the galvanized pipe. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241668151405585122" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SL4laYMCIuI/AAAAAAAAAD4/YIMwccVXsZ4/s320/dish-closeup-medium.jpg" border="0" /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Fix the actuator to the ring. For more info on fixing the actuator, I found following article on the web </span><a href="http://www.satcrazy.com/install/intermid_les.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">http://www.satcrazy.com/install/intermid_les.html</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><br />Fix 2 switches to a small piece of box and one switch will work as a power on off switch and the other switch will work as polarity change of the power supplied to the actuator motor.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241668493954622754" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SL4luUSFpSI/AAAAAAAAAEA/FmgrLuhbdVY/s320/controler-medium.jpg" border="0" /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241668614322888130" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SL4l1UsHncI/AAAAAAAAAEI/ybLBmrLWKJI/s320/controler-2-medium.jpg" border="0" /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Now with the use of adjustable arm I can control the tilt to the east ( May be 10 degrees in Sri Lanka) and H-H movement through the actuator and those 2 switches.<br />It moves little slowly so stoping at the correct place is not a proble. ( H-H movement takes 2 mins on 16V, Origianl motor required voltage is 36V). </span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">More pictures.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241669639460542770" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SL4mw_n-2TI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/N4w7NLv8HT4/s320/dish-2-medium.jpg" border="0" /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241669790331544498" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SL4m5xqbo7I/AAAAAAAAAEY/Hz7BmGRRxgM/s320/dish-4-medium.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241669957200601506" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SL4nDfTHYaI/AAAAAAAAAEg/xOBU2go9bCY/s320/dish-5-medium.jpg" border="0" /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241670114863562402" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SL4nMqo5PqI/AAAAAAAAAEo/1wprmdjrRYo/s320/dish-6-medium.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241670327099303266" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SL4nZBR1pWI/AAAAAAAAAEw/W1bY3sw9vRM/s320/dish-7-custom%3Bsize_200,150.jpg" border="0" /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241670529943582930" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kc_Duakhl10/SL4nk07ruNI/AAAAAAAAAE4/7xCss0CtnRc/s320/dish-closeup-medium1.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Special Thanks to Nilanka @ <a href="http://www.nilanka.net/">http://www.nilanka.net/</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;">---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:78%;">Disclaimer : Above DIY session has been done with the help of a quaified technician for welding and iron works. Please take extra precausions while attmpting this.<br />Copy Right Rasika Ambepitiyage 2007© </span><a href="mailto:rasika@ambepitiyage.com"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:78%;">rasika@ambepitiyage.com </span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:78%;">from Sri Lanka</span> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1