USB powered tamper

[el_espressio]

Im still struggling to finish the "tamping pressure" algorithm that uses the humidity reading on the weather station Ive got connected to my computer, but Im getting there.  When its raining, I find that Im all over the place and set it to "manual". ;-)

[Andy]

Re: USB powered tamper

I feel your pain...
Ive had the same problem with my USB tamper!

The other thing that annoys me it the short USB cord, it makes the use of it a little more awkward than it should be.

Let me know if you find a good solution.

[fatboy_1999]

Re: USB powered tamper

I have found that using USB 2.0 ports rather than 1.1 has been a godsend for my USB tamper.

[LochNescafe]

Re: USB powered tamper

Hey!....I got one of those and it was great for about 6 months. After a while the first basket of the morning always clogged up on me so I eBayed the beggar!
Something to do with the pre-heating cycle not being Mac compatible or something....Pity, cause I quite liked it.

(Hi, Im new)

[Andy]

Re: USB powered tamper

Welcome aboard LochNescafe!

PS: that is an evil avatar... the stuff nightmares are made of.

[Javaphile]

Re: USB powered tamper

I found my Palm Pilot worked quite well for the short cord problem. Im currently working on getting a wireless adapter to fit inside of the tamper and as an added bonus to be powered off the tamping motion to eliminate those pesky batteries. ;D

Java "Batteries not included" phile

[Dimal]

Re: USB powered tamper

Hi All,

Whilst Ill admit to being a Tech Junkie up there with the best of them, Ive found that my old and reliable "Clockwork Tamperthon" works no matter where I am and what type of power is available, including none.

Got the idea from our cats wind-up toy mouse, had this really interesting vibrating action while it raced across the floor with puss in hot pursuit. Thought to myself... "I know where I can put that marvelous vibration action to good use"... hence, the vibrating Tamperthon was born.

Has proven to be a great success but the only problem now is, whenever I use it, the cat tears into the kitchen at great speed full of excitement and expectation that her favourite toy has magically re-appeared.... she hasnt quite got it figured out yet, this wierd looking thing with a great wooden handle and shiny metallic base and the windup key thingy sticking out of the top.

She tries coaxing it with a couple of judiciously applied pats with a paw while the Tamperthon is doing its thing, but once it stops and she gets a chance to sniff around, she loses interest immediately and goes off in search of her long lost toy.

Did I say windup? Must have been an abberation of the mental synapse kind. Oh well,

Cheers all,
Mal.

[HV_MAN]

Re: USB powered tamper

LOL

Ok where do you get them?
What software do they come with?

My wife will think Ive gone nuts.....

[Javaphile]

Re: USB powered tamper

Mal,

Let me guess, you had to use the cats toy because the Little Lady put a lock on her bedside stand and you couldnt get to your first choice. ;D

Java "No toy is safe!" phile

[LochNescafe]

Re: USB powered tamper

The biggest problem is not tweaking the software, but the dilemma of whether its best having your computer next to the sink or the espresso machine in the home office. :-(

If a wireless one ever came out, Id consider it. :-) Thought about pinching a trolley from Coles and putting the computer in that and calling it a "mobile workstation", but the aesthetics are questionable. Still.....beats the hell out of manual tamping.

[Javaphile]

Re: USB powered tamper

The wireless USB design was giving me some problems and I got this brainstorm to go with Bluetooth instead. An hour later and a few brain cells fewer I had my new wireless Bluetooth Tamper, and here she is!



Aint she a beaut? ;D ;D ;D

Java "Next up, a WiFi Roaster!" phile

[Andy]

Re: USB powered tamper

I was fairly sure that John Doyle (aka: pinot) had some in his recent sale at a really good price.

[Javaphile]

Re: USB powered tamper

I was fairly sure that John Doyle (aka: pinot) had some in his recent sale at a really good price.

Perhaps I should talk to him about distribution of my new Bluetooth Tamper®. ;D ;D

Java "Available now for only 3 easy payments of $39.95!^{plus s+h}" phile

[LochNescafe]

Re: USB powered tamper

Nice one Java. But there might be an infringement of some Aussie Patents there. Were a protective bunch you know, and that blue tooth looks suspiciously like a dinosaur that came in my Cornflakes™ packet back in 71. Careful now. Are the hydraulics in that rubber boot holding up Ok, because Im going through em like crazy. Specially in this weather!! ;-)

[el_espressio]

Re: USB powered tamper

This will end badly, Java. Stop while you can!!! Sorry I started this!!