Recent content by Old Steve

  1. Old Steve

    Automated Lighting project

    Optocouplers would have been another option, but either method is pretty clunky compared to recording then sending the remote codes directly, (or direct connection as suggested by HellasTechn).
  2. Old Steve

    Automated Lighting project

    Should I have? I've had a break from electronics for quite some time, but drop in occasionally, saw this thread and thought I'd answer. (Been playing programmer for a year or two.) You haven't mixed me up with someone else have you? Good idea, if he doesn't specifically want the "remote"...
  3. Old Steve

    Automated Lighting project

    No problem. Glad to help. :) In reality, this method would require less parts than interfacing the Arduino with the remote control buttons. Good luck with it. Edit: One of the library examples allows you to receive the remote control codes and print them to the Arduino serial monitor. Then you...
  4. Old Steve

    Automated Lighting project

    Have you considered using the Arduino to record the IR remote control codes then directly send them to the receiver, without having to mess around connecting the Arduino to the IR remote control buttons? There's an Arduino library written for this purpose, "IRremote" by Ken Shirriff. It's...
  5. Old Steve

    How to time a watch winder

    If I were you, I'd go with the IRF540 MOSFET to drive it. Then stall current is irrelevant. It can handle up to 28A continuous, and has a very low 'on' resistance of 0.08 ohms, so won't need a heatsink. You didn't need a motor anywhere near that powerful for this, but it will definitely do the job.
  6. Old Steve

    Chatting about stepper motors and their control

    Don't be concerned about my reply, Hellmut. You won't be hearing from me again. Due to your attitude here in this thread, a PM from a member yesterday insisting that I help sort out a program problem that he was having, an argument today which ended in personal abuse directed at me, then a...
  7. Old Steve

    Chatting about stepper motors and their control

    Quite true, and when it's called for I do exactly that, but sometimes only a simple circuit is wanted, due to expense or when there's no need for fast pulse rates. It just depends on what's being built. And it doesn't change the fact that PWM is not 'necessary' to run a stepper. And although...
  8. Old Steve

    Chatting about stepper motors and their control

    Your condescending attitude is quite offensive, Hellmut. I am already very familiar with stepper motors and don't need lessons in power dissipation etc. I have used them many times over many years. PWM is not always used in their operation as you claim. Often, a fixed, constant voltage is...
  9. Old Steve

    [Project Help]Controlling LEDs with Visual Basic

    Further to what Harald said about an Arduino or similar external controller, you're better off going with a USB to TTL converter, rather than USB to RS232. RS232 has +Ve and -Ve levels, whereas for a micro-controller you ideally want 0V to 5V TTL levels to interface easily with the micro. USB...
  10. Old Steve

    Need some guidance with relays and timers

    Google "555 astable". The 555 could switch a relay, or even the solenoid directly if it's DC and uses less than 200mA. (If I say more, I'll end up designing the circuit, and I'm too busy right now. :) )
  11. Old Steve

    replacement part

    I see. I thought that you were possibly just after a single one for a repair. For the benefit of others who might know of a non-obsolete replacement, does it have to be pin-compatible with the AD9662? (I haven't checked the datasheets for the others you mentioned.)
  12. Old Steve

    Chatting about stepper motors and their control

    If I was running a 12V system, I'd go with motor1, and if I was using a 3V supply, I'd go with motor 2. The 12V motor would be better if the only consideration was current.
  13. Old Steve

    replacement part

    Have you considered replacing that AD9662 with an AD9662, since the T0816 and ZL40518 aren't available? :D These guys appear to have them. (Fingers crossed):- https://www.rocelec.com/parts/results/all/?s=AD9662ARQZ-REEL7&utm_source=supplyFrame&utm_medium=buyNow You could also contact this...
  14. Old Steve

    Wiring pot as voltage divider across polarities

    I don't know what to say. Did you really expect a perfect 5.00V and -5.00V, from cheap standard regulators? You're asking too much, I'm afraid. And if you got the voltages to +4.90V and -4.90V and still had a problem, the pot was the cause. You'll be lucky to do much better. You'd need...
  15. Old Steve

    Help with using shift register to expand uC output

    You could always post here, if no one on these forums wants to put in that much time:- http://www.microchip.com/forums/
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