IOIO on LiIon Battery Power

I finally bucked up and picked up a few Li-Ion batteries for my dust-collecting Clocky mod project. A two cell, a three cell, and a suitable charger for the two arrived in the mail yesterday. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…lithium ion battery tech is crazy. I can’t believe how deprived we were, or more accurately, how pumped I am to utilize this stuff at a decent price point.

Anyhow, I managed to spec out a high quality, thrifty Li-Ion that will fit on my payload…

ioio external liion battery power
whrrrrrrr

…and, the little sucker screams…

I have a hard connection from my phone to the IOIO in the vid. I need to configure the new ROM with bluetooth, and wanted to test the power function stand-alone. That will be the next step. The next next step will include piecing the payload together as a drivable unit. The next next next step will be tweaking the UI for some more realistic control units. After that is next next next next, and will involve a video of the unit in action.

Nursery Furniture Assembly

As I mentioned in the post that precedes this one, I have been assembling things on a larger scale lately. Well, larger scale for a smaller scale person…getting the nursery ready, namely. Both the crib and changing table came together nicely. Enjoy some pics and protips.

Protip: Although the product may merely require “a screwdriver” for assembly, this will take all day. You will want an electric drill.

building changing table
here we go

Right after the unboxing phase of this project, I found myself en route to Lowe’s. Not going to happen manually.

Protip: Lithium Ion battery technology is vastly superior to other cordless drill battery types. Take my word on this.

With long spans, tight threads, and two hands, it may be tough to get joints lined up. No problem…

Protip: Shim during assembly to level stuff.

building baby furniture
balancing act

There are all sorts of pieces in a kit of this size. Plenty of items with which to level other items. With curved edges on these pieces, I found myself using unused parts and towels to prop thing up, etc. Which leads me to…

Protip: Assemble loosely, level, tighten.

changing table done
^____----- mom taking picture

That sucker is so level, we have simultaneous picture action. +1 photogenic.

On to the crib…assembly was similar, but quicker. Same protips, with the addition of

Protip: Prepare tools ahead of time.

crib assembly
(window)

You sure wouldn’t want to find yourself with warm OMLs, a dead battery, etc. Sort of along the same lines as ‘measure twice, cut once.’ Only, more important.

So, the paint on those walls is new as well. This room is getting close to done…with three months to spare. Hopefully it turns out well…especially as there is no chance that the crib will fit through the door in an assembled state. I have a feeling it will be just fine.