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  1. hexreader

    How Electronics Equipment Aging is determined?

    "End of Service after 5 years" is for accountants, and means that the equipment is paid for after 5 years. The equipment might last 25 years if it still serves a useful purpose, or maybe 2 years if new technology makes it obsolete. Nothing to do with component reliability.
  2. hexreader

    16 x 2 alphanumeric LCD display is not working

    I reckon kellys_eye hit the nail on the head. Pin 3 should be connected to a contrast control pot, not left open.
  3. hexreader

    HOW DO I SHIELD MYSELF FROM A NEIGHBOURS SMART METER?

    Does the manufacturer of that meter state what the safe levels are? My guess is "no". The goal of that manufacturer seems to be to profit by promoting unfounded fear and confusion. Not sure how they are allowed to rip people off this way. The sooner they go out of business, the better IMHO...
  4. hexreader

    Trying to identify something that resembles a transformer!

    1 Amp (approximately) auto-transformer. Can convert 220V to 115V or 115V to 220V. 1A Maximum load (approximately) My advice is to bin it. Looks to be in sorry state and provides no isolation. Plus you do not know where it has been.
  5. hexreader

    Connecting corded phone to telephone socket in another room

    I agree with kellys_eye. Buy a set of cordless phones, connect the base station to the socket and leave as many additional handsets around the home as you want. Simple, cheap and effective. The device you link to seems to tie you to the room with the socket, if I read the spec correctly. Could...
  6. hexreader

    Make experiments safer, my workshop and concepts relevant in my opinion

    Seems you are having fun and enjoying life. Who cares how long it takes and whether a project ever gets finished. Not a fan of John Lennon normally, but I did like his quote: "The only time that is truly wasted, is time you do not enjoy" (or something close to that) Sounds like the perfect...
  7. hexreader

    Schematic Needed

    This appears to be Sinclair PFM 200. Service manual is downloadable, but I have not found schematic.
  8. hexreader

    Integrated Circuits

    Google gave me this link as first hit.... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_circuit
  9. hexreader

    Does anyone have history with measuring linear distances?

    You mean - "how long is a piece of string?" ROFL
  10. hexreader

    Or gate with shift register

    I am not sure that those alone are enough. I would use solder as well. ... but I suspect that the OP is looking for a completely different answer. Beyond me what the real question is :( @kingofjong - can you give a clearer question please? Which shift register (part number) and why do you...
  11. hexreader

    Cant figure out data bus register problem

    Each LED should have a series resistor (I would choose 1k Ohm) to limit current draw. Without resistor, each LED will drag voltage down to around 1.6 Volts, assuming typical red LED. 1.6 Volts may not be high enough to be seen as a '1' by the 74LS245 inputs.
  12. hexreader

    resistor decade pack

    Electricians will not likely be interested, but a good proportion of the forum members here might want it. Depends on asking price and on what it actually is. I would recommend posting a clear photo here and seeing what interest you get. If there is a model number written on the device, post...
  13. hexreader

    Ir break beam help

    As a side note: Your batteries may run flat quite quickly. You might want to consider whether 9V DC adapter(s) - (or multi-voltage DC adapter) might save money in the long run.
  14. hexreader

    Newbie from uk

    You made a good start by buying a ready made kit - looks like you made a neat job of building it. Pity it does not work, but don't despair, it happens to us all in the early days, and you eventually learn to be much more careful with component orientation and avoiding bad solder joints. Some...
  15. hexreader

    Ir break beam help

    Check the flat on the IR LED It looks reversed to me, but maybe it is a trick of the photo. EDIT: forgot to mention; a mobile phone camera will probably show whether the IR LED is lit. Try your camera with an IR TV remote to prove the concept, then try it on your IR LED
  16. hexreader

    Unable to read frequency of a tone signal with a frequency meter.

    No need for an actual ground connection, just make sure that a two-wire test lead is used for frequency counter, not a single wire. Your reply suggests to me that you are already doing the right things, so I now have no idea as to where the problem may be.
  17. hexreader

    Unable to read frequency of a tone signal with a frequency meter.

    In addition to the signal to be measured, did you also provide ground connection from your circuit to the frequency counter, or did you assume that the frequency counter is grounded? That frequency counter is unusual for a mains device in that the BNC outer connections are not grounded. Can't...
  18. hexreader

    Crimp connectors

    No need for cutting the boot off of a bootlace ferrule. Just buy ferrules with no boot, such as: http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-power/sten-1008/ferrules-uninsulated-bootlace/dp/CN11650 Very handy for all sorts of jobs, and uses same crimp tool as booted ferrules Not found boot-less ferrules for...
  19. hexreader

    Test Equipment

    Look at EEVblog for a vast store of knowledge and experience about test equipment. Stay on this forum for everything else! Rigol DS1054Z (hacked for 100MHz and all options) seems to be the budget scope of choice. Note that a hack is naughty and certainly voids warranty, which was why I paid a...
  20. hexreader

    Pickit 3 vs Arduino uno

    Get both. No argument required.
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