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  1. pgib8

    Sealing a coax end from RFI leaks

    Ok, here are my thoughts now. The decoder box is actually feeding in some higher frequency signal. I assume there is metal in the cars. The decoder is measuring inductance of the loop (just like at traffic lights). As the cars pass over the loop, they temporarily change the inductance and that's...
  2. pgib8

    Need to replace DC gearmotor with a stepper one

    This is probably of no help but why not just try it :-P You may also be able to use multiple H-Bridges in parallel for more current (they sure do that with audio amplifiers).
  3. pgib8

    Sealing a coax end from RFI leaks

    I'm also not sure what you are saying. How does a coax cable detect the cars? If your coax cable is exposed at the end, I mean what is that about? Any cable I ever see connects to something on either side (unless it's an antenna). You'll have to carefully open up the plastic end on the factory...
  4. pgib8

    microcontroller or raspberry?

    Kind of doubtful, especially if you are planning on using a high-resolution camera. All in all, you'll be spending way more time on it than you have to. There are plenty of other opportunities for a uC, that you can use to learn.
  5. pgib8

    interfacing MSP432 with analog resistive bridge sensors

    As long as it doesn't exceed the supply voltage of the uC you can connect it to an analog input and you should get some reading. Your mV signal may only cover a small portion of the range of the analog input, so if you need to maximize the resolution of your reading you will need to...
  6. pgib8

    Microcontroller for remote control car with camera

    I'm also in favor of buying separate components. If you are truly hellbent on building everything yourself, a cheapish microcontroller isn't going to cut it. A decent (modern) camera runs on a high-speed interface, generally using multiple data lanes + clock and using differential signals. To...
  7. pgib8

    BIOS being replaced

    I just read about UEFI replacing old-school BIOS in computers. UEFI can support remote diagnostics and repair of computers, even with no operating system installed. translate? UEFI provides remote access to your computer at the deepest level (think: turn on camera without LED coming on), and...
  8. pgib8

    tuned (tank) circuit, oscillator, Q

    Colin to answer your question, I do not really have a reason, I'm just curious about it. Maybe one reason would be that it would be (a little) harder (for me) to match them. Is it bad if my capacitor is 100 times larger than it needs to be (ignoring losses), when we're talking about a part that...
  9. pgib8

    tuned (tank) circuit, oscillator, Q

    I should probably have mentioned that I had a transistor in there too to top it off. I thought it would be fun to build a little FM transmitter for the purpose of learning more about tuned circuits. I wind my own air-core RF coil, I have one with 5 turns and I made another one with 9 turns...
  10. pgib8

    tuned (tank) circuit, oscillator, Q

    Hi! I've been wrapping my head around the beautiful and magical workings of tuned circuits and everything about inductance and capacitance. For a tuned circuit I understand (and btw. i'm specifically referring to parallel LC), that any combination of capacitor and inductor will have one and...
  11. pgib8

    Bike HUB motor (as generator):why a power output difference between LED array and Supercap charger

    well then i'm out of ideas and you're welcome.
  12. pgib8

    Building a portable solar charger for my laptop!!

    I've only used it once so far. I don't have the data you are asking for but I can tell you that I always had PLENTY of power (which was the idea of getting a bigger setup). I wouldn't consider it mobile though, unless mobile in the sense that you're transporting it with a car. The panel is...
  13. pgib8

    Bike HUB motor (as generator):why a power output difference between LED array and Supercap charger

    One more thing, just did some reading about it. This may be your missing link, pun intended. http://www.electway.net/news/difference_between_Asynchronous_and_synchronous_generator.html "However, an asynchronous generator in a stand alone system can be used if it is provided with capacitors...
  14. pgib8

    Bike HUB motor (as generator):why a power output difference between LED array and Supercap charger

    Oh and a small conductor in series to me sounds like to reduce current spikes. Inductors like to keep the current going through them the same and induce a voltage to oppose any change. Capacitors pretty much do the opposite, they like to keep the voltage on them the same and will induce a...
  15. pgib8

    Bike HUB motor (as generator):why a power output difference between LED array and Supercap charger

    Ok next thought: We haven't talked much about the generator. I don't know too much about generators but I think some (maybe most) need reactive power. It probably has something to do with the fact that they don't have a permanent magnet but rely on some current going through the stator to...
  16. pgib8

    Bike HUB motor (as generator):why a power output difference between LED array and Supercap charger

    ah i see. you know quite a lot about the super cap and the circuit. you may also be onto something. you said the dc is smooth-ish. Without an oscilloscope it may be hard to tell. Can you try your meter on the AC setting? Maybe it will give you some info. I would suspect that both your DC/DC...
  17. pgib8

    Building a portable solar charger for my laptop!!

    It may or may not work. Often times it's more than just a DC voltage and the laptop will know it's not getting power from its beloved power supply and complain about it. Only one way to find out though. I have a similar setup myself, except I just use an inverter from 12VDC to 120VAC and then...
  18. pgib8

    Ionized diffuser

    I've had 2 similar units myself and they sure didn't last long either. At least write a product review to warn others. Even if you restore the other board, you will still only have 1 working piezo transducer.
  19. pgib8

    Bike HUB motor (as generator):why a power output difference between LED array and Supercap charger

    Well, you say power output, but maybe you should think of it as power-draw by the components. When the crank has very little physical load, it means no or little power is being drawn. The capacitor probably charges up in no-time. So you might think you get little output but really, you have way...
  20. pgib8

    clever vibration motor driver?

    I used solder-less breadboards in the very beginning. Real PITA and sometimes the connections were lose. What Bob is doing would also not work for me. I'd spend half the time troubleshooting the wiring. I'd clip on a probe in one area and then get a short or open connection in another. The...
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