<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[My 1st Smart Mirror Quest]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto">So I came across smart mirrors about 2 years ago and planned on building my own one day, but only recently decided to make it a reality. My goal was to build a good MM while trying to minimize cost where ever possible.</p>
<p dir="auto"><img src="/assets/uploads/files/1551367110075-20190227_115342.jpg" alt="0_1551367108302_20190227_115342.jpg" class=" img-fluid img-markdown" /></p>
<p dir="auto">So I wanted a decent size mirror which I could use in my room and felt 12" x 24" was just big enough, but the good frames for that size were harder to find. I’m sure those with wood work experience and the tools could have made their own custom frame for less, but I got an 18" x 24" frame and then added 4" poplar boards to turn it into a shadow box frame. I filled in the 3" gaps on either side with black poster board cut outs.</p>
<p dir="auto"><img src="/assets/uploads/files/1551298087533-20190218_172605.jpg" alt="0_1551298084587_20190218_172605.jpg" class=" img-fluid img-markdown" /></p>
<p dir="auto"><img src="/assets/uploads/files/1551298189524-20190227_115219.jpg" alt="0_1551298186607_20190227_115219.jpg" class=" img-fluid img-markdown" /></p>
<p dir="auto">For the monitor I used the screen from my 1st laptop (it’s about 10 years old) and got the appropriate LCD control board for it with a 3V power adapter.<br />
But then the next issue I had was that my monitor was really heating up on the bottom third in the back. I mean it was so hot in that region that I could not even touch it there for more than a second at a time. So I ordered a pack of self-adhesive heat sinks and they have worked impeccably. In the future I do plan on getting a PIR sensor if I can program it to only turn off the monitor when I’m not in the room, but keep the RPi running 24/7.</p>
<p dir="auto"><img src="/assets/uploads/files/1551298400477-20190221_184248.jpg" alt="0_1551298397070_20190221_184248.jpg" class=" img-fluid img-markdown" /></p>
<p dir="auto">And as you can see from the pictures, I really love duct tape. I even used it to make bands to hold everything in place.<br />
A plus point of keeping the bottom open is that the backlight from the monitor acts as a nightlight which was an unexpected surprise. I was going to add LED strips, but cancelled that plan when I saw this.</p>
<p dir="auto"><img src="/assets/uploads/files/1551299456657-20190226_002721.jpg" alt="0_1551299453195_20190226_002721.jpg" class=" img-fluid img-markdown" /></p>
<p dir="auto">Hardware:<br />
<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BFH96M3/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow ugc">Raspberry Pi 3 B+ </a> $38<br />
<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BT65FT1/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow ugc">Raspberry Pi 3 B+ Case with Fan, 3 Pcs Heat Sinks, 5V 3A Power Supply</a> $17<br />
<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XHYN5CM/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow ugc">LCD Controller Board</a> $25<br />
<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G3QKQJK/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow ugc">12V 3A Power Supply Adapter</a> $10<br />
<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G4MQ5OW/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow ugc">12" x 24" Acrylic See-Through Mirror, 3mm</a> $37<br />
<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BY046WW/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow ugc">1.5ft HDMI Cable</a>  $5<br />
<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BDKN3XV/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow ugc">Easycargo 10pcs 20mm Heatsinks</a> $10<br />
<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B073JWXGNT/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow ugc">Sandisk 32GB microSD</a> $7<br />
<a href="https://www.joann.com/18x24-black-gallery-wide-poster-frame/2346260.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow ugc">Poster Frame 18’‘x24’’</a> $12 (had a 60% off regular price coupon from T-mobile Tuesdays)<br />
<a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Elmer-s-Sturdy-Foam-Board-Sheet-Black-20-x-30-x-3-16/17011432" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow ugc">2 x Black Poster Board 20x30</a> $6<br />
<a href="https://www.homedepot.com/p/Weaber-1-2-in-x-4-in-x-4-ft-S4S-Poplar-Board-27408/207058991" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow ugc">Two 1/2 in. x 4 in. x 4 ft. S4S Poplar Board</a> $12<br />
<a href="https://www.homedepot.com/p/OOK-ReadyNail-20-lb-Small-Sawtooth-Hangers-3-Pack-50374/202341249" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow ugc">Sawtooth Hangers</a> $3</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Total: $182</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">Thanks to <a class="plugin-mentions-user plugin-mentions-a" href="/user/michmich" aria-label="Profile: MichMich">@<bdi>MichMich</bdi></a> for developing this awesome software.<br />
Special thanks to <a class="plugin-mentions-user plugin-mentions-a" href="/user/sdetweil" aria-label="Profile: sdetweil">@<bdi>sdetweil</bdi></a> who was like Gandalf to me on my MM quest where he helped me when I was stuck at the dreaded <em>Unable to install dependencies</em> while trying to install MM and again guiding me when I was trying to further customize my MMM-Compliments module.<br />
Also special thanks to <a class="plugin-mentions-user plugin-mentions-a" href="/user/mykle1" aria-label="Profile: Mykle1">@<bdi>Mykle1</bdi></a> who introduced me to his MMM-EasyPix module! I have been loving it.</p>
<p dir="auto"><img src="/assets/uploads/files/1551297944019-20190227_115838-resized.jpg" alt="0_1551297939472_20190227_115838.jpg" class=" img-fluid img-markdown" /></p>
<p dir="auto">3rd Party Modules used:<br />
<a href="https://github.com/pinsdorf/MMM-WeeklySchedule" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow ugc">Weekly Schedule</a><br />
<a href="https://github.com/mykle1/MMM-EasyPix" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow ugc">EasyPix</a><br />
<a href="https://github.com/jclarke0000/MMM-DarkSkyForecast" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow ugc">Dark Sky Forecast</a><br />
<a href="https://github.com/Sispheor/MMM-quote-of-the-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow ugc">Quote of the Day</a></p>
<p dir="auto"><img src="/assets/uploads/files/1554510789934-20190405_192923.jpg" alt="0_1554510787425_20190405_192923.jpg" class=" img-fluid img-markdown" /></p>
<p dir="auto">And here is an amateur edited <a href="https://youtu.be/ZtljKOBToRk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow ugc">video</a> of the final outcome.</p>
]]></description><link>https://forum.magicmirror.builders/topic/9914/my-1st-smart-mirror-quest</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:28:17 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://forum.magicmirror.builders/topic/9914.rss" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><pubDate>Wed, 27 Feb 2019 20:34:27 GMT</pubDate><ttl>60</ttl><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My 1st Smart Mirror Quest on Sun, 07 Apr 2019 01:22:22 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto"><a class="plugin-mentions-user plugin-mentions-a" href="/user/bhepler" aria-label="Profile: bhepler">@<bdi>bhepler</bdi></a> Thanks!<br />
I kept the bottom open thinking it would help with air circulation (and wasn’t worried about light entering from the bottom), but this was a great bonus.<br />
Hehe I actually thought I had gone overboard with that many heat sinks, but I haven’t turned my monitor off even once yet and the back of monitor is still cool as a cucumber!</p>
]]></description><link>https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/55515</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/55515</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[DæmonEyes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 07 Apr 2019 01:22:22 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My 1st Smart Mirror Quest on Sun, 07 Apr 2019 01:16:53 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto"><a class="plugin-mentions-user plugin-mentions-a" href="/user/mykle1" aria-label="Profile: Mykle1">@<bdi>Mykle1</bdi></a> <a class="plugin-mentions-user plugin-mentions-a" href="/user/sdetweil" aria-label="Profile: sdetweil">@<bdi>sdetweil</bdi></a> Thanks, as mentioned, couldn’t have done it without help from both of you!</p>
]]></description><link>https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/55514</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/55514</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[DæmonEyes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 07 Apr 2019 01:16:53 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My 1st Smart Mirror Quest on Sat, 06 Apr 2019 18:51:35 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto">Nicely done! I love the happy surprise with the monitor LED. And good job with the heat sinks.</p>
]]></description><link>https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/55508</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/55508</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[bhepler]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 06 Apr 2019 18:51:35 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My 1st Smart Mirror Quest on Sat, 06 Apr 2019 13:36:32 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto"><a class="plugin-mentions-user plugin-mentions-a" href="/user/d%C3%A6moneyes" aria-label="Profile: DæmonEyes">@<bdi>DæmonEyes</bdi></a></p>
<p dir="auto">Well done, mate. :thumbsup:</p>
]]></description><link>https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/55502</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/55502</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mykle1]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 06 Apr 2019 13:36:32 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My 1st Smart Mirror Quest on Sat, 06 Apr 2019 12:51:47 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto">nice work!!</p>
]]></description><link>https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/55499</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/55499</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[sdetweil]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 06 Apr 2019 12:51:47 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My 1st Smart Mirror Quest on Sat, 06 Apr 2019 12:34:35 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto">Decided to change up the decor and added two Star Wars LED lamps that are plugged in to the USB ports on the RPi. I can control them with the remote they came with.</p>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MC7GDJ6/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow ugc">https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MC7GDJ6/</a></p>
<p dir="auto"><img src="/assets/uploads/files/1554554005178-20190405_193448.jpg" alt="0_1554554003261_20190405_193448.jpg" class=" img-fluid img-markdown" /></p>
]]></description><link>https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/55497</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/55497</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[DæmonEyes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 06 Apr 2019 12:34:35 GMT</pubDate></item></channel></rss>