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The Ultimate Guide to the ESP32-C6 SUPER MINI Pinout

The ESP32-C6 Super Mini is one of the most advanced microcontroller boards available today. Designed for performance, efficiency, and next-generation connectivity, it powers everything from smart home devices to cutting-edge IoT systems. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional developer, the ESP32-C6 gives you everything you need to build smarter, faster, and more efficiently. What is the […]

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ESP32 – Lifecycle Manager V2.0

Blog, HomeKit, Projects, Software / Achim Pieters

A slow, friendly, step-by-step introduction to OTA updates trough Lifecycle Manager on the ESP32. I get quite a lot of messages and questions from people who want to “try OTA updates”, but who get stuck almost immediately. Not because they’re doing something wrong, but because most tutorials quietly assume you already understand things like: If

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CC1101 868MHz SPI RF Module – Complete Guide

Accessories, Blog / Achim Pieters

The CC1101 868MHz SPI RF module is a compact, low-power sub-GHz transceiver widely used in IoT, industrial telemetry, home automation and custom RF networks. The module is based on the CC1101 from Texas Instruments and offers significantly more flexibility than simple ASK/OOK transmitter modules. In this complete guide we cover: What is the CC1101? The CC1101 is a programmable sub-GHz RF

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esp32 – HomeKit Bathroom Ventilation Controller

Blog, HomeKit, Projects / Achim Pieters

When we renovated our bathroom, a new ventilation unit was installed — including a wireless remote control. Sounds convenient. In reality… not so much. The remote was constantly misplaced, forgotten, or — even worse — the battery was empty again. And surprisingly fast. That meant the ventilation was either running unnecessarily or not running when

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Philips Hue Bridge Pro – Wall Mount

Blog / Achim Pieters

Some projects just keep coming back. My original Philips Hue Bridge Wall Mount has been one of the most downloaded designs on my site for years, and honestly… I totally get why. It’s one of those “small fix, big improvement” kind of projects. But this time, it was time for an update. A New Upgrade: Hue Bridge

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JL-AD3W-HT-V3 – Everything You Need to Know About This AC-DC Power Supply Module

Accessories, Blog / Achim Pieters

The JL-AD3W-HT-V3 is a compact AC-to-DC power supply module commonly found in low-cost embedded electronics, IoT devices, and DIY projects. It converts mains voltage directly into a regulated low-voltage DC output, typically 5 V, making it a popular alternative to bulky wall adapters or external power bricks. This article covers the JL-AD3W-HT-V3 as a hardware component: what it is, how it

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ESP32 – Mini Smart Switch with monitor

Blog, HomeKit, Projects / Achim Pieters

For the hobby developer who wants full control over their smart hardware, the Aubess Power Monitor Switch is an excellent starting point. It is an inexpensive Wi-Fi power switch with built-in energy monitoring, solid hardware, and a compact design. Under the hood, however, the device uses a closed Wi-Fi module based on a ESP-02S (or

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ESP32 HomeKit for TOTAL beginners

Blog, HomeKit, Projects / Achim Pieters

A slow, friendly, step-by-step guide from zero to working HomeKit accessory. I get a lot of e-mails and questions from people who want to “give ESP32 HomeKit a try”, but who get stuck almost immediately. Not because they’re doing something wrong — but because most tutorials quietly assume you already know things like: If you’re

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The Ultimate Guide to the BL0942 Energy Meter IC

Accessories, Blog / Achim Pieters

The BL0942 is a highly integrated, calibration-free single-phase energy metering IC designed for smart plugs, smart sockets, power strips, and energy-aware appliances. It provides accurate measurement of active power, voltage RMS, current RMS, line frequency, and zero-crossing information, while supporting both pulse output and register-based digital interfaces. Often compared with the popular BL0937, the BL0942 is not merely a pin-compatible refresh, but a more capable, register-driven metering IC intended

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ESP32 – Power Plug with Energy Meter

Blog, HomeKit, Projects / Achim Pieters

For many years, the Dutch retailer Action has sold affordable smart‑home devices under the LSC Smart Connect brand. These products are extremely popular due to their low price point, but internally the hardware is often far more capable than expected. Earlier generations frequently used ESP8266 modules, which made reflashing and custom firmware relatively easy. Newer hardware revisions, however, increasingly rely

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