January 1991
THIS NICAD FAST CHARGER
is designed to run from a 12V
car battery & can safely charge
nicad battery packs up to 30V.
Construction starts on page 32.
FEATURES
6 Take Care Servicing Microwave Ovens by Jim Lawler
They can be lethal when things go wrong
14 Electric Vehicles: The State Of The Art by Gerry Nolan
New developments promise a brighter future
98 The Story Of Electrical Energy, Pt.6 by Bryan Maher
Tasmania's hydroelectric power system
PROJECTS TO BUILD
22 Have Fun With The Fruit Machine by Bruce Huguley
Just like the real 'pokies' but you don't lose your shirt
32 Fast Charger For Nicad Batteries by John Clarke & Greg Swain
FANCY A CRACK AT the pokies
but don't fancy losing your shirt?
This project will satisfy your
gambling passions. See page 22
Runs from a 12V car battery, charges nicad packs up to 30V
48 Build A Two-Tone Alarm Module by Darren Yates
Perfect for games, doorbells or as an alarm indicator
80 Build A Bigger Laser by Otto Primoj
New power supply can drive tubes ofup to lOmW rating
92 LCD Readout For The Capacitance Meter by Barry Naujok
Uses 4½-digit LCD panel & is battery powered
SPECIAL COLUMNS
42 Vintage Radio by John Hill
My fancy European models
66 Amateur Radio by Garry Cratt
How quartz crystals work
72 Serviceman's Log by the TV Serviceman
All the makings of a Chinese puzzle
88 Computer Bits by Jennifer Bonnitcha
Hard disc failure: what to do when disaster strikes
THEY MAY BE CONVENIENT to
use but microwave ovens can be
lethal for the unwary serviceman.
Our article on page 6 highlights
the dangers.
DEPARTMENTS
3 Publisher's Letter
4 Mailbag
52 Subscription Page
61 Product Showcase
86 Circuit Notebook
94 Back Issues
2
SILICON CHIP
96 Bookshelf
Ask SIiicon Chip
Notes & Errata
Market Centre
Advertising Index
107
109
110
112
NEW TECHNOLOGY has considerably brightened the prospects for electric vehicles. This
month, we begin a new series
that looks at the state of the art.
Turn to page 14.