Gilly B. Tech

Use old ESP board as Serial Adapter

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 07:22:03 +0000

I wanted to flash a Sonoff NSPanel the other day and my FTDI started doing weird things, brownouts and garbage on the line. Rather than digging through the drawer for a better one, plan B : the NodeMCU sitting right there.

Victron Power Assist Factor: Configuration for Different Power Sources

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 15:32:41 +0000

Victron's default Power Assist settings often make small generators and weak shore power unstable. Here's how the assist factor and the AC input current limit work together, and how to tune them for each power source.

Install Tailscale tsidp in Proxmox

Sat, 04 Oct 2025 10:01:20 +0000

In this guide we’ll walk through setting up Tailscale’s experimental Identity Provider (tsidp) inside a lightweight Debian Proxmox container. We’ll create the container, install Go, build the binary, configure systemd with environment variables, and run tsidp as a dedicated user.

This is a very raw howto, copy paste ready, based on my attempts, target audience is homelaber. Comments welcome !

NUC random crash when screen is unplugged

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 07:16:25 +0000

I run an Intel NUC Gen 8 boxes (NUC8BEB, NVMe + HDD, 32 GB RAM) in my Proxmox 8 cluster (Issue is the same on PVE9).
I randomly hangs — sometimes in 15 min, sometimes after a few hours. No ping, no display, useless logs.

Proxmox: Losing network with Intel I-219v

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 13:09:22 +0000

Recently migrated my homelab ESXi to Proxmox VE, and while things mostly went smoothly, one node would randomly hang (mostly during large transfers or under sustained network load but sometimes when idling...).
I plugged in a monitor to check logs and... confirmed the cause with a quick dmesg:

e1000e: Detected Hardware Unit Hang

Turns out this has been a known issue for years with Intel e1000e NICs (like I217-LM, I219-V, 82574L, etc.). These "aging" chips choke when offload features are enabled under modern workloads.

Resend.com secret features: Test Email Addresses with Plus Sign Aliases

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 17:51:25 +0000

Just discovered something pretty cool while working on email workflows for BookSea that doesn't seem to be widely documented anywhere. You can use "+" signs in test emails !

(Updated 2025 July 30 - Now they use the + signs as normal)

Use eSATA Drive as SSD Cache on Synology NAS

Sat, 05 Jul 2025 14:25:21 +0000

Synology DSM won't let you use an SSD plugged into an eSATA port as a cache drive. A single bitmask in the system config decides which ports count as eSATA, and changing it lifts the restriction.

Explore Btrfs images on MacOS

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 03:15:07 +0000

While troubleshooting a malfunctioning radar system, I wanted to inspect its firmware for diagnostic tools (couldn't find any). The firmware was stored in a Btrfs image, which isn't straightforward to handle on macOS without spending some quality time with FUSE.

To "extract" its contents, I instead used a Docker container with the necessary tools, because it's quite easy to do on plain linux. Here's how.

High Battery Drain in Cursor AI: It was the Import Cost Extension

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 03:44:22 +0000

Out of curiosity I'm testing Cursor AI ( and I'm actually enjoying it more that I should ), but I quickly noticed my laptop's battery draining at an alarming rate - faster than playing Factorio. After investigation, the root cause was clear: the Import Cost VS Code extension was triggering excessive CPU usage through repeated recalculations (for no reason?!).

Edit: No reason might seem excessive. It's a TypeScript project and I was working on components that got imported everywhere so I might understand why the sizes needed to be updated, but it's not a BIG project, it still doesn't make sense to eat all the CPU.

Wordpress with Docker - Jumpstart

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 19:24:20 +0000

Here's a straightforward docker-compose setup for running WordPress locally on my M1 Macbook, with persistent data, mapped plugins directory, and custom PHP upload settings. I use it as a Dev environnement but should work for prod with minor changes.

Boat Wiring: Small Mistakes Can Start Fires

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 01:57:41 +0000

Boat wiring isn’t just about hooking up positive and negative leads; it’s about ensuring every connection can withstand a harsh marine environment without turning into a fire hazard. Even the smallest wiring mistake—like a subpar crimp or an undersized wire—can lead to localized overheating. Over time, these issues can degrade further until they become a serious safety risk. In this article, we’ll walk through common pitfalls and best practices to keep your boat’s electrical system safe and reliable.

Understanding Meshtastic: Off-Grid Communication Made Simple

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 14:32:28 +0000

Have you ever wished you could send messages where there’s no cell service or when roaming fees are sky-high? Meshtastic makes it possible. This open-source project lets anyone create a mesh network using affordable LoRa radio modules.

It's like setting up a mini-internet that works anywhere. Whether you're hiking in remote areas, attending a packed festival where networks are overloaded, or like us spending time off-grid on a remote island, Meshtastic has you covered.

At its core, Meshtastic combines two technologies: LoRa (Long Range) radio for communication and Protocol Buffers (protobuf) for efficient data packaging. Together, they create a system that sends messages over several kilometers while using minimal power.

In this post, we'll explore how Meshtastic works behind the scenes—how it cleverly routes messages, manages power use, and what makes its mesh networking approach unique. By the end, you'll understand what makes this technology tick, even if you're new to radio communications.

Measuring Voltage Drop in DC Systems

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 15:02:41 +0000

Voltage drop can significantly impact the performance and safety of electrical systems. Here's what you need to know about measuring it.
But What is Voltage Drop?
Voltage drop is the decrease in electrical potential along a conductor carrying current. It's caused by the resistance in wires and connections.

Controlling Application Bandwidth with Peplink QoS Application Queue

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 14:07:00 +0000

Network congestion can wreak havoc on critical tasks, especially when bandwidth-hungry applications like backups hog the line. Peplink QoS Application Queue feature offers a solution, allowing you to prioritize traffic and ensure smooth operation of essential services. Here's a very short guide onhow to set it up.

Smart Water Management: Monitoring Consumption and Refill Rates on Your Sailboat

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 13:27:00 +0000

Efficient water management is crucial for extended voyages. Let's explore how to set up a smart system to monitor your water tanks, calculate consumption and refill rates, and provide real-time insights into your water usage, assuming you already have a sensor reporting your tank level in liters to Home Assistant.

Intro to Reverse-Osmosis Watermakers

Sun, 20 Oct 2024 08:40:05 +0000

If you're considering extended offshore living or sailing, one of the most crucial pieces of equipment you'll need could be a RO watermaker. These devices can turn seawater into fresh, potable water, ensuring a steady supply even when you're far from land. We're surrounded by water but none of it is suitable for consumption.

Mastering Victron Inverter Control on Home Assistant

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 19:22:17 +0000

In our previous posts, we've discussed various aspects of power management on a sailboat. Today, we're diving deep into how we control our Victron Quattro inverter/charger using Home Assistant. This setup allows for easy Inverter and Charger control and seamless integration with our other boat systems.

Protecting Your Battery: A Smart Automation for Victron Systems

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 01:44:03 +0000

Living aboard a sailboat with modern amenities requires careful power management. Today, we'll explore an automation that attempts to protects your battery system. This setup demonstrates how to prioritize power usage and protect your batteries from over-discharge.

Integrating MJML with Django= Easy Responsive Email

Sat, 05 Oct 2024 15:38:56 +0000

If you're a Django developer tired of wrestling with HTML email templates that don't work in Gmail/Outlook/Thunderbird/Apple Mail/...., MJML (Mail Jet Markup Language) MIGHT be the solution you've been looking for. MJML simplifies the process of creating responsive emails that look great and are consistent across all devices and email clients.

Excess Solar Energy? Automatic Water Heater !

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 01:27:48 +0000

One of the challenges of living on a sailboat is managing your energy efficiently. Solar panels are great, but what do you do when your batteries are full and you're still generating excess power? Today, we'll explore one of our automations that puts that excess energy to good use by heating your water.

Home is where the boat is !

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 12:59:22 +0000

When your home is constantly on the move, keeping your smart home system updated with your current location can be a challenge. Here's a simple yet effective automation we use to keep our Home Assistant instance aware of our sailboat's location:

Implementing Lightning Alerts for Your Boat with Home Assistant and Blitzortung

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 19:38:59 +0000

As sailors, we're always at the mercy of the weather. While modern forecasting has come a long way, sudden storms can still catch us off guard. Today, we'll explore how to set up an advanced lightning alert system for your sailboat using Home Assistant and the Blitzortung lightning detection network.

Django 5.1: Resolving the "Password-based Authentication" Field Issue in UserCreationForm

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 22:58:00 +0000

After upgrading to Django 5.1, you may encounter an unexpected new field in the UserCreationForm: "Password-based authentication."

Setting Up a Linux Server for Synology Hyper Backup rsync mode

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 22:53:00 +0000

If you're like me and have attempted to back up your Synology NAS to a friend's server for an additional offsite backup, you may have encountered some challenges in the process. However, connecting the two is actually quite straightforward once you understand the steps involved.

How to turn Laptop screen of on Proxmox/Ubuntu/Debian Server

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 22:45:00 +0000

The only step here is to modify the GRUB configuration file to the turn screen off after a timeout. This file, located at /etc/default/grub on most Debian and Ubuntu-based distros, contains the kernel parameters that your system uses during startup.

Installing Veeam Agent on Proxmox Host

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 21:08:00 +0000

By default, Proxmox PVE hosts cannot be backed up using Veeam Backup & Replication; you'll need to install the Veeam Agent to enable this capability. This guide will walk you through the process of installing the Veeam Agent on your Proxmox host.

Since Proxmox is based on the Debian 12 "Bookworm" distribution, you can install the Veeam Agent in a manner similar to any other Debian host.

Install Victron GuiMods via SSH

Tue, 02 May 2023 20:54:00 +0000

Here's a quick & deprecated way of installing kwindem GuiMods on your Victron ccgx or cerbo. The official way is called blind install and is documented in the repository but not verbose enough if anything goes wrong.

Resolving the "Unprivileged" Error in Home Assistant Supervised

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 23:16:00 +0000

If you're running Home Assistant Supervised on an unsupported system like Ubuntu, you might encounter a random error stating that the system isn't healthy because the supervisor is unprivileged. This issue can be frustrating, but there are simple solutions available.

Software All-Off Button with Home-Assistant and KNX

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 18:23:00 +0000

You might be like me, after all those years being happy on KNX you decided to add some non-KNX lights to the home and can't turn them off with your magic bedside "All-Off" button.

How to Flash ESP32-S2 with ESPHome: A Quick Guide

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 17:57:00 +0000

The ESP32-S2 is a powerful and versatile microcontroller that's popular among IoT enthusiasts and makers. However, flashing it with ESPHome can sometimes be tricky. This guide will walk you through the process, helping you avoid common pitfalls and save time.