Search found 15 matches

by Faulkner
Sun Oct 06, 2002 3:44 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Allegro 3959
Replies: 1
Views: 2703

Allegro 3959

Has anyone here ever worked with this chip? Its a 3 amp H bridge designed for PWM, and has a few other goodies. 24 pins. For some reason I cant get it to cooperate, and was wondering if anyone knew of any design quirks that go with it? I've read all the manufacturer's info. Still nothing. All I can ...
by Faulkner
Fri Aug 16, 2002 12:18 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: etching printed circuit boards
Replies: 13
Views: 10846

Re: etching printed circuit boards

Sorry. I meant a #60
by Faulkner
Fri Aug 16, 2002 12:12 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: etching printed circuit boards
Replies: 13
Views: 10846

Re: etching printed circuit boards

My little experience with radioshack etching is: works ok, press-on pads sometimes don't stick well (good cleaning is a must); the Sharpie permanent marker I signed my name with worked better than the pads, and electrical tape works well, too.<p>By the way, I think I used a #40 drill bit. It seemed ...
by Faulkner
Tue Jul 09, 2002 9:45 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: IRF part numbers
Replies: 7
Views: 6246

IRF part numbers

Howdy folks,
I have a few parts which all start their part numbers with IRF... (IRF9z30, IRFr9020, etc) and was wondering if that is a manufacturer's prefix, or like the coding used for some diodes and transistors (1n... for a two-pin device, 2n... for a three pin device). Thoughts, anyone?
by Faulkner
Tue Jul 09, 2002 9:36 pm
Forum: Robotics
Topic: Animatronics
Replies: 8
Views: 11002

Re: Animatronics

Some people have had success using muscle wire to make facial expressions. It's thin and easy to use, but reaction time is very slow. Maybe some kind of pneumatics? Try a search on google for Kismet at MIT, or the Hara-Kobayashi Lab at the science university in tokyo. They're only heads, but pretty ...
by Faulkner
Tue Jun 18, 2002 12:47 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: low voltage foto cell
Replies: 7
Views: 5935

Re: low voltage foto cell

If I understand what your after, go to radioshack, pick up a pack of cadmium sulfide (CdS) photocells - five for about $3. You get two big ones and three small ones.
by Faulkner
Tue May 28, 2002 4:03 pm
Forum: Robotics
Topic: Mark Tilden's robots
Replies: 1
Views: 3420

Mark Tilden's robots

Does anyone know where I can find the schematics for any of Mark Tilden's robots? One of them, if memory serves me, only used about 15 discrete components, but was very versatile. I'd aprreciate any info.
-Matt
by Faulkner
Fri May 24, 2002 7:25 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Getting started programming microcontrollers
Replies: 14
Views: 9128

Re: Getting started programming microcontrollers

Take a look at the AVRs from ATmel. They only require a parellel port cable to program, and they have many good features. Order a few samples, and give them a try
by Faulkner
Fri May 24, 2002 7:15 pm
Forum: Robotics
Topic: Monitoring Battery Condition
Replies: 1
Views: 3493

Re: Monitoring Battery Condition

One simple way is to connect a voltage regulator like a 7812 or 7809 and a potentiometer to the battery. The output of the regulator will be constant despite the batteries' voltage, but the voltage over the resistor will drop as the battery dies. By wiring the two to an op amp, you can compare the v...
by Faulkner
Mon May 20, 2002 4:46 pm
Forum: Robotics
Topic: robotics careers, opportunities, colleges
Replies: 3
Views: 5190

Re: robotics careers, opportunities, colleges

Thanks for the input! I found a class I'm going to take, and hopefully I can find some other programs, too. I just wanted to say I really appreciate that people take the time to help out.
-Matt
by Faulkner
Thu May 16, 2002 7:07 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Building a...
Replies: 21
Views: 13705

Re: Building a...

Forget rechargable batteries and small DC motors... Go for the big times! Get yourself a small gas engine like the ones from RC planes, or better yet... a weed wacker! No electrocution problems, and if you throw in a transmission with a shift knob and an overdrive gear....!
by Faulkner
Mon May 13, 2002 9:38 pm
Forum: Robotics
Topic: robotics careers, opportunities, colleges
Replies: 3
Views: 5190

robotics careers, opportunities, colleges

Howdy everyone. I'm a sophomore in high school in southern california. Basically, its about time for me to start planning where I want to go from here. I think I'd be interested in a career in robotics, but my problem is that I'm just a hobbyist - I don't know who's hiring roboticists, what sort of ...
by Faulkner
Fri Apr 26, 2002 3:49 pm
Forum: Robotics
Topic: Build a Robot
Replies: 1
Views: 3603

Re: Build a Robot

Go to http://members.tripod.com/RoBoJRR/reference.htm <p>There is a link to instructions to build the bolo-bot. <p>or go to http://www.robotmag.com/robotics/h-iss02pg6.html <p>The designs are simple, but very effective and versatile. Also search for BEAM robotics on the web. these are inexpensive an...
by Faulkner
Fri Dec 28, 2001 3:04 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: gas analyzers
Replies: 2
Views: 4276

gas analyzers

Howdy! Today, as I perused the stock at my local state surplus warehouse, I came across two "gas analyzer"s for $15 apiece. How do these work? What, specifically, would one use a gas analyzer for? Are there any specific things I should look for? Any necessary suporting equipment? Thanks fo...
by Faulkner
Sat Dec 08, 2001 1:20 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: TV pattern generator
Replies: 2
Views: 6355

TV pattern generator

Howdy, At my local junk dealer, there is a "TV pattern generator" on sale for a whopping $8. What does a TV pattern generator do, and is it worth $8?<p>Can I modify it to do other things? Please respond soon, because this weekend is a half-off clearance sale, so it might not be there later...