Pater Practicus

Practical dad – Brendan McGrath – maker, mender and modeller. Always curious, always learning. Sharing project videos on youtube.com/@paterpracticus

2025-06-09

@rpimag Illuminated 'mind your head' warning sign all wired up to the Pico inside my 3D printed case. Ultrasonic sensor triggers the sign's LED backlights when someone comes within range, with the buzzer sounding if they get much too close. #MakerMonday

Raspberry Pi Pico with ultrasonic sensor'Mind your head' warning sign
2025-06-07

‘Mind your head’ warning sign all wired up with the Raspberry Pi Pico inside the case. Sensor top right and buzzer bottom left.

Raspberry Pi Pico with soldered wires
2025-06-06

Last circuitry tweak to my @raspberrypi Pico powered ‘mind your head’ sign. My LED backlight panels didn’t suggest a specific resistor, and having tried out a few I’ve settled for round about 60ohms. Next to rewire everything to a headerless Pico inside the case.

2025-05-28

Not one, but two mentions in
@rpimag this month! As well as making it into the #MakerMonday round-up, I spotted my level crossing lights among the 10 Amazing Tiny Pico Projects – with a link to my YouTube Short: rpimag.co/levelcrossingvid

Maker Monday page of Official Raspberry Pi MagazineTiny Pico Projects page of Official Raspberry Pi Magazine
2025-05-18

Back-light LED panels make a really effective basis for ultrasonically activated warnings, and two are better than one for my ‘Mind Your Head’ sign: youtu.be/dnucOPa1LK8?si=D_GX6e

2025-05-17

Part 1 of my ‘how to make an ultrasonic warning sign with a #raspberrypi Pico’ project is out now: youtu.be/dnucOPa1LK8?si=g9OyjV

2025-03-06

More work on another 3D printed interior for my Lima coach upgrades. This time a Mk1 standard open, which will fit instead of the compartment seating of the original - much easier to paint!

CAD for model rail coach interior3D printed replacement coach interior
2025-02-25

@rpimag Got an update on the Pico powered level-crossing lights for #MakerMonday: break-beam sensors tested for clearance from passing trains, now to finish wiring them up and change the code to replace the push-button controls.

Model trains passing break-beam sensorsRaspberry Pi Pico controller
2025-02-24

So @TheMagPi magazine is now the Raspberry Pi Magazine, and #MagPiMonday is now #MakerMonday but otherwise reassuringly very much the same.

Cover of Raspberry Pi magazine#MakerMonday spread in magazine
2025-01-24

My finished Lima Mk2b TSO interior printed in white, ready for painting. I've also uploaded the .stls if anyone wants to try them out for themselves: paterpracticus.com/lima-mk2b-c

They are completely free, so if you do give me a thumbs up here or better still subscribe to my channel - link in bio.

Model railway coach with 3D printed seats
2025-01-21

Having fun developing 3D print design for my Lima Mk2 coach interior ahead of lighting video. Funny how one project ends up turning into another.

2025-01-12

Happy afternoon spent mending solar-powered nodding flowers. This one’s magnet just needed re-gluing.

2025-01-09
2025-01-09

One thing it isn’t is the wiring from one side to the other. Getting good continuity from each wire.

Testing continuity with a multimeter
2025-01-09

Attempting to fix a pair of JBL headphones that have given up the ghost. Got a stuck volume button, but don’t really think that is the issue.

Inside a pair of headphonesCircuit board with buttons
2025-01-06

@themagpi The modelling side of my OO Gauge Inspection Train – with onboard #raspberrypi powered WiFi camera streaming footage of my layout – is now just about finished, as is the second part of my build video: youtu.be/bOCb1gpf0_o. Just like the real thing only smaller! #MagPiMonday

Model Class 153 TrainRaspberry Pi powered cameraFootage from cameraReal Class 153 Inspection Train
2025-01-06

Tempting as it is, don’t just stuff your #Christmas lights into a box, but take time to bundle them up properly - your next year’s self will thank you for it. If they can’t be cable-tied into bunches, wind them around a piece of card. Doing it when they’re on helps you spot any blown bulbs.

Coloured Xmas lights in bunchesChristmas lights wrapped around a piece of card
2024-12-25
2024-12-17

@themagpi Raspberry Pi Pico crossing light controller re-adapted for use on the #ChristmasTreeRailway, tucked away under the signal box. #MagPiMonday (on a Tuesday!)

Raspberry Pi micro controllerChristmas tree with model railway

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