Recent content by Rick L

  1. Rick L

    guitar amp

    One of my hobbies is building cigar box guitars. They are simple instruments and fun to build. Building these is what got me back into electronics. I built an amp based on the lm386 and it actually worked better than I was hoping for, now I would like to build something with a bit more power. My...
  2. Rick L

    Assistance with identifying this switch

    Have a look at this one, https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11151
  3. Rick L

    Making $$$$ out of your electronics business?

    Finding the right "Fit" to me is hard part. I have worked with some very intelligent people but for what ever reason things didn't click and the end result was not what it could have been or should have been. I have also worked with people who were out of their element and lacking in knowledge...
  4. Rick L

    Making $$$$ out of your electronics business?

    Having the knowledge and ability doesn't guarantee success. You need the motivation to go out and find a place who needs your knowledge and ability, and is willing to pay a fair price for your skills. Being in the right place at the right time doesn't hurt ;)
  5. Rick L

    LED optic sensor circuit

    Job well done! I personally find little projects like this very satisfying, find the problem, figure out what it is supposed to do, make it work again. Thanks for sharing. :)
  6. Rick L

    LED optic sensor circuit

    I'm using RadioShack photo transistors in a project I'm currently working on. http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2049724 I'm not sure if the one I'm using is the same as the one you are using, my guess would be they are the same. The ones I am using I can turn on with a white...
  7. Rick L

    3 Simple Questions About PCBs

    I agree with Steve "The best bet is to ask the people manufacturing the board. They will know." If you have asked the manufacturer this question and not gotten a satisfactory answer, you may want to try a different company.
  8. Rick L

    Sensitive microphone

    Let me Google that for you.... http://bit.ly/1tTMudr
  9. Rick L

    Digital programmable CDI ignition for 2-stroke engines

    If you haven't looked at them yet MegaSquirt might have what you need. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=11&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CGcQFjAK&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.msextra.com%2F&ei=P4qQU9XpHcyVyATFvIHQCg&usg=AFQjCNFPmaYSjSnTqUj-HuDN5Qao4zSGrg&sig2=Ct1XwAsGQyuTYAkGp68hRQ I...
  10. Rick L

    Phototransistor question

    Thanks again for all your help you guys :). Kris if you are not a teacher you should be, your explanation cleared things up for me. I found a data sheet on the photo transistor and that gave me a starting point for my emitter resistor value. The max collector current is 25 ma, CE saturation...
  11. Rick L

    Phototransistor question

    Thanks for your help Steve and Kris, I don't have a data sheet for the phototransistor I'm using. It was purchased at Radio Shack and I am finding that they don't offer much info on the parts they sell. I'm sure a Google search will get me the info I need. I have been referring to a "Fairchild...
  12. Rick L

    Phototransistor question

    I realized I didn't specify in my original post the pellets are being shot from a pellet rifle. Forgive my ignorance, I'm not sure what TX and RX mean. During the mockup phase of this project I was able to get this circuit to "see" pellets dependably. It was not hooked up to the 555 timer...
  13. Rick L

    Op Amp for speaker circuit

    The LM386 makes a great little amp, power it with a 9 volt battery and you have a great little portable amp. There are different versions of the LM386N-4 is capable of more wattage than the others. I have built a couple portable guitar amps using the LM386. Sometimes distortion is desirable ;)
  14. Rick L

    Phototransistor question

    I am in the middle of a project and have some questions. The project is an electronic target that will detect a 4.5mm pellet traveling at 600 fps. When the pellet is detected it turns on an LED to signify a good shot. My pellet detector is a white LED opposite a phototransistor. When the pellet...
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