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Ask HN: Most interesting tech you built for just yourself?

1901 points l2silver | 5 comments | 27 Apr 23 15:04 UTC | HN request time: 0.243s | source

Maybe you've created your own AR program for wearables that shows the definition of a word when you highlight it IRL, or you've built a personal calendar app for your family to display on a monitor in the kitchen. Whatever it is, I'd love to hear it.
1. headline ◴[27 Apr 23 15:27 UTC] No.35729578[source]▶
I suppose this counts: Although not that interesting, I have one of those AC units in my apartment that sits on the floor with an outlet tube terminating at a window to pipe out hot air. The internal reservoir for this unit is quite small so I hacked together a float valve that triggers a pump to offload the condensation water to a larger bin, that way I don't have to empty the reservoir as often.

Pretty simple, but saves lots of time and I don't have to worry about the air conditioner turning off in the middle of the night due to it's internal reservoir becoming full.

replies(4): >>35730690 #>>35730843 #>>35737856 #>>35738960 #
2. stefantalpalaru ◴[27 Apr 23 16:36 UTC] No.35730690[source]▶
> I have one of those AC units in my apartment that sits on the floor with an outlet tube terminating at a window to pipe out hot air

You might want to add an intake tube, to cool the compressor more efficiently: https://imgur.com/gallery/kA4Z0uV

3. l2silver ◴[27 Apr 23 16:44 UTC] No.35730843[source]▶
It's the little things in life.
4. john_shafthair ◴[28 Apr 23 05:45 UTC] No.35737856[source]▶
Why not just have it drain into an ordinary condensate pump which is built for this purpose? Those roll around ACs usually have a spigot to attach a hose you can run into a drain.
5. lloydatkinson ◴[28 Apr 23 08:44 UTC] No.35738960[source]▶
Curious why not pump it out of the window? It’s only going to be a few dribbles every few hours.