Engineering For Fun
I write code outside client work and keep several personal apps as long-running technology test beds. I regularly rewrite parts of them to explore newer techniques and stay current.
Another side project, Quake Eggs, is an interactive earthquake globe that tracks quake events, stores them in Elasticsearch, and exposes them on a pannable, zoomable globe view.
Latest side project: mealplanner.buzzler.co.uk.
Home Energy & Automation
I run a solar power station monitored through Home Assistant and built custom electronic gadgets to track key parts of the system.
The dashboard gives a live overview of generation, battery state, grid flow, and active loads, with visual power routing and gauge panels for quick operational decisions.
It also includes detailed electrical telemetry panels for current, voltage, power, and accumulated energy across solar, battery, and individual loads.
I also built an automated greenhouse watering setup with practical safety rules, including temperature checks to avoid running pumps in freezing conditions.
Astronomy Build
I built and ran a garden observatory for over five years using a 10-inch reflector imaging setup.
That project combined planning, electronics, integration, and steady iteration over time.
Legacy astro image archive (older site): www.buzzler.co.uk/wordpress/.
Life Outside The Keyboard
Two German Shorthaired Pointers keep me busy and get me outdoors in all weathers.
Past activities have included archery, karate, shore fishing, cycling, and hiking/inter-railing around Europe.
Project Gallery
A selection of side projects and builds across software, automation, astronomy, and hardware.
Working Dogs
Two German Shorthaired Pointers.
Observatory Setup
Garden observatory build used for long-term imaging.
Solar Power Dashboard
Live routing and status view.
Quake Eggs Globe
Interactive earthquake globe and filters.
Cooking / Meal Planner
Meal-planning side project context.
Automated Greenhouse
Greenhouse automation with safety rule controls.
Electronics Build
Custom electronics and integration work.
Robotics
Hands-on robotics experimentation.