Introducing the Network Kettle!

[glennda]

I have a student working with me this summer as a technician and i was joking about making the network kettle - so guess what - he went away and ordered a solinoid and then a tesco kettle and borrowed a web relay - and here it is!

 

He brought it in today and it works really well - although needs 3 plug sockets!

Edited October 10, 2013 by ZeroHour

[featured_spectre]

So you can switch it on from a location on the network???

[Steve21]

Genius When you mass producing them?!?

 

Steve

[glennda]

So you can switch it on from a location on the network???

 

Yup there is an application which you run with a few variables and it turns the kettle on!

 

We've setup a hot key on our keyboards so that as soon as you hit it the kettle turns on!

[glennda]

Genius When you mass producing them?!?

 

Steve

 

When we have refined the design - need to find a cheap web relay aswell!

[K.C.Leblanc]

So you can switch it on from a location on the network???

 

No, the entire world [evil laugh].

[Tricky_Dicky]

That is so cool! Tell him to look at an Arduino chip and get some 2 way comms going so you know when it's boiled.

[glennda]

That is so cool! Tell him to look at an Arduino chip and get some 2 way comms going so you know when it's boiled.

 

We'll have a look at that - we need something to permantly replace the web relay as its borrowed!

[localzuk]

One of these should do the trick - Arduino Ethernet with PoE module from Cool Componentslthough, you'd still need to make yourself a little relay circuit too, to handle the switching.

[glennda]

One of these should do the trick - Arduino Ethernet with PoE module from Cool Componentslthough, you'd still need to make yourself a little relay circuit too, to handle the switching.

 

Yeah am just looking at it now -

 

Whats the difference between that and this

 

Ethernet Shield for Arduino from .:oomlout:.

 

Is the one i link to an add on to the first?

[localzuk]

Yeah am just looking at it now -

 

Whats the difference between that and this

 

Ethernet Shield for Arduino from .:oomlout:.

 

Is the one i link to an add on to the first?

 

The ethernet shield attaches to an ardiono board - it isn't a processor, its an accessory.

 

Like this:

 

Arduino WiFly Shield from Cool Componentshat would add wifi.

[glennda]

now i'm thinking wireless network kettle lol

 

buy a normal board to do the controlling and a wireless one to connect to the network!

[localzuk]

now i'm thinking wireless network kettle lol

 

buy a normal board to do the controlling and a wireless one to connect to the network!

 

Lol, that wifi shield board also has a small prototyping area, so you could easily build a relay circuit onto their to handle the switch - eliminating the need for a separate PCB/circuit.

[glennda]

Lol, that wifi shield board also has a small prototyping area, so you could easily build a relay circuit onto their to handle the switch - eliminating the need for a separate PCB/circuit.

 

I've sent it over to him to investigate!

[localzuk]

You could also be clever, and include a few moisture sensors inside the kettle, so you can see when the kettle is half full, a quarter full etc...

[glennda]

You could also be clever, and include a few moisture sensors inside the kettle, so you can see when the kettle is half full, a quarter full etc...

 

At this rate they are going to be about £300 each lol

[localzuk]

At this rate they are going to be about £300 each lol

 

Ah, but you know what geeks are like... Many would totally pay that!

[glennda]

Ah, but you know what geeks are like... Many would totally pay that!

 

I'll set him to work on it and report back - maybe we will take it to dragons den afterwards and release apps for android/iphone aswell as computers so its totally universal!

[markcuk]

read this Introducing The Twettle Project | The Kettle That Tweets! | Mobile Inc

[glennda]

read this Introducing The Twettle Project | The Kettle That Tweets! | Mobile Inc

 

I did see that - mine is so much better lol

[laserblazer]

Brilliant but you may need some modifications before your next PAT test.

[glennda]

Brilliant but you may need some modifications before your next PAT test.

 

TBF most of it was hidden in a cardboard box but i took it all out to make a picture - although not amazing water tight!

 

I'[m thinking of intergrating it all into the base but needs lots of work for that!

[glennda]

Also if anybody knows of a kettle which the switch goes up that would be better! saves having to attach the solenoid to the kettle

[dhicks]

now i'm thinking wireless network kettle

 

A couple of quick modifications and you should be able to get wireless power transmission, too...

[mac_shinobi]

You could also be clever, and include a few moisture sensors inside the kettle, so you can see when the kettle is half full, a quarter full etc...

 

Yeah was gonna say - keep putting it on and eventually you will have an empty kettle with a big bang and plenty of smoke to follow lol.

 

Would need a fail safe so if the water level is below a certain point it will refuse to power on.

 

Seeing as you are normally in a server room and have a switch that uses POE , maybe use a POE port to power the kettle as well as network comms to control it lol