Search found 16 matches
- Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:10 pm
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: help with x-10
- Replies: 5
- Views: 2938
Re: help with x-10
You should look into the PL513 and TW523 modules if you haven't already. They're pre-made circutis for doing the X-10 interfacing, but I doubt it's real easy to couple signals onto the power lines yourself.<p>You'll probably need a microcontroller or a good deal of logic & timing circuitry to in...
- Sun Feb 15, 2004 8:19 pm
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: Vdd and Vss meaning?
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2345
Re: Vdd and Vss meaning?
Also very commonly representative of the +5V supply voltage to a circuit (Vdd) and Ground (Vss).
- Fri Sep 19, 2003 10:33 pm
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: Scanner Chip?
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1960
Re: Scanner Chip?
Can't be sure, but I'd definitely bet it's something like an EPROM programmed with a custom piece of software for that scanner. Unless you have the same scanner with that chip missing, it's probably useless to you.
- Mon Sep 08, 2003 8:28 pm
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: detect resistance changes
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2239
Re: detect resistance changes
I'll assume for now that you're using a thermistor (resistor that varies quite precisely with temperature).<p>There's two options that I could see. Using an Analog to Digital conversion like Russ Kincaid recommended is one good way if your microprocessor has that capability already. Connect the ther...
- Sun Sep 07, 2003 9:23 pm
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: LED fading when driven by 4017
- Replies: 8
- Views: 4457
Re: LED fading when driven by 4017
Something I worked on a little bit at one time...I can't guarantee how well it will work, but it might be worth a try.<p>Use a combination of an NPN transistor (i.e. 2N2222, 2N3904), a capacitor, and a resistor. Use something like a 10 or 100uF capacitor and perhaps 470 or 1K ohm resistor (it's very...
- Wed Jul 23, 2003 8:13 pm
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: Overhead Door Opener Controller Question
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2931
Re: Overhead Door Opener Controller Question
When I took apart an old Sears opener, there was an opto-interruptor set up for the motor shaft. (Opto-interruptor = LED shining on phototransistor, with something blocking it once in a while.) I suspect this was expected to be interrupted at a known rate to indicate that the motor had not stalled. ...
- Wed Jul 23, 2003 8:00 pm
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: Bike spedometer
- Replies: 10
- Views: 4938
Re: Bike spedometer
Well initially I'd say "go get a speedometer from a bike shop" and save some time. But that's not the tinkerer's way to do it.<p>Commercial speedometers for bikes generally use a magnet mounted on a spoke, and a reed switch mounted on the fork. You're probably best off using a microcontrol...
- Sat Jul 12, 2003 8:50 pm
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: RF remote signaling
- Replies: 9
- Views: 5631
Re: RF remote signaling
OK, I missed the part about the 1000 foot range. Most doorbell sets have DIP/jumper settable codes to avoid interference. You could make relay stations perhaps?
- Sat Jul 12, 2003 8:48 pm
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: RF remote signaling
- Replies: 9
- Views: 5631
Re: RF remote signaling
One more easy idea, about 30 seconds later. I've had great success in modifying cheap wireless doorbell sets to do my bidding. I've operated one for a while as a remote control SLR camera trigger. My Nikon N-70 uses an electrical bulb-type control, and you definitely don't need to buy the official S...
- Sat Jul 12, 2003 8:41 pm
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: RF remote signaling
- Replies: 9
- Views: 5631
Re: RF remote signaling
You might want to look into these RF modules from Laipac. They seem to be a lot like how garage door openers work, where you'd have a dip switch to set a unique code. I haven't actually worked with them, though I want to. They don't seem to have any distributors, but they do sound willing to ship to...
- Wed Jul 02, 2003 6:31 pm
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: Older parts - need info
- Replies: 8
- Views: 4710
Re: Older parts - need info
Don't forget to try www.chipdocs.org. You have to pay to get datasheets from them, but they will list the basic description of the chip for free.
- Thu Jun 26, 2003 6:54 am
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: Question on a simple project
- Replies: 1
- Views: 1813
Re: Question on a simple project
The most likely culprit to your problem is the voltage drop across the extra diodes you're adding. Red LEDs need roughly 1.7 V across them to light, and diodes like the 1N914 or 1N4001 need 0.7 V before they begin conducting in any sizable quantity. <p>When you use a resistor in series with the LED,...
- Sun Jun 22, 2003 9:16 pm
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: c547b = to-92/2n3906 ??
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2683
Re: c547b = to-92/2n3906 ??
Make sure to check myke.com for the latest revisions to the "Book" version of the El Cheapo programmer. A few resistors and capacitors have been taken out, and a clarification is made about the orientation of some of the transistor packages.<p>I had mine built per the specs in the book I g...
- Sun Jun 08, 2003 10:35 pm
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: Wall warts
- Replies: 10
- Views: 5919
Re: Wall warts
From my informal understanding, dryers don't so much detect a drop in the moisture of the exhaust as they detect a sharp rise in the air temperature, indicating that the majority of the water has been taken from the clothes. This would also seem to overcome the possibility that the ambient humidity ...
- Sun Jun 01, 2003 10:16 pm
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: Laipac Easy Link Wireless Suppliers
- Replies: 0
- Views: 1568
Laipac Easy Link Wireless Suppliers
Does anyone know of a good supplier of Laipac Easy Link Wireless modules? The modules I'm looking for are the TLP/RLP 315, 418, or 434 MHz modules. Alternatively, do you know of similar modules from another manufacturer?<p>Thank you.