Category Archives: Daily Life

Android SatNav that stores maps on SD card so doesn’t require live internet access

31 October 2013Daily LifeStephen Brennan

If you’re looking for free SatNav software for your Android phone or tablet that will work without a permanent internet connection then check out ‘Map Factor Navigator’ available on Google apps.Â Maps are regularly updated and it works well.

Samsung Galaxy SIII mini mobile phone and SatNav audio for Bluetooth

30 October 2013Daily LifeStephen Brennan

As standard my various Bluetooth headsets and car adapter only allow me to answer and make telephone calls with the phone.Â I’ve thought for some time that it would be really good to be able to use Bluetooth with the phone’s SatNav applications and I’ve found a really simple solution for this by using the free ‘Mono Bluetooth Router’ application downloadable from Google Apps.Â This is a great way to either increase the SatNav volume when used with a Bluetooth car kit or to enable SatNav audio when using a Blutooth headset with a motorcycle helmet.

Cynon Taf Community Housing

24 September 2013Daily LifeEnjoyable Time, Photographs, University Of South WalesStephen Brennan

I had an enjoyable time at the University of South Wales this morning taking photographs of the team from Cynon Taf Community Housing, they’re a great bunch of people.

Glamorganshire Canal at Pontypridd

21 September 2013Daily LifeGlamorganshire, VolunteersStephen Brennan

My Mum and I went along to the open day this morning.Â Great to see the progress that the volunteers are making restoring the lock.

Monitor fix and upgrade

4 September 2013Daily Life, Posts with ImagesComputer Monitors, Electrolytic Capacitors, Excuse, Half An Hour, Hp, Hp Monitor, Ips, Monitor Lg, Novatech, Power Supply Board, Samsung, Samsung Monitor, Samsung Syncmaster 225bw, Vat ReturnStephen Brennan

Unfortunately my HP w2207h monitor recently failed leaving me with a computer and no monitors.

I really should have fixed my Samsung SyncMaster 225BW monitor a while ago!Â I stripped down the Samsung monitor and removed the power supply board, de-soldered and removed the five faulty electrolytic capacitors and replaced them with new ones and re-assembled everything.Â One monitor fixed in half an hour at a total cost of a couple of pounds.

Unfortunately I wasn’t so lucky with the HP monitor, it needed a new panel and while it is still possible to source a replacement panel I couldn’t be confident that it didn’t also have a back light inverter problem so I decided to replace the monitor with a LG 22EA53 IPS panel LED monitor bought from Novatech which I’m really pleased with.

No excuse now not to complete my VAT return!

Wharfedale Melton Tweeter Replacement

25 July 2013Daily Life, Posts with ImagesAluminium, Bad Reputation, Bw, Electrolytic Capacitors, Melton, Notebook Computer, Quality Capacitors, Reliability, Samsung, Samsung Syncmaster, Speakers, Titanium Horn, Tweeter, Tweeters, WharfedaleStephen Brennan

The original ‘purple’ tweeters finally failed in my Melton speakers – I’m surprised they lasted this long as they always had a very bad reputation for reliability.Â Last night I replaced them with a pair of Pyle 3.75 inch Aluminium Bullet Titanium Horn Tweeters that I’m very pleased with.

Of course the speakers look better once the front covers are back on!

Next projects are to replace a few electrolytic capacitors in my Samsung SyncMaster 225 BW monitor so that it will switch on reliably, if only manufacturers used better quality capacitors, then next on the list is to replace the fan in my notebook computer.

Twitter Posts

18 May 2013Daily LifeBlog, Cardiff, Rotary, Sidebar, TweetsStephen Brennan

I’ve been having a few problems recently displaying twitter post on this blog but I think I’ve solved the problems and tweets from both myself and Cardiff West Rotary should now be displaying in the sidebar of my blog.