1202 ALARM

I wanted to try out the Mindstorms NXT2 with raw I2C, but this involved making a homebrew 6-pin connector because Lego use a proprietary type to avoid kids sticking them into your Ethernet wall socket. Some Minicraft cutting and epoxy sticking later and on the second attempt I had a working breakout cable. The little board cost a couple of pounds on eBay and has an I2C analogue-to-digital converter with a light dependent resistor, thermistor and variable resistor for testing. Programming blocks for Mindstorms are easily downloaded and installed to the Lego software. The NXT is reading ambient light and displaying an 8-bit value on-screen.

This started life as a cheapo case and keyboard for a 7-inch Android tablet, but recently I really just wanted an ultra-lightweight USB keyboard. I took the case apart and then I had the idea of using art mounting card to make a new case. Two layers of this card are very stiff once they are glued together, but each layer is easily cut with a craft knife. I got an A3 sheet of the card for £4 so there is stacks left for other projects.