This is only a preview of the April 1997 issue of Silicon Chip. You can view 25 of the 96 pages in the full issue, including the advertisments. For full access, purchase the issue for $10.00 or subscribe for access to the latest issues. Items relevant to "Build A TV Picture-In-Picture (PIP) Unit":
Articles in this series:
Items relevant to "A Digital Voltmeter For Your Car":
Articles in this series:
Items relevant to "Loudspeaker Protector For Stereo Amplifiers":
Items relevant to "Train Controller For Model Railway Layouts":
Articles in this series:
Purchase a printed copy of this issue for $10.00. |
PRODUCT SHOWCASE
Easy-start battery charger
from Altronics
This clever device should largely
eliminate the need to carry jumper
cables to start your car or somebody
else’s. Called the “Easy-Start” it is an
in-cable battery charger which plugs
into the cigarette lighter sockets of both
cars. The Easy-Start draws current
from the car with the good battery,
steps up the voltage a little and feeds
it to the cigarette lighter socket of the
car with the dead battery.
After being connected for five minutes, the manufacturer claims that
most cars with dead batteries should
have received enough charge to be
able to start. Whether that is true or
not in most cases, we like the concept
because it eliminates the use of jumper
cables. Jumper cables are potentially
damaging to any car with an engine
management computer and most car
makers warn against their use. Using
jumper cables also brings the possibili
ty of battery explosions and serious
damage to the cars concerned.
Our examination of the Easy-Start
reveals that it employs a switchmode
step-up circuit and probably charges
at somewhere in the region of five
amps, based on the appearance of the
Fluke 36
clamp meter
The Fluke 36 measures true RMS
current and voltage, DC current and
voltage, resistance and continuity
and shows readings on a 2000
count liquid crystal display. Ranges
are 0-600A AC, 0-1000A DC, 600V
and 0-200Ω. The continuity beeper
function operates for resistances of
less than 30Ω. The Fluke 36 has a
maximum reading hold function
for checking inrush currents on
motors or the maximum load on
a circuit.
Designed to UL, CSA and TUV,
the Fluke complies with IEC 1010
safety standards. It comes with
Fluke Hard Point test leads, a
protective soft carrying case, a 9V
battery and is covered by a one-year
warranty.
80 Silicon Chip
For more information, contact
Obiat Pty Ltd, 129 Queen Street,
Beacons
field, NSW 2014. Phone
(02) 9698 4111; fax (02) 9699 9170.
components and the gauge of the connecting cables. No performance data
is given on the packaging.
When the Easy-Start is first connected, a green LED is lit and then when it
is charging the dead battery, three red
LEDs light in sequence. The overall
cable length is 5.5 metres.
The whole package is much easier
and safer to use than jumper cables
and should be very popular, particularly with drivers who have a second
vehicle which is not driven often and
therefore prone to the occasional dead
battery.
The Easy Start is available from
Altronics in Perth or any Altronics
reseller. It is presently available at
an introductory price of $39.95. (Cat
A-0295).
Low cost handheld
programmer
Stag Programmers has launched the
P301, a full-featured handheld portable programmer which includes a PC
Windows and DOS software package
for full control via a PC. The Stag
P301 also has wireless communication
with a host PC through an infrared
IrDA interface, as well as an RS232
port.
The P301 provides programming for
up to 32-bit structures based on 8-bit
devices through a single wide blade
socket capable of accommodating 8,
24, 28 and 32-pin DIP packages with
either 0.3-inch or 0.6-inch pitch. It
will program EPROMs, EEPROMs,
serial EEPROM s and Flash/ CMOS
PROMs. Adapters are also available for
PLCC, TSOP and SOIC devices.
The device support library is fully
updatable and is held in non-volatile
63VA transformer
is wired
This 12V 60VA transformer was
design
ed for use with halogen
lighting in homes.
Fully encapsulated and enclos
ed, it is intended to be mounted in
the ceiling space. However, it could
be used in almost any application
where a continuously rated 12V
63VA transformer is required. Its
overall dimensions are 207 x 48
x 42mm.
flash memory which means that no
additional library support ROMs are
required.
Device selection is menu driven,
either by the manufacturer’s part name
or automatically via the electronic ID
to select the programming algorithm
for the device in the socket. Stag also
makes device library updates available
A particular attraction of the
transformer is that it comes fitted
with a 2-core power flex and a
moulded 2-pin power plug. The
transformer is protected against
overloads by a thermal cutout
which is in series with the primary
winding. The secondary connection is via two screw terminals
which are shrouded by a plastic
cover.
The transformer is available
from all Jaycar Electronics stores
at $24.95 (Cat. MP-3050).
free-of-charge on its Web site.
The unit is fitted with 128Kb of
RAM as standard, expandible to 512Kb
or 1Mb and devices are programmed
in blocks if the RAM fitted is smaller
than the device. 8-bit, 16-bit and 32bit structures are supported and are
automatically handled by “Interlace
2”, Stag’s method of splitting and
shuffling data without the intervention
of the user.
Either battery or mains-powered
for both portable and desktop applications, the P301 features a 4 x 20
character alpha
n umeric reflective
super
twist LCD and 23 dedicated
function and cursor keys. The P301’s
battery can either be trickle charged
using the supplied mains adapter or
boost charged using the optional offline charging unit.
For more information, call Emona
Instruments on (02) 9519 3933 or fax
on (02) 9550 1378.
Thin-film power
chip resistors
New thin-film power chip resistors
recently introduced by Philips are
among the first to offer the same pulse
power capability as leaded products.
As well, the new PRC202 resistors
can handle higher pulse surges and
significantly higher current densities
than equivalent thick-film types.
The resistors are supplied in the
same package (ie, 1218) as the Philips
thick-film PRC201 series. This is the
same size as the standard 1812 package
but with the terminations on the longer
side. The PRC201 range has already
demonstrated that this significantly
improves heat transfer and increases
the strength of the solder joint. It also
reduces stresses and hence improves
reliability.
Nearest equivalents to the new
PRC202 thin-film series offering comparable continuous power handling
THE “HIGH” THAT LASTS IS MADE IN THE U.S.A.
Model KSN 1141
The new Powerline series of Motorola’s
2kHz Horn speakers incorporate protection
circuitry which allows them to be used safely
with amplifiers rated as high as 400 watts.
This results in a product that is practically
blowout proof. Based upon extensive testing,
Motorola is offering a 36 month money back
guarantee on this product should it
burn out.
Frequency Response: 1.8kHz - 30kHz
Av. Sens: 92dB <at> 1m/2.83v (1 watt <at> 8Ω)
Max. Power Handling Capacity: 400W
Max. Temperature: 80°C
Typ. Imp: appears as a 0.3µF capacitor
Typical Frequency Response
MOTOROLA PIEZO TWEETERS
AVAILABLE FROM:
DICK SMITH, JAYCAR, ALTRONICS AND
OTHER GOOD AUDIO OUTLETS.
IMPORTING DISTRIBUTOR:
Freedman Electronics Pty Ltd, PO Box 3, Rydalmere NSW 2116. Phone: (02) 9638 6666.
April 1997 81
capability are available only in the
larger 2512 size.
The new resistors are available
in values from 0.1Ω to 100Ω with
tolerances down to ±1% and with
temperature coefficients of less than
200 ppm for values between 0.1Ω and
1Ω, and 50 ppm for values between 1Ω
and 100Ω. They are supplied in blister
tape and can be placed by all standard
surface-mount assembly machines.
For further information, contact
Philips Components, 34 Waterloo
Road, North Ryde, NSW 2113. Phone
(02) 9805 4479; fax (02) 9805 4466.
125W 12VDC to
230VAC inverter
There are quite a few different 12V
to 240VAC inverters on the market
but few are as compact and as neatly
packaged as this one. It comes in a
neat extruded aluminium case which
functions as the heatsink for the internal electronics. It has a single 3-pin
AC outlet on the top and a short cable
fitted with a cigarette lighter plug for
the DC input. There are no switches
–you just plug it in and it goes.
Overall dimensions of the inverter
KITS-R-US
RF Products
FMTX1 Kit $49
Single transistor 2.5 Watt Tx free
running 12v-24V DC. FM band
88-108MHz. 500mV RMS audio
sensitivity.
FMTX2A Kit $49
A digital stereo coder using
discrete components. XTAL
locked subcarrier. Compatible
with all our transmitters.
FMTX2B Kit $49
3 stage XTAL locked 100MHz
FM band 30mW output. Aust
pre-emphasis. Quality specs.
Optional 50mW upgrade $5.
FMTX5 Kit $98
Both a FMTX2A & FMTX2B on 1
PCB. Pwt & audio routed.
FME500 Kit $499
Broadcast specs. PLL 0.5 to 1
watt output narrowcast TX kit.
Frequency set with Dip Switch.
220 Linear Amp Kit $499
2-15 watt output linear amp
for FM band 50mW input.
Simple design uses hybrid.
SG1 Kit $399
Broadcast quality FM stereo
coder. Uses op amps with
selectable pre-emphasis.
Other linear amps and kits
available for broadcasters.
82 Silicon Chip
are 128mm wide, 122mm long and
53mm high.
There are three LEDs on the top panel – one indicates that it is operating,
while the other two indicate whether
the battery is good or low.
The output waveform is a modified
PO Box 314 Blackwood SA 5051
Ph 0414 323099 Fax 088 270 3175
AWA FM721 FM-Tx board $19
Modify them as a 1 watt op
Narrowcast Tx. Lots of good RF
bits on PCB.
AWA FM721 FM-Rx board $10
The complementary receiver
for the above Tx. Full circuits
provided for Rx or Tx. Xtals
have been disabled.
MAX Kit for PCs $169
Talk to the real world from a
PC. 7 relays, ADC, DAC 8 TTL
inputs & stepper driver with
sample basic programs.
ETI 1623 kit for PCs $69
24 lines as inputs or outputs
DS-PTH-PCB and all parts. Easy
to build, low cost.
ETI DIGI-200 Watt Amp Kit $39
200W/2 125W/4 70W/8 from
±33 volt supply. 27,000 built
since 1987. Easy to build.
ROLA Digital Audio Software
Call for full information about
our range of digital cart players & multitrack recorders.
ALL POSTAGE $6.80 Per Order
FREE Steam Boat
For every order over $100 receive
FREE a PUTT-PUTT steam boat kit.
Available separately for $19.95,
this is one of the greatest educational toys ever sold.
square wave type and it is silent in operation. We tested the unit by plugging
it into a cigarette lighter socket and
then measured the RMS output voltage
when the unit was driving a standard
lamp fitted with two 60W globes. With
around 12.6V, it delivered 200V with
Teac 12-speed CD-ROM
Teac Corporation in Japan has released a
12-speed CD-ROM drive, the CD-512. The CD-512
features a data transfer rate of 1.8Mb/s and a choice
of ATAPI (CD-512E) or SCSI (CD-512S) interface,
MW DMA Mode 2 and PIO Mode 4 to minimise
CPU utilisation (CD-512E), motorised tray loading, an MTBF of 100 000 hours (10% duty cycle),
horizontal or vertical mounting and compliancy to
Windows 95 and
Window NT.
The CD -512
has an industry
standa rd 5.25inch format.
The front panels
controls include
an eject button, a
stereo mini jack and a thumbwheel volume control.
There is also an emergency CD release mechanism
which can be used to release a CD if there is no
power available.
This drive is compatible with the CD-DA, CDROM (mode 1, mode 2), CD-ROM XA mode-2 (form
1, form 2) Multi Session Photo CD, CD-I, Video-CD,
CD Plus and Enhanced CD disc formats.
For further information, PO Box 25, Bangor NSW
2234. Phone (02) 9749 2633; fax (02) 9749 2152.
one 60W globe on while with two 60W
globes the voltage dropped to 140V.
At just below 12.6V, the low battery
light comes and the unit emits a loud
whistle.
Having been warned, we started the
motor and the battery voltage rapidly
came up to 14V. At this point, it would
deliver 200V with one or two 60W
lamps on.
The unit should be suitable for many
applications, driving mains voltage
equipment where no 240VAC is available. It is available from Altronics in
Perth or any Altronics reseller. It is
priced at $140.00 (Cat. M-8105).
PCB POWER
TRANSFORMERS
1VA to 25VA
Manufactured in Australia
Harbuch Electronics Pty Ltd
9/40 Leighton Pl. HORNSBY 2077
Ph (02) 9476-5854 Fx (02) 9476-3231
Philips “talking
remote” finds itself
With Philips hifi stereo video cassette recorders (models VR656 and
VR856), you will always be able to find
your remote control. No longer will
you need to throw a tantrum or glare
at the children whenever the remote
control for your VCR or TV has been
misplaced.
The new Remote Locator video
cassette recorders from Philips “call”
the remote device with a “beep, beep”
when you press the power button on
the deck. And once you’ve found the
remote for the VCR, there’s a good
chance you won’t have to worry about
the one that’s missing from the TV. The
Philips remote is multi-branded and
multi-functional, which means it can
operate most TVs as well.
Both units are 6-head, hifi stereo
VCRs with Incredible Picture(TM) chip
circuitry to improve the picture quality. The VR856 model is Multisystemcompatible which means it can record
and play back tapes from the various
systems in use around the world.
G-Code makes programming a cinch
BassBox®
Design low frequency loudspeaker enclosures
fast and accurately with BassBox® software.
Uses both Thiele-Small and Electro-Mechanical
parameters with equal ease. Includes X. Over
2.03 passive crossover design program.
and the new “Turbo Drive Mechanism” gives faster access to all play,
fast forward and rewind functions.
Other features include audio and
video front input sockets, digital audio
tracking, widescreen-compatible playback, tape counter, NTSC playback
(Model VR656 only), PAL, NTSC and
SECAM record and playback (Model
VR856 only).
Recommended retail prices are $769
for the VR656 and $989 for the VR856.
For further information, contact your
nearest Philips retailer.
With component test speeds said
to be several times faster than other
automatic test equipment currently
available, the 5200 Power MDA excels in situations where high fault
coverage and very high throughput are
important. In practice, using the 5200
Power MDA results in more than twice
the normal throughput in a typical
manufacturing setup. The Windows
based software ensures test programs
and fixture designs can be quickly
developed manually or from CAD data.
For further information, contact
Marconi Instruments, 1/38 South St,
Rydalmere, NSW 2116. Phone (02)
9638 0800.
SC
Manufacturing defects
analyser
The new 5200 Power Manufacturing
Defects Analyser (MDA) from Marconi Instruments is designed to meet
the needs of high volume PC board
manufacturers. The 5200 Power MDA
includes vectorless testing (Marconi’s
Q-test is configured as standard),
Boundary-Scan and new “power-on”
test techniques. Comprehensive
software for program generation and
debug tools ensure ease of use.
$299.00
Plus $6.00 postage.
Pay by cheque, Bankcard, Mastercard Visacard.
EARTHQUAKE AUDIO
PH: (02) 9949 8071 FAX: (02) 9949 8073
PO BOX 226 BALGOWLAH NSW 2093
April 1997 83
|