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  1. chopnhack

    RadioShack Electronics Learning Lab and Sensors Lab

    It is!! Steve's recommendation of a transistor may seem simple, but I believe it will take anyone quite some time to learn it fully. Look at the resources section, Steve has posted a primer on BJT's which is a basic type of transistor. Don't be discouraged, it may take you some time to...
  2. chopnhack

    Rain Sensor Status

    Thanks Kris, with any luck I can get back out there on tuesday :) I also realized that the LED I used was so damn bright, it will be a nuisance... I will have to order some diffused LED's to replace them. I assume the red will be just as bright. I can't move the physical locations of the LED's...
  3. chopnhack

    Rain Sensor Status

    I'm not sure, the switch was bone dry when I first tested it out - I was on the roof, had a good view of it and there has been no rain in the last few days ;-) I was even able to depress the button to actuate it and it clicked back into original place. I thought the schematic was drawn in the...
  4. chopnhack

    Rain Sensor Status

    Well.... we had limited success :( I populated the board, tested for shorts to ground before hooking it up to AC - all good. Powered on, green LED came on - all good. Climbed up on the roof and wet the sensor came back down expecting to see the red LED lit up - no good! Powered off and checked...
  5. chopnhack

    a more simple request (was solar / relay / timer control thread)

    Sorry, didn't label that one - wall outlets, mains outlets. Edit: Fixed images
  6. chopnhack

    a more simple request (was solar / relay / timer control thread)

    @henry barbera Does this sum up your existing installation? Three arrays of three cells, each feeding a microinverter. The microinverter's AC output is fed into wall outlets which more than likely where installed by the electrician or yourself to be on the same circuit or breaker as your AC...
  7. chopnhack

    Designing a Time Delayed Relay

    I hope that this was the last revision :-0 - minor one, needed to move the lower right corner mounting screw location next to C1 instead of where it was now by the TIP29, the heatsink partially blocks some of it and depending on screw heads it may keep it from directly contacting the board...
  8. chopnhack

    a more simple request (was solar / relay / timer control thread)

    I reread some of the original post. The diagram of what you are dealing with did clarify things, thanks for that. Working with what you have, would you be able to conveniently splice a connection in series with the three PV grids? That would eliminate the need for clamp on meters. The board I am...
  9. chopnhack

    a more simple request (was solar / relay / timer control thread)

    Hi Henry, I am working with Kris on something that maybe able to be repurposed for your needs. I am at the stage of re-checking the board layout before sending it off for production. The device that Kris has helped me extensively with (Thanks!!) is used to sense when there is current flowing in...
  10. chopnhack

    Rain Sensor Status

    As a test, I tried the toner transfer method on a piece of galvanized sheet I had leftover from another project. Interesting results. A little touchup was needed in a spot or two, but encouraging. The paper I used was less than ideal, there was only one choice at Office Depot - double sided...
  11. chopnhack

    Designing a Time Delayed Relay

    Turn's out this phase is quite crucial. More hidden gems were uncovered.. I forgot to order the heat sink as well as I didn't order enough jumpers if I should want to make a second unit. Quite alright, gives me an excuse to order the rain sensor parts while I am at it ;-) Also, K1 needed to move...
  12. chopnhack

    Sound to light for my son's Dalek

    That's quite good for as many parts as you have on your board! Best of luck working on a hovering Dalek when he asks for one!!! ;)
  13. chopnhack

    Designing a Time Delayed Relay

    Yes!! You must watch it again...LOL Indeed, I had created the part from a datasheet and only realized when I looked at the model that the datasheet was bottom up schematic!! This is why they prototype!!! I will reprint my pcb and see how the components look when placed. I'll snap a pic when I do.
  14. chopnhack

    Designing a Time Delayed Relay

    Vinnie Jones, classic :-) Did you ever see him in Snatch? I love that movie. One of the best parts is when he's at the pub and three blokes try to roll him!! LOL I ordered the parts and somehow, Digi-Key had them here in less than 2 days!! Standard postal service... I was shocked to see the box...
  15. chopnhack

    Rain Sensor Status

    True, I didn't expect anything more than the 3VAC. I guess that it would have been safer with a 1/2 wave rectification, would not have had the potential to draw the negative cycle through the common. I have so much to learn yet!!
  16. chopnhack

    Rain Sensor Status

    I had the leads of the DMM across the terminals where the rain switch is connected - RS and C. I will recheck this day after tomorrow, but that is how I came up with the numbers to design the circuit. Again, thanks for the explanations and the super simple design :-)
  17. chopnhack

    Rain Sensor Status

    Wow!!! Totally missed that... Why would that have not shown on my meter when I actuated the switch? Was it too fast of a transient? Thanks for explaining that to me :-)
  18. chopnhack

    Adding Fuses and Amperage

    I'd like to point out that you can not exceed the max allowed by the original wire serving the feed. In other words if the wiring harness that feeds that fuse is capable of only 10 amps then that is your total max allowable to be used at once. Some auto's have wiring harnesses that have fusible...
  19. chopnhack

    Rain Sensor Status

    Wow, I would have never guessed that.... When I picked the part, I figured since it was on the 5v side of the regulator a 2:1 safety margin was adequate. When I checked the simulation and it was only about 2.7V I felt pretty comfortable. How did you come up with ~40V?
  20. chopnhack

    Rain Sensor Status

    Thanks Kris, I appreciate the walkthrough. I am glad I didn't do more damage!! I was very surprised though when I plugged it in and saw the Red led come on, go off and as I was reaching to pull the adapter off the socket, a pop! The magic smoke was well contained inside the case, so much so that...
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