I picked up two used Keithley benchtop digital multimeters from eBay that are in need of repairs. They were sold as working but as is often the case with eBay sellers who are unfamiliar with measurement equipment, they both have some issues that I intend to fix in this short article.
Read More Benchtop DMM Keithley 177 and Keithley 179 RepairIntroduction Base Convert PL-47710 Rev. A is a simple desk/handheld device to convert between hexadecimal, decimal, and binary. The unit features separate displays for each number base for easy comparison between the three bases. User input is possible using 16 alphanumeric keys and an input mode selector switch. The device is powered by 4 AA […]
Read More Base Convert Rev AInspired in part by the Hex Game from The Ben Heck Show but with the simplicity of the Microsoft Calculator in programmer mode, this project aims to create a handheld/desktop calculator for converting between HEX, DEC, and BIN base numbers up to 16 bit. I find myself during times of programing always checking my number conversions with the MS calculator. I would prefer to have a physical calculator on my desk since I prefer the tactile feel over an on screen calculator.
Read More Base Convert – The PrototypeI needed to generate a jarring sound for a silly reason. This project started like many other projects with a trash find, a PA speaker that was just begging to be rescued and reused. Slowly this project evolved from a simple weekend or two Arduino based solution to the four week solution that I present to you below. Like many of my projects I used this particular one as a learning experience for programing and embedding a microcontroller from the MSP430 family of microcontrollers. In between the start and end of this project I also learned about sound generation using PWM and train horn chords.
Read More Train Horn Synthesis with the MSP430FR2000After sending a screwdriver through the extrusion cooling fan I set about replacing the broken fan.
Read More Tronxy P802M Extrusion Fan ReplacementI have grow tired of working in the shadow of the solder fume extractor. In this quick article I build a LED light for the solder fume extractor.
Read More Solder Fume Extractor LightI assemble a breakout circuit to measure the battery life of the Mult-LED Joule Thief V2
Read More Joule Thief Measurements: Battery LifeIt is time that I revisit the 2 year old Multi-LED Joule Thief. This time I want to make some improvements for not only efficiency but ease of assembly.
Read More Multi-LED Joule Thief V2After selling out of both of the Multi-LED Joule Thief and the Joule Thief Candle on Tindie it became necessary to not only make more but to update both models. Before updating I wanted to make a few measurements of the circuit to better understand how I could increase its performance by changing the resistance of R1 connected to the base of the NPN transistor.
Read More Joule Thief Measurements: Base ResistorThe Problem During short instances of nice weather in upstate New York I enjoy going for a bicycle ride on the local multi use trails. I have to pass pedestrians or slower bicycle traffic and find it to sometimes be a hassle to get their attention. During one of my rides I got to thinking […]
Read More Bicycle Announcer