Recent content by Nerdz

Im a little late to the party. Ive used a laser printer and photo paper for years! About a few years ago I started using a sponge with ferric chloride to etch the boards in a matter of minutes. Recently, I started using OSHpark. 3 PCBs are very cheap depending on the size. I use the service if...

Do you have sensors for the job? You cant rely on counting steps all the time, you should have some sort of proximity switch to detect when the wire is at the desired length.

Hi Chuck Yes there is. Its a blank Arduino Sheild https://www.sparkfun.com/products/7914 http://www.newark.com/arduino/a000083/add-on-card-protoshield-r3-blank/dp/44W8114?mckv=soi8Tx2c3|pcrid|53816244741|plid|&CMP=KNC-GUSA-GEN-SHOPPING-ARDUINO...

Yes, as long as it uses that common controller (HD44780, etc). Theres one with a serial connection. That will work too.

You Might actually be able to do that-Just never connect it to the internet. M$ has a tendency to "phone home". If you never are connected it will never know if windows is valid or not, just that the key is valid. Ive had a separate computer for programming PICs for a while and tried my hardest...

I would actually try posting/searching on the arduino forums, Ive heard that they are very helpful there.

I think you might have to download the Driver for it, probably the FTDI driver. http://arduino.cc/en/guide/windows#toc4

Hi Chuck Oddly enough when I started Highschool and then college thats how I started out (despite already having programming experience). Logic gates, K-Maps and then FPGA's (which were fun). Ask me how often I use any of that-None, but the basics I use on a daily basis. When I program at work...

Ah yes, the laser transfer method. Ive had success on up to 10 mil traces and very tiny SMD parts, but now I use OSHpark for my PCBs :). Word of caution: Dont buy the cheap Arduino clones On ebay! Ive heard they might be missing a few things, and the FTDI USB-UART chips may not be legit...

I use PIC micro exclusively, what PIC did you use? PIC16F,18F,24F,32MX? PIC 16F and 18F (and some 24F) can be programmed using the PICkit2, but good luck finding them. You can get clones off of ebay for cheap. The PICkit3 will program everything now a days, including anything new. What part...

You could give it a shot. I wonder how they determine what goes in it. Just grab off the shelf? I got aluminum hollow square-which has limited use.

Id like to add more to the above point. At various points you will get frustrated. Dont let it get to you. Just remember its a hobby and its done for fun. Walk away if you get to frustrated with something, its not worth being angry over :).

Im not a machinist by any means, nor do I have much experience. What ever I have learned has been from hands on or from the many books Ive read. I have made a few wobblers, then I made the EZ engine (you can find it around here), and now Ive decided to try to make a 2 Stroke. It requires no...

Just a bit of a concern: You show 36V RMS. 36V RMS is 50.904v peak. Subtracting out the rectifier (1.4v) leaves 49.504v. Can your system handle the extra 1.5V? This voltage will also fluctuate depending on the load conditions in your house as well.

One issue with checking transistors is they are hard to check in circuit. You could measure across the base and emitter, and then across the collector and emitter to see if you get a drop, but it will all be a little guess work. Its a little harder with a FET. All these steps require you to have...