iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 19/04/2026

Meanwhile, his dilute brother from another mother is a bit more shy but no less friendly when offered gentle pets. He is also up for adoption!

A dilute tabby cautiously accepts pets while lounging in an enclosure.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 19/04/2026

This handsome gentleman that is currently up for adoption at @constellationcat.bsky.social is sweet, playful, and loves pets!

A tabby cat lounges on his side, his eyes and ears forward with one front paw tucked onward.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 18/01/2026

This is Soraben, a custom PCB I designed for controlling a BentoBox 3D printer. It also has a connector for a SEN6x-series air quality sensor, a dual color channel LED strip, and an extra QWIIC port for other peripherals. I'll hopefully be releasing the design soon!

Front view of the Soraben PCB. On the left, a 4-port JST-PH header sits above a 3 volt Panasonic relay. A 47uH capacitor decouples the input power coming from the barrel plug, which is converted to 3.3v using a bunch converter directly below it. Output headers from left to right include one JST-PH for lights, one vertical JST-PH for the SEN6X sensor (intended to be internal to the enclosure), and a JST-SH for Qwiic-flavored I2C.

Detailed view of the right side of the PCB, including a little joke I put on that's not very visible once the board is assembled.

The back side of the Soraben PCB, showing some test points. This is the first PCB I designed where I intentionally added test points.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 17/01/2026

Looking good! Time for through hole components.

A purple printed circuit board, after solder reflow of surface mount components. All components appear to have reflowed correctly. Through hole components have not yet and will be added manually.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 27/12/2025

While you could do everything in C(++), you'd probably be writing 1000+ lines of code. ESPHome can do most everything you'd want in smart device firmware in far fewer lines of YAML (that gets converted into autogenerated code). It's easier and far less prone to mistakes, at least in my experience.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 27/12/2025

I think ESPHome specifically might be a better fit for this use case, especially since it's possible to configure an ESPHome device to work without autonomously and without a Home Assistant instance. It'd require some custom circuitry, but nothing too complicated.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 25/11/2025

Huh. This is certainly one of the sentences of all time.

"The thesis office is thirsty for colons." -MSU Thesis LaTeX class documentation, June 24, 2024.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 13/11/2025

"Yeah, I've contributed code to very popular open source projects on Github." (this is a confession)

A GitHub Pull Request indicator showing only two lines were changed.

It's me. I'm the one who made the trivial change.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 05/11/2025

I'm looking forward to watching this follow-up. The program video convinced me to ditch dishwasher pods and use powder. I even 3D printed myself a double sided spoon that has an optimal-ish volume for both the main wash and pre-wash receptacles of my bottom dollar apartment dishwasher.

A blue spoon with a scoop on each side. The spoon was 3D printed with PETG filament. The spoon has a "Dishwasher" label, and labels for each of the spoon sides of 24mL and 4mL respectively. There is a container of white dishwasher detergent powder behind the spoon.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 01/11/2025

Only for initial programming, and I plan to install the RPi Pico into a socket anyways, which should elevate the port above the relay. I tried a lot of alternate arrangements, but taking this trade-off keeps power traces fairly short.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 01/11/2025

I'm finally getting my next big personal project off the ground! It's now just a matter of a few weeks before it lands in my mailbox so I can assemble and test it. What do you think it does? #pcb #opensource #hardware

A 3D render of a prototype printed circuit board.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 16/09/2025

As a closing note, please enjoy this jank hack of a solder job I did to connect the JST-GH to JST-PH cable for the SEN66 to my breadboard for testing. Works fine, would not recommend.

A 6-pin 2.4mm header soldered to a 2mm pitched JST-PH connector. This is an extremely jank hack that you shouldn't ever do. Just buy a breakout, or just put some breadboard header pins onto a cable.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 16/09/2025

While this has been a fun project, the price of the SEN66 just spiked due to tariffs, which might push the final per unit cost out of reach for some hobbyists. Not even a month ago, the cost of the sensor was $44.26, plus another $8.85 in tariffs. Now it's $55.32 plus a $24.34 tariff.

Mouser order receipt showing the cost of the SEN66 sensor as $44.26, plus $8.85 in tariffs as of 20 August 2025. Order was shipped 9 September 2025.

Screenshot of Mouser website showing the cost of the SEN66 sensor as of 16 September 2025 as $55.32, plus $24.34 in tariffs.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 16/09/2025

I'm currently in the process of designing an enclosure for it to house the sensor and a microcontroller for it, with the eventual goal to also hook in fan control for my Bento Box filter and enclosure lights. I plan on releasing the full design eventually.

CAD model mockup of air sensor enclosure (right), including a spacer on the bottom, the enclosure for the sensor itself in the middle, and the microcontroller and interface boards above it. A Bento Box air scrubber is shown to the left of the sensor enclosure, for both scale and to demonstrate intended use.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 16/09/2025

I got a SEN66 air quality sensor in over the weekend, and I've been testing it out on a breadboard hooked up to a Pico W. ESPHome support is nearly complete, and I was able to use the current PR to get a first glance at whether my 3D printer was making my office air hazardous.

A small rectangular air sensor, approximately 1 inch by 2 inches, resting in the palm of a hand.

A graph showing particulate concentration (both PM<10μm and PM<2.5μm, 3D printer job progression, and VOC count) over time. Plot came directly from Home Assistant.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 11/08/2025

Pest control came over to say hi while I was getting in my car. A bit uncoordinated, but enthusiastic despite the heat and the sun!

A photo of a light green praying mantis standing on asphalt in the sun.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 23/05/2025

Sometimes with 3D prints, more is less. Going from 2 to 3 walls of infill on this standing fan rear shroud I designed reduces print time by about 1.5 hours, with only a 12% increase in used filament (161.2 to 181.7 grams).

A 3D model of a standing fan shroud in Prusa Slicer.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 10/05/2025

Yeah, CWWW stands for "cool white warm white," which is also what ESPHome calls this type of LED lamp configuration. The particular lamps I modified have two separate sets is LEDs for each of the color channels. I put the design on GitHub under an open hardware license: github.com/danielkent-n...

github.com

GitHub - danielkent-net/cwww_picohat: Raspberry Pi Pico based controller board for common-anode CWWW lamps

Raspberry Pi Pico based controller board for common-anode CWWW lamps - danielkent-net/cwww_picohat

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 10/05/2025

These are designed to control up to two channels of 12v LEDs via PWM, and can hook into Home Assistant using esphome. I'm using it with some cheap dual arm LED desk lamps I bought a while ago. This version and a newer (and better, IMO) redesign is on GitHub: github.com/danielkent-n...

danielkent.net

Daniel Kent - Raspberry Pi Pico W CWWW Controller - Part 1

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 10/05/2025

I had this idea to put the old version of my custom lamp controller boards in a shadowbox instead of letting them collect dust in a drawer, and I finally got done assembling it today. I think it turned out well!

A shadowbox containing the results of an old electronics project for controlling LED lights. The shadowbox is about 15 inches tall and 7 inches wide. Inside, 3D printed labels state what the project is ("RPi Pico CWWW Lamp Controller") as well as denote what revision each set of PCBs is. Version 1.0 has three boards: a front and back of two unpopulated boards, and a populated board in the middle including multiple bodges to fix errors in the design. V1.1 contains two unpopulated boards, as no boards of that revision were ever produced. V1.2 contains an unpopulated board showing its gruntand two populated boards, one front and one back. V1.3 has an extra placard stating "In service 7/2023 - 3/2025" as well as two populated boards (one front, one back), one (non-working) Raspberry Pi Pico W that was used, the solder stencil, two button input interface breakouts, and the button interface breakout cable. The bottom has a placard with "Designed by Daniel Kent" on it.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 04/05/2025

My mistake! I didn't see Grit and Glamour's profile when I went to identify her. Speaking of unidentified cats, who is this playful little kitten I met yesterday?

A black and white tuxedo kitten looks out from a tube.

A black and white tuxedo kitten looks at the camera while playing with a rainbow string toy.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 04/05/2025

Margaret says hi (and to please adopt her)! She's a sweetheart who likes getting pets and scritches. She's currently at @constellationcat.bsky.social

A light-colored torbie cat lays on a ledge attached to a window, looking directly at the camera with her ears fully forward and her green eyes wide open, indicating a friendly demeanor.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 22/03/2025

Guinness the cat at @constellationcat.bsky.social is a sweetheart, and quite the climber! Today he climbed on top of: - The cat tree - All the cat shelves - On top of White Claw's quarantine cubby - My shoulders

A fluffy, long haired domestic cat with an all black coat and yellow eyes stares past the camera. Probably looking to climb onto the photographer's shoulders again.

A longhaired domestic shorthair cat with a long fluffy black coat looks down on the photographer. Probably figuring out if the photographer's shoulders are climbable. Spoiler alert: they were.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 04/03/2025

Looks like the P-channel MOSFET didn't quite reflow correctly on one board, but that's something I can correct with a hot air rework station, and everything else looks great! Time to solder on through-hole components on the other two and test!

Three purple PCBs with components reflow soldered onto them. There is a component near the bottom of the left board that is not quite positioned correctly from the solder reflow process.

Close-up of failed solder reflow on dual P-channel MOSFET (labeled Q2). The 6-lead component is connected to the right three leads at an angle, and the bottom left two leads are soldered to the top two pads, leaving the top pin completely disconnected.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 04/03/2025

It's PCB assembly day! I have my workspace all set up to paste, assemble, then reflow. Fingers crossed everything goes well!

A workbench with a GamersNexus blue Flux soldering mat. In the center is a PCB with a solder paste stencil on top, all in a custom 3D printed jig. Two other PCBs are to the upper right of it, awaiting their turn. Under the jig is a putty knife, to be used for applying the solder paste down the stencil. Some other parts include a 3D printed case, some rotary encoders, and a container of solder paste are to the left.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 03/03/2025

Someone's Sega Mega Drive DFO modchip PCB got included in my latest OSHPark order. If you were hoping to do some modding this weekend, sorry! At least the boards are in good company with a new version of my CWWW lamp control board, plus two Bourns dual LED rotary encoder jigs I designed.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 19/02/2025

My soldering mat from @gamersnexus.bsky.social is great, but I thought it could use a little bit more #gridfinity. So I designed and 3D printed this little two-piece part so I can put my Gridfinity bins in a nice, convenient spot when working!

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 17/02/2025

Gabrielle isn't beating the allegations that she's "food motivated" any time soon. (Currently at Constellation Cat Cafe @constellationcat.bsky.social. She's very sweet and gentle otherwise!)

A black and white cat tries to chew open a tube of Churu treats.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 15/02/2025

Florentina saves the chaos for playtime!

Florentina the calico cat moving quickly to attack a rainbow colored teaser toy.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 15/02/2025

No one looks this cute without an ulterior motive. (Mischief the cat, currently at @constellationcat.bsky.social)

A black and white tuxedo cat looks to the right while sitting on a wooden cabinet in front of a purple wall.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 03/02/2025

Meanwhile, Cassia was hanging out on top of the cat tree, away from the hustle and bustle below. She and her sister Florentina are adoptable! www.petfinder.com/cat/cassia-w...

A calico cat sleeps on top of a wooden cat tree.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 03/02/2025

This orange gentleman was at @constellationcat.bsky.social on Saturday with his brother. He looks shy but is very sweet!

An orange colored adult tabby cat looks on with some trepidation, unsure of whether to approach the cameraman. Don't worry, he got plenty of pets!

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 24/01/2025

There's a small amount of play in both the fit of the PCB and the stencil, but that's nothing a small amount of tape can't fix. Can't wait to get the rest of the parts and start assembling boards!

A seafoam green 3D printed rectangle with inset slots designed for a specific circuit board and stencil to fit in. The metallic stencil is shown fitting in the designated slot, The underlying PCB's gold pads are shown aligning with the stencil.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 24/01/2025

I'm trying out this design concept for a 3D printed solder paste stencil jig. It's taken a few tries to get something that will work due to tolerances, but I think this will work much nicer than my previous approach of "tape a bunch of spare boards around it to make a flat surface."

A seafoam green 3D printed rectangle with inset slots designed for a specific circuit board and stencil to fit in.

A seafoam green 3D printed rectangle with inset slots designed for a specific circuit board and stencil to fit in. A purple PCB without components is shown fitting in the designed slot.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 23/01/2025

I spotted this Mallard with unusual plumage hanging out in the cold today.

A group of Mallard ducks standing on a partially frozen river. One duck in the middle of the frame exhibits unusual, lighter-colored plumage.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 21/12/2024

Took a lot longer than I'd like to admit, but I finally finished my Controleo3 PCB reflow oven!

A toaster oven modified into a PCB reflow oven using the Controleo3 kit. The oven is colored brass and red. A black control box with a servo motor is attached on the right side, and the user interface says "Controleo3" with buttons that day "Profiles", "Bake", and "Settings". There is a lot of clutter around the oven, mainly tools and supplies.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 16/12/2024

First 3D print fully designed in #freecad! I'm really happy with how well the lid fits into the main body.

A red 3D printed box and its lid sitting side by side on a desk. Box dimensions are 75mm x 75mm. The box's corners are rounded. Inside the box is a set of four mounting posts to attach a Raspberry Pi Pico. There are some holes on the front of the box.

A red 3D printed box with attached lid on top. Box dimensions are 75mm x 75mm. The box's corners are rounded. There are four M2 screw holes in the corners, but there are not any screws in them.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 14/12/2024

Alright just a few more pictures

A sleepy tabby and white cat receives head scratches while laying in a grey cat bed.

A tabby cat lays on their side on a rug, already exhausted despite it not even being 10:00 AM yet.

A shy tortoiseshell looks on from a cat shaped chubby hole, her head upside down.

A calico cat excitedly jumps for a string you, her mouth open and her claws extended.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 14/12/2024

I could spend all day writing about all the cats!

A long haired black cat looks out from a cat-shaped cubbyhole, while a seal color point colored cat sleeps in the back of the cubby.

A calico cat looks on while laying underneath a pastel purple shelf.

A manx-tailed black cat with yellow eyes gently gets scritches on his chin.

An orange and white and tabby coated cat looks to the side while sitting under a chair.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 14/12/2024

This sweet, chatty grey kitten is named Spike and has an orange sister named Buffy.

A grey kitten sitting on a high shelf, looking down and meowing intently.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 14/12/2024

Grey Area surveying her kingdom at the Constellation Cat Cafe. If you're in the Lansing area, she's adoptable!

A dilute calico cat sitting high on top of a wooden cat tree, looking down.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 13/12/2024

Working on a redesign of my Pico W-based CWWW lamp controller. Bigger footprint, but uses a push-button encoder instead of four individual buttons for control, which I think will be more pleasant to physically use.

3D rendered printed circuit board. Raspberry Pi Pico W is on the left side of the board. A rotary encoder appears near the center. The text "Pi Pico W CWWW Controller, Version 2.0, Daniel Kent, danielkent.net, December 2024" appears on the right, with an outline of the US State of Michigan and the text "Designed in Michigan" below that.

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 09/12/2024

Home automation sensors don't have to be complicated to be useful!

A Raspberry Pi Pico W microcontroller fitted into a purple PCB containing an optoisolator, a two pin terminal block, and empty pads for two resistors and one capacitor. The PCB has the text "RPi Pico W Isolated Analog Sensor Board Version 1.0, Daniel Kent, danielkent.net" on it, along with a graphic of the State of Michigan with the text "Designed in Michigan."

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Daniel Kent @danielkent.net · 30/11/2024

It's hard to imagine a more cozy Saturday morning than meeting new cats at the Constellation Cat Cafe

A tabby cat lays on top of a cabinet, while a white and tabby cat looks on mischievously from underneath in a hidey hole.

A dark, mostly black tortoiseshell cat laying in a cubby, looking at the camera with bright green eyes.

A tabby cat sitting on a table next to a tall silver travel mug, looking at the camera with one ear swiveled to the side.

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