hybridfree/eevblog-posts huggingface dataset:
Identifying chip which burned on VIA EPIA CN10000EG motherboard? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: dds
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2011, 06:22:59 am
content: Hello,By using power supply which was probably with different polarity I've smoked chip on mobo. Cannot identify chip. Does the anybody have a high resolution picture of this motherboard?

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2011, 06:49:01 pm
content: Is the chip so badly disfigured you can't see the part number?There are probably other damaged components so even if you replaced the chip, it might not work.

author: dds
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2011, 07:56:13 pm
content: Chip is foobar...
they finally went and did it... robo pedo bear - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ThunderSqueak
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 19, 2010, 10:22:06 am
content: probably you have seen this before but I present...Robo Pedo Bearhttp://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10320851-1.html

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 19, 2010, 11:25:08 am
content: no not seen it yet, The japanese seem to be good at making robots to replace many things very interesting but can it really operate independently with no other human help ?

author: Balaur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 19, 2010, 11:32:41 am
content: That's not a pedo bear.Don't be a freak!

author: tyblu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2010, 03:24:30 pm
content: I would definitely drop that off at my brother's house, in the middle of the night, and get it to inch into his room and try to pick him up. Mo' like creepy bear.

author: orbiter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2010, 03:38:45 pm
content: Hang on.. It can only lift about 9.5 stonesI want one that will carry a 17 stone man home from the pub

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 19, 2010, 06:27:37 pm
content: Quote from: Balaur on December 19, 2010, 11:32:41 amToo bad, the response by clueless American news anchors would have been funny, just like the OMG pedo bear is real crap some time ago.

author: FreeThinker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2010, 08:07:43 pm
content: Unfortunate Name, more than a little creepy.

author: Ferroto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2010, 09:32:39 pm
content: Ahh Japan what would we do without you.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2010, 06:49:29 pm
content: I thought it was Ribo not pedo bear, oh well as long as it's not used around children it doesn't matter.QuoteLol, no use in America then.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 23, 2010, 07:09:59 pm
content: and england won't be far behind, the good thing being it won't be able to help lazy benefit cheats that get fat sitting on their asses doing nothing and then claiming they are too fat to work
Cypress Semiconductor AN2135SC - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: paul30003
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2010, 03:37:18 pm
content: Obsolete Cypress Semiconductor AN2135SCI'm trying to locate a couple of these micro's but only have found sources willing to sell to business customers, or Chinese companies, who want to charge me freight at 10x the cost of the components.I would appreciate if anyone knows of a source that may have theseThanks

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 19, 2010, 04:45:12 pm
content: why do you need said part ? hopefully your not doing a new design with it ? is there an equivalent ?

author: tinhead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2010, 05:12:20 pm
content: tryhttp://utsource.net/AN2135SC.htmlI'm bought multiple times from utsource some obsolete chips. If you have time, they can deliver for 8USD.Express cost of course much more, but i think it is good to have a choice.@Simondesign didn't really matter, probably just no source provided and only old firmware (not compatible with FX2) available.There are more issues on OS side (except linux), the max you can do is to work with Vista 32bit, but no go for 64bit or 7.

author: paul30003
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2010, 05:41:49 pm
content: Quote from: tinhead on December 19, 2010, 05:12:20 pm@SimonNo this is not for a new project.@tinheadThanks for the source, I requested a quote.

author: tyblu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2010, 10:12:58 pm
content: maybe here:http://www.sierraic.com/pnresults.php?part=AN2135SC

author: paul30003
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2010, 10:22:19 pm
content: Quote from: tyblu on December 19, 2010, 10:12:58 pmThanks!Ill try them as well..For thoes of you who are curious, this is the project I want it for..http://www.linux-laser.org/bilda/bilda-hw.php?lang=en#hardware

author: paul30003
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2010, 07:53:06 pm
content: UPDATE:Thanks to everyone for posting and offering suggestions.I have now managed to locate the parts from tinheads source at:http://utsource.net/AN2135SC.htmlthe postage is very reasonable at on 8USD compared to the 30 - 40 USD most chinese companys wanted to charge me.Thanks again!
Annoying recruiters? Solution! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DJPhil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2010, 07:47:47 pm
content: I was poking through reddit andfound this.Apparently this fellow's company is constantly harassed by recruiters, and he's madean online form for them to fill out.To give it a try, just type in anything for answers. It's absolute genius.I figure after hearing some of the stories from Dave that someone out there might have a use for this site.

author: Mr J
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2010, 03:43:59 am
content: I like it, this is a riot. Look at the code!

author: tyblu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2010, 04:53:10 am
content: I quite like this.

author: Zyvek
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2010, 07:06:23 am
content: Brilliant!

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 18, 2010, 07:12:45 am
content: Most excellent!Dave.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 18, 2010, 07:56:41 am
content: Simple Genius.I've grabbed the code to produce a variant for cold call tele-persons,"Yes caller we're so impressed you interrupted our busy day to sell us toner cartridges, that we think you need to fill out our supplier registration form, with added OH&S and ROHS compliance declarations immediately!"

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2010, 11:07:13 am
content: Lol, I tried filling it with silly responses just for fun, then after copying and pasting I've already told you when the questions repeated a I noticed it would go on for ever.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 18, 2010, 12:45:59 pm
content: yea I started typing in jibberish and then started to notice that the questions were being repeated and that I was not getting any nearer the end. very clever, juat the sort of thing someone without a proper job (a "recruiter) will spend hours trying to fill out before giving up

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 18, 2010, 07:38:40 pm
content: is that standalone code ? I mean does it feed anything in from another source ? I couldn't spot all of the questions in the code when I opened it up in notepad. it would be fun to edit for any type of "problem"

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 18, 2010, 08:50:12 pm
content: Quote from: Simon on December 18, 2010, 07:38:40 pmDownloadhttp://www.recruitmentcheck.com/recruiter-form.jsand take a look at it with a text editor. Simple and hellishly effective.

author: williefleete
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2010, 12:25:58 am
content: excellent!

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 19, 2010, 08:45:02 am
content: ah right so if it was implemented elsewhere you'd need both files in the same folder ?

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 19, 2010, 08:56:08 am
content: Quote from: Simon on December 19, 2010, 08:45:02 amYes! or in a directory accessible to the web server. You usually want as few of your script files as possible in the website root directory.
DIAC in a pinch replacement - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Waifian
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2010, 10:21:57 pm
content: Would anyone see a problem with replacing a DIAC rated at 30 volts with two Zener diodes back to back with the same rating or close to it? They should respond about the same I would guess, aside from the extra forward voltage drop.This for an in a pinch repair of a CFL circuit.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2010, 10:25:19 pm
content: No a zener diode is not the same as a DIAC.A zener maintains a similar voltage across it as the current is varied. A DIAC behaves like a spark gap, once the firing voltage is exceeded, it conducts until the current drops below a certain level. A DIAC can be used to make a relaxation oscillator, a zener can't.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2010, 11:14:51 pm
content: pair of zeners plus a triac is probably closer.

author: Waifian
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2010, 11:41:34 pm
content: I see. I thought there may be a problem. Thanks for the quick response.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2010, 05:22:54 am
content: If the diac is used in the startup circuit, you might be able to use small bipolar transistors instead. Connect the emitter to the more positive side, the collector to the more negative side, and do not connect the base. 2 or 3 of those in series would get you pretty close to the 30v level. Not sure how many cycles it would work for but I have made a pulse generator using that principle and it has worked fine over a few hours at a repetition rate of about 80Hz, so it should last the life of the bulb given it's only used once every startup.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2010, 08:08:05 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on December 16, 2010, 11:14:51 pmThe LM431 plus a bridge rectifier and a TRIAC will give an adjustable firing voltage from 3.7V to 37.2V, more complicated but more flexible.Surely it's cheaper to just get a suitable DIAC though?Is it a dimmable CFL ballast? DIACs are normally used to ensure the TRIAC fires reliably and symmetrically.

author: Waifian
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2010, 02:19:06 pm
content: I just ordered one. Cheap plus shipping. I was in the hopes of making something that would respond the same with parts I could find around. I appreciate the input.I have never worked with diacs before so I ordered some extras to play around with them.Also as a side note I can see a reason why Dave hates cats. They are always messing with what you are working on. Stealing parts to play with knocking things over when you aren't looking. That may be it's way of trying to help haha.
Who else is excited about the new Tron movie? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: PeterG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2010, 02:01:08 am
content: I cant wait to see it, will prob get the bluray as well......What about everyone else?

author: dengorius
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2010, 02:52:44 am
content: Same here, but I'm not hearing good things about it. The first one was epic!

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2010, 07:34:37 am
content: I had play the video game before ages ...sneak preview ..

author: Time
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2010, 03:53:22 pm
content: I still have to watch the first one.

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2010, 10:52:23 pm
content: A remake, a 80% chance of being absolute shit.

author: dengorius
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2010, 03:48:11 am
content: Quote from: BoredAtWork on December 16, 2010, 10:52:23 pmIt's a sequel not a remake, but I'm afraid the percentage still stands

author: Lance
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2010, 05:09:03 am
content: Quote from: dengorius on December 17, 2010, 03:48:11 amYeah, it looks like they've gone the route of Star Trek. I also see a massive plot hole. From what I see in the trailers I think they're saying that Flynn wrote Tron...which is a lie. Also, whatever happened to Yori?
Back To The Future - The video game - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 13, 2010, 11:55:12 pm
content: To all fans of the Back to The Future movie trilogy, here is the video-game for you! Check it out, ya geeks!http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_to_the_Future:_The_Gamehttp://www.telltalegames.com/bttf

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 14, 2010, 12:58:39 am
content: Awesome, and it's PC based!Dave.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 14, 2010, 01:19:08 am
content: Is it going to be $25 per "episode"?Dave.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 14, 2010, 01:33:27 am
content: Haha Dave, like a kid that has seen an ice-cream van! Yeap, It looks like it, $25 per episode, 5 episodes in total. A small price to pay for an old favourite childhood movie video game. You can be Doc now!Apparently they had a fully fitted DeLorean when the game was announced. How did you miss that?!

author: migsantiago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2010, 03:02:37 pm
content: I wish they released it for Wii or Xbox 360. I don't have a powerful 3D gpu on my PC.
2,000 Year old   Greek built  Astronomical calendar  made by LEGO Dec 2010 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2010, 01:38:29 am
content: 10 Dec 2010 ( worth's watching it )http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-12/10/greek-computer-in-lego

author: DJPhil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2010, 05:45:52 am
content: That was awesome.

author: Lance
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2010, 06:11:28 am
content: You can do some crazy stuff with lego. I've been wanting to get back into messing with it, but I just don't have enough parts. I've been looking for bulk packs of gears and whatnot to no avail.

author: williefleete
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2010, 12:54:32 pm
content: nice

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2010, 03:48:35 pm
content: the first robot i programmed... lego nxt. now i want something more serious.

author: phunk
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 12, 2010, 04:37:56 pm
content: nice find!
A homebuilt microcomputer?  Maybe an interesting bit of history - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Jon Chandler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2010, 11:30:41 pm
content: Well, it could be a home built computer or maybe an interface to something larger. It's an interesting piece of history whatever it is. More pictures are posted onDigital-DIY.Anybody have a clue what this is?

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 11, 2010, 02:42:23 am
content: Reminds me of my days as a mainframe 'engineer' (I fixed them, not designed them)Hundreds of little boards full or TTL or ECL logic, all plugged into a wirewrapped backplane.Most of the repairs were of the 'unplug the board and reseat it' variety.[BTW, fixed your broken link]

author: TheDirty
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2010, 02:45:38 am
content: Based on the names on the front of the box it looks like some kind of lighting display sequencer.

author: JohnS_AZ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2010, 02:56:36 am
content: The date codes on most of the chips are 1983 so it was built late 83- 84.How many wires go to the DB-25 connector?

author: slburris
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2010, 04:49:16 am
content: The wirewrapping reminds me of when I worked in the 1980s in the computerscience department at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles if you are outsidethe US).We were the first node on the ARPAnet (precursor to the Internet) and ourconnection was a thingy called an IMP (Interface Message Processor) made byBBN. The insides were tons of hand wirewrapped boards. Worked like a charm, withthose whopping fast 64kbit links to the other sites.Scott

author: Hypernova
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 11, 2010, 05:53:13 am
content: I'm always amazed at those early constructions methods by hand and the complexity that managed to achieve.My university had a 1Kbit coil memory on display, makes your head spin thinking how some poor guy somewhere had to sew that thing by hand.

author: Jon Chandler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2010, 05:56:13 am
content: Quote from: Hypernova on December 11, 2010, 05:53:13 amAnd that memory still has the same content as when it was pulled from the working unit!
ARM vs. PIC - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DavidDLC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2010, 07:53:47 pm
content: I haven't work with ARM yetIs there too much difference let's say to switch from PIC to ARM ?Please give me some advice on this.

author: tyblu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2010, 08:39:00 pm
content: Cortex-M3 vs PIC32?

author: DavidDLC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2010, 08:50:36 pm
content: I will say Cortex.

author: PsI-On
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2010, 09:47:20 pm
content: I'd also vote for Cortex-M3

author: tyblu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2010, 10:00:15 pm
content: I don't think it's a matter of preference; he wants to know the differences between the two.

author: Bambur
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2010, 11:31:12 am
content: How about tools availability for ARM, i.e. cross-compilers (and possibly debuggers)?

author: joelby
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2010, 12:57:55 pm
content: Many different ARM licensees, vs. only one PIC manufacturer?Not that it's necessarily easy to switch between ARMs from different companies.

author: TheDirty
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2010, 05:00:32 pm
content: The two things that make it difficult to go Cortex-M3 rather than PIC would be the packages (only QFP and QFN) and the toolchains. Your options for the toolchains that aren't 1000's of $$ are either pay a reduced amount for a non-commercial license and unlimited or high limited compiler (Rowley, CodeRed...); Try to use the free GCC/Eclipse toolchains, which are not as mature as say the AVR ones; Or just go with one of the code size limited toolchains if that's all you'll ever need.Otherwise the Cortex-M3's peripherals are dependent on the manufacturer and usually they are pretty nice and simple. It helps that they are newer designs. Only the ARM CM3 core is the same across the manufacturers, all the peripherals will be different, so you just can't port code from one directly to the other without peripheral changes in your code. I have worked with both Stellaris and LPC and I haven't found porting all that difficult, though. So much easier than ARM7, where the peripherals are generally a crazy complicated nightmare.The manufacturers all have peripheral libraries available for the chips already.Also it's not so easy to get a cheap SWD compatible in circuit programming/debugging. SWD (Serial Wire Debug) is a simpler 2 wire programming and debugging interface that CM3 supports. Many chips still support JTAG as well as SWD, but some chips like the LPC13xx and LPC11xx only support SWD, so you would need an SWD programmer in order to use them.
You know you are thinking like an engineer when... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Hypernova
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 06, 2010, 09:12:01 pm
content: The first thing that came to my mind readingthiswas:"If I get it for the camera and LCD module how competitive are they compared to getting one from SparkFun"

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2010, 02:25:37 am
content: you want to chart everything.

author: Joshua
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2010, 02:53:57 am
content: You can't 'free-hand' anything without graph paper.

author: Time
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2010, 04:02:26 am
content: You imagine your dogs big metal chain collar is like a heak sink so you change it to a leather one when it gets cold.

author: tyblu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2010, 05:56:21 am
content: ... you immediately identify people walking against the flow of a crowd as minority carriers, then look around to estimate recombination time.

author: Lance
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2010, 06:35:06 am
content: You and your friend start reverse engineering the construction methods used to put together the fancy bar/ceiling of the pub that you've stopped at for a pint.

author: williefleete
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2010, 06:54:24 am
content: you start thinking how something you have could be made more practical without it looking wanky.you see everything you use in an exploded view

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2010, 10:59:57 pm
content: As beautiful as your friend is, her engineering skills matter the most. (Not just Tiffany Yep, by the way...)All you seem to have on your nook are technical references.
NASA's Next Mars Rover - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Strube09
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2010, 05:41:10 pm
content: Not sure where I found this link (maybe on here sorry if it is a dual post). A live video feed from NASA's JPL working on the next Mars Rover.http://www.ustream.tv/nasajplKind of neat.Strube
I wonder if Lattice have been watching Dave... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2010, 12:45:22 pm
content: they should do it better (not enough punch)! but anyway, i almost laugh at the backward coat.

author: JohnS_AZ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2010, 03:08:47 pm
content: For those of you not in the U.S., the Lattice video is actually a pretty good spoof of the ShamWow guy, a rather unfortunate fixture on American TV for a few years.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2010, 03:12:20 pm
content: Yes, it looks much like shamwow, informercial slick oil, but entertaining to a point.

author: Joshua
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2010, 03:16:58 pm
content: Yeah, but I think 'vince' is in jail now due to drugs.

author: JohnS_AZ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2010, 03:19:23 pm
content: I thought he beat up a prostitute. *shrug* Not sure.

author: Time
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2010, 05:22:41 pm
content: "You're gonna love my nuts!"Quote from: saturation on December 06, 2010, 03:12:20 pm

author: DJPhil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2010, 10:57:14 pm
content: That was hilarious!

author: Zyvek
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2010, 02:02:27 am
content: Too funny, but they should have continued the theme on their website. I think Dave is forcing the industry to have more fun after the Microchip video he inspired:

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 07, 2010, 02:24:26 am
content: I wish I had the talent to script, act and produce stuff like that.All I do is turn on the camera and waffle on for a while!Dave.

author: Joshua
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2010, 02:52:58 am
content: Quote from: JohnS_AZ on December 06, 2010, 03:19:23 pmYou're right, I was thinking of how Billy Mays died from drugs.Quote from: Time on December 06, 2010, 05:22:41 pmThat's hilarious, I don't know how that got past the 'script-ers' (unless it wasn't an accident)Joshua

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 07, 2010, 02:56:50 am
content: I'd love to do a rap video like John Cohen's but don't have the skills or music talent!Dave.

author: the_raptor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2010, 07:25:21 am
content: Quote from: PianoKid1994 on December 07, 2010, 02:52:58 amThere weren't any. Vince (the guy in the video) saw some German rags that became the ShamWoW at a flea market and bought a ton and started marketing them (and later the SlapChop). As far as I know the videos were just him and a contracted film crew.
Pioneer Rechargable batteries (NiMH) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2010, 03:04:30 am
content: I bought some cordless headphones a few years ago, and now the batteries are at the end of their life. I searched for some "Pioneer" branded batteries, just because I was used to them. I found some, but they were 60 dollars a pair! (For two, AA batteries!!) Who on earth would pay that? Why are these people selling them at this price? Is anyone buying them? What's going on?Well, forget that, I thought. I went to the local store, and bought two NiMH batteries. They wouldn't charge. I looked at them, thinking "Maybe they have a specific size "bump" on the positive end or something." Nope - that wasn't it. I finally saw it. About 3/8 of an inch, or about 10mm of the protective insulating film covering the battery's metal case was removed from the negative end, and the charger had a spring terminal on the side that I never noticed that contacted the case (negative terminal) to complete some circuit to allow charging.That's criminally clever, I think. Now I've got to carefully trim some of the plastic film away, and save myself 55 dollars.

author: williefleete
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2010, 07:03:25 am
content: my old canon powershot 350 has a similar thing, there is an extra contact near one of the negative contacts which you short to that said negative to trigger the camera's charge circuit, a bit of tin foil or stranded wire from there to the outside of the battery allows you to use bog standard NiMh rechargables in it instead of the god knows how expensive (or rare in my case) legit batteries
Kerosene Radio  ( Flash Back )   - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2010, 02:19:23 pm
content: http://www.oldradiorepairs.com/el/thermo

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2010, 10:40:32 pm
content: Interesting concept, more viable for remote locations are hand crank generators used even before WWII .... its still around todayA modern version receiver:

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2010, 01:53:29 am
content: maybe we can appreciate the legacy by getting one of this...http://www.handcrankflashlight.org/orhttp://www.sourcinggate.com/emergency-hand-press-crank-flashlight-3-bulbs-super-bright-led-flashlight-lamp-p-8266.html

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 05, 2010, 02:58:33 am
content: Pedal powered radio transceivers were common in the Australian outback on remote cattle stations where phones were not available.A common use for these was by children attending the 'school of the Air' where children in remote locations used the radio to 'attend' classes.With cheap solar power, I doubt there would be may of the pedal powered ones left. School of the Air still runs though.Never saw a kerosene radio but we used to have a kerosene refrigerator

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2010, 10:17:09 am
content: A crystal radio is the obvious choice where mains power is not available.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2010, 11:30:31 am
content: A main advantage is cranking is it runs without sunlight, doesn't require large batteries, if the user is generally still alive, s/he can make power. Having combined crank and solar cells in the unit too can't hurt, to take advantage of sunlight were it is.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2010, 08:36:10 pm
content: Just in case that some one miss it, at the first post the link drives you to more detailed pictures about the Kerosene Radio .The main page belongs to a Greek who does old radio restorations.There are lots of info about old radios - museum - pictures etc.If you click on the Greek text as default , and explore the panel at the left , you will see more pictures , and subjects .

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2010, 12:59:14 pm
content: ohh, now i remember! i have those, but just smaller and using petrol, not kerosene.how about peltier device? can it be used as a charger?

author: scrat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2010, 01:18:17 pm
content: Quote from: shafri on December 06, 2010, 12:59:14 pmSome time ago we made some experiments with a low-cost Peltier cell, the ones used into portable fridges.I saw one of these fanshttp://www.caframo.com/hearth/hearth_products_woodstove.php. The power supply comes from a cell which seems to be a common Peltier.Someone in the USA even made an auto-powered pellet stove, but using some optimized thermoelectric cells.
Rigol DG1022 AFG modified CSV - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: wasssup1990
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2010, 03:02:43 pm
content: I have a recently bought Rigol DG1022 AFG and I'm having trouble trying to get the PC based software to accept a CSV file that has been aquired from a Rigol DS1052E DSO and modified in excel.What could I be doing wrong here?Thanks.

author: mkissin
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2010, 03:19:12 am
content: Almost anything. If it's like the agilent software then it's very picky about the CSV format.For me, Excel tended to put a lot of extra commas in the CSV file where there were empty cells in a column that had a value in it somewhere. The Agilent software hated that. Open the CSV file in notepad (or similar) and compare it to a known-good file.

author: wasssup1990
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2010, 03:45:41 am
content: I'll give that a try when I have a chance. Comparing files on a byte level might tell me where excel is making the critical alterations. I'll use winhex.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2010, 07:15:24 pm
content: found this old thread, but... no need to compare byte level for csv format, its just a simple plain comma separated text, do it in notepad instead of winhex is enough. see ya!
IMB announces Silicon Nanophotonics - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: dengorius
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2010, 08:35:57 pm
content: Just to point out this interesting news in case you missed it!http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/33115.wss

author: DJPhil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2010, 09:34:44 pm
content: Good stuff!This is the bit that made me think this might not be another 'maybe before I die' technology.Quote

author: TopherTheME
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2010, 03:07:15 am
content: Very cool, but I wonder how much the technology will cost. I have a bit of experience with optoelectronics and a good rule of thumb is that if it has the word "Photo" or "Optic" in it, its going to be expensive.

author: FreeThinker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2010, 06:59:54 pm
content: Quote from: TopherTheME on December 02, 2010, 03:07:15 amDo a search on Ebay
Mastech MS8229 Controller - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: lindworm
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2010, 12:55:38 am
content: Hi there,after readingthis tutorial, I was curious, if my meter would be upgradable too.Unluckily it seems to be neither one of these Cyrustek chips, nor the one from thishowto.Do you have any clue how to find out more? The controller is covered by a blob of black plastic and there don't seem to be any external components or hints on the silkscreen.Greetings lindworm

author: tyblu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2010, 02:11:02 am
content: It would only be possible if it was already available for a better version in the same line. Looking at the'Interfaces' pageon the manufacturer's website, these may be available:QuoteYou can see how the others did it: look up the part number, find the pins associated with serial communications (UART, SPI, bit-banged) first by datasheet then, if no luck with the standard pinout, by probing, then attach wires and condition the signal so you can read it.
A hard drive for Dave.... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2010, 11:08:54 pm
content: Delorean hard drive!

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 29, 2010, 12:10:06 am
content: Awesome!

author: tyblu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2010, 01:26:39 am
content: That is, indeed, pretty awesome. I'd burn it out after being forced to build a Tesla coil to recreate one of the lightning scenes.

author: migsantiago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2010, 03:28:13 pm
content: I'm drooling...
Another Sparkfun Freeday 13-Jan - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: aargee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2010, 09:58:07 pm
content: ... I don't think I'll try it again from Australia, too tiring and frustrating...... or maybe I won't be able to help myself

author: CryptLordGR
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2010, 10:33:37 pm
content: this time it will be a little different it wont be instanst free. it will be related to years of registered and a questionnaire

author: armandas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2010, 10:52:40 pm
content: Quote from: CryptLordGR on November 24, 2010, 10:33:37 pmSo what? Gazillion people trying to answer questions instead of gazillion people trying to checkout.

author: Hypernova
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 25, 2010, 04:57:01 am
content: Quote from: armandas on November 24, 2010, 10:52:40 pmIt should help deter anyone who just want to resell the stuff on ebay. Not sure how many did that last time but I can bet it was sizable.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2010, 07:41:06 am
content: Excellent, another free day. Got a nice GPS receiver for my carpc and some nokia lcds last time.It's nice that this time they have a system to benefit long time members.A note to anyone trying to navigate any site running at 1 page per minute and giving a timeout 9 times out of 10....Don't use refresh/F5!, that keeps reloading the current page and you already have that. You want to keep retrying the next page!So, instead of F5, copy the url of the button you're trying to click on and keep trying that url until it works. Then get the url of the next button etc.. If you press F5 you will never get anywhere.

author: CryptLordGR
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2010, 08:56:40 am
content: Quote from: Psi on November 25, 2010, 07:41:06 amnice advice but i hope they learn from the previous time so not so much delay

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2010, 08:26:34 pm
content: Quote from: armandas on November 24, 2010, 10:52:40 pmEspecially there will guaranteed be a wanker finding it oh so funny to post the answers to every forum in sight.

author: TheDirty
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2010, 04:24:32 am
content: The most you can get with historical purchase is $50. My first purchase on my login was 2008, so I would get $20. $10+ for every correct answer, -$3 for every incorrect answer I think I'd go with the questions rather than the free $20. I can't imagine they would be too hard or they alienate there base customers which are mostly basic makers.I got about $50 worth of stuff on the first free day. I didn't max out the $100 just because I'm sure others need it more, but I really wanted to play with a Venus GPS module.

author: wardenclyffe
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2010, 02:56:56 pm
content: I have been looking at Sparkfun for years but I have never ordered anything. Guess that is coming back to bite me now. I didn't even know this existed.
Robots... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: marto
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 25, 2010, 10:55:28 pm
content: If anyone is interested one of the clubs I am involved in the Queensland Robotics Sports Club is hosting a combat robotics event this weekend and we will have a live stream @http://edgeqld.org.au/webcast(Will only be available during the stream from 10am - 4pm Eastern Standard Time, Sat & Sun. )So if you miss the good old days of Robot Wars especially if you are outside the US then jump on there and watch. We have plenty of robots coming and it should be a great day.Seehttp://www.QRSC.org.aufor more info.Also mods feel free to delete this if no one is interested. A bit spamy I know and my low post count (Ok almost 0) but I thought this would be the sort of group who would like to know.Steve

author: tinsmith
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2010, 11:26:03 pm
content: I'm not really interested in the live stream. But I would probably be interested if someone is going to post videos after the fact which recap high points or show individual matches. I could always use a few minutes of robot-on-robot violence.

author: marto
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 25, 2010, 11:28:43 pm
content: I intend to do Twitter updates on the fly and also upload youtube vids from iPhone fight by fight. More high def editied vids such as the onese here ->http://qrsc.org.au/wikka.php?wakka=TheEdgewill go up later.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2010, 02:28:40 am
content: Quote from: tinsmith on November 25, 2010, 11:26:03 pmi second it.
Facebook account - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 25, 2010, 01:51:25 am
content: I'm having no end of confusion setting up a proper EEVblog Facebook account, but finally have a page under product/Servicehttp://www.facebook.com/pages/EEVblog/119597774770123I have heard I need 25 fans or "likes" before I can change the user name to a much more friendly facebook.com/eevblogSo anyone who wants to join please do so, I plan on having all blog posts automatically uploaded to the facebook page.If I'm somehow not doing this right please let me know! there are so many confusing options in setting up facebook accounts for anyone other than individuals it's ridiculous.I'm am trying real hard not to scream out the F word...Dave.

author: JohnS_AZ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2010, 05:19:57 am
content: I like you, Dave.Actually, I "liked" you (on FB)

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2010, 05:57:52 am
content: liked! 30 like already. just let the F out Dave! it will be orgasmic! the caricature is hilarious.
MicroChip News - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: JohnS_AZ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2010, 03:24:24 pm
content: In case anyone here doesn't know, Microchip puts out a fairly cool monthly newsletter.http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/Market_Communication/November%202010%20Microsolutions.pdfThey're starting a contest with the Make website.

author: TopherTheME
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2010, 04:31:29 am
content: Dam, I really wish school didn't completely control my life or I would enter that. I'm a total microchip whore too.

author: oPossum
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2010, 06:38:29 pm
content: I entered the Make low power design contest and came in last. They gave first place to the design with thehighestpower consumption. The prizes for the second phase don't include any Microchip stuff, so I'm not going to try again.

author: .o:0|O|0:o.
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2010, 04:50:29 am
content: Quote from: oPossum on November 23, 2010, 06:38:29 pmThat sounds like a contraddiction in terms. I'm a bit cynnical about entering these competitions as there is the temptation for the Company to move the goal posts to best suit their marketing agenda, which can be very unfair to people who put in a lot of dedication. What did you design?.o:0|O|0:o.

author: oPossum
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2010, 05:03:45 am
content: My contest entry

author: johnmx
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2010, 11:06:56 am
content: Is that contest limited to US permanent residents?
Am I worthy? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 23, 2010, 12:12:30 am
content: Maybe I would come under the "novel" category?http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-news/4210921/EE-Times-seeks-nominations-for-top-EEsI don't care about winning, just shameless publicity as alwaysDave.

author: Joshua
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2010, 01:10:30 am
content: Yay, I was first to nominate Dave.Joshua

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 23, 2010, 06:03:39 pm
content: uh another thing that I have to sign up to just to post one message

author: migsantiago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2010, 06:45:51 pm
content: Quote from: Simon on November 23, 2010, 06:03:39 pmLOL, the same thing crossed my mind.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2010, 09:05:50 pm
content: At the minimum Dave has changed the face of analog engineering in an unusual way.
minimum voltage forlaptop supply - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 13, 2010, 03:19:47 pm
content: I have a laptop pc, the psu is the pretty much standard 18.5V, but considering that the battery is 10.4 what is the minimum voltage the laptop would accept ? I'd like to possibly run it straight from 12 V or use a boosting circuit to get it up a bit if need be but need it be the full 18.5V ?

author: cybergibbons
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2010, 03:51:30 pm
content: They tend to not work very far from the stated spec. They tend to be higher voltage so that you don't need stupidly thick cables and big power connectors - remember it not only needs to power the laptop but charge the battery as well.My HP laptop gives a warning and drops out around 1V below the power supply. My old Acer laptop gets hotter and hotter and eventually shutsdown.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2010, 04:07:50 pm
content: A simple and good way to find out with your variable PSU. Attach it and drop the voltage slowly and see where it cut offs.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2010, 10:09:47 pm
content: Simon,In my experience modern laptops have power management modules that want to see close to the rated input voltage. I had this issue with old Toshiba laptops. There seemed little reason why they wouldn't work at 12V instead or 15V or 18V but they just wouldn't work. There were several manufacturers of switch mode voltage upconverters to enable businessmen to charge their laptop from a car cigar lighter socket.I picked up some good quality voltage upconverters (12V to 17.4V) for my Dell laptops on ebay. They were quite reasonably priced at less than £10. It might be worth a search for your voltage requirement. The unit also contain plenty of transient spike suppression to protect itself and the laptop.

author: House91320
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2010, 07:01:02 am
content: My laptop runs at 16vdc and i hit a wall at 14vdc.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2010, 12:30:38 pm
content: the cheapest method is any 12V batt (high energy though, not the AA sized or smaller) around, no harm i think since its lower than speced. it will either work or not work.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 22, 2010, 12:55:08 pm
content: well when I get around to making a variable voltage supply I'l have a go
Why are flex PCB's so expensive? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: allanw
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2010, 03:34:56 am
content: I came across this:http://www.synopticlabs.com/blog/?p=97And thought it'd be cool if I turned my TLC5947-based RGB stick into a flex PCB that was spaced out much wider.However, flex PCB's seem to be ridiculously expensive. The cheapest I found was Golden Phoenix which has them for $280/100 sq in (650 sq cm). If my strips were to be 100cm by 3cm, they'd cost $150 in PCB costs alone. Why are they so expensive when you can buy LED strips like this for so cheap?http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37&products_id=306http://cgi.ebay.com/1M-30-SMD-5050-LED-RGB-Remote-Control-16-colors-Strip-/180578978021?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0b5888e5#ht_2247wt_905

author: JohnS_AZ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2010, 04:51:36 am
content: It's been many years since I was involved in commercial PCBs, but here's my understanding;Regular PCBs are made on a fiberglass substrate, a VERY inexpensive material.Flex circuits are made on something like a very thick (relatively) Kapton-like material which is a lot more expensive.Long linear material, like the LED strip stuff, where the pattern is simple and repetitive can actually be made by screen printing the pattern with a conductive material, and then plating the copper on top of that. On a lot of flex circuits if you look on the metal side you see copper, but if you look at the back side through the substrate the patterns all look jet black. While the substrate is still more expensive the producer completely eliminates all the photo-lith etch processes, and saves a boat load of money.An aside, most people don't know that flex circuits with components mounted are not rated to be continually flexed. You'll get micro fractures where the components are soldered. Thus Ladyada's LED belt isn't going to last all that long.

author: gobblegobble
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2010, 10:07:06 pm
content: Let me toss a guess on instict.They're much less common and therefore the lower market volume drives the prices up. Correspondingly everything manufactured in hefty amounts becomes available for masses at cheap prices.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2010, 12:34:10 am
content: Quote from: JohnS_AZ on November 20, 2010, 04:51:36 amisnt there any possibility for workaround of this matter? sort of mechanical stuff (padding, support etc) to avoid fracture, excessive flex and shorter life?

author: joelby
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2010, 01:17:04 am
content: Quote from: shafri on November 22, 2010, 12:34:10 amJust use a thicker substrate. FR-4 is pretty good!

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 22, 2010, 02:01:43 am
content: Just stick an nVidia GPU on there