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SILICON Australia’s World-Class Electronics Magazine! CHIP 7 $ 90* JANUARY 2005 INC GST NZ $ 8 75 INC GST PRINT POST APPROVED -PP255003/01272 ISSN 1030-2662 9 771030 266001 01 At last! A V8 DOORBELL that sounds like a REAL V8! Simple Summer FUN Project: Save water & power with this neat PRAWNLITE SHOWER TIMER SILICON CHIP If you are seeing a blank page here, it is more than likely that it contained advertising which is now out of date and the advertiser has requested that the page be removed to prevent misunderstandings. Please feel free to visit the advertiser’s website: www.jaycar.com.au Contents Vol.18, No.1; January 2005 www.siliconchip.com.au FEATURES 8 VAF DC-7 Generation 4 Kit Speakers They’re smaller and more affordable than the DC-X model but still offer excellent sensitivity and performance – by Philip Vafiadis & Simon Wilde 12 Build Yourself A Windmill Generator, Pt.2 A washing machine motor makes a cheap and effective alternator but first you need to make a few modifications – by Glenn Littleford VAF DC-7 Generation 4 Kit Speakers – Page 8. 40 Review: Tektronix TPS2000 Series LCD Oscilloscopes They’re battery-powered, fully-isolated and are ideal for power measurements and analysis, as well as all the usual tasks – by Peter Smith PROJECTS TO BUILD 24 Build A V8 Doorbell Is the sound of a V8 engine music to your ears? This project will give a deepthroated V8 rumble when your front doorbell is pressed – by John Clarke V8 Doorbell – Page 24. 34 IR Remote Control Checker Check your remote controls with this simple project. It will quickly tell you if the remote is dead or if one or more buttons has stopped working – by Jim Rowe 60 4-Minute Shower Timer The sound of running water starts a 4-minute countdown to an annoying alarm. It’s easy to build too, as the PC board comes pre-assembled – by Ross Tester 66 Wanna Go Prawning? You’ll Need The Prawnlite You can pay twenty or thirty bucks for a kilo of prawns. Build our Prawnlite and you can catch the little beggars yourself – by Branko Justic & Ross Tester 76 Simon Says . . . Nostalgia – it ain’t what it used to be! Here’s a PIC-based update of a popular game from the 1970s – by Clive Seagar SPECIAL COLUMNS 44 Serviceman’s Log What’s cooking? It’s just the TV set – by the TV Serviceman 82 Vintage Radio Outback communications: the Flying Doctor radios – by Rodney Champness 92 Circuit Notebook IR Remote Control Checker – Page 34. (1) Lithium-Polymer Peak Charger; (2) Efficient Fan Speed Controller; (3) Simple White Noise Generator; (4) PICAXE-Based Toy Traffic Lights With Battery Saver; (5) 12V Halogen Lamp Dimmer DEPARTMENTS 2 4 57 59 65 Publisher’s Letter Mailbag Product Showcase Silicon Chip Weblink Order Form siliconchip.com.au 89 97 100 101 103 Book Review Ask Silicon Chip Notes & Errata Market Centre Ad Index Build A Prawnlite – Page 66. January 2005  1 PUBLISHER’S LETTER www.siliconchip.com.au Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Leo Simpson, B.Bus., FAICD Production Manager Greg Swain, B.Sc.(Hons.) Technical Editor Peter Smith Technical Staff John Clarke, B.E.(Elec.) Ross Tester Jim Rowe, B.A., B.Sc, VK2ZLO Reader Services Ann Jenkinson Advertising Enquiries Phil Benedictus, Laurence Smith Benedictus Smith Pty Ltd Phone (02) 9211 9792 Fax: (02) 9211 0068 info<at>benedictus-smith.com Regular Contributors Brendan Akhurst Rodney Champness, VK3UG Julian Edgar, Dip.T.(Sec.), B.Ed, Grad.Dip.Jnl Mike Sheriff, B.Sc, VK2YFK Stan Swan SILICON CHIP is published 12 times a year by Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd. ACN 003 205 490. ABN 49 003 205 490 All material copyright ©. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Printing: Hannanprint, Noble Park, Victoria. Distribution: Network Distribution Company. Subscription rates: $83.00 per year in Australia. For overseas rates, see the subscription page in this issue. Editorial & advertising offices: Unit 8, 101 Darley St, Mona Vale, NSW 2103. Postal address: PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097. Phone (02) 9979 5644. Fax (02) 9979 6503. E-mail: silchip<at>siliconchip.com.au ISSN 1030-2662 * Recommended and maximum price only. 2  Silicon Chip Cheap audio equipment is no bargain At least 25 years ago, the American Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued rules to the hifi industry which effectively stopped manufacturers from making outrageous claims about audio power output. For example, the FTC set a onehour pre-condition test at 40% of the amplifier’s power rating as one of the criteria to be met. In other words, if an amplifier was to be rated at 100 watts per channel, it had to be able to withstand testing at 40 watts per channel for an hour, before the full power test was performed. There were screams of protest from the manufacturers at the time, because it just so happened that the 40% test condition was quite onerous and not far off the maximum power dissipation in an amplifier. It meant that the amplifiers needed good power supplies and generous heatsinks to be able to meet the testing regime. But it was good for consumers. In a very short time, outrageous power output claims disappeared and amplifier designs became much more conservative in their engineering which ultimately resulted in long life and very good performance. As in so many other aspects of technology, Australia benefited from these overseas regulations but now, since the vast majority of consumer electronic equipment comes from Asia, the benefits of those regulations have disappeared. We now have the ludicrous situation where flea-powered home theatre equipment can come with claims of 5000 watts output, even though its true output is only a few watts per channel. If you want evidence of this, visit one of the consumer electronics stores at your local shopping mall – or have a look at what’s being offered on Ebay. If you look more closely, you might find that such huge power ratings are accompanied by the letters “PMPO”, standing for peak music power output. I am not even going to try to explain or justify these fictitious ratings – they are just nonsense. In fact, if a piece of audio or home theatre equipment makes any reference to “PMPO”, it is fair bet that it is junk and if you buy it, it will end up on the council clean-up in a very short time. The same comments can made about a lot of after-market car equipment. Some of the claims about car speakers defy logic. People are buying car speakers on the basis that a 400W speaker must be better and louder than a 100W speaker and of course the retailers seldom provide any useful guide. In fact, it is entirely possible that a 400W loudspeaker could be less efficient than a competing 100W speaker and therefore will not be as loud for a given power input. Sadly, it seems as though there is no government consumer advocate who has the skill or willingness to make regulations or guidelines for most consumer electronic equipment. In the absence of guidelines or regulations, consumers are buying a lot of junk and it soon ends up in land-fill. Unfortunately, even when there are no outrageous power claims, a great deal of low-cost electronic audio equipment sold these days is junk anyway and it seldom lasts for more than a year. For example, in many small audio systems, the CD player packs up after not a lot of use and it is not worth getting it repaired after the warranty has run out. As an informed reader of SILICON CHIP, you can help less informed people by advising them to stick to the better known brands of equipment which comes with a one or two-year warranty and avoid the stuff that is really cheap. Leo Simpson siliconchip.com.au New Bits for the N e w Ye a r NEW! Broadband Router/Firewall Share any broadband connection and protect your network with this router/firewall Cat 10162-7 $129 CCD Barcode Scanner This robust scanner is great for basic POS applications. Cat 8698-7 $269 NEW! 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Cat 6523-7 $199 The Smart Card reader/writer is PC/SC version 1.0 complient. Cat 8981-7 $139 RAID Server The RAID server includes the controller and two removable frames which accept two IDE drives. Cat 2874-7 $779 NEW! FireWire 800 Card This PCI card supports both FireWire A and the new B with speeds up to 800Mbps. Cat 2997-7 $129 RFID Access Control Use the keypad or RFID tags or both for secure access to any site. Has a serial output for logging on a PC. Cat 1008143-7 $549 Front Access Video Editing Captures both analogue and digital video signals, & has an easy front access bay. Cat 23027-7 $399 USB to Parallel Allows the user to plug an older parallel printer into a USB port. Cat 2697-7 $39 Portable Data Terminal 1Mb CCD RS-232 portable terminal includes power supply, and a free program generator. Cat 9239-7 $799 Console Sharer Allow two consoles to share one PC. Cat 11667-7 $139 NEW! Front Access Bay This 5¼ "bay has USB 2.0, FireWire, power out, audio in/out and a 6 in 1 memory card reader. Cat 6765-7 $129 wLAN Access Point Multi-Homed ADSL Router This 802.11g AP supports both 802.1x and TKIP authentication. Cat 11439-7 $159 Enhance reliability & double your ADSL capacity by using two different ISP's. Cat 10145-7 $399 Serial to Ethernet Easily web enable your serial devices. Available in 1, 2, 4, and 8 port models. Cat 15141-7 (single port) $259 VOIP Phone Make VOIP phone calls, just connect the phone to your LAN. Uses SIP protocol. Includes LCD display. Cat 10161-7 $349 Serial to Wireless LAN Use any serial devices over a wireless connection. A higher gain antenna can be attached to cover long distances. Cat 15155-7 $529 Wireless LAN Equipment! We’ve got the lot - antennas, cards, pigtails, converters, cables! MicroGram Computers Ph: (02) 4389 8444 FreeFax: 1800 625 777 Vamtest Pty Ltd trading as MicroGram Computers ABN 60 003 062 100, info<at>mgram.com.au 1/14 Bon Mace Close, Berkeley Vale NSW 2261 All prices subject to change without notice. For current pricing visit our website. Pictures are indicative only. J 2005  3 See all these products & more on our website...www.mgram.com.au siliconchip.com.au anuary SHORE AD/MGRM0105 Dealer inquiries welcome MAILBAG 42V car electrics a labour hazard Your article on 42V car electrics in the November 2004 issue was most enlightening (no pun intended). However, it brings to mind possible problems with regard to the qualifications of people. In Queensland, there is a specification for ELV (Extra Low Voltage). To the best of my knowledge, this is defined as 32V AC. At or below this ELV, no licence is required to install or maintain wiring and equipment. Above this voltage, an electrician’s licence is required. The ELV specification allowed the installation of 32V electrical systems in remote homesteads, etc. I wonder what the licensing authorities will make of the 42V DC systems in cars. Will all motor mechanics have to have qualifications as electricians? Brian Clancy, Roma, Qld. Comment: no doubt the poor misguided Queensland authorities will seek to put some further hobbles on industry there. Unwired coverage map not real I read Ross Tester’s November 2004 report on the “Unwired” wireless broadband modem with considerable interest. A quick check on the “Unwired” website revealed that I was in a “pink” area; ie, one with sufficient signal for reliable operation. I purchased a unit. Alas, despite diligent efforts, I could not detect a signal in my computer room, nor any other convenient locations. Murphy’s Law prevailed, however, and I obtained a weak, intermittent signal in a most inconvenient location! I called the technical hot-line and it became apparent that my modem transceiver was capturing a tower in Lidcombe in Sydney, approximately 15km from my house, bypassing two nearer towers. No matter what we did, we could not encourage the unit to capture the nearest tower (in Ryde) and secure a more reliable signal. 4  Silicon Chip On reflection, it became clear to me that the pink – “so you can purchase” region is simply a computer-generated “prediction” of the coverage area. It probably has some basis in theory but actual signal strength? Unlikely. A look back at the relevant website page reveals quite a few disclaimers! I love the idea of high-speed Internet access. I just hope that many of your other readers do not waste their time as I have. Gary Johnston, Hunters Hill, NSW. Rural mobile phone coverage is poor Re your editorial entitled “Fixed Phone Lines No Longer A Necessity” in the November 2004 issue. Widen your horizons a little. Out here in the rest of Australia, mobile phone service is at best patchy and for anything like internet without landlines, you had better have really deep pockets and very long arms. We actually live on Highway A32 (the only one from Adelaide to Sydney through Broken Hill) and in this town mobile phone coverage is essentially non-existent. How about helping the rest of Australia with your editorials instead of painting a silly and very misleading picture of everything being just peachy? Art Clarke, Manoora, SA. Comment: The editorial is in no way an endorsement of mobile phone coverage in the country. For those people who do have a reasonable mobile phone service where they live (and the vast majority do), the editorial is correct and is backed up by Telstra’s own recent report that fixed line revenue is falling. As you state, country coverage is poor and unwired broadband services in rural areas may never happen. Hidden danger in autotransformer connection The circuit shown in the November issue page 86 is very elegant. However, there is one very important warning which I was given over 30 years ago when I tried the same arrangement for work. If one of the primary leads comes adrift with the secondary still connected, then the voltage on the loose wire will be the voltage drop across the secondary winding multiplied by the turns ratio. This could be a very high voltage in the order of a thousand volts with a 20 to 1 turns ratio. This is another reason to enclose the transformer in a secure box. My design was refused for safety reasons. Paul Niehoff, Blackburn, Vic. PICAXE pin terminology justified Following the recent discussions over port/pin/leg terminology (See SILICON CHIP, November 2004, page 92) I would like to provide some background to the situation. The first microcontroller BASIC language was developed by Parallax for their Stamp system around 1992. They used the word pin within input decisions such as ‘if pin0 = 1 then’. Unfortunately, this has now become the universal standard used within at least a dozen microcontroller BASIC applications that I am aware of. We don’t particularly like this terminology but unfortunately it has become the standard that most users expect. Note also that the word PORT has a different usage within this original BASIC language and so cannot be used. Within the PICAXE system, we have always provided an alternative to the BASIC terminology ‘pin0’ in the form of ‘input0’. Therefore users can type ‘if input0 =1 then’ to achieve the same task as ‘if pin0 = 1 then’. This is our preferred terminology that we tend siliconchip.com.au Atmel’s AVR, from JED in Australia Autotransformer connection not ideal Your circuit for an autotransformer as published on page 86 of the your November 2004 issue of SILICON CHIP does not show the recommended manner of connecting up an autotransformer. You have achieved a voltage reduction by connecting the secondary of the transformer in such a way that its voltage opposes the primary voltage. Although it works, it is not the most effective way of reducing the mains voltage. It is easier to see the problem if your circuit is redrawn as in Fig.1, so that the autotransformer resembles a tapped coil such as is often used in high frequency circuits (which is effectively what an autotransformer is). In this case, once the “tapping” is made, the remainder of the “coil” is wound in the reverse direction (the same way that a non inductive resistor is wound). The primary of the transformer has to carry the full mains voltage and the secondary has to bear the full load current. For a 21.6Ω load, the transformer would need to be rated at 240VA. The more logical (and usual) way to connect an autotransformer is to connect the secondary so that its voltage adds to the primary voltage. For a voltage reduction, the load is connected to the “tapping”. This is shown is Fig 2. Neither winding carries the full mains voltage nor bears the full load current so the voltage and current in each winding of the transformer have been reduced by 9.1% and the transformer now needs to be rated at 200.3VA – a reduction of 16.5% over your circuit. If a full 10% voltage reduction was needed then you would need a 240V to 26.67V transformer and it would need to be rated at 216VA. Greg Schoenmakers, via email. to use in our educational datasheets when possible. It is of interest to note that most other BASIC languages don’t even offer an alternative as we do. Due to the historical confusion over the term pin (which is beyond our control), we took the decision to not to refer to ‘physical external pins’ via the term ‘pin’ within our educational projects as we felt it could confuse the target audience (13-14 year olds). I feel using the term ‘leg’, although not necessarily “professional”, does cor- rectly describe to a 13-year old child what we are talking about (without any confusion over the term ‘pin’). I fully appreciate that electronic engineers may not like the ‘leg’ term but we believe it is in the best interest of the target audience of the educational worksheets. Within SILICON CHIP I fully understand why you and your readers would prefer not to use the term ‘leg’ and so I would recommend that in the future authors talk about ‘physical pins’ and use the terminol- siliconchip.com.au JED has designed a range of single board computers and modules as a way of using the AVR without SMT board design The AVR570 module (above) is a way of using an ATmega128 CPU on a user base board without having to lay out the intricate, surface-mounted surrounds of the CPU, and then having to manufacture your board on an SMT robot line. Instead you simply layout a square for four 0.1” spaced socket strips and plug in our pre-tested module. The module has the crystal, resetter, AVR-ISP programming header (and an optional JTAG ICE pad), as well as programming signal switching. For a little extra, we load a DS1305 RTC, crystal and Li battery underneath, which uses SPI and port G. See JED’s www site for a datasheet. AVR573 Single Board Computer This board uses the AVR570 module and adds 20 An./Dig. inputs, 12 FET outs, LCD/ Kbd, 2xRS232, 1xRS485, 1-Wire, power reg. etc. See www.jedmicro.com.au/avr.htm $330 PC-PROM Programmer This programmer plugs into a PC printer port and reads, writes and edits any 28 or 32-pin PROM. Comes with plug-pack, cable and software. Also available is a multi-PROM UV eraser with timer, and a 32/32 PLCC converter. JED Microprocessors Pty Ltd 173 Boronia Rd, Boronia, Victoria, 3155 Ph. 03 9762 3588, Fax 03 9762 5499 www.jedmicro.com.au January 2005  5 Mailbag: continued ogy ‘if input0 = 1 then’ in programs. This avoids any historical ‘pin’ word confusion which, unfortunately, is beyond our control. Clive Seager, Technical Director, Revolution Education Ltd. Electric fence revives battery I have recently revived a discarded car battery by connecting it to an electric fence for a month. Maybe this is old hat. Before the fence treatment the battery would not retain enough charge to start a car overnight. After treatment it retains charge for a week. A month might seem a long time to wait for a result but hey, it doesn’t cost anything. Frank Murphy, via email. Comment: that’s interesting. It is similar in concept to the Battery Desulphator circuit published in the February 2003 issue. Upload/download discrepancy causes problems with VoIP Thank you for publishing that informative article on VoIP internet telephony in the September 2004 issue. Telstra should be quaking in their boots! However, those readers who like me are still waiting for broadband to become available might be well advised to check their dial-up connection speeds in both directions before rushing in. With many service providers and Telstra/Bigpond in particular, there is a large discrepancy between download and upload connection speeds. When testing the “Skype-Out” internet telephone operation on my system, I could hear the other side (downloaded) clearly after a short time delay (0.5 seconds or less) but in the other direction there was a time delay of several seconds – up to 10 seconds in effect and very often it was broken up or garbled. I tested this by ringing up my own mobile phone from the internet phone. Having an alternative service provider to Bigpond, I tried that as well and I was having much better results although there was still a noticeably different time delay between the trans6  Silicon Chip mission directions. I think the bottom line is: use broadband if you want to use internet telephony and ask your service provider about the difference in upload and download connection speeds before signing up. Gunter Seidel, Alice Springs, NT. Fixed line phones lower in cost I would like to comment on some of the points raised in your editorial and the article on wireless broadband in the November 2004 issue. The suggestion that having only a mobile phone is cheaper than a fixed line phone certainly isn’t true for me and my family. I looked at my most recent phone bill and worked out what it would have cost if we had made all our calls (excluding dial-up internet) by mobile. The cost came to more than three times what we paid for making the calls on our fixed line phone, including line rental, etc. I looked at a few different mobile plans – not just the pre-paid plan we have on our mobile but none came even close to being comparable to the fixed line cost. I find it rather objectionable that someone would choose to have only a mobile phone and then expect me to pay the high call cost if I want to call them from my fixed phone. This is especially so with businesses. If I’m looking for a particular product and have a choice of companies to call, those that only give a mobile phone number don’t get my call, especially if I need to ask lengthy questions about the product, etc. I’m not so sure that Telstra should be so worried by the increase of wireless communication since their wired network is still needed. After all, if I use my mobile to call another mobile on the other side of the city, the “wireless” part of the signal path is quite short – from my mobile to the nearest base station and from the nearest base to the phone I’m calling. The signal is still mostly carried by the copper and/ or fibre-optic network. I would imagine that the wireless broadband internet system would be the same. An employee of Telstra once quipped to me, “Optus is our biggest customer”. Is there enough spectrum space available? If we all decided to ditch our fixed line phones, our ADSL and cable internet and go wireless, would there be enough spectrum capacity to cope or would spectrum pollution rise to the point where the system became unreliable? I belong to an organisation that uses wireless microphones on the PA system at our meeting place. A visitor from the USA said that over there people are abandoning radio mikes and going back to cords because spectrum pollution is making wireless mikes too unreliable. I realise that the analog FM system used on radio mikes is different to the sophisticated spread-spectrum digital systems of today’s wireless communication networks but I still think that the more wireless gadgets we embrace, the more cluttered and noisy our spectrum space will become. Ray Chapman, via email. Wanted: a laptop with a bright screen On the front cover of the November 2004 issue there is a picture of a man using a laptop computer in bright sunlight with an obviously very visible colour screen. Are you able to tell me what brand the computer is and the type of screen please? I ask the question because I have a back porch where I would like to go on nice days and be able to do computing and soak up some of the supposedly useful reflected sun’s rays! Two previous laptops did not perform well in the bright light; they were back-lit screens. My present desk-top computer is a powerful machine, as I use it for graphics, photographs and text. I know there are laptop computers out there which are just as powerful as this one but I am principally interested in what appears to be an outstanding screen. Eric Jamieson, Meningie, SA. Comment: Oops! We’ve been caught doing something that photographers and graphic artists have been doing for many years – artificially embellishing video screens. siliconchip.com.au It’s done to just about every photograph you ever see, in newspapers and magazines, of any type of video monitor, including TV sets. The reason it is done is that it is very difficult to adequately photograph a monitor with its screen on and get a good result for both the monitor (in this case a computer) and the screen. You have to overexpose significantly to get the screen detail which of course doesn’t make the rest of the picture look much good. Therefore, two exposures are taken, one of the screen and one of the rest, with computer software used to marry the two shots. Or if it’s a computer monitor, it’s likely to be a “screen capture” that is dropped in, rather than a second photographic exposure. In the case of the cover you are talking about, the image on the screen in direct sunlight was very subdued, as you would expect. So as far as your enquiry is concerned, that computer won’t do what you want. It’s on a par with most other laptops/notebooks as far as brightness is concerned. TVs should have digital tuners Keith Walters has quite correctly described the mess that is digital television (Mailbag, December 2004 issue). But there are other aspects of the situation which I find quite as bizarre. How is it that, nearly three years after the introduction of digital TV, very few receivers are sold with digital tuners? Even if you pay thousands of dollars for a big plasma TV you will still be expected to accommodate another box to house the receiver. As it happens, my personal gripe is not with the display as I can’t afford a big screen set and I am happy with my 28-year old 4:3 set. I have a digital set top box which has proved to be an excellent investment to avoid the intermittent electrical interference which often spoils my reception of the VHF channels. But I also like to record broadcasts for time-shifting. Although I have a DVD recorder and a recentmodel VCR, neither has a digital tuner and neither can record the output of the set-top box using its timer. So either I use the timer to record broadcast plus interference or I have to be on hand to press the record butsiliconchip.com.au ton when using the digital signal. How stupid is this? The Federal government has done its best to cripple digital TV and it seems to me that it has been aided and abetted in this task by the equipment manufacturers. Sometimes life gives us an unexpected bonus. I bought the set-top box to avoid interference but I was delighted to find that I could use it to fill the screen with a 600-line picture instead of the 500 (or less) that the broadcasters expect me to use. Mostly it doesn’t matter that I lose a bit at the sides of the picture. Similarly, I replaced my old VCR because I was fed with having to reset the clock every time we had a momentary power cut. The new machine holds its settings for three years. But I find it has a couple of other useful features. I never expected to use the “extended play” setting but during the Olympics it was useful to record up to nine hours on 3-hour tape and play some of it the next morning with quite reasonable quality. And the indexing feature which locates the beginning of a recording rapidly and accurately is really useful. It may be a mature technology but it still has a lot going for it. John Neate, via email. RFID implants While reading the Publisher’s Letter in the December 2004 edition, I was amazed that anyone could seriously entertain the idea of implanting RFID chips into people. Human nature being what it is would mean that this technology would be exploited by various groups in society, leading to an era of inequality and discrimination not seen in this country before. If the chips were made mandatory, either as an implant or built into a smart version of a driver’s license, two things would be guaranteed to happen. First, the government would ultimately end up placing RFID readers in every public place to help with “the war on terror”, raising the question of why they would want to know where everybody is all the time. More of an issue would be the use of RFID readers by business. There would be companies that would pay shops to place the readers in every store and allow them to collect data on what shops you go to and what and how often you buy. Before anyone talks about legislation only allowing the government to access the data, financial institutions would call for the data to stop credit card fraud, prove ID, etc and most probably they would get it. This data on your spending habits would be used to push products that you may be interested in (although not necessarily needing or wanting). Imagine going into a car dealer, only to get an SMS about a “special limited time only” finance deal. If you think telemarketers are bad now, then this may be your worst nightmare. With an RFID system, you have no control over who reads your number and the associated data that marketing companies may have collected. At the moment, you can choose whom you give this data to but with an RFID tag under your skin you most definitely can not. Having a form of identification that can be read without your knowledge or consent would open a vast array of issues that would make even George Orwell cringe. Jay Herbert, via email. Comment: like it or not, marketing companies already have lots of data about you and your socio-economic group and they use it however they wish, without any choice by you. Halogen lamps and UV I want to comment on previous discussion about halogen down-lights and their high UV content (see page 109, November 2004 issue). I needed some UV to harden some plastic. I went to the major hardware retailer and could only find covered dichroic lamps in stock. Single 12V 50W halogen lamps were labelled as zero UV. I purchased a 240V 150W halogen lamp but when tested, zero UV was present. Amazed at this, I eventually found an old uncovered dichroic lamp mounted in the ceiling and it proved to have significant UV output. The manufacturers must have changed the glass type to eliminate the UV. The moral of this story is that things change. Leigh Brown, via email. January 2005  7 The new VAF DC-7 Generation 4 Kit Speakers This new speaker from VAF Research looks very similar to their highly regarded DC-X Generation IV but this model is smaller and much more affordable. It will fit more easily into smaller rooms but still offers a high level of accuracy and high sensitivity. By Philip Vafiardis & Simon Wilde 8  Silicon Chip siliconchip.com.au The 170mm black composite Kevlar woofers are specially made to VAF’s specifications. D Note the unusual vented voice coil & vented spider arrangement significantly reducing thermal compression and secondary resonance issues. id you admire and drool over the new Generation 4 version of VAF’s legendary DC-X loudspeaker presented in the August 2004 issue of SILICON CHIP? Maybe you liked the speakers but their imposing size and price presented some big hurdles. The new DC-7 G4 described here should be considered as a DC-X on a smaller scale. Still very accurate, with high sensitivity and low distortion, the DC-7 G4t is more compact and room friendly. In essence, the new VAF DC-7 G4t consists of two woofers, one tweeter and a slim floor -standing cabinet, in a design along the same general lines as the DC-X series. However, there is more to it than that. First of all the woofers and tweeters are far from ordinary. The 170mm diameter Black Composite Kevlar cone woofers have been specially made to VAF’s specifications. They feature T-shaped pole pieces and large, high-temperature voice coils. The spider and voice coil are also vented using the same method as in the larger woofers in the DC-X series. This provides dramatically improved voice coil cooling which significantly reduces thermally related compression. An additional benefit is that no air is trapped behind the voice coil. This motor structure offers exceptional dynamic linearity, providing a linear excursion of 7mm and a total excursion of over 12mm. The composite cone has been moulded using resins that provide exceptional damping. VAF then fit the cones with two proprietary pads to further enhance propagation of sound through the cone. The cone edge is terminated in a very compliant high loss soft rubber surround and specially treated with a proprietary decoupling ring. In addition, these drivers are magnetically shielded. Finding a single tweeter sensitive enough for the new DC-7 G4 but still being of very high quality proved to be a challenge. All the tweeters that were originally tested were Cumulative Spectral Decay of the DC-7 G4. Note how fast and even the initial decay is. The faster the speaker decays, the more easily a new sound it reproduces can be heard. The step response is almost ideal. The steep vertical rise indicates that the woofers and tweeter have good time alignment. siliconchip.com.au January 2005  9 Note the unusual heatsink fitted to the DC-7 G4 tweeter. The speaker connection terminals are capable of biamping: removing the straps between the pairs allows you to use separate amplifiers for bass and treble. either not sensitive enough or not accurate enough. The specified tweeter has a high temperature-resistant voice coil, rare-earth magnets, a 25mm treated silk diaphragm, a high-loss surround and Ferro-Fluid cooling for the voice coil. An integral shallow horn in front of the dome is carefully shaped to provide a flat overall response and efficient air-coupling. The tweeter is deeply recessed in the cabinet baffle to ensure time alignment. This ensures that signals from the tweeter and woofers reach the listener’s ears at precisely the same time. This is shown by the step response measurement which has an almost perfect vertical lead-in with a smooth return to reference level. This is a text-book result. The heavy cabinet also features angled bracing to minimise resonances in the panels and to act as reflectors to minimise the acoustic reflections inside the enclosure. In a normal cabinet this reflected energy eventually returns to the woofers and is radiated into the room. This is can mask the direct sound being reproduced by the woofers and can compromise fidelity. VAF have targeted Stored Energy in other ways too. As any tweeter radiates its sound forward it also radiates some of its sound across the baffle. If this sound reaches a cabinet edge it will be re-radiated and this will muddy the sound. These effects are combatted by the soft pads around the tweeter; these are highly efficient acoustic absorbers. They have two separate layers which have distinct individual shapes to effectively eliminate cabinet-related diffraction from the tweeter. A large quantity of VAF’s Hypersoft III Foam also fills the cabinet in critical areas, ensuring that internal reflections at higher frequencies are well attenuated. This is demonstrated by the very fast Cumulative Spectral Decay response. VAF believe that if acoustic problems are dealt with fundamentally and directly at their source, the resulting The Impulse response settles in under 0.4mS. Frequency Response of the DC-7 G4. Note how flat and smooth this response is even around the transition 3KHz to 8kHz crossover area. 10  Silicon Chip siliconchip.com.au A close up view of the tweeter area (centre of photo) showing the two individual layers of diffraction control. Specifications Frequency response... 43Hz–20kHz (1/3-octave smoothed) Phase response........... ±15° from 200Hz–20kHz Harmonic distortion.... 0.3% from 40Hz-20KHz at 93dB Nominal Impedance..... 8W (4W minimum) Sensitivity..................... 93dB/1W <at> 1m Dimensions.................. 1050 x 193 x 300mm (wxhxd) Weight........................... 36kg pair Standard finishes include Book Matched, Crown Cut Oak (as shown here) or Jarrah (as shown on page 8). Genuine Black Oak is also available. fidelity will be superior to the more normal design approach of using complex electrical crossovers to cover them up. This attention to detail enables the use of a far simpler crossover which even so, uses 1% tolerance resin-bound, air-cored inductors, close-tolerance polypropylene capacitors and non-inductive close-tolerance resistors. VAF supply the crossovers fully assembled with the labelled wiring loom already attached so assembly is very straightforward. The set of hardware supplied with the speaker kits goes as far as a spanner to do up the floor spikes! siliconchip.com.au Kit prices & how to buy VAF make these new speakers in three different forms. First, kits without cabinets: these include all the parts required to build a full pair of speakers but without the cabinets or cabinet materials. CAD drawings are provided for those who want to make the cabinets themselves. This is the lowest cost option at $799 per pair. A full kit including precision made, fully assembled and finished cabinets can be bought for just $1399 per pair. Standard finishes include book matched, crown cut oak, jarrah and genuine black oak. The DC-7 G4t loudspeakers can also be purchased bought fully assembled for $1599 pair in the same finishes. $42 fully insured freight applies to each kit option and covers most locations in Australia. Kits can only be purchased directly from VAF Research, Phone 1800 818 882 (free call) or fax 08 8363 9997. They are not available in shops. Email orders can be directed to vaf<at>vaf.com.au VAF make a wide variety of loudspeakers. See the full range at www.vaf.com.au SC January 2005  11 BUILD YOURSELF A WINDMILL GENERATOR Part 2 - the alternator by Glenn Littleford* Have you ever wanted to build a decent-sized wind turbine to help charge those batteries? Are you handy with basic hand tools and a welder? Well, here’s Part 2 of our Windmill project, based on a motor from a washing machine, a few odd car parts, some timber for the blades and a kit “platform” to hold it all together. 12  Silicon Chip siliconchip.com.au Warning: please note the following! Inside the Fisher & Paykel Smartdrive washing machine motor – top left is the magnet hub, top right the stator, centre is the drive shaft, while at the bottom are the retaining plates and nut. We need all these parts for our windmill. I started this windmill project a couple of years ago as an experiment and it has since developed into not only a reliable wind generator but a rewarding hobby. Please note that what is described here is not a complete system but an ideas platform, to allow you to develop your own windmill. The results depend on your own abilities and the final location of the windmill. But with care in construction, especially the propeller blades and a position with 20km/h or higher wind speeds, you can expect to achieve output powers of 300W or better. Construction will be divided into three sections: alternator, platform, and blades. This month we will concentrate on the alternator. Next month will be for the platform to support the alternator, propeller and tail assembly and after that we will show you how to make a set of high-performance timber blades. But first up a reality check: are you sure you want to build a windmill of this scale? You’re going to need at leasT an acre of land – it’s not a good idea erecting a two-metre diameter windmill on *www.thebackshed.com siliconchip.com.au a six-metre mast in your suburban back yard, unless you get along VERY well with your neighbors! Some people consider windmills visual pollution and will complain. And you should get approval from the local authorities before putting up the mast. In addition, you will need good average winds and a location with a clear view (from the windmill’s perspective). This windmill won’t generate any useful power unless the wind speed is over 20km/h. Noise Despite what many think, windmills are not noisy. You will not normally hear any noise from a windmill unless you are almost standing next to it (or Windmills can be dangerous if not constructed carefully. While the windmill described here was designed to be strong, we have no control over the handyman capabilities of the builder or the effects of mother nature and therefore offer no guarantee of safely or durability. Also note that the alternator described here can produce dangerous voltages, even when spun at low speed. Treat all electrical terminals as dangerous at any time the alternator is rotating. We recommend the following: Obtain local government approval before erecting your windmill. Obtain an engineer’s approval for any windmill you build, especially the tower and footings. (Local government approval will probably require it anyway). Don’t scrimp on safety equipment (eg, guy wires) or on protection from the elements (especially rust and corrosion protection). Don’t place your windmill where a failure could cause injury, as towers can fall over and blades can break free. It is recommended that the ground around the windmill be clear of buildings, kid’s play areas, etc, to at least the height of the windmill (including the blades) and that it be placed at least that distance from your property boundary. A badly corroded drive shaft. This might be OK for bench testing but I wouldn’t stick a big propeller on it! January 2005  13 Exploded view of the motor from a F&P service manual. We need everything with the exception of item 2, a hall effect sensor used to detect the hub (item 5) position. unless the bearings are shot!). In high winds there is a distinctive “whooshing” noise but it’s not any louder than the wind blowing through the trees. There is, however, always some vibration produced by the alternator and this can travel down the mast. For this reason I recommend you don’t mount your windmill on the roof of your house – the drone could be unbearable. Sourcing the motor The heart of the windmill is the Fisher & Paykel Smartdrive motor, as used in Fisher & Paykel washing machines manufactured since the late The F&P Smartdrive stator before modification. 1990s. The Smartdrive is basically a huge stepper motor, wired in a 3-phase star configuration and consists of a fixed stator and a hub containing magnets that rotates around the stator. The stator consists of 42 poles constructed of steel laminations embedded in plastic. Stator diameter is 250mm. The hub has 36 magnets embedded in plastic, with hidden steel laminations to complete the magnet circuit. For our windmill we use the stator, hub, and also the stainless steel drive shaft, bearings and stator retainer plates from the washing machine. In this article the Fisher & Paykel motor will be referred to as the “Alternator” Use a screwdriver to lift up the interconnecting leads to make cutting easier. 14  Silicon Chip As the Smartdrive has been around for several years now, they are starting to show up in recycling yards and dumps and can often be picked up for a few dollars. If you can get hold of a complete washing machine, all the better, as there is a collection of springs and bits that could come in handy for future projects. Removing the motor is a relatively simple task, requiring no special tools. And the motor controller has some fancy electronics, including a pressure sensor and power mosfets which could come in handy. Electrical repair shops are another source for Fisher & Paykel parts: find your local repair agent Lay down the first bus lead and solder the first coil lead from each group. siliconchip.com.au First cut and strip 6 lengths of 20A insulated wire as shown. These will form our new bus bars. The original stator had 3 sections, each with 14 poles. The modified stator will be divided into 7 sections, each with 6 poles. The windings are cut as shown above and reconnected to the six bus bars as shown below. Use different colour wires for the buses to make life easier! and offer them universal currency (a carton of beer) in exchange for a couple of used Smartdrive motors from their scrap bin. You might get lucky! Or you can buy the motor parts new from Fisher & Paykel agents at a reasonable cost. What to avoid There are a couple of things to look out for when sourcing your motor parts. Shorted Windings: Water ingress into the windings causes copper corrosion and shorting between the coils, or to the steel laminations, making the stator worthless. Corroded Shaft: The shaft needs to support the weight and thrust of the propeller, so make sure there is no serious corrosion or pitting. Another concern is cracking in the plastic hub or stator. If not too severe, a few small cracks can be fixed with epoxy adhesive. Once all bus wires are connected, you can use cable ties to secure it all together. siliconchip.com.au Fit a terminal strip to the finished stator. This makes it easier to change from star to delta configuration. January 2005  15 01-A DELTA CONFIGURATION 02-A 03-A 01-B 02-B 03-B 01-A STAR CONFIGURATION 02-A 03-A 01-B 02-B 03-B The difference between delta and star configurations. How you connect them is up to you – basically, you get more current but lower voltage with a delta configuration and more voltage but less current with a star configuration. Some windmills are arranged to switch from one to the other on demand. Warning: do not place the stator in the hub! The hub has a plastic spline and retaining nut designed to slowly feed the hub over the stator while it is still attached to the washing machine (or windmill!). There is a strong magnetic attraction between the two and its easy to get your fingers jammed. And if you do end up with a stator and hub stuck together, it’s quite difficult to separate them. Rewiring the stator In factory form, the stator is wound as a 3-phase star winding, each leg consisting of 14 poles wired in series to give 42 poles total. There are currently three basic types of Fisher & Paykel stators available. The early models were wound with 1mm wire and are not recommended 16  Silicon Chip for this project. Next, Fisher & Paykel released a 0.8mm wire version and the latest model is wound with 0.6mm wire. These are the most common and both versions are ideal for our wind generator. When spun by hand the alternator can produce over 100VAC. Even at this low speed the voltage is too high for charging a battery bank, not to mention dangerous. We need to make a few changes to get this voltage down to a useful level and, at the same time, increase output current. This is done by cutting the interconnecting wires between the stator poles and reconnecting them into a new configuration. By doing this the alternator can be wired for charging 12V, 24V or 48V battery banks. We will look at a configuration for charging 12V batteries, this being the most common. Once again, remember this series of articles is designed to let you experiment with windmill generators, so the following is a suggestion only. For our 12V setup we need to rewire the stator into seven pole groups, each with six poles. Each group generates 3-phase power and by connecting the groups in parallel, we can increase the output current seven times. We also have the option of connecting the 3-phase groups as either a star or delta configuration. Put simply, star produces more voltage, less current and delta produces less voltage and more current. It is possible to automatically switch from star to delta as the windmill speeds up but we will leave this for another day. Starting from the factory-fitted spade connectors, cut the stator windings as shown. You might find it helpful to use a small screwdriver to lift the interconnecting wires for easier access. You should end up with 42 wire ends, each about 20mm long. Strip 5mm of the enamel coating from each wire with a sharp knife, sandpaper, or you can do what I do and use a small blow torch to carefully burn off the enamel and then sandpaper to finish. Next you need six lengths of wire, about 700mm long. Use wire capable of 20A (a length of 7-core trailer wire is perfect). Use different coloured wires if possible as it will make identification of the phases a lot easier. Each wire needs to be stripped in seven places at 70mm intervals – these will be our bus wires. Now lay down the first bus wire and solder the first lead of each pole group. Repeat the process for the remaining 5 wires. After you have soldered all the groups to the bus wires, use some cable ties to secure the bus wires together. Finally, add a terminal block to the end of the bus wires. Once the stator has been re-configured, you need to protect it from the weather with a couple of coats of paint. The plastic used in the F&P motors is subject to UV damage. That’s not much of a problem when hidden under a washing machine but it’s a real concern on a windmill. So paint the stator and hub with a UV resistant exterior paint. Make sure the siliconchip.com.au + “DC” OUTPUT 3-PHASE AC INPUT – 6 AUTO K DIODES (EG FROM CAR ALTERNATOR) A Above: two 35A bridge rectifiers, mounted on suitable heatsinks, can be connected to rectify the 3-phase output of the alternator. Note that two of the diodes in the second bridge are unused but this is a cheap way to go! Delta vs Star configurations There are two possible ways to connect the six output leads. From the factory, the F&P motor is configured as a star winding, so I would leave it in this configuration and use it as a starting point. Once you have completed and tested your windmill, you can try changing the connection to a delta to see how it affects performance. Rectifying the output Now that we have our 3-phase AC alternator, we need to convert this to DC for charging batteries. If you have a old car alternator sitting in the junk pile, then pull it K A A 3-PHASE AC INPUT 2 BRIDGE RECTIFIERS poles ends are properly sealed against water ingress, as the laminations can easily rust. K + “DC” OUTPUT K K K A A A apart and use the diode pack as your rectifier. These diode packs are built very tough (they need to be to survive in an engine bay) and can handle 50A or more. Another option is to use two heavy duty bridge rectifiers (such as a 3504), or you could just buy six single automotive diodes and wire them together. Either way, the rectifier needs to be able to handle 30A or more. And remember, all diodes will need a heatsink. Next month we will look at the construction of the windmill platform and tail. The platform is supplied as laser cut steel components and requires some welding. Once assembled, it provides a strong mounting frame between the alternator, propeller and mast and includes – Left: use this configuration if you have a rectifier assembly from an old car alternator or wish to use individual highpower rectifier diodes. The diodes need a rating of at least 35-40A or more. a self-furling tail to safely turn the windmill out of the wind during strong gusts or storms. SC NEXT MONTH: The windmill platform Another commercial wind turbine alternative: Airmarine Australia In amongst scads of really neat alternative energy gear on their website (www.airaus.com) Aimarine Australia have a number of wind turbine alternators ranging from the 300W Ampair Pacific, through the 1.6kW Bergey XL.1 (pictured right) and right up to 3, 5, 10 and 20kW Westwind Wind Turbines. The Bergey model shown has a rotor diameter of 2.5m and is intended for the off-grid home market. Rated power is 1kW, or 1.6kW peak, with an output of 24V DC. The XL.1 combines a number of advanced technical features, including a completely new airfoil, to provide the highest efficiency yet achieved in a small wind turbine. The XL.1 is an up-wind, horizontal-axis, three-bladed turbine. The blades are pultruded fibreglass, a material that is over ten times stronger than the injection-molded plastic used on most small wind turbines. In fact, pultrusions have a breaking strength exceeding 100,000 psi, which is twice as strong as normal steel. The blades attach directly to a specially-designed verylow-speed permanent magnet alternator which uses stateof-the-art neodymium super-magnets. Low wind speed per-formance is greatly enhanced by a low-end-boost circuit that optimally loads the wind tursiliconchip.com.au bine down to wind speeds as low as 2.5m/s. Combined with the new blade system, this circuitry allows the XL.1 to produce useful power more than 6000 hours a year at a typical site. For reference, a typical solar system produces power 3500 hours a year at a typical site. The XL.1 is priced at around $3500 (various options are available) and is offered with an easy-toinstall tubular tilt-up tower kit in heights from 9m to 32m, offering a complete “ready to install” kit. Price of a 10m tower, engineer-certified to withstand howling gales, is about $1800 Contact Airmarine Australia on (03) 9459 2888, website www.airaus.com, or email grd<at>hotkey.net.au January 2005  17 SILICON CHIP If you are seeing a blank page here, it is more than likely that it contained advertising which is now out of date and the advertiser has requested that the page be removed to prevent misunderstandings. Please feel free to visit the advertiser’s website: dicksmith.com.au SILICON CHIP If you are seeing a blank page here, it is more than likely that it contained advertising which is now out of date and the advertiser has requested that the page be removed to prevent misunderstandings. Please feel free to visit the advertiser’s website: dicksmith.com.au SILICON CHIP If you are seeing a blank page here, it is more than likely that it contained advertising which is now out of date and the advertiser has requested that the page be removed to prevent misunderstandings. Please feel free to visit the advertiser’s website: dicksmith.com.au SILICON CHIP If you are seeing a blank page here, it is more than likely that it contained advertising which is now out of date and the advertiser has requested that the page be removed to prevent misunderstandings. Please feel free to visit the advertiser’s website: dicksmith.com.au SILICON CHIP If you are seeing a blank page here, it is more than likely that it contained advertising which is now out of date and the advertiser has requested that the page be removed to prevent misunderstandings. Please feel free to visit the advertiser’s website: dicksmith.com.au SILICON CHIP If you are seeing a blank page here, it is more than likely that it contained advertising which is now out of date and the advertiser has requested that the page be removed to prevent misunderstandings. Please feel free to visit the advertiser’s website: dicksmith.com.au By JOHN CLARKE V8 Is the sound of a V8 music to your ears? Does the roar and deep rumble of a V8 engine raise your pulse rate? With the SILICON CHIP V8 doorbell you can impress your friends and neighbours. You can have the sound of a V8 without even starting your car. In fact, you don’t even need a car. H AVE YOU SEEN the Repco V8 Doorbell advertised on TV? Does the sound of a powerful V8 instead of a boring 2-tone doorbell appeal to you? Then forget the Repco doorbell – it sounds puny. The SILICON CHIP V8 doorbell really does sound like a V8 and it is loud as well, with an inbuilt 5-watt amplifier. Not only does it sound like a proper V8, it also lights up an 8-LED “V” display, each time you press the doorbell pushbutton. In fact, you can have a V8-LED display at your front door and another on the doorbell case. The V8 Doorbell is housed in a plastic case and is powered by a plugpack. 24  Silicon Chip For normal use, the internal 100mm loudspeaker can be used and this provides a good simulation of the V8 sound, particularly if the loudspeaker is tuned using a length of PVC pipe – more on this later. For more volume, you can use a larger loudspeaker or if you want to go the whole hog, connect a bigger power amplifier and loudspeaker. If the V8 Doorbell does not sound quite how you like it, you can easily tailor the circuit to make small changes to the way the V8 sounds. Altering the software can make even greater changes. That way, you may be able to reproduce the Cleveland engine, Holden Monaro, Corvette or something else. We even allow for simulation of V6 engines. Well, grudgingly, and there are some restrictions on the settings that can be used. But enough of pony engines; let’s get back to V8s. That “luvverly” V8 burble V8s have a characteristic sound that makes them stand out from smaller engines. Each marque has its own “sound” that distinguishes it from the others and much effort is made by the manufacturers to ensure that their V8 has the most appealing “signature”. The characteristic V8 sound is mainly determined by the way the exhaust system is configured. In a typical V8, each cylinder of the engine is connected to an exhaust outlet pipe with four pipes merging into one, on each side of the engine. Some V8s have completely separate left and right exhaust systems (twin exhausts). The lengths of pipe between the engine and muffler affect the way the sound is mixed from the two sides of the engine. In a single exhaust system, one exhaust pipe must be longer siliconchip.com.au Fig.1: the block diagram of the V8 Doorbell. Most of the action takes place inside the microcontroller but there’s also some fancy filtering and mixing to get the V8 “burble” sound we want. than the other, to reach to the one side of the car body. In a twin exhaust, the mixing happens in the air and at our ears. Block diagram We have simulated the sound of a V8 with the above principles in mind. The block diagram of Fig.1 shows how it is done. When the doorbell is pressed, the microcontroller begins to produce signals from eight ports to simulate the firing of the eight cylinders. They produce tones in a sequence similar to the firing in a real engine. Typically, there can be an overlap between when one cylinder fires and the next so in effect there can be two sources of signal at any one time. In this design, you can select several overlap options and the degree of overlap between the cylinders will affect the sound of the simulated engine. The overlaps that can be selected are a 60° overlap, a 30° overlap, zero overlap or a 30° gap between cylinder firing. Cylinder outputs 1-4 produce their tones with different phasing to that of cylinder outputs 5-8. This is to simulate mixing of the left and right side siliconchip.com.au exhausts of the engine. You can alter the phase from its initial 180° setting to any other value in steps of about 20°. Cylinder outputs are mixed together in IC2b and then fed through a low-pass filter. This filter acts like a muffler in that it attenuates high frequency noise but allows through some low frequency noise. The accelerate filter control (Q1) and the snarl filter control (Q2) alter the way the filter works. These make changes to the filter characteristics to allow more high frequency signals to pass during acceleration and at high RPM simulation. The microcontroller’s RA2 port functions as a gated noise source, generating random noise only during part of each cylinder’s firing cycle. This simulates valve, tappet, drive train and air inlet sounds. This is fed to bandpass filter IC3a and then mixed with the cylinder signal by IC3b. Q3 provides for an increase in volume level at higher RPM, under control of a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal from port RB3 of the micro. After filtering, the PWM signal becomes a DC voltage to drive Q3. This DC voltage also controls a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) which alters its frequency depending on the input voltage. The VCO’s output is fed to port RA4 of IC1 and it therefore determines the effective engine RPM. The final signal is fed to the volume control pot and amplifier IC5a. This is Where To Buy The Parts Jaycar Electronics has sponsored the development of this project and they own the design copyright. A full kit of parts will be available from Jaycar – Cat. KC-5405. This kit includes a screen-printed and solder-masked PC board; all on-board parts; and a case with pre-punched front and rear panels and screened lettering. Alternatively, you can purchase a short-form kit with just the PC board and all on-board parts (does not include loudspeaker or pushbutton switch) – Cat. KC-5405. The 12V DC plugpack is available separately. January 2005  25 26  Silicon Chip siliconchip.com.au Fig.2 (left): the complete circuit of the V8 Doorbell. A PIC16F628 microcontroller (IC1) produces the simulated V8 engine signals. These signals are then processed and fed to audio amplifier stage IC6. muted so that there is no signal until the doorbell is pressed. Power amplifier IC6 drives the loudspeaker. Circuit details Fig.2 shows the complete circuit. IC1 is a PIC16F628 microcontroller that produces the simulated V8 engine signals. IC1 operates at 20MHz, as set by crystal X1. The doorbell input at RA5 is normally low (0V) when the switch is open since the 1kΩ resistor pulls it to ground. When the switch is closed, the input is pulled to +5V. A 100nF capacitor across the resistor removes noise picked up by the doorbell wiring while the 2.2kΩ resistor acts to restrict current to the RA5 input if there is a transient voltage spike. The closed switch is detected by IC1 and so it begins to produce the engine sound sequence. The port outputs at RB0 to RB2, RA3 and RB4-RB7 are applied via 2.2kΩ resistors to op amp IC2b, connected as a mixer with its gain set by trimpot VR1. These ports also drive LEDs 1-8 via 560Ω resistors to give the V8 display. Op amp IC2a is the low-pass filter stage. In its normal state, this filter acts to sharply roll off the signal above 600Hz when Mosfets Q1 and Q2 are both switched on. When Q1 is switched off, its associated 220nF capacitor is effectively switched out of circuit and this reduces the filter’s effectiveness at rolling off signal level above 185Hz. Similarly, when Q2 is switched off, the 100nF capacitor is out of circuit and the filter action is further reduced. The 1MΩ resistors tying the capacitors to ground are included to maintain the DC voltage across these capacitors so that there is no DC shift in signal when they are switched in or out. Q1 and Q2 are controlled by the RA1 and RA0 outputs of IC1 respectively. The 10kΩ resistor and 1µF capacitor on the gate of each Mosfet slow down the switch-on and switchoff rates of the Mosfets to eliminate switching noise. In practice, both Mosfets are switchsiliconchip.com.au Parts List – V8 Doorbell 1 main PC board, code 05101051, 171 x 105mm 1 display PC board, code 05101052, 56 x 48mm 1 plastic utility box, 197 x 113 x 63mm 1 12VDC 1A plugpack 1 4Ω 100mm loudspeaker 1 130mm length of 100mm diameter PVC tubing1 doorbell switch (S1) 1 20MHz crystal (X1) 1 8-way right-angle pin header 1 8-way pin header 2 8-way pin header sockets 1 2-way PC-mount screw terminal block 1 2.5mm DC socket 1 panel-mount RCA socket 1 knob to suit potentiometer 1 80mm length of 8-way rainbow cable 1 150mm length of 3-way rainbow cable 1 80mm length of hookup wire 1 80mm length of single core shielded cable 1 80mm length of figure-8 light duty wire 1 suitable length of figure-8 doorbell wire 1 150mm length of 0.8mm tinned copper wire 4 12mm M3 tapped spacers 13 M3 x 10mm screws 5 M3 nuts 9 PC stakes Semiconductors 1 PIC16F628 microcontroller programmed with engine3.hex (IC1) 3 LM358 dual op amps (IC2, IC3, IC5) 1 7555 CMOS timer (IC4) ed on during idle to provide the full effect of the filter. When the “engine” speed is increased, Q1 is switched off to produce the noise of acceleration and as RPM rises further, Q2 is switched off for the “snarl” effect at high RPM. The low-pass filter output at pin 1 of IC2a is fed to op amp IC3b, another mixer, via a 2.2kΩ resistor. Gated noise Gated noise from the RA2 output of IC1 is attenuated via a voltage 1 TDA1905 5W amplifier (IC6) 3 2N7000 Mosfets (Q1-Q3) 1 BC547 NPN transistor (Q4) 1 7805 5V regulator (REG1) 1 1N4004 1A diode (D1) 1 1N4148 switching diode (D2) 8 5mm red high intensity LEDs (LED1-LED8) Capacitors 2 1000µF 16V PC electrolytic 1 470µF 16V PC electrolytic 3 100µF 16V PC electrolytic 1 47µF 16V PC electrolytic 10 10µF 16V PC electrolytic 2 2.2µF 16V PC electrolytic 3 1µF 16V PC electrolytic 3 220nF MKT polyester 5 100nF MKT polyester 2 10nF MKT polyester 1 5.6nF MKT polyester 2 2.2nF MKT polyester 1 1nF MKT polyester 1 100pF ceramic 3 22pF ceramic Resistors (0.25W 1%) 4 1MΩ 2 4.7kΩ 5 100kΩ 13 2.2kΩ 2 47kΩ 1 1.2kΩ 1 33kΩ 5 1kΩ 1 22kΩ 8 560Ω 11 10kΩ 1 100Ω 1 8.2kΩ 1 1Ω Potentiometers 1 1kΩ multi-turn side adjust screw trimpot (code 102) (VR1) 1 500kΩ horizontal trimpot (code 504) (VR2) 1 10kΩ log 16mm potentiometer (VR3) 1 10kΩ horizontal trimpot (code 103) (VR4) divider comprising a 1MΩ resistor and a 10kΩ resistor in series with a 10µF capacitor. The 10nF capacitors and 1.2kΩ resistor form a half-T filter that allows a relatively narrow band of frequencies centred on about 6.6kHz to pass through. The 100kΩ resistor between pin 2 and pin 1 broadens the bandwidth of the filter to allow a wider range of frequencies to pass than if the resistor was not present. The output of IC3a is fed to mixer IC3b via a 1MΩ resistor. January 2005  27 Table 1: Capacitor Codes Value 220nF 100nF 10nF 5.6nF 2.2nF 1nF 100pF 22pF μF Code 0.22µF 0.1µF .01µF .0056µF .0022µF .001µF   NA   NA IEC Code 220n 100n   10n   5n6   2n2   1n0 100p   22p EIA Code   224   104   103   563   222   102   100    22 The output from IC3b is passed through a 2.2kΩ resistor and 10µF DC blocking capacitor. Mosfet Q3 shunts this signal to ground when conducting but has no effect on the signal throughput when it is switched off. Q3 is controlled via the filtered PWM signal from pin 9 of IC1. The 1kΩ resistor and 10µF capacitor filter this 19kHz signal and the filtered DC voltage is applied via trimpot VR2 to the gate of Q3. Op amp IC5a is a non-inverting amplifier with a gain of 11. It amplifies the signal taken from the wiper of VR3 so that the level is suitable for the following power amplifier. IC5a is biased at +5V so that when there is no signal, its pin 1 output sits at 5V. This allows a large voltage swing before the output clips. High frequency roll-off for the amplifier is set at around 16kHz to prevent high-frequency instability. Its output is coupled to power amplifier IC6 via a 4.7kΩ resistor and 10µF DC blocking capacitor. Transistor Q4 provides muting of the output signal and it is controlled by comparator IC5b and the filtered PWM signal from pin 9 of IC1. IC5b operates in the following way. When the circuit is quiescent (ie, not producing any V8 sounds), the filtered PWM signal is at 5V. This is monitored at pin 5 of IC5b and is compared with the voltage set by trimpot VR4, fed to pin 6. VR4 is set so that pin 6 is at about 4.7V and so pin 7 of IC5b will be high at around 11V. This high signal drives the base of Q4 which therefore shunts any noise signals to ground. When the doorbell is pressed, the microcontroller begins to produce the V8 sounds and the PWM signal immediately drops to 4.5V and so pin 7 of IC5b goes low and Q4 is switched off. The signal at IC5a’s output now passes to the line output socket and to IC6, the power amplifier. vides high-frequency filtering. IC4 is a CMOS 555 timer set up as a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). Its output is fed to port RA4 (pin 3) of the microcontroller to determine the audible engine RPM. Pin 5 (threshold control) is used to set the output frequency. When pin 3 of IC4 is low, diode D2 discharges the 220nF capacitor at pins 2 and 6 relatively quickly via the series connected 2.2kΩ resistor. When pin 3 goes high, the 220nF capacitor only charges via the 33kΩ resistor since D2 is now reversed-biased. The resulting pulse waveform at pin 3 has a relatively short low period and a longer high-level period; ie, a high duty cycle. We then vary the voltage at pin 5 to control the output frequency. When pin 5 is up around 5V, the frequency is low and if pin 5 is low the frequency is higher. Power for the circuit is provided by a 12V DC plugpack. Diode D1 prevents damage if the supply is connected the wrong way around while the 470µF capacitor provides extra filtering. The 12V supply feeds IC5 and IC6 while REG1, an LM7805 5V regulator, supplies the rest of the circuit. Power amplifier IC6 is a TDA1905 power amplifier rated to produce 5W into 4Ω with a 14V supply. It includes thermal shutdown if it overheats and a very low noise output. For the intermittent use it gets in this circuit, it is ideal. Gain of the amplifier is set at 11 by the 100Ω and 1kΩ resistors connected between pin 1 and ground, with the feedback signal AC-coupled to pin 6 via a 2.2µF capacitor. The 100µF capacitor at pin 7 provides supply ripple rejection while the 47µF capacitor between pin 1 and pin 3 provides classic bootstrapping between the amplifier’s output and driver stages. A 1000µF capacitor across the 12V supply provides a reserve for transient power output while a 100nF bypass capacitor pro- Construction The V8 Doorbell is built onto two PC boards: a main board coded 05101051 (171 x 105mm) and a LED display board coded 05101052 (56 x 48mm). The two PC boards and the 100mm loudspeaker are housed inside a plastic utility box measuring 197 x 113 x 63mm. Before installing any of the parts, check the two PC boards for any shorts between the copper tracks or for any Table 2: Resistor Colour Codes o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o No. 4 5 2 1 1 11 1 2 13 1 5 8 1 1 28  Silicon Chip Value 1MΩ 100kΩ 47kΩ 33kΩ 22kΩ 10kΩ 8.2kΩ 4.7kΩ 2.2kΩ 1.2kΩ 1kΩ 560Ω 100Ω 1Ω 4-Band Code (1%) brown black green brown brown black yellow brown yellow violet orange brown orange orange orange brown red red orange brown brown black orange brown grey red red brown yellow violet red brown red red red brown brown red red brown brown black red brown green blue brown brown brown black brown brown brown black gold gold 5-Band Code (1%) brown black black yellow brown brown black black orange brown yellow violet black red brown orange orange black red brown red red black red brown brown black black red brown grey red black brown brown yellow violet black brown brown red red black brown brown brown red black brown brown brown black black brown brown green blue black black brown brown black black black brown brown black black silver brown siliconchip.com.au Fig.3 install the parts on the two PC boards as shown here. Make sure that you install each part in its correct location and take care to ensure that all polarised parts go in the right way around. Note that there are two 8-way pin headers on the main board. This lets you drive two separate display boards if required. breaks in the connections. Also check the hole sizes. You will need 3mm holes for the mounting positions in the four corners of the display PC board and for the regulator screw on the main PC board. That done, begin the assembly by installing the links and resistors on the main PC board – see Fig.3. Use the resistor colour table as a guide to selecting each resistor, then check each siliconchip.com.au value using a digital multimeter. Once the resistors are in, the diodes can be installed, taking care with their orientation. Follow these with ICs 2-6, make sure that each IC goes in the correct position and is mounted the right way around. An IC socket should be used for IC1. Install it now, then solder in the three Mosfets (Q1-Q3) and transistor Q4. The trimpots and capacitors can go in next. When installing the capacitors, note that the polarised types must be installed with the correct polarity. Note also that three electrolytic capacitors have to be placed on their side, so that there is room for the loudspeaker later on (see layout diagram photos). Regulator REG1 is mounted with its metal tab flat against the PC board. This involves first bending its leads at right-angles so that they pass through January 2005  29 Fig.4: you can change the sound produced by your V8 Doorbell by making the connections shown here and then applying power – see text for further details. their matching holes in the board. That done, the regulator tab is secured to the board using an M3 screw and nut and the leads soldered. The following parts can now all be installed: the 2-way terminal block, the DC socket, the eight PC stakes (at the external wiring points shown) and the 2 x 8-way pin headers (the right-angle header is installed on the display PC board). You will need to connect the two header socket shells using 8-way rainbow cable. This is done by stripping the wire ends and crimping them to the pins supplied. These pins are then slid into the header shells. have to drill the holes yourself. This involves drilling eight holes in a “V” pattern for the eight LEDs, plus four mounting holes each for the display board and the loudspeaker. In addition, you will also have to drill holes in the lid in front of the loudspeaker cone area, to allow sound to escape. Another hole is required in the front panel for the volume control pot. And finally, two holes are required in one end of the base for the RCA output socket and the DC power plug, plus another hole in the opposite end for the doorbell switch wire entry. The four 12mm tapped Nylon spacers can now be fastened to the lid at the display board mounting points. These are secured using four M3 x 6mm screws. That done, slip the eight LEDs into their mounting holes on the PC board (make sure you get them the right way around), then secure the board to its spacers. It’s then simply a matter of pushing the LEDs through their respective holes in the front panel and soldering their leads. Finally, the loudspeaker and pot can be secured to the lid and the wiring completed as shown in Fig.3. Don’t forget to run the wire lead from the PC stake near the 8-way header on the main board to the PC stake on the display board. Test & adjustment Now for the smoke test. First, apply power to the circuit and check for 5V between pins 4 and 8 of both IC2 & IC3, between pins 1 & 4 of IC4 and between pins 5 & 14 of IC1. That done, check for about 12V between pins 4 & 8 of IC5 and pins 2 & 9 of IC6. If these voltages are correct, switch off and install IC1. However, if there are no voltages, check the polarity of the DC plug on the plugpack. The centre pin should be positive. OK, now let’s see if it actually works. To do this, connect the doorbell switch to the terminal block (using figure-8 wire) and adjust the various trimpots as follows: (1). set VR1 fully anticlockwise; (2). set VR2 & VR3 fully clockwise; (3). set VR4 so that its wiper voltage is at +4.7V with respect to ground. Now press the doorbell and slowly adjust multi-turn trimpot VR1 clockwise. The engine sound should start to increase in volume. The final setting for VR1 depends on personal preference – set it too far clockwise and the sound will become very harsh. A lower setting will produce a cleaner engine sound. Trimpot VR2 is set so that you obtain the required idle volume, compared to the “rev up” volume. It’s just a matter of slowly adjusting this pot until the idle volume is suitably lower than the “revved-up” volume. If required (ie, if you want more “ooomph”), a 100mm PVC pipe joiner (or 120mm length of pipe) can be secured to the lid in front of the loudspeaker using silicone sealant. This tuned pipe makes the sound more resonant and penetrating. If you like, you can try different lengths of pipe The unit gives a good V8 sound on its own but it’s even better with the tuned pipe installed. Display board assembly The display PC board can now be assembled. For the time being, it’s just a matter of installing the resistors, the right-angle header plug and a PC stake. Don’t install the LEDs just yet – that step comes later. If you buy a complete kit, then the case will be supplied pre-drilled, with screen printed lettering. If not, you will 30  Silicon Chip siliconchip.com.au Here’s how it all goes together inside the plastic case. You can use light-duty hook-up wire to make the connections to the volume pot and the loudspeaker. to vary the effect. Note that you may need to file some slots in the pipe so that it clears the loudspeaker mounting screws. Individual preferences There are seven setting changes that can be made to IC1’s software to produce different sounds. This involves connecting a wire and a series 1kΩ resistor between the +5V terminal (for the doorbell switch) and one of seven terminals on the 8-way header pin, as shown in Fig.4. When a connection is made to one of these pins during power up, the required software change is made siliconchip.com.au automatically. Note, however, that it’s important that the +5V supply rail is fully discharged to 0V before powering up if the change is to take effect. In fact, it’s a good idea to measure the voltage between the +5V terminal of REG1 and ground after the power is switched off, to ensure the power has been completely removed. Note also that the resistor only has to be connected at power up. It can then be disconnected when you are satisfied with the new sound. The options available are summarised below: Terminal 1: you can adjust the V8 sound to simulate different lengths of exhaust pipe between the lefthand January 2005  31 the rev range. However, it takes many applications of power to make large changes to the frequency. The frequency can be reset to its default value using Terminal 2. Terminal 7: this selects whether the doorbell includes an idling period before the two revving sequences. Other changes The PC board is secured by clipping it into the integral slots in the side of the case. Power comes from a 12V DC 1A plugpack. and righthand sides of the engine. This is the phasing adjustment. Phasing can be altered in steps of about 20°, from its original default of 180°. Terminal 2: the 180° default setting of the phase and the exhaust note frequency can be reset using this input (see Terminals 5 & 6 below). Terminal 3: this terminal alters the amount of overlap for the sound generated by each cylinder firing. It can be altered in sequence from 60° to 30° to 0° and finally to a 30° gap. Terminal 4: the 6 or 8-cylinder selection is made using this input. This alternatively selects either setting, with the LED display showing which cylinders are firing. Note that only the 0° and 30° gap settings should used in 6-cylinder mode. Do not use the 60° and 30° overlap settings, as this will simulate a 6-cylinder engine with an erratic seventh cylinder. The correct setting will be seen on the “V” display when only six LEDs light. If seven LEDs light, change the overlap setting using Terminal 3. Terminals 5 & 6: these inputs allow the exhaust frequency to be altered slightly. Terminal 5 increases the frequency, while Terminal 6 lowers it. If the frequency is increased too far from the original value, the sound will have a “raspy” quality at the top of Brand New From SILICON CHIP The idle RPM can be set by changing the 33kΩ resistor at pin 3 of IC4 – a larger resistance will lower the RPM or you can use a 50kΩ trimpot to adjust this to your liking. The ambient noise can be increased in frequency by decreasing the 1.2kΩ resistor in the “twin-T” filter of IC3a and vice versa. In addition, the 10kΩ resistor at pin 3 of IC3a sets the degree of mixing with the cylinder firing sound. A lower value will reduce the ambience and vice versa, or you can use a 22kΩ trimpot to adjust this. You can also make major changes to the doorbell sound characteristics by altering the software. To do this, you will need to be able to modify the software, reassemble the code and reprogram IC1. Some PIC programming experience will be necessary. A much fuller sound is available if you use a large loudspeaker housed in a suitable box. For more volume, you may want to use a more powerful amplifier and this can be connected using the RCA line output socket. If you do this, you can either disconnect the internal loudspeaker or you can leave it connected so that it SC operates as an extension. 160 PAGES 23 CHAPTE RS Mail order prices: Aust: $A22.50 (incl. GST & P&P) Overseas: $A26.00 via airmail From the publishers of Completely NEW projects – the result of two years research & development • • • • Learn how engine management systems work Build projects to control nitrous, fuel injection and turbo boost systems Switch devices on and off on the basis of signal frequency, temperature and voltage Build test instruments to check fuel injector duty cycle, fuel mixture and brake and coolant temperatures Available from selected newsagents Or order by phoning (02) 9979 5644 & quoting your credit card number; or fax the details to (02) 9979 6503; or mail your order with cheque or credit card details to Silicon Chip Publications, PO Box 139, Collaroy, NSW 2097. 32  Silicon Chip Intelligent turbo timer I SBN 095852294 - 4 9 780958 522946 $19.80 (inc GST) NZ $22.00 (inc GST) TURBO BOOST & nitrous fuel controllers How engine management works siliconchip.com.au POWERFUL DC MOTORS / GENERATORS: 200W & 100W motors as used in our scooters. 4 brush, 4 magnet, 16 pole. 11 tooth sprocket to suit a chain pitch around 7mm. Double ball bearing for long life. Mounting bracket with 4 treaded holes 6mm X 1mm (M6) 100mm Dia. x 80mm L (+ shaft) Shaft: 27mm x 8mm (8mm x 1.25mm. (M8) 2kg. 200W 24VDC, 11.0A, 2750 RPM, $30 (SC200) 300W 24VDC, 16.4A, 2650 RPM, $36 (SC300) (NEW) 100W DC MOTOR: $22 (SC100) See throttles on our website SPEED CONTROLLERS TO SUIT FROM $14 USED LIBERTY brand UPS units TITY UAN D JAN Q I D ITE EM LIM ILABL A AV (UPS01)Model No. GXT700MT-230 VA/ Watts (max.) 700VA -490W Input Voltage 230 VAC; variable based upon output load RS232 interface for auto shutdown etc. Input plug IEC320-10A Output Voltage 230 VAC, +/-3%; sinewave Output plugs 4 X IEC320-10A Battery Time (FL/HL) 6 min./18 min. Dim.: mm WxDxH 162 x 397 x 225 Weight: kg 13.6 These units are sold with guaranteed functional batteries, new batteries for just $15ea with the sale of each of these units, (this offer is good for 2 years after purchase).$150 PB12 (NEW) 12V / 12AH GELL CELL BATTERY: $ TWO NEW TV ANTENNA / AMPLIFIER KITS TV ANTENNA & MASTHEAD AMP KIT. This small antenna measuring 1460mm X 330mm contains a pre-built mast-head amplifier module with separate adjustments for UHF & VHF & is powered via the antenna's co-ax. It gives amazing results and seems to work where others can't. Quick to assemble (PCB assembly is already done for you), easy connections. Kit includes Antenna kit with built in amp module, DC/signal combiner (built into the TV connector), connectors. No cable supplied, see below. (K219 ) $19... Suitable power adaptor only $4 extra if purchased with the kit. TV MASTHEAD AMP MODULE KIT. Connect to an existing antenna or raid your wardrobe for a coat hanger. This kit will give great results from just a coat hanger cut in half to make a dipole, it covers UHF, VHF and FM bands. Specification: Channel 1-68, Gain 26-23dB, Noise 1,75dB!!!, Input 300 Ohm (with balun), Output 75 Ohm, DC 10-15V. No circuit board assembly required . Easy to connect. Includes amp module and DC/signal combiner (built into the TV NEW STEREO FM TRANSMITTER KIT COMING SOON This small kit is ideal for use as a radio microphone and connector). No cable supplied, see below. (MHAM) 30mW+ GREEN uses a small pre-buit crystal locked stereo FM transmitter $9...Suitable power adaptor only $4 extra if purchased module that connects to a PCB with a stereo pre-amplifier with the kit. LASER HEADS. onboard. This kit has pushbutton selectable tuning, uses Requires a constant 2-6VDC or 7-15VDC supply. Kit contains FM module, 2 current source only, More info on these and more items on our website. microphones, pcb and all onboard components. typical 500mA<at>1.8V These fantastic bikes can be ridden NEW Extralite under electric LOW INTRODUCTORY PRICE $350!!! brand downlights p o w e r, p e d d l e Also available. complete laser light show kit in original packing. power or both at using the above laser heads. Box includes one 12V once and can be 50W enclosed halogen folded in half to PRICE BREAKTHROUGH transport or store. dichroic lamp, one NEW COLOUR CAMERAS with AUDIO & IR LEDs. Featuers include electronic transformer This CMOS camera is fully inflateable tyers. housed in a small neat dieand one gimble mount front and rear wheel brakes, parcel rack and basket, cast housing. lamp holder. (DL50W) lights and more. Motor power: 200W Max speed: 30km/h Just a couple of quick $14 Max load capacity: 100kg Charging period: 6 - 8 hours connections and your on Distance: 40km Battery capacity: 12V/12Ah x 2 Weigh: your way. Camera body ECHO CHIP 27kg (SC4) $ 36(W) X 27(H) X 14(D) Digital echo chip (SM7183) just $6 +15mm extra for the lens. Size: 1130 x 390 Data available on our website. Includes swivel mount. x 1000mm Brake: (CAM9) $39 hand brake, rear THE ITEMS LISTED BELOW ARE JUST A wheel drum brake. FEW OF THE MANY IN OUR $2 SHOP Battery capacity: 100W SCOOTER REAR DRIVE PARTS ASSEMBLY SEE OUR WEBSITE FORMORE DETAILS 12AH, 24V. These are the drive components (NEW) TRACK BALLS: Battery charger: from our 100W scooter incBased on an Alps TB6026F IC and two opto-couplers, 240V Motor power: luding the motor, toothcontrolled by a Xtal oscillator module. (Pack of 3) $5 200W. Charging ed belt, pullies, rear period: 4-5 hours. 2D0051 INFRARED RECEIVER MODULES: wheel, brake Part # SB1038A, Universal IR Receiver modules, 5V Speed: 20km/h. assembly. Range: 15km. operation, (Pack of 3) $5 Ideal for Wheels: inflatable. robotics 2D0052 ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS: Frame: painted projects 1000uF/35V electro's, body has a diameter of 15mm steel. Weight: 21kg. lelectric and a height of 20mm: (Pack of 3) $1.50 Maximum load: 100kg. Forget waiting for trains and skate 2D0054 LIGHT DEPENDENT RESISTORS: busses that don't come, the regulations on the NSW RTA boards and 5mm diameter LDR's, around 100ohms in bright light website indicate that they can be ridden under the same other electric and over 10Mohms in the dark, 3.6mm lead spacing: rules as a bicycle. Come complete with batteries, lights vehicles etc (Pack of 5) $3 and charger. $300 (SC3) (SCD2) $32 2D0038 MECHANICAL COUNTER: HEADLAMP KIT: Made in the USA by WEEDER-ROOT, non resetable SC1 (NEW) 100W Great kit for caving, fishing or the count is set to a high value so several hundred anything that needs a bit of counts would reset the count to 00000: (Pack of 2) $2 E L E C T R I C S C O O T E R : This portable light weight light. Uses energy efficient L 2D0057 OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIERS: scooter folds up for easy CIA super bright LEDs. Features E OP-27GZ Precision low noise Operational Amplifier P carrying and storage. Ideal S W include adjustable elastic IC-s: (Pack of 4) $3 NE CE Christmas gift for the kids. straps, pushbutton on/off, I R 2D0058 GOODSKY RELAYS: Features variable speed P 94 adjustable tilt angle and more. $ Goodsky MI-SS-212D, DPDT 12V relays, 5A/250VAC, control and hand lever style The straps can be removed to use has many different approvals: (Pack of 2) $3 brake. Material: aluminium & the kit as a torch. Comes with all the parts supplied inc. 2D0063 (NEW) RELAY: steel painted with lacquer. the 2x AA batteries required. Partially assembled, some Nais brand, Part # ST1-DC48V. High capacity & high Brake and throttle can be soldering is required to complete the kit. $12.50 sensitivity in sub-miniature size. 8A / 250VAC, 5A / swapped from side to side. Telescopic handlebars to suit PICAXE-08M MICROCONTROLLER CHIP 30V DC. 32 x 14 x 11mm high. (Pack of 4) $3 most riders. It comes complete with mains charger and NOW IN STOCK 2D0060 (NEW) NI-MH HIGH CAPACITY BATTERY: 4 batteries. Unlike a lot of others these have Australian This is the new version with in-built tunes cell pack 1.2V <at> 800mAh. Each cell 10mm x 50mm electrical approvals including C-TICK. Speed: 12km/h and 10 bit A-D converter. $4.70 (same length as AA and same dia. as AAA batteries). Motor: 100W Battery: 2x 12V, 4.5A Range: 10-15km G.W: Check our web site for more PICAXE chips. Pack size: 12.5mm x 64mm x 48mm. (Pack of 4) $5 10kg N.W: 8kg Size: 740 x 130 (deck) x 930mm. (NEW) 240Vac - 12V / 24V CHARGERS: 12VDC: (SCC12) $17 24VDC: (SCC24) $17 NEW E-BIKES JU $1 ST 4 0 5 $3 0 0 $3 2 3 $ ELECTRIC BIKES/SCOOTERS www.oatleyelectronics.com Suppliers of kits and surplus electronics to hobbyists, experimenters, industry & professionals. Orders: Ph ( 02 ) 9584 3563, Fax 9584 3561, sales<at>oatleyelectronics.com, POJanuary Box 89 Oatley NSW 2223 2005  33 major credit cards accepted, Post & Pack typically $7 Prices subject to change without notice ACN 068 740 081 ABN18068 740 081 OR www.oatleye.com siliconchip.com.au SC_JAN_05 By JIM ROWE IR Remote Checker Do your remote controls often fail? Is it due to dead batteries, poor contacts under the switch buttons or a more serious fault? How would you know if it was working anyway? Here is the answer – a Remote Control Checker. It lets you very easily check whether an infrared (IR) remote control is sending out a code when each of its buttons is pressed, so you can avoid opening the thing up for cleaning or repair if it “ain’t really broke”. 34  Silicon Chip N OWADAYS, JUST ABOUT every item of home entertainment gear has its own remote control, so you can control its operation without ever having to get up from your easy chair – if you don’t want to, that is. Most homes have plenty of remotes but in most cases their reliability isn’t wonderful. Probably that’s because they have to take quite a lot of physical pounding: easily dropped, squashed, kicked, trodden on, splashed with drink and otherwise abused. When a remote fails completely, it’s usually just a matter of replacing the battery and away it goes again for another year or two. But what about when replacing the battery doesn’t fix it or one or two of the buttons seem to have stopped working? Then it can get a bit tricky and you want to be sure the siliconchip.com.au Fig.1: the complete circuit for the IR Remote Checker. Infrared pulses from the remote are picked up by sensor receiver IRR1 and fed to gate IC1a. IC1a then drives gates IC1b & IC1c which in turn activate the piezo transducer and LED1. fault is in the remote rather than in the equipment it’s supposed to control. Unfortunately most of the remotes made in the last few years don’t seem to be made for easy access to the insides, without damaging the case. They’re clipped together using a series of tiny lugs, moulded into the inside edges of the case top and bottom. The lugs can be hard to find from the outside and even harder to unclip without breaking one or more of them. So you don’t want to open up a remote unless it’s absolutely necessary. The little IR Remote Checker described here is designed to help in such cases, letting you quickly find out whether or not any suspect buttons are sending out codes from the remote’s IR LED. This will let you decide whether the fault is in the remote or in the equipment itself. You simply point the remote’s invisible output beam at the Checker’s sensor window and then press the various buttons. If the sensor picks up any codes, it gives you immediate confirmation by flashing a visible LED and sounding a small piezo beeper. The Checker can be operated from an internal 9V battery or an external DC siliconchip.com.au plugpack power supply. As a bonus, it also provides an electrical copy of the control code pulses received from the remote, so you can feed them to a scope or logic analyser for further analysis. This would also make the Checker a handy tool for anyone developing custom remote controls. The Checker uses only a handful of low-cost parts, all mounted on a small PC board which fits into a UB-3 size jiffy box. You should be able to assemble it in a couple of hours, especially if you build it from a kit. How it works Fig.1 shows the circuit diagram of the IR Remote Checker. The infrared pulse trains from the remote are picked up by sensor/receiver IRR1, which strips them from their supersonic carrier signal (usually about 38kHz) and provides them as negative-going electrical pulses from its output pin 1. We feed these pulses to pin 1 of gate IC1a, used here as an inverting buffer. The output of IC1a then drives one input each of two further gates, IC1c and IC1b. IC1c is also used as an inverter, to drive transistor Q1. Q1 is then used to switch current to LED1, so it flashes for the duration of each code pulse. IC1b is used as an oscillator which is gated on by the pulses from IC1a. The oscillator’s frequency is dependent on the 22nF capacitor and the total feedback resistance, so trimpot VR1 allows it to be adjusted over a reasonable range. The output from the oscillator is used to drive transistor Q2, which in turn drives the piezo transducer with a 5V peak-to-peak waveform. The 4.7kΩ resistor across the transducer is used to provide a DC load for the transistor, and also to discharge the piezo transducer’s capacitance between pulses. The idea of having trimpot VR1 is so that you can adjust the oscillator’s frequency to match the transducer’s resonant frequency, for maximum “beep” output. IC1’s fourth gate (IC1d) is used as another inverting buffer, driven directly from the output of IRR1. The output of this inverter is then fed to output socket CON1 via a series 4.7kΩ resistor, to provide the IR Remote Checker’s output pulses so they can be measured by an oscilloscope. All of the IR Remote Checker’s January 2005  35 Fig.2: install the parts on the PC board as shown here, taking care to ensure that all polarised go in the right way around. Note the mounting details for IRR1 and the 470µF electrolytic capacitor. circuitry operates from 5V DC and draws very little current even when responding to IR pulses. The 5V supply is provided by regulator REG1, a low-power 78L05 device. The raw input for REG1 is controlled by power switch S1 and comes from the internal 9V battery or from an external 9V DC plugpack. Diode D1 ensures that the circuitry can’t be damaged if the plugpack polarity is reversed. Construction Apart from the 9V battery, all of the components used in the Checker are mounted on a small PC board measuring 112 x 57mm and coded 04101051. The component overlay diagram is shown in Fig.2. The board is designed to fit inside a standard UB-3 size utility box (130 x 67 x 34mm) and mounts on the rear of the box lid using four 15mm x M3 tapped spacers with eight M3 x 6mm long screws (4 x countersink head). The 9V battery is held in the bottom of the box using a length of gaffer tape. Both external connectors are accessed by holes in the end of the box, when it’s assembled. You should be able to see the location and orientation of all the components on the PC board from the internal photos and the overlay diagram of Fig.2. Note that the piezo transducer is attached to the top of the board near the centre, using M2 machine screws and nuts. Begin the board assembly by fitting This view of the fully-assembled PC board shows just how easy the unit is to build. The sockets mount directly on the board, so the only external wiring is to the 9V battery. 36  Silicon Chip the two connectors to the end. Then fit the four PC terminal pins, two of which go on the far end of the board for the battery lead connections. The other two go near the centre, for the piezo transducer leads. Next, fit toggle switch S1, which mounts with its connection lugs passing down through the matching slots in the board as far as they’ll go, before soldering underneath. After this, fit trimpot VR1, near the battery terminal pins. The resistors come next; all fit horizontally. Diode D1 fits in the same way just behind CON2, with its banded cathode end towards switch S1. Now fit the capacitors. These all mount in the usual vertical fashion except for the largest 470µF electro, which is fitted lying on its side, with its leads bent down at 90° about 2mm from the body. Make sure you bend them the right way, so the positive lead ends up closer to switch S1 as shown. Watch the polarity of the other electrolytics too, as they are all polarised. Regulator REG1 and the two transistors are fitted next, with all three having their leads cranked outwards to mate with the board holes. That done, fit the IR sensor device. As shown in the photos and diagrams, this mounts with all three leads bent carefully downwards by 90°, about 2.5mm from the body. The very ends of the leads are then passed down through the matching board holes and soldered, so the sensor ends up facing directly upwards and with the top of siliconchip.com.au Parts List 1 PC board, code 04101051, 112 x 57mm 1 plastic utility box, 130 x 67 x 34mm (UB-3) 1 mini toggle switch, SPDT (S1) 1 PC-mount RCA socket (CON1) 1 PC-mount 2.5mm DC socket (CON2) 1 9V battery, 216 type 1 9V battery snap lead 1 piezo transducer, 30mm dia. x 5mm high 4 PC board terminal pins, 1mm diameter 4 M3 x 15mm tapped spacers 4 M3 x 6mm machine screws, csk head 4 M3 x 6mm machine screws, round head 2 M2 x 10mm machine screws, round head 2 M2 nuts with star lockwashers 1 10kΩ mini horizontal trimpot (VR1) Semiconductors 1 IR receiver, RPM1738 or IS1U60 (IRR1) 1 4093B quad Schmitt NAND gate (IC1) 1 78L05 low power +5V regulator (REG1) 2 PN200 PNP transistors (Q1, Q2) 1 3mm red LED (LED1) 1 1N4004 power diode (D1) The PC board is secured to the lid of the case using 15mm tapped spacers and M3 screws. Note that a prototype board is shown here (the wire link is not necessary on the final version). its hemispherical lens 15.5mm above the board. Next fit the IC, making sure that it’s mounted the correct way around as shown in Fig.2. Because it’s a CMOS device, make sure you use an earthed soldering iron and earth yourself when you solder its pins to their pads, to avoid damage due to static discharge. Mounting the piezo device Now cut the two leads of the piezo transducer to about 50mm long, assuming you’ve already mounted the transducer itself to the board in the right position using the M2 screws and nuts. Then bare about 4mm of wire on the end of both leads, and carefully solder them to the two PC terminal pins just to the left of the 470µF electrolytic cap. Note that the red positive lead should connect to the pin nearest to the 4.7kΩ resistor. The LED can also be fitted at this stage but not with both leads soldered. Solder only one lead to its pad with a bare minimum of solder, so it will be held in place temporarily until final positioning when the board is attached to the box lid. The last step at this stage is to solder the battery snap leads to the terminal pins on the end of the board, making sure that the red positive lead solders to the upper pin near IRR1. Capacitors 1 470µF 16V PC electrolytic 1 100µF 10V PC electrolytic 1 47µF 10V PC electrolytic 1 100nF (0.1µF) multilayer monolithic (code 100n or 104) 1 22nF (.022µF) MKT polyester (code 22n or 223) Resistors (0.25W 1%) 2 10kΩ 1 220Ω 3 4.7kΩ 1 47Ω Table 1: Resistor Colour Codes o o o o o siliconchip.com.au No.    2   3   1   1 Value 10kΩ 4.7kΩ 220Ω 47Ω 4-Band Code (1%) brown black orange brown yellow violet red brown red red brown brown yellow violet black brown 5-Band Code (1%) brown black black red brown yellow violet black brown brown red red black black brown yellow violet black gold brown January 2005  37 Fig.3: this full-size artwork can be photocopied onto an adhesive label and covered with clear “Contact” film for a professional finish. end of the box as well, for the access holes for CON1 and CON2. Remove any burrs which are left on the inside and outside of all holes in the box and lid, to make a tidy job. Once the lid has been prepared, attach the four board mounting spacers to the rear of it using the four countersunk-head M3 screws. Tighten these up quite firmly, so the top of each screw head is flush with the top surface of the lid itself. This will then allow you to stick on a front panel, made by photocopying the artwork (Fig.3) we’ve provided onto an adhesivebacked label. With the front panel attached, you can cover it with a piece of clear “Contact” or similar adhesive film for protection. It’s then just a matter of neatly cutting out holes in this double-layer panel escutcheon using a sharp hobby knife, to match the holes already cut in the lid underneath. Mounting the PC board Fig.4: check your PC board against this full-size etching pattern before installing any of the parts. Now prepare the box lid, by cutting the various holes in it, as shown in the drilling diagram of Fig.5. Note that the four outermost 3mm holes should be countersunk to allow for the heads of the board mounting spacer screws. While you’re preparing the box lid you can also cut the two holes in the The PC board assembly is mounted on four 15mm-long tapped M3 spacers behind the front panel, with the threaded ferrule of switch S1 passing through a matching 6.5mm hole. Check that IRR1’s lens just touches the rear of the front panel and that it is in line with its 6.5mm “viewing” hole. Once everything is in position, fasten the board to the spacers using four round-head M3 screws. Now you can unsolder the temporary joint holding the LED in place on the board. This will allow you to slide it forward until its body just passes through the 3.5mm hole in the box lid/front panel immediately above. Fig.5: this diagram shows the drilling details for the case lid and for the end panel of the base. 38  Silicon Chip siliconchip.com.au That done, you can solder both leads to their board pads permanently. Trim off any excess leads which may be left. Checkout time Your IR Remote Checker should now be complete, apart from fitting it into the box and screwing it all together using the lid attachment screws. Before you do this, connect a 9V battery to the snap lead (or plug the output of a 9V DC plugpack into CON2, if you prefer). That done, turn on switch S1, and you should notice a very brief flash of light from LED1 before it goes dark again. Now bring an IR remote control (one that you know is working!) within a couple of metres of the IR Remote Checker, pointing it roughly at the IR sensor “window”. Then try pressing any of the buttons on the remote and you should be rewarded with a series of flashes from LED1 and simultaneous beeps from the piezo transducer. The pattern of flashes and beeps may change with the various buttons or they may all seem very similar – it depends on the coding used by the remote control concerned. But you should get a series of flashes and beeps when each button is pressed, if the remote is working correctly. So if this is what you get, all that’s left to do is the final assembly of the IR Remote Checker. Fit the 9V battery into the bottom of the box using a length of gaffer tape to hold it down, then manoeuvre the lid/ PC board assembly into position by sliding the RCA connector (CON1) into its matching 11mm hole before swinging the assembly down into position. Fit the four small self-tapping screws supplied with the box to hold it all together and finally fit the soft plastic bungs into each screw recess. Your IR Remote Checker will then be complete and ready for use. Finally, you might want to adjust trimpot VR1 using a small screwdriver, with its shank passing down through the “Beep Freq Adjust” hole in the front panel. As explained previously, this sets the Checker’s oscillator frequency to match the resonant frequency of the piezo transducer, to give the loudest and clearest beeps. This adjustment can be done at any time and is basically a matter of taste. Troubleshooting Of course, if you are NOT rewarded with any flashes and beeps when you send IR codes to the Checker from a known good remote, you must have a fault in the Checker itself. In this case, you’ll have to unscrew the PC board assembly from the box lid and start searching for the fault. You may have fitted one of the polarised components (diode D1, electrolytic caps, transistors Q1 or Q2, LED1, REG1, IRR1 or IC1) the wrong way around, or accidentally left a component lead unsoldered. Or perhaps you’ve left a solder bridge shorting between two pads or tracks on the board, when you were soldering one of the component leads. It’s really just a matter of searching for whatever your SC fault happens to be and then fixing it. siliconchip.com.au Silicon Chip Binders $12.95 REAL VALUE A T PLUS P& P H S ILICON C HIP logo printed in gold-coloured lettering on spine & cover H Buy five and get them postage free! Available only in Australia. Buy five & get them postage free! Just fill in the handy order form in this issue; or fax (02) 9979 6503; or ring (02) 9979 5644 & quote your credit card number. Silicon Chip Publications, PO Box 139, Collaroy 2097 January 2005  39 Tektronix TPS2000 Series Digital Storage Oscilloscopes . . . the first four-channel-isolated, batterypowered oscilloscopes that are equally at home in the lab or in the field. T ektronix continues to expand its range of “¼-VGA” liquid crystal display DSOs with three new models targeting the industrial power sector. The TPS2012 and TPS2014 models have a bandwidth of 100MHz (1GS/s), whereas the TPS2024 doubles that at 200MHz (2GS/s). Four fully-isolated measurement channels are provided on the latter two models, whereas the lower-cost TPS2012 has only two channels. Other common specifications include a vertical resolution of eight bits, a maximum sensitivity of 2mV/ div and a record length of 2.5K points. As reported in our earlier reviews We used the Tektronix A621 Current Probe for our power measurements. This little beauty can handle up to 1000A. 40  Silicon Chip (July 2001 and July 2002) of Tektronix DSOs, the company has succeeded in packaging their fully featured scopes into an amazing “shoebox” form factor, measuring just 336W x 161H x 130D and weighing in at only 3.2kg. This time around, they’ve even found space for two battery packs but more on that later. These scopes are exceptionally easy to use. Most-used functions such as horizontal and vertical scaling and trace position are instantly accessible using traditional analog-style knobs. Less-used functions are accessed with pushbuttons and simple on-screen menus. In fact, most users won’t need a manual to drive any of Tek’s DSOs. Nevertheless, context-sensitive, onscreen help is available at any time simply by pressing the “help” button. peak and cycle RMS are all built in, improving the usefulness of the instrument and easing the strain on the grey matter. A Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) maths function is also provided as standard on all three models. Hanning, Flat Top and Rectangular window types are supported, spanning 2048 sample points. Yet another useful feature in these instruments is their ability to capture glitches and edge anomalies that would not normally be detected with traditional sampling techniques. Tektronix call this digital real-time (DRT) sampling technology and it’s available on all four channels simultaneously. Familiar features Full isolation Not surprisingly, all of the features that made the earlier models a pleasure to use are included on these models as well. For example, pressing the “Autoset” button performs an instant setup, automatically dialling in the horizontal, vertical and trigger settings for each channel. Eleven commonly used waveform measurements, including period, frequency, rise and fall times, peak-to- Each measurement channel is isolated from all others as well as the chassis and mains power supply. The buzz word is “IsolatedChannel” technology and it provides a perfect solution for both grounded and floating high-voltage measurements in three-phase power and other circuits with different ground references. Up to 30V RMS floating can be measured when using the standard siliconchip.com.au Tektronix TPS2000 The New Isolated Channel Battery Operated Scope. P2220 passive probes. When equipped with the P5120 passive high-voltage probe (optional), the TPS2000 Series measures up to 1000V RMS (CAT II) from the probe tip to earth ground and floating voltages up to 600V RMS (CAT II, 300V RMS CAT III) on all channels simultaneously. Safe solution The channel isolation offered in these models is unique in a combined bench-top and portable instrument. Readers familiar with the challenges of measuring circuits that Do you face these Power Measurement Challenges? • Make multi-channel floating measurements • Measure current and voltage distortion and their spectral content • Measure harmonics, instantaneous power, power factor, switching loss to characterise power electronics circuitry • Measure 3-phase currents & voltages • Validate compliance to regulatory standards • Work in an environment without AC Power • Document and Save your measurement results For more information about the TPS2000 family... Talk to NewTek Instruments: Ph: 02 9888 0100 email: info<at>newtekinstruments.com NewTek Instruments Pty Ltd - Sydney - Melbourne www.newtekinstruments.com Fig.1: up to the 50th harmonic, along with THD, individual harmonic levels display, individual harmonic phase to fundamental and RMS values are all calculated for you by the Harmonics function. siliconchip.com.au January 2005  41 Fig.2: the optional power measurement and analysis software allows you to make accurate power measurements at the touch of a button, eliminating the need for manual calculations. In this example, the Waveform Analysis function displays basic but useful information at a glance. are not referenced to mains earth will immediately recognise the benefits. A method sometimes used when measuring such circuits with a benchtop scope is to disconnect mains earth from the instrument, so “floating” it above ground. This method has two serious side effects. First, it means that the entire chassis of the scope is at the same potential as the equipment under test. Even if the equipment is deemed Fig.3: the Power Analysis function takes voltage and current measurements from two channels and displays true and reactive power, power factor and phase angle. Here, the top two traces show voltage and current in the circuit under test, whereas the bottom trace is generated by the function itself and represents instantaneous power. low voltage and therefore “safe”, a primary to secondary breakdown could expose the user to life-threatening voltages. Second, mains-powered scopes exhibit high parasitic inductance and capacitance when floated, which distorts signal measurements. By contrast, each channel in the TPS2000 series is specified at just 37pF capacitance to chassis. As well as providing a safe means of measurement, individual channel isolation allows you to measure multiple signals simultaneously with different ground references, all without ground loop interference! Perhaps best of all, this scheme enables the use of low-cost passive probes, rather than the expensive differential variety. Battery powered Being small and lightweight, these scopes are meant to travel. A lithium- Tek’s TPS2PBND power bundle includes their power measurement and analysis software option. Physically, this consists of a small electronic key and a printed user’s guide. The key is simply inserted into a slot in the front of the scope to enable the software option. Also included in the bundle are four P5120 passive high-voltage probes (only one probe shown here). The CompactFlash card shown is not part of the bundle and can obviously be obtained for a variety of sources. 42  Silicon Chip Two battery compartments are accessible at one end and accept one or two lithium-ion battery packs for up to eight hours running time. siliconchip.com.au Fig.4: turn-off, turn-on and conduction times are easily measured in power switching circuits using the Switching Loss function. Here, channel 1 is being used to measure drain voltage in a MOSFET switching circuit and channel 2 drain current. Other pages allow you to adjust dv/dt and di/dt cursors for maximum measurement flexibility. ion battery pack provides about four hours of continuous use. A second battery compartment (see photo) allows the use of two batteries for double the run time and also means that when one pack runs flat, it can be swapped out without switching the machine off (ie, “hot-swapped”). PC connectivity Getting your measurements onto a PC for analysis and documentation is straightforward. An up-front slot accepts standard CompactFlash cards for storing setups, measurement data and graphics images of the screen. Most popular PC graphics file formats are supported. In addition, a 9-way socket is provided on the rear for connection to a Fig.5: by using the Phase Angle function in the power measurement and analysis software, the relationship between multiple phases can be easily determined. Note that these waveforms were not captured from a 3-phase power generation grid but rather from a demonstration board. PC serial port. In conjunction with the supplied OpenChoice software, data can be saved to disk or acquired directly in Excel for viewing and processing. A Centronics type parallel port is also provided for those that wish to print screens directly. Once again, many popular printer formats are supported. Complete solution For additional cost, Tektronix offer power measurement and analysis software that significantly expands the capabilities of the TPS2000 scopes. This upgrade allows you to make power measurements at the touch of a button in the appropriate units, eliminating the need for manual calculations. Measurements include true power, reactive power, phase angle, crest factor, harmonics and switching loss (including turn-on, turn-off and conduction losses), among others. To seal the deal for power designers and technicians, the power measurement and analysis software (TPS2PWR1) and four new P5120 passive high-voltage probes can be purchased together as a bundle (TPS2PBND). More information For more information on the new range of TPS2000 scopes, contact the Australian distributors, NewTek Instruments on (02) 9888 0100 or point your browser to their web site at www.newtekinstruments.com SC Car Projects, Volume 2 THE PROJECTS: High-Energy Universal Ignition System; High-Energy Multispark CDI System; Programmable Ignition Timing Module; Digital Speed Alarm & Speedometer; Digital Tachometer With LED Display; Digital Voltmeter (12V or 24V); Blocked Filter Alarm; Simple Mixture Display For Fuel-Injected Cars; Motorbike Alarm; Headlight Reminder; Engine Immobiliser Mk.2; Engine Rev Limiter; 4-Channel UHF Remote Control; LED Lighting For Cars; The Booze Buster Breath Tester; Little Dynamite Subwoofer; Neon Tube Modulator. Or order by phoning (02) 9979 5644 & quoting your credit card number; or fax the details to (02) 9979 6503; or mail your order with cheque or credit card details to Silicon Chip Publications, PO Box 139, Collaroy, NSW 2097. siliconchip.com.au Mail order prices: Aust: $14.95 (incl. GST & P&P) NZ/Asia Pacific: $18.00 via airmail Rest of World: $21.50 via airmail January 2005  43 SERVICEMAN'S LOG What’s cooking? – just the TV set! You hear some bizarre stories in this business, from TVs getting cooked to a VCR that spat out its motor control chip. So how does a TV get cooked? Just have your floor-boards sanded! Mr Cleary was having his wooden floor-boards sanded, sealed and polished in his small but expensive ultramodern kitchen and lounge room. Naturally, everything had to be lifted off the ground in order for the sander/ polisher to do its work. Being such a small apartment, space was at a premium. Most things were put in spare rooms or on shelves, but also on the kitchen benchtops and sink. He left his Panasonic TX68PS72A (MX12) flat-screen TV until last but by now, there was no room left to stow it. Ever resourceful, he eventually decided to put it face down on a soft thick blanket on top of his high-tech induction cooktop – but only after making sure the cooktop was turned off. Not wanting to take any chances, he also turned off the circuit breaker to the cooktop – just in case. Now, this TV is pretty heavy and requires a lot of effort to lift, manoeuvre and roll over onto its front. This meant that is was impossible determine whether any of the cooktop controls had moved under the blanket but if they had, the circuit breaker was still off. When he had finished, he checked and covered everything up before leaving just as the floor polishers arrived. The men wasted no time and after a couple of hours, the job was nearly done when the old sanding machine decided to stop – it was pretty hot after a good workout. The operator cleaned out the dust that was clogging the machine but could find nothing otherwise wrong with it. However, it still wasn’t working so he went over to the fusebox to check things out. Here he found that not only one circuit breaker had tripped but two. Unaware of Mr Cleary’s failsafe approach to safety and not knowing which circuit breaker did what, he reset both. Well, his sander was now back in business so he completed his task unaware of any other problem. Predictably, Murphy’s Law kicked in – the cooktop controls had moved when the TV was placed on top of it and unbeknownst to anyone, was now powered on and cooking. In operation, an induction cook plate runs cool and only warms up metallic objects placed on top of it to cook. The problem was, the metal shadowmask of the M68LVQ087X realflat picture tube was only centimetres away and it got hot. After a while, there was suddenly a very large bang, followed by a loud hissing noise. When the TV was lifted up and the screen was visible, there was a large crack roughly in the shape of the cook top. The plastic cabinet was in perfect condition but the picture tube had been completely destroyed! I’m not sure of the insurance implications but it does look as though the high cost of installing a new picture tube will render this set a complete write-off. So despite Mr Cleary’s precautions, this has been what you might call a first-rate high-tech accident! Fussy audiophile David, our main man when it comes to audio, had a very fussy audiophile who brought in his Technics SE-A5KXL amplifier, complaining that the righthand channel was distorting and intermittently cutting out. David insisted that he also bring in his S4-A6K-XL preamplifier as well, despite Tony’s assurance that it was working perfectly and couldn’t possibly be the problem. Eventually, David prevailed and the preamplifier was brought in. Despite its 23 years, the SE-A5KXL amplifier is still an impressive piece of equipment to look at. It also performs pretty well, with 100 watts 44  Silicon Chip siliconchip.com.au Items Covered This Month • Panasonic TX68PS72A TV set (MX12 chassis) • Technics SE-A5K-XL amplifier and S4-A6K-XL preamplifier • Boston Acoustic P0054 SA1 VR2000 Subwoofer • Sanyo CP28WF2 widescreen TV set (FAW-128 chassis) • Loewe Concept 770 TV set (Art. No. 53470 Chassis C9003) • Toshiba 50D9UXE rear projection TV set (RB9731 chassis) • Panasonic TC48M90A TV set (MX5A chassis) • Philips VR6740/75 VCR true RMS per channel into 8Ω at just 0.001% THD. It didn’t take long for “super-tech” to trace the reason why the amplifier was intermittently cutting out – the tone defeat switches were dirty and creating noise, causing the main protection circuit in the amplifier to activate. David 1, Tony 0. The distorted amplifier was a bit more tricky and very intermittent after 5-10 minutes operation. Dave went for the heat/freeze approach but you have to be very careful with this because sometimes the ensuing condensa- siliconchip.com.au tion can switch the amplifier into an avalanche that the protection circuits cannot save. What he did was squirt freezer onto a cotton bud and then touch individual active components until he found the most sensitive one. That done, he then reheated the device with the hot air from our Hakko 852 desoldering station. This approach soon narrowed the problem down to driver transistor Q316, a 2SC2632. Replacing it completely fixed the problem. After soak testing both units with various sources, it was ready to be collected. Tony was still arguing the toss as he departed with his precious gear but at least he was happier now. Woof, woof I had an expensive 1996 Boston Acoustic P0054 SA1 VR2000 Subwoofer come in, where a transistor insulating pad had punctured under one of the transistors (Q12, 2SD1138) and had in turn blown all nine output transistors, along with nine resistors. The repair work was really straightforward and I made extensive DC checks of all the components in the circuit. I fitted the output transistors with large mica wafers (cut to size) and smeared all mating surfaces with silicone heat transfer compound for good measure. The only difficult part was soldering the output transistors onto the copper side of the PC board, because the copper tracks were lifting. Eventually though, I was pretty confident that all was OK and switched it on. The subsequent explosion was probably heard in Perth – it was about 10 on the Richter scale! Back at square one, I measured the hfe of all the new transistors and checked the resistors. Exactly the same components had failed as before. So what was going on? This time I wasn’t going to pussyfoot about. Before fitting the output transistors, I checked the ±80V, ±12V and ±23V rails but these seemed to be OK. I also fitted additional fuseholders and 3A fuses and when it was all reassembled, I connected a 200W globe in series with the 240V into the power transformer. Finally, with no preamp or speaker connected, and with meters monitoring the offset voltage and the power rails, I gingerly switched it on. What an anti-climax! The globe didn’t light – instead it powered up perfectly and all the voltages were correct. I adjusted R29 for 7mV across the emitter resistors but anything from 8-13mV gives a quiescent current of 35-49mA which is acceptable. I then checked the subwoofer loudspeaker with another amplifier and it worked perfectly. That done, I connected it to the subwoofer amplifier and again switched it on. Once again it fired up flawlessly. The power rails measured ±74V but the quiescent current remained the same. January 2005  45 Serviceman’s Log – continued were all OK, as were the speakers and preamp. I guess I should have got Dave to fix it! Intermittent Sanyo Finally, I connected the preamp and rechecked everything. The 200W lamp was only just beginning to glow very slightly, all the voltages were correct and there were no bad noises coming from the speaker. The amplifier was warm but not hot after half an hour. And so I decided to turn it off and reassemble it, happy that everything was now OK. My happiness didn’t last long. As I turned it off, there was an unexpected loud “pop” from the speaker. I didn’t like that – it spelt trouble! I examined the components for any visible damage and after a few minutes, I decided to try it once again. The globe lit up and smoke poured out of resistors R25, R27 and R36. Aggghhhhh! Well, that was that. I couldn’t afford any more time and it was obvious that the solder tracks couldn’t handle any more component replacements. It was a write-off. But what had caused all this? Of all the genuine transistors I fitted, the hfe values for Q11 and Q13 (2SC3281) varied widely and were very low compared to the other transistors. I selected two at hfe = 40 and 55 but some were a lot lower. The rest of the transistors measured over 100. I suspect that these transistors from my local wholesaler were substandard. In fact, Q8 was hard to get but eventually I managed to get originals and they measured OK. The mica washers 46  Silicon Chip Mr Vincent’s new Sanyo CP28WF2 (FAW-128 chassis) was brought in suffering from intermittent vertical deflection. The slightest knock to this flat widescreen 66cm TV would cause all sorts of crazy lines as the vertical scan broke up. This looked like a straightforward case of dry joints or a fracture in the PC board. However, a close inspection on the workbench under a good bright light failed to reveal any problems. I wasn’t unduly fazed by this – after all, many dry joints and hairline cracks are invisible to the eye. As a result, I started soldering everything in sight around the vertical timebase circuit and then carefully examined both sides of the boards for cracks with a microscope but found absolutely nothing. By now, I was convinced that the problem was around the vertical output IC (IC501, LA7846N). I replaced it in case of an internal intermittent problem but even this didn’t fix the problem. I then spent an awful lot of time checking, testing and replacing all the components around this IC. Unfortunately, measuring the voltages and waveforms didn’t reveal much because the fault was so intermittent. In addition, with a feedback amplifier, a faulty part will cause a ripple-on effect around the whole circuit, making the culprit difficult to pinpoint. Finally, I tried the heating and freezing technique. This was done by propping the boards on edge while the set was on and then freezing and heating individual parts while watching the results in a mirror. And that finally pinpointed the trouble. The problem was C503, a surfacemounted 0.01µF capacitor between pin 6 of IC501 and ground. It had fractured and I replaced it with an ordinary tagged ceramic capacitor. Crook Loewe I had a Loewe Concept 770 (Art. No. 53470 Chassis C9003) brought in with a partial vertical collapse. I began by checking diodes D561, D562 and D563 in the vertical circuit, then replaced all the electrolytic capacitors (C561, C563, C574 and C558). However, the problem persisted so I figured that the vertical output IC (IC561, TDA8175) must be faulty. I ordered a new one from International Dynamics but as the TDA8175 is no longer available, I received a TDA8172 and a modification kit of 15 components plus an instruction sheet for each chassis that took this modification. If the modification isn’t done, it will blow the power supply up. As a result, I followed the information religiously, which involved removing some components, changing others, and adding R002, R003 and C002 on the copper side of the board. These latter parts bias the reference voltage on pin 7 of the vertical IC to approximately 1.7V from the 5V rail. As part of this job, the track to pin 7 is cut and a resistor R001 added to pin 1 instead. Afterwards, the vertical geometry needs realigning and storing for both PAL and NTSC. However, the notes say that if the height is still too great, then R001 (22kΩ) should be changed to 39kΩ. Unfortunately, even after trying all this, I still ended up with a screen that was only three-quarters full, with foldover occupying the bottom quarter of the picture. And even the top had poor vertical linearity. Clearly, I still had a serious problem but after checking all my work twice over, I couldn’t find any measurable problem. In the end, I felt that there had to be something wrong with the modifications and so I went back to International Dynamics. They soon got back to me and informed me that the factory had made a few misprints in the instructions! R578, which was originally 68Ω, should not be replaced with a 120kΩ resistor, as noted. Instead, it was R577 that should be changed – from 13kΩ to 120kΩ. Correcting this fixed the problem, much to my relief. Afterwards, I examined the multilingual 16-page instructions and noticed an additional stamp on the front of the German section, which is also multilingual on alternate lines. In the middle it says “At each actual table the appellation of R578 (120kΩ) must be R577 (120kΩ)”. That’s pretty torturous “German-English” for “I meant R577 not R578”, or “please change R578 in siliconchip.com.au EVERYTHING YOU NEED IN WIND, SOLAR AND MICRO-HYDRO POWER  Wind Generators & Kits, 400 Watts & 1000 Watts 12, 24, 36 <at>48 VDC.  Solar Panels, 1 to 200 Watts  Solar Trackers.  Smart Drive Motors.  Regulators for Wind & Solar.  Stator Rewire Circuit Board Kits.  Dump Loads.  Star Delta Changeover Kits, 3 Phase Rectifiers.  Carbon Matrix Blade Sets Virtually Silent!  Towers & Tower Kits. 43 St Hellier Street Heidelberg 3081 Ph: +61 39459-2888 Email: airaus<at>hotkey.net.au Web Page: www.airaus.com the instructions to R577”, or “error in parts list: R578 should read R577”! Isn’t English hard? Toshiba rear-projection One morning, I found this massive 50-inch Toshiba 50D9UXE rear projection set (RB9731 chassis) plonked right in front of my bench. The note stuck on it said it was dead but ever observant me noticed that you could actually turn it on. However, it would then click off after a few seconds, which indicated one or more protection circuits cutting in like last night’s hangover. I was told that most faults on these models are on the U909 convergence output board (P139488). This board is located on the lefthand side of the chassis and is hard to remove (the three convergence coil plugs are a very tight fit). Eventusiliconchip.com.au ally, however, I eventually got it out and checked it for dry joints. I then connected it back in without the convergence coil plugs (Red P713, Green P714 and Blue P715). This time the set came on and stayed on, giving three separate pictures. It was then a matter of plugging each pair of coils in separately to track the problem down. This indicated that there was a problem only in the green pair of output amplifiers, which are embedded in two ICs (along with the other colours) – Q750 and Q751 (both STK392-110). This meant that it was necessary to replace them both. Fortunately, that fixed all this baby’s problems – at least, after spending a couple of hours realigning the convergence. Sick Panasonic I don’t see many small-size TVs any more because the price of new sets is now so cheap. However, I did get a 1999 48cm Panasonic TC48M90A using an MX5A chassis in for repair. This set was dead except for the red Standby LED but it was otherwise pristine inside and out. It uses the same type of weird power supply as the MX3, with the main 90V rail being derived and delivered to the line output stage all on the hot side (primary) of the switchmode power supply. A quick check soon showed that there was no voltage on this line. And on the secondary, the 41V rail was down to 14V and the 24V rail measured just 7V. There are two optocouplers in the power supply, one for voltage regulation using an SE090 IC and the other controlled by the power on/off function. I briefly dallied with the 90V rail, January 2005  47 Serviceman’s Log – continued checking it for shorts and replacing the IC regulator (IC801) before moving on to the power-on circuit. In this circuit, a high from pin 26 of microprocessor IC1101 (MN1871681TFH) drives Q851, Q850 and the optocoupler D840. I shorted out Q851’s collector and emitter (ground) and the set powered up but no 5V was coming out of the microprocessor no matter what I did. I checked to see that 5V was available on pin 39 but there was no 5V from the reset pin of IC1103. Next, I tried shorting out pins 2 and 1 of IC1103 which was supplying 4.5V instead of 5V to the microprocessor on reset pin 34. This told me (and the ohmmeter confirmed it) that the microprocessor was faulty and drawing too much current on this pin. Fitting a replacement fixed the problem. Spitting chips This final story is really weird. It’s not from my own workbench though – instead, it comes from J. A. of Canberra. I’ll let him tell it in his own words . . . I swear that the following story is true but you’re going to find it hard to believe. I have been in the electronics in48  Silicon Chip dustry for about 35 years, specifically in computing. And because I “know” about electronic things, it automatically makes me qualified to fix anything that has a mains cord or batteries! As anyone in this field knows, when a mate says (over a few beers) “you know about computers and electronic stuff, my [insert name of electronic equipment here] has blown up. Can you fix it?”. Being an accommodating kind of chap, and not wishing to let them down, much less degrade my reputation, I usually accept. Even more so if it’s a “damsel” that’s in distress. As you can imagine, this leads to my fixing some interesting stuff – and some not so interesting stuff.. In this case, it was a Philips VR6740/75 VCR. I have had a look at this machine a few times before. It belonged to a mate and it originally suffered interference from a nearby wireless station, then some time later it developed what looked like worn heads. (That was diagnosed by a repair shop. It turned out to be simply dirty heads). Anyway, my mate and his wife split up some time ago and she scored the VCR. She dropped it off recently, say- ing it had the same fault as before – ie, “doesn’t work”. It stayed in the corner of my workshop for a few weeks, waiting for me to get around to it. When I did have a look at it, the fault was interesting: it would load a tape OK and fast forward and rewind worked, as did picture search in forward and rewind. But if I pressed Play, it would eject the tape! Removing the top cover confirmed that the capstan wasn’t turning. I removed the bottom cover and checked the belt – it was OK and the motor turned the capstan when I turned its shaft. I then checked for voltage on the capstan motor but it was at 0V at all times. Not having a circuit diagram, I traced the motor leads back to an interconnecting board, then through a loom to the motor control board. This board is mounted upside down – ie, with its solder side uppermost. I could plainly see the PC tracks from the wiring loom connector to the motor control chip (IC704) solder pad but there was no chip – just a row of holes! No chip! What the hell was going on? It looked liked someone had had a go at this. I quizzed my wife who is good friends with the VCR’s owner: “Are you sure she hasn’t had this looked at by anyone?” A definite “no” was the answer, “she can’t afford it”. So where was the chip? Did it fall out? I reasoned that if it had indeed fallen out, then it should be still in the VCR somewhere. I picked it up and turned it over and around. At first, I could just hear a rattle and then a chip fell out! A close inspection showed some solder on the pins and some on the PC pads, as you would expect, but there were no signs of it being removed from the board intentionally. Besides, it was still covered in the same layer of dust that was on everything else in the VCR. Anyway, I cleaned up the solder pads, replaced the chip and the VCR worked perfectly. I was very impressed with the quality of the picture. This must have been an expensive unit in its day, with stereo sound, Dolby noise reduction and so on. As to how the chip came to fall out, I can only surmise that it’s proximity to the power supply makes it run fairly hot and over the years the solder joints became dry to the point where SC it simply fell out. siliconchip.com.au NEW YEARS SALE! Cat. XC-5163 $ .95 89 Shocking Shooting Game A great skirmish game! Test your aim, and your nerves! You and your opponent strap on the chest targets, set the guns to ‘wimp’ or ‘tough guy’ shock level, and GO FOR IT! If you are ‘hit’, you get a mild shock through the gun’s handgrip. Two guns and vests supplied. Cat. GH-1095 $ .95 49 SAVE $100 Cat. GH-1098 $ .95 79 As seen on Channel 9's Merrick and Rosso Unplanned, dubbed... The Pain Machine! How many batteries did Santa bring? Probably not enough! By now all those Christmas toys are probably starting to run those batteries flat, and cost you money! Buy our rechargeable Ni-MH batteries for years of use. They will actually save you money! 299 Visible for kilometres! It uses a super bright Quartz Halogen globe, and features a huge 190mm diameter lens. It is supplied with a mains and in-car charger, and the body has integrated adjustable stands for various mounting positions. 79 Cat. ST-3305 $ .95 69 KIT OF THE MONTH Control appliances from anywhere! Ref: Silicon Chip Nov 2004. The SMS controller kit works with Nokia 3210, 3310, 5110, and 6110 models to control electronic outputs, and gives you a host of control options. The possible uses are almost endless! Kit includes PCB, pre-programmed Cat. KC-5400 $ .50 micro, and all electronic components. Requires Nokia data cable. 49 Remote Controlled Mains Switch Remote switching of appliances! This wireless mains system can support up to five outlets, each with their individual On/Off buttons on the remote control. They are rated at a maximum of 1000 Watts, so please check the power consumption of high current devices. Supplied with one Cat. MS-6100 $ .95 remote control, and one mains switch. SAA APPROVED. Extra mains switches Cat. MS-6102 $29.95ea. 39 1+ $2.95 $3.59 $3.95 $5.25 $12.95 $24.90 $12.95 10+ $2.60 $3.15 $3.45 $4.60 $11.35 $22.35 $11.35 Ever lasting memories! You can record up to a 10 second voice message to accompany each photo. It is great for keeping 25+ $2.30 memories alive, or sending $2.75 to a distant relative. $3.15 Holds 24 - 6” x 4" photos $4.15 Cat. XC-0288 $10.35 Holds 36 - 6” x 4" photos Cat. XC-0288 $19.70 Cat. XC-0289 $ .95 $10.35 FOR INFORMATION AND ORDERING TELEPHONE> 1800 022 888 INTERNET> www.jaycar.com.au 44 Supplied with PCBs, silkscreened and machined case, push button bell switch, speaker, hook-up wire, and all electronic components. Includes the optional 120mm length of Cat. KC-5405 100mm diameter pipe for $ .95 that extra rumble! Short Form V8 Doorbell Kit Contains the working electronics only. Supplied with PCBs, and all electronic components. No case, speaker, or Cat. KC-5406 $ .95 pushbutton etc supplied. 49 In Wall Speakers A great mounting solution! If space is limited, or you simply don’t want free standing speakers, then these are a great option for you. 8 ohm impedance allows them to be used in an array of applications. Supplied with attractive white baffle covers. 2 Way Cat. CS-2440 $99.00 3 Way Cat. CS-2442 $149.00 2 Way Ceiling Speakers Great quality sound! Most ceiling speakers are just simple single speaker designs. These dual cone speakers are superior, suitable for a wide range of applications. Supplied with attractive white baffle covers. Two way 6.5" drivers Cat. CS-2446 Two way 8" drivers Cat. CS-2448 $89.95 $119.95 40 Channel UHF Transceiver New model, better features! Due to the outstanding success of our DC-1010 model, we have introduced this new version which is more compact, and has some great new features. It has a compact rechargeable battery pack, and is supplied with a charging cradle that can charge up to two transceivers at once. If the battery pack runs flat, you can still use AAA batteries. It has a four step scrambling function for private communications. •Transceiver measures 53(W) x 95(H) x 32(D)mm. One Transceiver with Charging Cradle Photo Album with Voice Recorder Cat SB-2444 SB-1723 SB-1700 SB-1706 SB-2429 SB-2460 SB-2467 Full V8 Doorbell Kit Cat. QM-3752 $ .00 SMS Controller Kit Don’t forget your January Discount Coupon! You can find it in the back of your 2004 Catalogue! Type AAA 650mAh AAA 900mAh AA 1650mAh AA 2000mAh C 4500mAh D 9000mAh 9V 200mAh Exclusive A must for car enthusiasts! Ref: SC Jan 2004. Be the envy of you mates as they hear the rumble when they press your doorbell. You may have seen commercially available units, but nothing like this. It sounds just like a V8, and has variable background noise for tappets and valves etc, for an even more realistic effect. Two versions available: 5,000,000 Candle Power Halogen Spotlight Electric Shock Reaction Game How quick are you? Wait for the light to change from red to green, then hit the button. If you are the last, you will receive a mild shock, but don’t jump the gun or you will get one too! In-car viewing at its best! Connect any composite video source such as a DVD player, games console, camera, and more. It features wide viewing angles, image reverse, on screen display for controls, and more! See our website for details. Was $399 January 2005 Featuring 1.5" micro speakers, and an internal amplifier, they sound great. It all folds up to a neat 286g package when not in use too. Powered by 4 x AAA batteries. V8 Sounding Doorbell Kit Jaycar 7" Widescreen TFT LCD Monitor for Cars Portable iPod / MP3 Player Dock and Speakers Cat. DC-1025 $ .95 89 Extra Transceiver Cat. DC-1028 $ .95 69 Cat. XC-0289 $ .95 Spare Rechargeable Battery Packs Cat. DC-1029 $ .95 9 59 1 Economy Car Alarm SAVE $20 99 2.4GHz Portable Video Baby Monitor / Wireless Monitoring System Peace of mind! Keep your ears and eyes on your child, without wires! It has a screen to see them and speaker to hear them! You can also use it for remote surveillance applications. Up to three cameras can be Cat. QC-3280 used with the receiver. $ .00 SAVE Was $299 $40 259 B&W Desktop Video Doorphone Keep an eye on the door while sitting at your desk! Its functions are similar to our popular wall mount versions, with a 5.5" monitor, slimline handset, and electric door strike control. See website for details. SAVE $80 Simple surveillance! Consisting of a wireless camera with a 5.5" monitor, with a transmission distance of up to 100m, it is ideal for monitoring in a shopfront, home, or office. The camera also has built in IR Cat. QC-3254 $ .00 LEDs for night viewing. Ltd qty. Was $279 199 4 Camera Plug 'N View Deal Just plug them in, and off you go! The deal contains four B&W outdoor cameras with IR illumination, and a 12" B&W four way quad monitor. It is a great, no fuss way to get your surveillance covered. Ltd qty. Was $899 Plug N View B&W Cameras with PIRs Indoor Camera with Outdoor Camera with IR Illumination & PIR IR Illumination & PIR SAVE $89.95 79 2 SAVE $50 Pinhole CMOS Colour Camera with Audio Cat. QC-3454 $ .95 99 960Hr Time Lapse VCR B&W Video Doorphone Motion triggering! The built in PIR can trigger an alarm event, switcher, and more. 5m PIR detection range. Ltd qty. Cat. QM-3401 $ .50 SAVE $100 $40 Cat. QV-3053 $ .00 SAVE $250 349 Cat. QC-3602 $ .00 199 139 SAVE $60 Cat. QC-3390 $ .00 249 IP Addressable Capture Box Simple surveillance solution! SAVE You can connect up to $50 four cameras to this unit, and broadcast them online securely or publicly. Integrated web server. Also has a local Cat. QC-3392 composite video output. $ .00 Was $349.00 299 Hassle free installation! Just apply power, and the camera will transmit video and audio to the awaiting receiver. The multichannel receiver can be used with up to 3 cameras, and even scan between them. RCA outputs for video and audio, and a mains plugpack & connecting cables are supplied. Ltd qty. 2004 Cat Price $199 Buy an additional B&W camera (QC-3257) for just $50 more! Save $219 total. 2004 Cat Price $229 Buy an additional colour camera (QC-3257) for just $60 more! Save $239 total. 10" B&W 4 Channel Switching Monitor 12" B&W 4 Channel Switching Monitor •Variable switching delay. •Limited quantity. Was $259.50 •Includes audio and remote control. •Limited qty. Was $299.50 Cat. QM-3406 $ .50 Cat. QM-3403 $ .50 199 No rainchecks on limited or clearance stock SAVE $60 Cat. QC-3255 $ .00 89 Colour Wireless Camera / Receiver Even better viewing! The colour camera, and LCD screen give you excellent clarity to the picture. Supplied with all mounting hardware and wiring. Cat. QC-3606 $ .00 399 Cat. QM-3402 $ .50 199 B&W Wireless Camera / Receiver Colour Video Doorphone •Standard composite video input. •Limited qty. Was $199.50 Cat. LA-5198 $ .00 2.4GHz Wireless Camera Systems See who’s at your door before you let them in! The 4" screen lets you see your visitors, and you can talk to them through the handset. Supplied with all mounting hardware and wiring. 10" B&W Security Monitor with Audio 299 Remote surveillance? No worries! This internet addressable camera features an integrated web server, so there is no need for a computer! Also has a local composite video output. Was $349.00 369 Great compact size! It measures just 20 x 20 x 16mm, has 380TV line resolution, and is supplied with a mains plugpack. Ltd qty. SAVE Was $139.95 Cat. LA-9010 $ .00 IP Addressable Camera Cat. LA-5435 $ .00 Cat. QC-3730 $ .00 SAVE $79.95 Reduced false triggering! The twin beam makes it less likely to be broken by debris, animals etc. It has a long range of up to 60m indoors, or 30m outdoors. It can be powered from 10 to 30VDC, with 120VAC <at> 1A relay contacts. Melcom 5 Sector Alarm Deal SAVE $100 799 Keep an eye on your car all the time! Includes black box controller, two transmitter keyfobs, foot brake trigger, car transmitter, shock sensor, ignition cut out relay, bonnet pin switch, battery backup siren & wiring. SAVE Was $349 $50 Twin Photo-Beam Detector Transmitter Receiver 129 Huge recording time! Record for up to 40 days with a standard E-180 cassette tape. Ltd qty, limit two per customer. Was $599 Cat. QC-3704 Was $169.95 Now $80 149 Open the door from anywhere! This great unit acts as an intercom, with a wireless receiver Take it out the back, or around the house. It also has electronic door strike control, so you can let your Cat. AI-5510 $ .00 visitors in too! 129 Cat. QC-3702 Was $149.95 Now $70 Cat. LA-9005 $ .00 Wireless Doorbell / Intercom with Door Strike Control Cat. QC-3620 $ .00 2.4GHz B&W CMOS Wireless Camera and Monitor Set •Variable switching delay. •Limited quantity. Was $129.50 Extra security for peace of mind! Includes black box controller, two transmitter keyfobs, shock sensor, ignition cut out relay, bonnet pin switch, battery backup siren, SAVE $50 and wiring. Was $199 Secure your home or office NOW! Don’t delay any longer. Our great Melcom deal will get you all the parts you need and get you secure. See website for details. Extra cameras also available - QC-3281 $189 6" B&W Dual Channel Auto Switching Monitor Two Way Paging Car Alarm Full Feature Car Alarm Basic protection for your car! Includes black box controller, two transmitter keyfobs, shock sensor, ignition cut out relay, bonnet pin switch, siren, and Cat. LA-9000 $ .00 wiring. Was $119 259 SAVE $110 Cat. QC-3260 $ .00 109 SAVE $120 12" B&W 4 Channel Quad Monitor with Digital Control •Freeze frame, image zoom, and more. •Limited qty. Was $599.50 SAVE $40 Cat. QM-3407 $ .50 449 SAVE $150 FOR INFORMATION AND ORDERING TELEPHONE> 1800 022 888 INTERNET> www.jaycar.com.au Laptech Personal Swim Coach Digital Map Distance Calculator How far is the next turn off? Automatically convert a map’s scale distance to real distance by rolling the small wheel along the desired route. It works with any map scale and displays in kilometres or miles. Just like having your own personal trainer! It can mount above or below the water, and you simply touch the face at the end of each lap. It records and reports lap times, total distance, and more! Cat. XC-0210 SAVE $ .95 Was $59.95 $10 49 A must have for every recreational fisherman! It includes a 14 in 1 multi tool, 0 - 6kg scales, and an LED hand torch, all in a convenient Cat. TD-2053 $ .95 belt pouch. Cat. XC-0375 $ .95 40 Channel UHF CB Band Transceiver Short range communication without mobile phones! Keep in touch within 1km in the city, or 5km in an open area. Operating on standard 40 channel CB frequencies, they can be used with CB repeaters throughout Australia. Accessories available, see website for details. Was Cat. DC-1010 SAVE $ .00 $49 $10 AM/FM Pocket Radio Compact and portable! An ideal gift for the older person who just wants to listen to races or sport. Shirt pocket special!! Measures 50(W) Cat. AR-1774 $ .95 x 80(H) x 20(D)mm. 9 8L Collapsible Bucket High quality batteries! Our range of SLA batteries represent excellent value for money. They feature leak proof construction, long service life, high discharge capability, deep discharge recovery, and more. Don’t use low quality SLA batteries to save a dollar or two, you will just end up replacing them even sooner. Vol 6V 6V 12V 12V 12V 12V 12V Cap 4.2Ah 12Ah 1.3Ah 2.2Ah 4.2Ah 7.2Ah 18Ah Cat. No. SB-2496 SB-2497 SB-2480 SB-2482 SB-2484 SB-2486 SB-2490 Qty 1+ $12.95 $29.95 $19.95 $24.95 $35.00 $36.50 $44.95 Qty 4+ $11.35 $26.90 $17.70 $22.35 $31.45 $32.90 $40.45 Qty 10+ $10.35 $23.70 $15.70 $19.70 $27.95 $28.95 $35.90 BP Solar 12V Polycrystalline Solar Panels 179 19 SAVE $20 Modified Square Wave Inverters Great value! They have a host of safety features such as overload and short circuit protection, dielectric isolation between the battery and secondary voltages, and much more. They all have excellent surge ratings and boast GREAT NEW RANGE over 90% efficiency. Pure Sine Wave Inverters Great reliability! Pure Sine Wave inverters provide a mains waveform that is much closer to that of conventional mains supplies. This is much better, & sometimes required when powering sensitive equipment, some switchmode power supplies etc. Power Surge VDC VAC Cat. No. Price 150W (300W) 12 to 230 MI-5080 $229 Suits battery chargers, fax machines, lamps and more 300W (500W) 12 to 230 MI-5082 $299 Suits laptops, lamps and fluorescents up to 300W, 34cm TVs etc 500W (1000W) 12 to 230 MI-5085 $329 Suits power tools, laptops, microwaves, blenders, small fridges etc 1000W (2000W) 12 to 230 MI-5088 $799 Suits Hi-Fi systems, computers, 68cm TVs, lighting, fridges etc! 1500W (2500W) 24 to 230 MI-5089 $999 Suits large TVs, many power tools, lighting, computers and more Price $235 $359 $799 FOR INFORMATION AND ORDERING TELEPHONE> 1800 022 888 Full function in a wrist watch! They are extremely portable, and use internal rechargeable batteries. Up to 2km range. Cat. DC-1070 $ PR Was $199 Cat. YS-2800 $ .95 Top quality panels at a great price! Each panel has an array of 36 Polycrystalline cells, and can charge 12V batteries in virtually any climate. They are built to last, and designed to withstand a 25mm hail stone travelling at terminal velocity. They are mounted in an anodised aluminium frame that is weather proof and corrosion resistant. See website for full details. Power Warranty Cat 10W 10 Year ZM-9060 20W 10 Year ZM-9062 80W 20 Year ZM-9069 $20 40Ch UHF CB Transceiver Wrist Watch Wash away the cares of the day - no matter how far from civilisation you are! The camping shower allows you to take a shower wherever you are. Powered by your vehicle’s 12V battery. Sealed Lead Acid Batteries Massive range! Up to 8km working range with a hi/lo setting to conserve power. Cat. DC-1040 SAVE Was $119 $ .00 99 12V Camping Shower 14 1.5W High Powered UHF CB Band Transceiver or 2 for $69.90 39 No need for wasted storage space! This bucket collapses down to just 255 x 35mm when not in use. Measures 255 x 230mm open with an 8 litre Cat. GH-1260 $ .95 capacity. Cat. DC-1030 $ .95 59 19 29 SAVE $20 Cut out CB traffic noise! It remains silent until ‘called’ from another CTCSS equipped transceiver. Up to 5km range Was $79.95 Buy one of these transceivers, and receive a DC-1034 mains battery charger absolutely FREE! (Rechargeable batteries sold separately, while stocks last). A great aid en for draftsm too! Fishing Tool Set 40 Channel UHF Transceiver with CTCSS INTERNET> www.jaycar.com.au Power Surge VDC VAC Cat. No. Price 100W (300W) 12 to 230 MI-5100 $59.95 Suits battery chargers, small lights, and low power devices 150W (450W) 12 to 230 MI-5102 $79.95 Suits battery chargers, fax machines, lamps etc! 300W (1000W) 12 to 230 MI-5104 $119.95 Suits laptops, lamps & fluorescents up to 300W, 34cm TVs etc 400W (1200W) 12 to 230 MI-5106 $159.95 Suits laptops, lamps & fluorescents up to 400W, 54cm TVs etc 400W (1200W) 24 to 230 MI-5107 $169.95 Suits laptops, lamps & fluores to 400W, 54cm TVs & more from 24V 600W (1500W) 12 to 230 MI-5108 $249.95 Suits power tools, 68cm TVs, laptops, microwaves, small fridges etc 800W (2000W) 12 to 230 MI-5110 $299.95 Suits power tools, 68cm TVs, blenders, small fridges, microwaves etc 1000W (2500W) 12 to 230 MI-5112 $399.95 Suits Hi-Fi systems, computers, 68cm TVs, lighting, fridges etc 1500W (3500W) 12 to 230 MI-5114 $599.95 Suits large TVs, many power tools, lighting, computers etc Amorphous Type Solar Panels Very affordable! These are Amorphous Silicon type solar panels offering excellent quality, and value for money. Be aware of cheap Amorphous solar panels which will simply not give the claimed output power. All our panels will give claimed power at 34°S latitude, ie, Sydney. Amorphous power output gradually decreases over the years, unlike polycrystalline which do not. Voltage 6 Volt 12 Volt 12 Volt 12 Volt 12 Volt Power Cat No. 1 Watt ZM-9020 2 Watt ZM-9024 4 Watt ZM-9026 10 Watt ZM-9030 15 Watt ZM-9045 Price $29.95 $39.95 $69.95 $139.00 $199.00 3 1.3 Mega Pixel Mini Digital Camera Great photos anywhere! Take it with you anywhere, anytime! It operates as a digital camera on its own, or a streaming web cam when connected to a PC. It gives you great 1280 x 960 pixel images, and measures just 86 x 31 x 27mm. Was $59.00 Cat. QC-3226 SAVE $10 49 $ .00 Remote Controlled Flying Saucer Soar to new heights of excitement! This untethered flying saucer will soar into the air, while you maintain full control over its height. A small internal battery can be recharged on the landing base. Saucer dia. is 230mm. Was $49.95 Cat. GT-3004 34.95 $ Mini Digital Video Camera Fantastic price! This easy to use camera fits in the palm of your hand! The recorded video can be transferred to a computer for editing, or simply viewed directly on any TV with AV inputs. Supplied with New camera bag, cables and software. improved •3.1 mega pixel software model withal resolution for stills. 32MB intern •1.5" colour LCD screen. memory •5 layer glass lens. •32MB internal memory Cat. QC-3230 •SD/MMC expansion slot $ .00 •4x digital zoom •Internal microphone and lots more! 249 SAVE $15 Talking Pedometer with FM Radio Radio Controlled Boat Great fun on the water! This little beauty speeds around the bathtub or pool with full manoeuvrability. Uses an internal battery that is recharged with the battery pack. Was $29.95 SAVE $5 Listen to music while you burn calories! It announces the steps, distance, calories burnt and exercise time when you press the TALK button, or automatically at intervals. Integrated auto-scan Cat. XC-0265 FM radio with $ .95 earphones included. 29 24.95 $ Measures just 44 x 44mm! At the touch of a button it will scan for stations. It is so small you won’t even notice it in your Cat. AR-1770 pocket while running $ .95 or jogging etc. Electronic Toy Safes Animated Pen Stand 9 Air Powered Rocket Launcher and Pump All Colours (ea) 19.95 $ IOUS! HILLAR Your Grandmother won't like it, but you will! It lets out a series of amusing sounds and lifts its head when you insert a pen into the rear-facing rectal receptacle. ted! Cat. GT-3110 19.95 $ 12VDC Cooler / Warmers Keep your pies hot, or your beers cold! A solid state thermoelectric SAVE device cools to -25°C, or $5ea heats to +65°C relative to ambient temperature. Perfect transport for hot or cold food and drinks over long distances without trouble. They are powered from your car’s cigarette lighter socket or a mains plugpack (not included). 4L Versions 4L RED Cat. GH-1376 $ .95ea 4L SILVER Cat. GH-1377 Holds 6 x 375mL cans Was $44.95 8L Version 8L RED Cat. GH-1378 $ .95 Holds 12 x 375mL cans Was $79.95 39 74 Mains plugpack available to suit - GH-1379 $39.95. 4 Great fun for the whole family! The missiles launch spectacularly into the air with the simple use of a hand pump. They launch over 30m into Cat. GT-3006 the air! $ .95 Cat. YS-5545 7.95 $ Liar liar, pants on fire! Your mates will tremble as you question them about the size of fish they say they caught. If they lie, they will receive a mild shock. Great fun at your next party. Cat. GH-1093 HONEST! 44.95 $ Shocking Tank Battle Set Remote control battles with a twist! These futuristic looking remote control tanks have IR cannons to fire at each other. Look out though, if you get hit, you will receive a mild shock! Great fun. •Supplied as a pair. Cat. GH-1099 99.95 $ 34.95 SAVE $15 Cat. GG-2104 59.95 $ SAVE $20 STYLISH & AL FUNCTION 2.4GHz Wireless Audio Video Senders Watch cable TV all over the house! Great for parties! It emits a harmless fog that can help create great lighting effects, mystical low lying fog, and more. 240VAC mains Cat. AF-1210 powered. Requires $ .95 Cat. AF-1212 fog juice. 99 1L Fog Juice for Fog Machine Galileo Thermometers Invented by Galileo hundreds of years ago! These thermometers are as beautiful to look at as they are functional.The glass spheres rise and fall in the liquid column to indicate current room temperature. Limited quantity. Two sizes available: GG-2102 38cm, Was $49.95 GG-2104 53cm, Was $79.95 $ 29 KILLS S COCKROACHE TOO! Shocking Lie Detector Cat. GG-2102 Fog Machine R-Ra Keep the kids entertained! The Amazing Flygun is a safe, fun, and effective method of killing flies and mosquitoes. Launch the spring powered swatter at your target! It is safe, fun and really does work! FM Auto Scan Radio Cat. GT-3410 Ideal protection against… siblings! Features an illuminated keypad and programmable combination, with voice or sound effects. •185(H) x 135(W) x 125(D)mm. Pink Cat. GH-1310 Blue Cat. GH-1311 The Amazing Flygun! Cat. AF-1212 9.95 $ “Norbert” Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Sit back & relax while your robot cleans the house! It automatically moves around obstacles, and an intelligent optical sensor assists in avoiding walls & obstructions. Works best to supplement your Cat. GH-1395 manual cleaner, not replace it. $ .00 Cat. GH-1395 Spare Dust Filters Pk 2 Cat. GH-1396 $19.95 Mop Papers Pk 100 Cat. GH-1397 $19.95 249 Send a signal from a DVD player, set-top box etc., to another room, without the use of any cables! You can use as many receivers as you like, without degrading signal quality. Each unit comes supplied with stereo audio/video transmitter and receiver, mains plugpacks & RCA cables. Transmission range is up to 100m, but depends on the type of construction materials used. Was $99 Cat. AR-1832 SAVE Extra receiver to suit $ .00 $10 Cat. AR-1833 $69 89 2.4 GHz Wireless A/V Sender with Remote Control Extender With the addition of an IR remote control repeater you can change the channel of the source device etc from the other room. Was $139 SAVE Extra receiver to suit $30 Cat. AR-1831 $89 Cat. AR-1830 109.00 $ FOR INFORMATION AND ORDERING TELEPHONE> 1800 022 888 INTERNET> www.jaycar.com.au Digital Voice Memo Keyring Business Card Scanner Great for quick voice notes! It holds multiple messages up to a total length of 20 seconds. Great for phone numbers, names, dates, and more! Was $21.95 SAVE $5 Cat. XC-0276 139 16.95 $ USB Radio and Remote Control Image Media Player Digital slide shows on your TV! Just insert your memory card and plug it into the composite input on your TV! It also acts as a card reader when connected to your PC. Cat. XC-4857 149.00 $ Multiple functions from this tiny unit! Store names, phone numbers, email addresses, and more. Includes alarm clock, calculator and world time too. •65(L)x42(W)x15(D)mm. Cat. XC-0182 19.95 $ Stay safe on the roads! Incorrect tyre pressures can have adverse affects on handling and stopping distance. Keep check on your tyre pressures easily. 0 to 150PSI range. 69.95 $ Stay safe this summer. It displays blood alcohol concentration between 0.00% and 0.05%. It provides a good result, but should not be relied upon to produce precise results. Cat. QM-7292 59.95 $ Personal Desktop Fan Cat. XM-5124 29.95 $ 69.95 $ 128MB 5 in 1 Digital Camera Cat. GH-1190 49.95 $ Ideal for students, lecturers, and tradespeople! It features a metal barrel, twist action pen, and a soft action button to activate the laser. SAVE Cat. ST-3090 Was $19.95 $5 Cat. GH-1074 9.95 $ Personal Fan with Storage Compartment 14.95 $ Vibrating Pen The ideal beach companion! It has soft blades for safety and a storage compartment to keep your valuables safe too. Requires 2 x AA Cat. YX-2590 batteries. $ .00 Limited qty. 5 Personal Fans with Water Spray Great relief from a hard day’s work! The vibrating head will gently soothe stress and tension, and includes a Cat. ST-3096 pressure SAVE $ .95 point chart. $5 Was $24.95 19 UV LED Glow Pen Be the envy of your friends! It features a bright UV LED for a great purple glow. 2004 Cat. Price $14.95 Cat. GH-1072 7.95 $ FOR INFORMATION AND ORDERING TELEPHONE> 1800 022 888 69 Cat. XC-5135 Going On Holidays? Use our Automatic Pet Feeder! Don’t worry about troubling your neighbours! Just put the food in and program the timer for 8, 12, or 24hrs. It will then slide open the lid and play your recorded voice message so your pet knows it’s dinner time! Three separate compartments. A cheap alternative! It has no internal memory, instead using standard SD cards (available separately), giving you a cheap, high capacity MP3 player. See website for details. Measures just 57(W) x 45(H) x 12(D)mm and runs Cat. GE-4003 $ .95 on 1 AAA battery. Possibly the most versatile digital device around! It measures just 72 x 17 x 15mm, but what you can’t tell by looking at it, is that it actually has five different functions. It operates as a: •300k pixel digital camera storing up to 2000 images. •100k pixel digital video camera with up to 20 mins storage. •Voice recorder with up to 2 hrs storage. SAVE •Web camera when connected to a PC. $50 •128MB USB flash disk for data storage. Powered by an internal lithium battery Cat. QC-3224 charged by the USB port. Ltd qty. $ .00 Was $299 249 W R I T I N G W I T H S T Y LE ! G R E AT P E N S F O R S C H O O L ! Laser Pointer Pen 5 in 1 Pen Keep your cool in summer! It will create a refreshing breeze to keep you cool. Measures 130(W) x 160(D) x 75(H) folded. Keep your cool! These fans have a water spray to use on those scorching summer days. Small size GH-1070 Large size GH-1072 No more tangles! The excess cord will retract out of the way. 19.95 19.95 149 Wireless Keyboard & Mouse $ $ Great music portability! It can store up to two hours of MP3 music or four hours of WMA music. It has 5 inbuilt equalisation settings for optimum sound, and can operate just as a USB flash Cat. GE-4001 $ disk. Eliminate desktop clutter! Ergonomic design with a black and silver finish. Software supplied. Cat. XM-5122 Alcohol Breath Tester with Readout 3.95 Cat. GE-4003 Great rubber feel! Ergonomic design, 500dpi resolution. Cat. GG-2310 128MB MP3 Player with LCD Screen Memory Card Type MP3 Player USB Optical Mouse Digital Tyre Pressure Gauge $ Radio on your PC! Receive, play, and record FM radio stations through an ultra-stable phaselocked-loop (PLL) tuning system for superior reception. Includes an IR remote control which can also be used with software such as MS PowerPoint. Mini USB Optical Mouse with Retractable Lead Touch Screen Data Bank Keychain Cat. GH-1070 SAVE $30 No more data entry! Just slip a business card through the scanner, and it automatically detects the information, stores it in a database, or prepares it for export to popular software. Cat. XC-4960 Was $169 $ .00 INTERNET> www.jaycar.com.au SAVE $5 Cat. ST-3063 9.95 $ What more could you want in a pen? It features a PDA stylus, powerful magnet, small Phillips and slotted screwdrivers, and of course a ball point pen. Ltd qty. Was $14.95 SAVE $7.95 Cat. ST-3097 7.00 $ LED Glow Pens Write in the dark! These great pens incorporate a bright LED that shines through the clear acrylic barrel. This provides excellent illumination right where you are writing. Great to impress your friends! Red ST-3065 SAVE Blue ST-3066 $3 Green ST-3067 White ST-3071 Was $9.95 ALL TYPES (ea) 6.95 $ 5 4A Car Battery Charger Imac® Blue Powerboards Colour Wheel for PAR 36 Lights Keep your batteries in top shape! It delivers up to 4A, reducing as the battery comes up to charge. Minimum battery capacity is 20Ah, mains powered. SAVE Ltd qty. $20 Was $39.95 They look great! They have a max load rating of 2400W, with a safety overload and reset switch. A 1m Cat. MS-4041 $ .95 mains lead is attached & there are two sizes. Ltd qty. Cat. MS-4046 4 Way MS-4041 Was $5.95, Save $3.00 $ .95 6 Way MS-4046 Was $8.25, Save $3.30 A great way to enhance party lighting! It works well with mirror balls, or just on its own. The rotating wheel changes the colour of the light shining from behind. Ltd qty. SAVE Was $31.50 $11.55 Mains Extension Leads 12VDC Mini PAR Halogen Light 2 Cat. MB-3520 $ .95 19 8A Car Battery Charger Great for big batteries! The four stage LED scale indicates charging status, and you can select from heavy or trickle charging. Suitable for 6 and 12V batteries. Ltd qty. Cat. MB-3522 Was $69.95 $ .95 29 SAVE $40 4 Stock up now! They feature a “safe socket”, which has a flange around it, so kids can’t slide a knife in and hurt themselves. Ltd qty. 3m PS-4125 Was $4.95 5m PS-4130 Was $5.95 Cat. PS-4125 $ .95 SAVE $2 Cat. PS-4130 $ .50 SAVE $2.45 2 3 Just like the real thing! It uses a 12V 20W MR11 halogen globe. It includes a mains plugpack, and four different coloured filters for a great effect. Ltd qty. SAVE Was $29.95 $15 Cat. SL-2961 $ .95 19 Cat. SL-2967 $ .95 14 5 Input Mains Powered Stereo DJ Mixer Charger for Nokia Phones Twin Underwater Halogen Lamps Mix up a storm! Now you can be the DJ at your next party. It has great functionality including crossfade, talk over, LED level indication and more. Ltd qty. Was $169 Great as a spare! Keep one at home, and one at the office. It has an output of 6.8VDC at 700mA, which is required for Nokia phone charging. Ltd qty. SAVE Was $29.95 Light up your fishpond! This set comprises of two 10W halogen lamps that are powered by the included mains transformer. 2m total lead SAVE length. Ltd qty. $10 Was $19.95 SAVE $70 Cat. AM-4210 $ .00 99 $22 Cat. MB-3580 $ .95 7 Cat. SL-2765 $ .95 9 Wireless IR Headphones 4 Port Automatic KVM Switch 6V Rechargeable Halogen Torch Walk around the room with no wires! The reproduction is clear, and does not suffer from RF interference like radiobased units. 7 metres operating distance. Ltd qty. Cat. AA-2051 SAVE $ .95 Was $79.95 $30 Ideal for multiple PCs! It swaps the keyboard, monitor, and mouse, between each PC with the use of “Hot Keys”. Ideal for sever rooms etc. Ltd qty. SAVE Was $129.95 $70 Super bright! It will run for up to 2hrs on a full charge, and features an integrated stand in the base. Includes mains charger. Ltd qty. Was $47.95 49 Mains / Telephone Surge Protector SAVE $8 Protect your equipment! It uses fast acting MOVs to neutralise spikes and surges. Ltd qty. Cat. MS-4026 Was $22.95 $ .95 14 Mains Surge Protector Protect your mains appliances! Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV) protection on all three lines. Ltd qty. Was $14.95 Cat. MS-4008 $ .95 SAVE $5 9 Cat. YN-8096 $ .95 59 Mains Double Adaptor Handy around the house! Stock up now so you always have one when you need it! Ltd qty. Was $3.65 Cat. PP-4032 $ .00 2 SAVE $1.65 SAVE $28 Cat. ST-3086 $ .95 19 3,500,000 Candle Power Spotlight Super bright! Features a water resistant ABS case, SAVE $15 supplied with mains and car chargers. Ltd qty, may Cat. ST-3304 be store display model. $ .95 Was $59.95 44 STOCK CLEARANCE SALE! We have some stock with very limited quantities, but at extremely good prices. Stock is not available in all stores, so please call to check availability. Stock may not be transferable between stores. No rainchecks or further discounts apply. Product Description AR-1718 AA-2015 AA-2046 CG-2380 CS-2465 GH-1013 GH-1014 GH-1052 GH-1054 GH-1100 GH-1152 GT-303* GT-3040 GT-3042 HP-1295 HM-3830 LA-5180 LA-5319 LA-5510 PL-0948 PP-1190 PP-1194 PA-3658 QP-2272 QP-2275 QC-3220 QC-3250 QC-3270 QC-3271 QC-3274 QC-3275 QC-3338 QC-3340 6 Original RRP DYNAMO REMOTE CONTROL UNIVERSAL 4IN1 EARPHONES STEREO HIGH QUALITY HEADPHONES KOSS/FORD 2 FOR 1 DEAL 6.5MM PA SPEAKER 12IN 8R 100WRMS CARDBOARD SURROUND SOUND SPEAKER 3PCE ADD-ON 25W DISPLAY TURNTABLE ROUND 7.5IN DISPLAY TURNTABLE SQUARE 120MM MINI MIXER/CREAMER/VACUUM CLEANER 3IN1 MAGIC PILLOW W/BLUE CARRY BAG CAR BOOT EXTENDER W/LIGHT & BOX CUTTER COCKTAIL SHAKER W/ACCESSORIES PLASTIC REMOTE CONTROL MINI CARS - ASSORTED MODELS REMOTE CONTROL COMBAT TANK RF 27MHZ REMOTE CONTROL COMBAT TANK RF 40MHZ REEL-WIRE TIDY ROLL UP PK2 CABINET CORNER LOCKING PLAST LGE PK8 PERSONAL ALARM BLK 55X67X20MM DUMMY CAMERA ROTATING METAL CASE W/BRKT ALARM PANEL AV-GAD 8ZONE W/DIALLER COMPUTER LEAD IDE ATA100 3SKT ROUND 480MM BLK PLG PCB DIN41612 32WAY ROW PLG PCB DIN41612 48WAY ROW ADPT PLG SCART - 3SKT RCA METAL DETECTOR HANDHELD TESTER DETECTOR METAL & VOLTAGE WEB CAMERA USB CMOS 100K PIXEL CAMERA CCD B&W WEATHERPROOF MTL CASE CAMERA CMOS COLOUR MINI RF 380TVL CAMERA CMOS COLOUR 2.4GHZ CH1 SUITS QC-3270 CAMERA CMOS COLOUR RF W/12IR LED & MTL CASE CAMERA CMOS COLOUR IR 2.4GHZ CH4 SUITS QC-3274 BRACKET CEILING MTL R/A SLV 30KG MAX LENS CAMERA CS MOUNT 4MM ECONOMY $59.95 $10.95 $39.95 $99.50 $99.95 $59.95 $44.95 $24.95 $39.95 $24.95 $14.95 $29.95 $44.95 $44.95 $9.95 $11.75 $11.95 $89.95 $319.00 $24.95 $1.70 $2.20 $10.95 $69.95 $19.95 $49.95 $149.00 $249.00 $129.00 $299.00 $179.00 $49.95 $24.95 Now Save Product Description $20.00 $6.95 $29.95 $59.50 $59.95 $39.95 $24.95 $12.00 $19.95 $7.00 $7.00 $14.95 $24.95 $24.95 $4.95 $6.75 $5.95 $39.95 $279.00 $14.95 $1.00 $1.50 $6.95 $35.00 $14.95 $29.95 $99.00 $199.00 $99.00 $249.00 $139.00 $29.95 $9.95 $39.95 $4.00 $10.00 $40.00 $40.00 $20.00 $20.00 $12.95 $20.00 $17.95 $7.95 $15.00 $20.00 $20.00 $5.00 $5.00 $6.00 $50.00 $40.00 $10.00 $0.70 $0.70 $4.00 $34.95 $5.00 $20.00 $50.00 $50.00 $30.00 $50.00 $40.00 $20.00 $15.00 QC-3342 QC-3344 QC-3380 QM-7243 SM-1022 SM-1025 SM-1026 TD-2054 TH-2314 TH-2316 TH-2324 TD-2446 WC-7628 XC-0190 XC-0196 XC-0245 XC-0298 XC-0310 XC-0320 XC-1006 XC-4646 XC-4700 XC-4714 XC-4730 XC-4770 XC-4812 XC-4851 XC-5034 YN-8181 YN-8182 YN-8183 YN-8184 ZD-1739 No rainchecks on limited or clearance stock Original RRP LENS CAMERA CS MOUNT 6MM ECONOMY LENS CAMERA CS MOUNT 8MM ECONOMY CAMERA DIG PEN CMOS RS232 W/LEAD SKT D9 SCALE 2KG DIGITAL LCD STAINLESS STEEL W/BOWL SWITCH DIL SPST 4WAY SWITCH DIL COLOUR CODED 8WAY SWITCH DIL SPST 6WAY SCREWDRIVER 7IN1 OCTOPUS W/TORCH LIGHT WRENCH ADJUSTABLE 10IN MARINE GRADE STAINLESS WRENCH ADJUSTABLE 12IN MARINE GRADE STAINLESS PLIERS SLIPJOINT 12IN MARINE GRADE STAINLESS TAP HANDLE FOR M4-M6 TAPS PRINTER LEAD IEEE1284 D25 - CENT HPCN36 2M MESSAGE BOARD RED 4 CHARACTERS MESSAGE DISPLAY ROTATING H/HELD BATT OPERATED ALARM CLOCK LCD BIRDS SINGS & FEEDS W/PIR WEATHER STATION W/ DIGITAL BAROMETER/COMPASS ANALOG THERMOMETER/HYGROMETER/BAROMETER ANALOG CLOCK/THERMO/HYGRO/BAR AURA INTERACTOR AMPLIFIER 20WRMS 4OHMS BASE SWIVEL PLAST FOR TV/VCR/HIFI 16" DIAMETER MINIDISC 74MIN REWRITABLE PK5 CDR 700MB/80MIN W/JEWEL CASE BLK DVD-R 4GB7 1X W/SLIM JEWEL CASE FORTIS CARD READER USB C/FLASH & SMART MEDIA CARD READER USB CARD READER C/FLASH/SMARTMEDIA/MICRODRV BUZZER PC FAN ALARM CAT5 PATCH LEAD 1M BLU PK5 CAT5 PATCH LEAD 1.5M BLU PK5 CAT5 PATCH LEAD 2M BLU PK2 CAT5 PATCH LEAD 3M BLU PK2 LED 3MM WATERCLEAR BICOLOUR RED/GRN $24.95 $24.95 $99.95 $69.95 $1.50 $2.25 $2.00 $24.95 $22.95 $29.95 $29.95 $4.95 $22.50 $59.95 $29.95 $19.95 $79.95 $39.95 $59.95 $5.00 $19.95 $16.95 $0.99 $1.95 $79.95 $69.00 $34.95 $13.95 $11.95 $13.95 $7.50 $8.95 $0.73 Now Save $9.95 $9.95 $69.95 $39.95 $1.00 $1.50 $1.25 $19.95 $10.00 $14.95 $14.95 $2.00 $8.00 $39.95 $10.00 $10.00 $40.00 $24.95 $39.95 $2.50 $9.95 $12.95 $0.70 $1.50 $40.00 $39.00 $19.95 $7.95 $6.00 $6.00 $4.00 $4.00 $0.40 $15.00 $15.00 $30.00 $30.00 $0.50 $0.75 $0.75 $5.00 $12.95 $15.00 $15.00 $2.95 $14.50 $20.00 $19.95 $9.95 $39.95 $15.00 $20.00 $2.50 $10.00 $4.00 $0.29 $0.45 $39.95 $30.00 $15.00 $6.00 $5.95 $7.95 $3.50 $4.95 $0.33 FOR INFORMATION AND ORDERING TELEPHONE> 1800 022 888 INTERNET> www.jaycar.com.au NEW HARDCORE ELECTRONICS! A LONG LOST TREASURE! The Practical Guide to Satellite TV 19 For use on waterproof crimp connectors. Suits RG-59 (4C), RG-6 (5C), F, BNC, and RCA connectors. Cat. TH-1802 $ .95 A C O I N C I D E N C E, B UT N OT A F LU K E! These meters are of outstanding quality, and will rival the best of them. They come with a lifetime guarantee. As long as you own the meter, we will repair or replace the product if it becomes genuinely faulty. Beat that! 79 Waterproof F Crimp Connector Cat. PP-0670 $ .49 Waterproof F-81 line plug, compression type. 1 TDA1905 5W Audio Amp IC BARGAIN SCOOP PURCHASE! It is a 5W audio amplifier with an internal muting facility. 16 DIP package, data sheets are available on our website and are included with the 100 pack. Cat. ZL-3600 Cat. ZL-3602 Cat. ZL-3604 $ .95 ea $ .50 pk 10 $ pk 100 34 200 18W Professional Soldering Iron Perfect for precise soldering! It offers rapid heat up, instant recovery, stainless steel barrel, and iron clad chrome plated tip. Was $34.95 SAVE $5 Cat. TS-1551 $ .95 DURATECH 29 Soldering Iron Ideal for hobbyists and handy-work! Stainless steel barrel, and an orange cool grip, impact resistant handle. Mains powered, fully approved. Cat. TS-1475 Was $16.95 $ .95 SAVE 12 $4 1000V 7 Piece Screwdriver Set Cat. TD-2022 $ .95 19 Record phone conversations! It is designed for use in call centres where a supervisor can listen to, or record the conversation. NOT AUSTEL APPROVED. Was $80 49 True RMS Commercial Contractor Grade Digital Multimeter True RMS Commercial Contractor Grade Clamp Meter •High speed analogue bargraph. •Relative mode. •Capacitance. •Frequency. •Duty cycle. •CAT III 600V •200Amp AC current capability. •Vibrating AC voltage detection. •Audible dangerous voltage warning. •CAT III 1000V See our website for a long list of features and specs. Cat. QM-1625 $ .00 449 SAVE $30.05 SAVE $3 Cat. TS-1410 $ .95 SAVE $8 Cat. TS-1420 $ .95 6 9 349 For the serious Techie! Used to correct the false colour that appears on TVs and CRT monitors when a strong magnet (such as a loudspeaker) comes near the screen. One zap with this product and your TV/Monitor’s SAVE natural reproduction is restored. $20 •240VAC, 1.8m lead. Ltd qty Cat. TH-2480 $ .95 Was $79.95 59 Mains Powered Glue Guns Slashed! Great for hobby work! They are ideal for low stress repairs and bonding on all sorts of materials. See website for details. Two types available. Ltd qty. SAVE 7.4mm stick glue gun $7 Cat. TH-1990 Was $16.95 11mm stick glue gun SAVE Cat. TH-1992 Was $17.95 $6 60W SMD Soldering Tweezers Cat. TH-1990 $ .95 9 Cat. TH-1992 $ .95 11 SAVE $30 A must have for the toolbox! If can run at 400°C or 600°C, and is great for heatshrinking, quick drying parts, making plastic maleable, and more! Ltd qty. Cat. TH-1600 $ .95 Was $79.95 49 Digital Vernier Caliper No more eye strain taking readings! The best way to solder SMD. Solder and desolder small components or large flat pack ICs. Tips available from 2 to 20mm. 2mm tips supplied. SAVE Was $99.95 $30 Cat. TS-1700 $ .95 69 Tamiya Model Tyres Ideal for model car robotics projects! Two types available: Truck Tyres - Set of 4. Includes 4 x 36mm dia tyres, hubs to suit, and Cat. YG-2860 $ .95 2 x 100mm axles. 9 Sports Tyres - Set of 2. The clear LCD shows the exact measurement in millimetres or inches, so Cat. TD-2082 there is no guesswork involved. $ .95 •Accurate to 0.01mm. 79 FOR INFORMATION AND ORDERING TELEPHONE> 1800 022 888 Cat. QM-1628 $ .00 Stadium Double Insulated Degaussing Wand Economy Soldering Iron Sellout! Get them before they’re gone! They are great for someone just starting out, or as a backup iron to keep in the toolbox. Two types available. Ltd qty. 25W TS-1410 Was $9.95 80W TS-1420 Was $17.95 1600W Heat / Stripper Gun Teletaper - Telephone Audio Tool Cat. QC-1990 $ .95 14 IDEAL PROFESSIONAL MULTIMETERS F Type Waterproof Crimper GS and VDE tested and approved. Soft rubber grip handles, with insulation right to the tip. CHECK THIS GREAT PRICE! Add green power to your devices! Just crank the handle for power. It can easily be adapted for use in low current projects and devices. Crank slowly, and the voltage is low. Crank fast, and the voltage is high. See website for details. Cat. MD-7000 $ .95 Jaycar has it back! Previously obsolete, the HKZ-101 has been commonly requested, but difficult to find since Siemens deleted it in 1998. This copy is almost identical, and Cat. ZD-1900 works very well. See $ .95 our website for data. 49 40W Hand Crank Dynamo HKZ-101 Hall Effect Vane Fourth Edition. Learn all about satellite TV! It has 156 pages covering topics such as the history and evolution of satellite TV, components and dishes, encryption systems, as well as practical information on setting up satellite receivers, and data. Cat. BV-1800 $ .00 292 x 207mm. 3 This section is dedicated to what’s new for the Hardcore Enthusiast. INTERNET> www.jaycar.com.au Includes 2 x 56mm dia tyres, a set of wide and narrow hubs to suit, screws, nuts & two small Cat. YG-2862 wrenches. $ .95 16 7 29 Performance Electronics for Cars Book – Silicon Chip Publications The new age of DIY automotive performance! It contains the instructions to all of the 16 projects in the series, as well as chapters on engine management systems, DIY projects, kit building, and much more. Over 150 pages! See website for kits. 99 20W “Schoolies Amp” Kit A great low cost project! Ref: SC Nov 2004. Amplifier projects can sometimes become quite expensive, but not this one. It uses a simple, but effective design to give 20WRMS into a four or eight ohm load. Kit supplied with PCB, and all electronic components. Requires +/- 25V power supply, use KC-5347. Heatsink not included. 179 USB Mains Board Switch Kit Cat. KC-5403 $ .95 19 Automatic peripheral switching! Ref: Silicon Chip Nov 2004. This project allows you to have your peripheral devices switch automatically when you switch on your USB equipped PC. It will fit INSIDE many power boards, so you won’t even know Cat. KC-5401 it’s there! Kit includes PCB & all $ .95 electronic components. Dr Video Kit MkII An even better video stabiliser! Ref: Silicon Chip June ‘04. Movie companies deliberately tamper with the video signal to restrict copying, but this robs you of the true high quality picture your system is capable of and you deserve. Get the picture you paid for and strip out these annoying signals from composite or S-video. Kit includes PCB, case, Cat. KC-5390 panels and all electronic $ .95 components. 99 Sub-Bass Processor Kit with Bridge Mode Cleaner bass, better low end response! It provides a dual phase output for amplifier bridging too. Kit includes PCB, and all electronic components. Cat. KA-1814 $ .95 29 Laser Light Show Kit Great for parties! Using a laser pointer (not included), you can project patterns similar to a spirograph toy onto a wall. Kit includes PCB, motors, and all electronic components. Cat. KG-9098 $ .95 39 Rev Limiter / Gear Shift Indicator Kit Three stage shift indication! Ref: SC April 99. It features three lamps that light in succession on the way to ‘red line’, and can function as a rev limiter with the use of Cat. KC-5265 the KC-5255 Engine $ .95 Immobiliser Kit. 34 50MHz Frequency Meter Kit Cheap and accurate! Ref: SC Oct 2003. It is auto ranging, and displays on a 16 character LCD. Resolution varies between 0.1 and 10Hz depending on the input frequency. Includes all components and hardware. Cat. KC-5369 Requires probe. $ .95 Micromitter Stereo FM Transmitter Kit 69 Transmit quality audio to your FM stereo! Ref: Silicon Chip Dec 2002. Crystal locked to a preset frequency to eliminate frequency drift. Kit includes PCB, case, silk screened front panel, and all electronic components. Cat. KC-5341 $ .95 49 8 PRICES VALID TO 31ST JANUARY 2005 19 Requires a mains powerboard. Short Circuits is a great way to learn electronics. All projects are in a logical learning order, and many of them have great ‘real world’ applications. Check out Short Circuits 1, 2, and 3 at your local Jaycar store, or on our website. 19 YOUR LOCAL JAYCAR STORE EXCLUSIVE TO JAYCAR! Ref: Silicon Chip Nov 2004. Automatically open your electronic gates or automatic garage door as you approach in your vehicle, without the use of remote controls! It uses a large coil sensor to detect moving metal (eg a car chassis), which reduces false alarms from animals and people etc. Kit supplied with PCB, silk screened machined case, pre-wound and Cat. KC-5402 $ .00 insulated 5000 turn coil, and all electronic components. Superior video quality! Ref: Silicon Chip April 2004. Component video is the best quality format available, but it your TV or Plasma screen etc only accepts RGB inputs? Build this unit and get the best out of your equipment. Kit includes PCB, case, silk-screened punched panels,colour coded RCA Cat. KC-5388 sockets, 9VAC plugpack, and all $ .95 electronic components. Learning Electronics? Check out Short Circuits! Cat. BS-5080 $ .80 NEW SOUTH WALES Albury Ph (02) 6021 6788 Bankstown Ph (02) 9709 2822 Bondi Junction Ph (02) 9369 3899 Brookvale Ph (02) 9905 4130 Campbelltown Ph (02) 4620 7155 Erina Ph (02) 4365 3433 Hornsby Ph (02) 9476 6221 Newcastle Ph (02) 4965 3799 Parramatta Ph (02) 9683 3377 Penrith Ph (02) 4721 8337 Silverwater Ph (02) 9741 8557 St. Leonards Ph (02) 9439 4799 Sydney City Ph (02) 9267 1614 Taren Point Ph (02) 9531 7033 Wollongong Ph (02) 4226 7089 VICTORIA Coburg Ph (03) 9384 1811 Frankston Ph (03) 9781 4100 Geelong Ph (03) 5221 5800 Melbourne Ph (03) 9663 2030 Ringwood Ph (03) 9870 9053 Springvale Ph (03) 9547 1022 QUEENSLAND Aspley Ph (07) 3863 0099 Brisbane - Woolloongabba Ph (07) 3393 0777 Gold Coast - Mermaid Beach Ph (07) 5526 6722 Townsville Ph (07) 4772 5022 Underwood Ph (07) 3841 4888 AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY Canberra Ph (02) 6239 1801 TASMANIA Hobart Ph (03) 6272 9955 SOUTH AUSTRALIA Adelaide Ph (08) 8231 7355 Clovelly Park Ph (08) 8276 6901 WESTERN AUSTRALIA Perth Ph (08) 9328 8252 NORTHERN TERRITORY Darwin Ph (08) 8948 4043 NEW ZEALAND Newmarket - Auckland Ph (09) 377 6421 Glenfield - Auckland Ph (09) 444 4628 Wellington Ph (04) 801 9005 Christchurch Ph (03) 379 1662 Freecall Orders Ph 0800 452 9227 Driveway Automatic Entry Sensor Kit Component to RGB Converter Kit IR Remote Control Tester Kit Includes auxiliary output! Ref: Silicon Chip January 2005. An invaluable addition to your collection of test equipment. Now you can quickly test any IR remote control to see if it is working. It lights an LED and sounds a buzzer when an IR code is detected. It also features an output for further analysis on an oscilloscope. Kit supplied with PCB, Cat. KC-5407 $ .95 case and all electronic components. USB Power Injector Kit A power boost for your USB port. Ref: SC Oct 2004. This project allows full current to be drawn from USB peripheral devices. Kit includes PCB, case, silk screened and punched panels, and all electronic components. Cat. KC-5399 $ .95 29 IR Remote Control Receiver Kit for PCs Control your PCs music or video player with a standard remote! It works with popular DVD and MP3 software. Kit includes PCB, and all electronic components. Cat. KC-5366 $ .95 39 Valve Audio Preamp Kit Experience the warmth from a valve preamplifier! Ref: SC Nov 03, Feb 04. Valve amplifiers are said to have a ‘warmer’ sound that transistor counterparts. Now you can find out for yourself. Includes PCBs, case, 12AX7WA valve, bobbin, core and clips, and all electronic components. Cat. KC-5370 $ .95 Second Channel Valve AddOn Kit 89 Make it a stereo pre-amp. Powered by the power Cat. KC-5371 supply in KC-5370. $ .95 Includes PCB, valve, and all electronic components. 59 FOR INFORMATION AND ORDERING TELEPHONE> 1800 022 888 INTERNET> www.jaycar.com.au PRODUCT SHOWCASE Make your own Xpert DVD movies with Jaycar The vast majority of computers these days come with a DVD burner. Most also include low-end DVD copying or burning software but not much else. If you have a digital source, they’re so easy to use! But what happens if you want to, say, transfer some of your (analog) VHS or super-8 movies onto a DVD? Perhaps archive other analog material onto a DVD? Enter this new product from Jaycar Electronics, the Xpert DVD maker. It’s an analog/digital capture card which lets you capture video from VHS, V8, Hi8 and so on and burn to DVD, VCD or SVCD formats – in PAL or even in NTSC if you want to send a video overseas. The decoder is 10-bit, so you can expect very high quality transfers. The external video input is either composite or S-video format and it features direct burning – there’s no need to save to your hard disk drive first. Both DVD+ and DVD– and VR disks are supported. The pack contains a standard PCI card, a video/ audio converter cable and an installation CD-ROM and manual. The software is Power Producer 2 Gold, which features playlist authoring, DivX movide production, user-created dynamic Motion Menus, Audio Overlay (in WAV or MP3 format) and simultaneous multiple capture device connection. Xpert DVD maker is available from all Jaycar Electronics stores for $149.00 (Cat XC4811). Contact: Jaycar Electronics PO Box 6424, Silverwater NSW 1811. Tel: 1800 022 888 Fax: (02) 9741 8500 Website: www.jaycar.com.au Microzed delighted at Picaxe Fair response Microzed’s Bob Nicol was over the moon at the response to the inaugural “Picaxe Fair” held in Sydney during December. A steady stream of visitors viewed the various projects and exhibitions during the day, many taking the opportunity to talk to “Mr Picaxe”, Clive Seager, of Revolution Electronics (UK) who made the trip to Sydney especially for the fair. Also visiting Sydney for the fair was a name familiar to SILICON CHIP readers, Stan Swan, of Massey University in Wellington, NZ. Now many readers will be able to put a face to the name! The photo above right shows Stan (at rear) examining one very interesting displays, a Picaxe-controlled pedestrian crossing light control system completely designed, coded and consiliconchip.com.au DSE Glow-in-the-dark USB mousepad Computers with tricked-up lights are nothing new. Neon tubes, coloured fans (even multicoloured fans), glowing cases . . . you name it, it’s been done. Even the humble mouse is available in lit and glowing variants. Now it’s the turn of the mouse mat. Gone are the days when just about any mouse mat will do: you need one of these shmick-looking mats from Dick Smith Electronics! It plugs into any USB port (so it’s just as good for notebooks as it is for desktops) and has a deep blue glow which looks really neat in a darkened room. A dial sets the brightness level you want. The Flexiglow Raider Game Pad (ooh, sorry for calling it a mouse mat) is available from DSE stores, dealers and web for $39.96 (Cat Z-8400). Contact: Dick Smith Electronics (all stores) Reply Paid 500, PO Box 500, Regents Park DC NSW 2143. Tel: 1300 366 644 Fax: (02) 9642 9155 Website: www.dse.com.au TOROIDAL POWER TRANSFORMERS structed by year 11 students from East Hills Girls Technology High School. We plan to have more to say about the girls and their projects in a forthcoming issue of SILICON CHIP . Contact: MicroZed PO Box 634, Armidale NSW 2350 Tel: (02) 6772 2777 Fax: (02) 6772 8987 Website: www.microzed.com.au Manufactured in Australia Comprehensive data available Harbuch Electronics Pty Ltd 9/40 Leighton Pl. HORNSBY 2077 Ph (02) 9476-5854 Fx (02) 9476-3231 January 2005  57 Oatley’s Bargain Bin Battery/Charger Deal Here’s another one of those bargains that Oatley Electronics’ Branko Justic has become famous for. It’s a package containing a microprocessor-controlled AC/DC battery charger – new in original carton with full instructions (and also including notes to modify for different voltages). It was designed to correctly charge & discharge 4.8V, 6.0V & 7.2V NI-Cd & NI-MH mobile phone batteries from a 12V-24V DC input. Supplied with a 12V 1A AC plugpack and car adaptor lead, it would normally be very good value for the asking price of $20.00. But wait, there’s more: Branko is also throwing in ten Toshiba NiMH battery packs, each one containing four 800mAh NIMH cells, “AA” in length but “AAA” in diameter – fantastic for experimenters and powering projects. (Some of the loose packs can be seen at the front of the photo aboe). So you get the whole lot for just $20.00 – while they last! (Cat no ZA0100PK). Contact: Oatley Electronics PO Box 89, Oatley NSW 2223 Tel: (02) 9584 3565 Fax: (02) 9584 3561 Website: www.oatleyelectronics.com Very clever remote controls from Altronics In amongst the large range of infrared remote controls in the Altronics range is this learning model with an LCD touchscreen.It’s just right for home theatre systems or to replace those scads of remote controls you have for the TV, Video, DVD, Amplifier, CD, air conditioner . . . in fact, up to sixteen different devices It is claimed to be the fastest universal learning remote, with pre-programs to cover many applications plus an intuitive learning system for the rest. It’s priced at $249 (Cat A0900). Contact: Altronics PO Box 8350, Perth Business Centre 6849 Tel: 1300 797007 Fax: (08) 9428 2187     Website: www.altronics.com.au Tel: (03) 9434 3806 Fax: (03) 9011 6220 Email: sales2004<at>ozitronics.com USB ICSP Flash PIC Programmer Fully assembled – just plug in IC and cable. USB powered. Includes nylon standoffs to protect the underside. USB 'B' female connector. K182 Size: 48 x 30mm. $61.60 Prices include GST – shipping extra. Full documentation available from website. Over 130 kits available – check website. Don’t forget the Central Coast Field Day! It promises to be bigger and better than ever: Australia’s largest amateur radio exhibition and sale of new and used radio and communications gear. As usual, it’s on at Wyong Race Course, Sunday February 20, from 8.30am. More information is available from CCARC on 02 4340 2500, or www.ccarc.org.au Air-band receiver from Av-Comm When not into the latest satellite gear, Avcomm’s Garry Cratt keeps his eye open for other interesting tidbits. This new Decom AR108A VHF communications scanner is one such example. It offers aircraft band (108-137MHz) and marine, commercial, weather, amateur and similar bands (135-180MHz) SILICON CHIP WebLINK How many times have you wanted to access a company’s website but cannot remember their site name? Here's an exciting new concept from SILICON CHIP: you can access any of these organisations instantly by going to the SILICON CHIP website (siliconchip.com.au), clicking on WebLINK and then on the website graphic of the company you’re looking for. It’s that simple. 58 Silicon 58  S ilicon C Chip hip Ozitronics www.ozitronics.com with up to 99 memories and advanced scanning options. It operates from two AA cells or external 7-20V DC. Small enough to fit into the palm of your hand (or shirt pocket) at 57 x 80 x 25mm it retails for just $139.00, exclusively from Av-Comm. Contact: Av-Comm PO Box 525, Brookvale NSW 2100 Tel: (02) 9939 4377 Fax: (02) 9939 4376 Website: www.avcomm.com.au We specialise in providing a range of Low Power Radio solutions for OEM’s to incorporate in their wireless technology based products. The innovative range includes products from MK Consultants, the world-renowned specialist manufacturer. TeleLink Communications Tel:(07) 4934 0413 Fax: (07) 4934 0311 WebLINK: telelink.com.au A 100% Australian owned company supplying frequency control products to the highest international standards: filters, DIL’s, voltage, temperature compensated and oven controlled oscillators, monolithic and discrete filters and ceramic filters and resonators. Hy-Q International Pty Ltd Tel:(03) 9562-8222 Fax: (03) 9562 9009 WebLINK: www.hy-q.com.au siliconchip.com.au World’s smallest claim with a grain of salt? The world’s smallest microcontroller, the PIC10F206 chip created by Microchip Technology, is now available from Farnell InOne. These revolutionary 6-pin flash devices provide ideal solutions in many markets not previously served by microcontrollers, such as easy bug fixes for ASIC and printed circuit board designs, replacing standard logic and timing components, or traditional mechanical timers and switches. Microchip’s PICmicro MCU family has long offered solutions for the broadest range of microcontroller applications. The development time for a microcontroller-based system is faster and easier than designing an entirely new ASIC or PCB. By including the low-cost PIC10F 6-pin devices in a PCB design from the start, bugs, late changes and other measures can be implemented with ease and little expense for ASICs, the board and for a number of other devices on the board. Contact: Farnell InOne PMB 6, Chester Hill NSW 2162 Tel: 1300 361 005 (NZ 0800 90 80 80) Website: www.farnellinone.com Multisim 8 released Multisim, the world’s most popular, cost-effective and easy-to-use simulation software is now the most powerful circuit simulation system available. Multisim 8 takes advantage of today’s higher performing computers and modern software architecture. This saves designers thousands of mouse clicks and allows a design to be captured almost as fast as it can be conceptualized. In Electronics Workbench’s benchmark studies, Multisim 8 provides an almost 50% time savings for the existing 160,000 Multisim users. For engineers not simulating their designs or for those using more cumbersome tools, Multisim 8 reduces their creation time even more substantially. Multisim 8 includes “real” Virtual Penguin Micro Data Logger The Penguin series of Micro Data Loggers are ground-breaking portable instruments designed for temperature and humidity measurements and storage. A unique feature is the built-in infrared (IR) communication interface, leaving behind cables and accessories. Through this, the user can easily configure the application and download stored data from the logger to portable devices, compatible with Palm-OS or Windows. The datalogger has a temperature sensor accuracy of ±1ºC and the optional humidity sensor is accurate to ±3%. Reading resolution is 12 bits or 4000 levels at intervals from 1 second to 18 hours. The transparent, 45 x 60 x 20mm polycarbonate case is protected to IP65. The Penguin can be configured using the included Palm O/S software or an infrared wand connected to the PC’s USB port. Instruments from Tektronix. Before Multisim 8, engineers waited until a design was completely manufactured before beginning to test their prototype board. Contact: Contact: PO Box 15, Camperdown NSW 1450 Tel: (02) 9519 3933 Fax: (02) 9559 1378 Website: www.emona.com.au 4 Ferguson Dr, Balnarring Vic 3926. Tel: (03) 5983 1163 Website: www.oceancontrols.com.au Emona Instruments Pty Ltd Ocean Controls This valuable WebLINK Space for Rent! siliconchip.com.au Our website is updated daily, with over 5,500 products available through our secure online ordering facility. Features include semiconductor data sheets, media releases, software downloads, and much more JAYCAR JAYCAR ELECTRONICS ELECTRONICS Tel: 1800 022 888 Tel: 1800 022 888 WebLINK: WebLINK: www.jaycar.com.au www.jaycar.com.au siliconchip.com.au JED designs and manufactures a range of single board computers (based on Wilke Tiger and Atmel AVR), as well as LCD displays and analog and digital I/O for PCs and controllers. JED also makes a PC PROM programmer and RS232/RS485 converters. Jed Microprocessors Pty Ltd Tel: (03) 9762 3588 Fax: (03) 9762 5499 WebLINK: jedmicro.com.au Want to be NOTICED? Without costing you a fortune? To reserve your place in SILICON CHIP WebLINK, email BENEDICTUS SMITH Pty Ltd info<at>benedictus-smith.com December anuary2004  59 2005 59 JJanuary 2005  59 Here’s a project ANYONE can build . . . 4-Minute Shower Timer With most of Australia still gripped by drought (ie, save water you lot!) and energy costs steadily increasing (ie, save hot water you lot!) every little bit helps. Here’s a timer that will automatically prompt (shame?) you into taking shorter showers! Words by Ross Tester 60  Silicon Chip siliconchip.com.au New VAF speakers not just for audio perfectionists VAF Speakers have a legendary reputation for providing the best accuracy and value. They are also available as kits because we know that’s the way enthusiasts like them. VAF’s brand new Generation 4 DC-Series is now available and offers extreme levels of accuracy at incredible prices. They go very deep so they can be used for Home Theatre without a subwoofer in many rooms. They are very sensitive so they don’t need big expensive amps to drive them. They can take high power so if you have a huge room or simply want to play loud, you can. They also work well close to walls so you can use them in small rooms too. G one are the days when we can afford to luxuriate under a hot shower for hours on end. Well, maybe the showers weren’t quite that long but most people are used to taking showers in the tens of minutes. It’s easy to lose track of time in the shower. And it does feel nice. That’s a luxury that’s no longer economically nor ecologically sustainable. First of all, we’re short of water. In most areas of Australia the powersthat-be keep telling us if we don’t be good boys and girls and cut our water usage then we are going to run out. (Those same powers [read politicians] that keep blaming us wasteful consumers don’t mention that for the most part water shortages are their fault, because they haven’t invested the necessary dollars in water infrastructure while population has steadily increased for much of the last half century. But let’s not get into that argument. At least not right now . . .) Second, we’re short of electric power. The power that goes to heat the water is also in very short supsiliconchip.com.au ply. Load shedding (ie, blackouts!) is becoming more and more common as supply authorities attempt to cut peak loads. Those same powers-that-be keep telling us that if we don’t reduce our consumption of power, it’s going to get worse. (Those same powers [read politicians] that keep blaming us wasteful consumers, etc etc etc . . .) Putting aside all the scare-mongering that’s going on in political circles (my spell checker wanted to change that to circuses, which would be perhaps more apt) it really does make sense for us, as consumers, to try to save both water and power – if only because that means less of our hard-earned dollars will end up in Government coffers. One way to do both, of course, is to take shorter showers. How short? VAF Speakers are used by the ABC, Parliament House in Canberra, and in preparation of many international DVD titles in Australia.... You can use them too. Buy direct from the people who make them, and for less than you may think. 4 new kits from $449pr to $1,999pr. If you want instant results, fully assembled versions are also available. For Info or to Order FreeCall 1 8 0 0 8 1 8 8 8 2 email vaf<at>vaf.com.au www.vaf.com.au The 4-minute shower Believe it or not, it is entirely possible to take a shower in four minutes – including, if you need to, washing your hair. In fact, without shampooing, January 2005  61 Parts list – Shower timer 1 pre-assembled PC board 1 2-part plastic case 1 self-adhesive foam “donut” 1 self-adhesive foam rectangle 2 suction caps 1 9V battery (preferably alkaline) The PC board is supplied completed and tested – just as well, because soldering those surface-mount devices can be a pain! The white object at the right side is the foam gasket which virtually covers the piezo transducer. a sub-three-minute shower is perfectly practical. People in the bush who don’t have the luxury of hot water have been “getting” that sort of shower for years: get in, get wet, get clean, get out! Let’s face it – all you really need to do is get wet, soap up and rinse off. Get wet: 30 seconds. Soap up: 60 seconds. Rinse off: 60 seconds. That’s two and a half minutes. Add another 60 seconds to shampoo your hair and there’s your four minute shower – with 30 seconds left over for good measure. OK, if you agree that four minutes is enough time, how do you go about convincing everyone in your family? The ST4 Shower Timer This rather ingenious (and patented) design is completely automatic, turning on about 20-30 seconds after it “hears” the first “sssshhh” of the shower – giving you enough time to adjust the water temperature – then beeping each minute up to the magic four minutes, at which time it sounds an alarm. The alarm stops when you turn the shower off. But if you try to fool it by turning the shower off for a moment and then back on again, the alarm will start back up again. It resets after about a minute of no-shower-sound, ready for the next person to take their shower. Part of the secret to this circuit is the use of the piezo buzzer: it is not only sounds the beep/alarm, as you would expect but it is also used as a “microphone” to pick up the splash sound. There’s no on-off switch; it simply operates when it hears the shower turn on (listening for the distinctive splashing sounds of the water). There is an internal 3-position switch and preset pot which are adjusted to give the desired sensitivity – once set, you can forget it. There are also pots to control clock frequency and tone of alarm – but these are set in the factory and should not need touching. It’s operated by a 9V battery (alkaline preferred) which should last for at least 12 months. Current drain, when ready to operate but inactive, is comparable to that of a smoke detector – around 10-15mA. The circuit, including the piezo, is housed on a single PC board which fits (along with the 9V battery) into a purpose-designed two-part case. When correctly assembled is quite waterproof. Mounted on the shower wall it allows shower sound to enter and beeps/alarm to escape without the circuit getting at all damp. The case, as we said, is in two parts. These snap together to form a nice, tight seal around the PC board, with alignment of the two parts taken care of by pins and holes which mate. Each half of the case is fitted with a suction cap which allows the unit to mount to any smooth shower wall (or even a glass screen). While the ST4 Shower Timer is available fully built and tested, we are more interested in it as a kit which you assemble yourself. Even here, most of the hard work And here’s how it slots together. The piezo transducer (with its gasket) is right down in the bottom of the case, with the PC board slotted into the guides. The top half of the case has two pins which mate with the moulding on the bottom. Note that we have not yet fitted the suction cap to the top half of the case so that you can see where it slides into place. 62  Silicon Chip siliconchip.com.au siliconchip.com.au January 2005  63 CLOCK FREQ. VR1 100k 680k 220nF SC 2005 TP5 TP4 TP3 8 Vss 34Hz Ctc Rtc O9 O11 O12 O13 15 1 2 3 IC2d 12 13 220nF 7 5 4 6 14 1.5 – 2.2 µF 11 12 MR O3 O4 O5 O6 O7 IC4 13 O8 4060B Vdd 16 SHOWER TIMER 9 10 Rs 680k 11 NOTE: TP1 – TP2 AND TP4 – TP5 ARE LINKED AFTER PRODUCTION TESTING TP2 TP1 47nF 240k IC1 PIN14 TP11 +3V IC2a 4 3 13 10M 6 5 A TP7 10 IC2b 14 4 7 IC2c +9V 5 8 9 TP6 IC3c 470k 6 33k K A 4.7M Q1 BC849C TP8 E C D1 BAS16 B 7 IC5b 10M 2 8 220nF 1 4.7M 4.7M 1nF +9V 9 TP9 5 TP13 6 7 IC1b 10M 10M 6 5 TONE FREQ IC5a 680k 4 3 14 TP14 2 1 1nF A 2 BAS16 A6 IC3f 390pF 13 K S1 SPLASH SOUND SENSITIVITY TP10 IC1a 1nF 240k VR2 100k 1 IC3a 12 2.2k IC1, IC3: 4069UB IC2: 4093B IC5: 4023B IC3e 68k 33k 33k 14 B 7 IC3d VR3 100k 9 11 E 2C C PIEZO SENSOR/ BUZZER BC849C 8 10 The piezo transducer (far right side of circuit) has a dual role of both sensor and alarm, with IC1a, b and Q1 amplifying the signal picked up. The rest of the circuit mainly consists of timers to set up the various alarm periods plus oscillators to make the noise. IC3d, e and f form an amplifier to drive the piezo transducer. 10M K 10 TP15 220nF IC5c D2 BAS16 START BEEP MODULATOR 2 1 4.7M 3 IC3b 11 12 220nF +9V Turn the radio on and the timer should give a chirping sound after 20-30 seconds (that’s the water temperature adjustment period). Then it should beep after each minute from there, with a series of beeps (7.5 seconds on, 7.5 seconds off) at the end of four minutes. Turn the radio off and the timer should reset. Mounting in the shower Here’s how to identify the top and bottom of the case. The bottom is facing towards the camera with the slots for the piezo transducer clearly seen. Again, the suction cap has not yet been fitted to the top section. – soldering the surface-mount components and ICs – is already done for you. In fact, as supplied, the PC board is built and tested, ready for you to put together Putting it together Assembly is as simple as removing the backing and the centre from the self-adhesive “donut” foam ring and sticking it, as central as possible, onto the piezo transducer. Then similarly stick the rectangular foam pad onto the back of the PC board (it keeps the battery snug while preventing it shorting to or across the board), then push the PC board into the bottom half of the case. The bottom half can be identified by the slots for the transducer. When the board is pushed fully home, the foam donut “gasket” provides a seal in a moulded housing inside the case, preventing any water entering the case – theoretically even if dunked. We say theoretically because it is designed that way – but commonsense would suggest you don’t try to prove it. Because the transducer slots are at the bottom of the case, spray would have to be travelling upwards to enter – possible, of course. But the foam donut stops this water going any further. While the transducer itself is not sealed, its internal construction means that it is also an effective water barrier, so with the sealing donut in place, spray cannot enter 64  Silicon Chip the case nor either around or through the transducer. All this means that the shower timer is for all intents and purposes waterproof, especially from spray. Once the PC board has been pushed home, the battery can be connected and slid down into the case, alongside the (now insulated) back of the PC board. It should be a relatively snug fit. In the unlikely event that the suction caps have come off the case halves in transit, simply slide them back into their respective slots on each end – the photos show where they go. Slide the two halves of the case together, ensuring that the channels which hold the suction caps line up exactly – the pins in one half won’t mate if they don’t. The two case halves should “snap” together and that completes construction. Testing If you don’t want to get wet, you can use a small unmuted FM radio, off-station, to simulate the sound of a shower. (If your FM radio mutes automatically, or the mute cannot be turned off, this option won’t work. You’ll need to check it in situ – in the shower!) The FM radio will produce predominantly white noise, which is fairly close to the sound of a shower stream striking the bottom of the shower or bath. The timer always mounts vertically, with the piezo transducer towards the bottom. The suction caps should stick very well to any ceramic tile, glass or other smooth surface – if necessary, give ’em a lick first! Best position for the timer is about 300-400mm from the floor but it should work reasonably well up to about waist height. If you need to mount the unit higher than this, or if it doesn’t appear to be sensitive enough, open it up and slide the switch up one notch. Don’t mount any higher than necessary. In some very low volume showers, (eg some gravity feeds), you might need to adjust the sensitivity right up but this would normally be unlikely. You should not need to adjust any of the pots – they are preset on factory assembly. Once mounted, give it another run, this time with the shower. It should perform in the same way as it did in your “white noise” test. The only time you should need to remove the unit from the wall is to replace the battery and this could be up to a couple of years or so! Don’t pull on the timer to remove it, slide a knife or some other thin, flat object under the suction caps to break the seal. SC Where from, how much? The TD4 Shower Timer is available from Gum Leaf Energy Saving Systems Pty Ltd, 26 Park St, Seaford, Vic 3198. Tel/Fax (03) 9776 8703; email glesstron<at>msn.com The kit price (with pre-assembled and tested PC board) is $24.50 plus p&p, while a fully built and tested version is $35.00. Pack and post, for up to four units, is $6.90. The battery is not included with either kit. siliconchip.com.au SILICON CHIP Order Form/Tax Invoice Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd ABN 49 003 205 490 www.siliconchip.com.au PRICE GUIDE: SUBSCRIPTIONS YOUR DETAILS (Note: all subscription prices include P&P). (Aust. prices include GST) Your Name________________________________________________________ (PLEASE PRINT) Organisation (if applicable)___________________________________________ Please state month to start. 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SUBSCRIBERS QUALIFY FOR 10% DISCOUNT ON ALL SILICON CHIP PRODUCTS* * except subscriptions/renewals Qty Item Price Item Description Subscribe to SILICON CHIP on-line at: www.siliconchip.com.au Both printed and on-line versions available Total TO PLACE YOUR ORDER P&P if extra Total Price BUY MOR 10 OR ISSU E BACK ES A 1 0 & G ET DISC % OUN T $A Phone (02) 9979 5644 9am-5pm Mon-Fri Please have your credit card details ready OR Fax this form to (02) 9979 6503 with your credit card details 24 hours 7 days a week OR Mail this form, with your cheque/money order, to: Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd, PO Box 139, Collaroy, NSW, Australia 2097 01-05 Wanna go prawning this summer? You’ll need our PRAWNLITE You can pay twenty or thirty bucks a kilo at a fish shop. Or you can have fun and go prawning yourself. All you need is a dark night, a suitable lake, lagoon or inlet, a prawn net and a light to attract the little beggars . . . P rawning is fun. And gastronomically rewarding! It’s best done when the moon is new – the darker the night the better. It’s also best done during summer. Not only are there more likely to be prawns around (always a good start!) but you don’t freeze the proverbials off in cold water! How do you prawn? If you’re anywhere around coastal lakes, inlets or lagoons during the darker nights of summer, you’re likely to see people with bright lights and big nets wandering around the shallows. Almost certainly, they’re prawning. 66  Silicon Chip The bright lights attract the prawns (and also allow you to see ’em, which is not easy!) and you simply scoop them up with your prawn net. When you’ve got enough, you take them home, boil them for a few minutes and enjoy your prawn feast. Well, that’s the theory anyway. The execution – or reality – might be a bit different. (a) there might be no, or very few, prawns running in the water you’re Design by Branko Justic Words by Ross Tester prawning (technically known as too high a water:prawn ratio). (b) you might prawn all night and end up with not even enough to fill one hand. (Yeah, speaking from experience here!). (c) the bloke next to you might end up with all your prawns ’cos he has a better prawn light (or he knows what he’s doing!). (d) a myriad of other excuses reasons, not unrelated to other forms of fishing (too moonlit/too wet/too dry/too cold/too hot/too windy/not enough wind/wrong tide/etc). To save face, you call in at the local fish’n’chip shop on the way home. siliconchip.com.au (Two tips: buy green prawns. Everyone will know you’re cheating if you come home with cooked ones! And for heaven’s sake, lose the wrapping paper). Attracting (raw) prawns In times past, most prawners used a hurricane lamp or gas-powered light to attract the prawns. That’s fine, except you can’t put them under water. And, surprising as it might seem, that’s where the prawns are. What you need is a bright light which can go under the water surface – not deep, just enough to spot the prawns. Generally you’d prawn in water that’s well under a metre deep anyway – maybe 300-500mm. More recently, a lot of prawners have used waterproof high-power torches. They work but can be back-breaking. Or they use a commercial prawn light. There are many available these days, most operating from a battery siliconchip.com.au (usually a rechargeable) which you wear in a belt pack. There are some high power ones using QI (halogen) bulbs which work very well but tend to flatten the battery too quickly. Commercial prawn lights aren’t cheap. But with the rather dramatic reduction in the price of ultrabright white LEDs in recent months, we figured they would be a proposition. As well as bright, they’re efficient, not wasting too much energy as heat. So they will give your battery a lot better run for its money (or charge). Our Prawnlite The circuit is pretty simple. A 1kW resistor (R17) biases three diodes (D1, D2 & D3) to provide a voltage reference of about 1.8V. This is fed to the base of transistor Q17 which is connected as an emitter follower. Its output becomes a 1.2V driver to the bases of the 16 transistors, all of which are connected as constant current drivers, each with a load of three LEDs (16 x 3 = 48 LEDs). The constant current transistors each apply 0.6V to their 33W emitter resistors, resulting in a LED current of about 18mA. The LEDs are arranged on a circular PC board which itself fits into a waterproof glass jar, shining through the bottom. Presto, one very bright white light which can go underwater. Such a light is not just limited to prawning. If you’re looking for a general-purpose 12V bright light (perhaps for camping, etc) then this would be a beauty. You could use it for prawning, then for cooking, then for eating back at camp! Half or full power? The PC board has been arranged so that you can build the Prawnlite as either half-power or full power, simply by choosing the number of LED January 2005  67 Here’s a close-up view of the Prawnlite in its Salsa Dip container. As you can see, there is plenty of clearance for the PC board in this particular jar. strings you install. In fact, two kits of parts are available which reflect this flexibility. The first kit contains the PC board and half the LEDs, transistors and resistors, along with the reference voltage components, allowing you to build it in that format if you wish. Needless to say, that’s the economy route. The second kit contains the remaining LEDs, transistors and resistors which, when added to the first kit, enable the full power version to be built. As all LED/transistor/resistor strings are identical, if you build the half-power version you can choose which areas of the PC board you populate, as long as the trios of LEDs and their associated transistor and resistor are kept together (ie, LEDs 1,2,3; 25,26,27; etc). The components to the left of the LED strings, the constant current circuit, remain the same regardless of how many LEDs are fitted. From here on, though, we’ll assume you are building the complete kit containing 48 LEDs. The battery The Prawnlite draws around 290mA from a 12V supply so there shouldn’t be too much worry about quickly flattening your battery. It is designed to run off one of the medium-sized 12V SLA batteries – which, of course, could be charged via a suitable charger from a car battery when mobile. (Such a charger was described in SILICON CHIP in July 1996). Or perhaps you could use a solar charger – again, we’ve described one of those in March 2002. A typical 7Ah SLA, fully charged, should give more than 20 hours of light before needing a recharge. You could run the Prawnlite from smaller than a 7Ah battery – and that would mean significantly less weight to carry, particularly when you’re standing out in the water. Smaller SLAs are also generally cheaper. You could even run this from a bank of NiCads or NiMH cells (perhaps even inside the handle?), bearing in mind that 290mA drain. Most commercial electric prawn lights use a battery mounted in a purpose-built belt. We suggest a battery in a bum bag would be just as effective – and a lot cheaper! Just make sure you don’t get the battery wet – salt water and batteries do not make good bedmates! And one more thought: you could even make up a battery using highcapacity AA cells (say 2 x 10 in series) 48 ultrabright white LEDs shine through the bottom of the glass jar. It’s not just a prawnlite – this also makes a dandy general-purpose 12V light as well! 68  Silicon Chip siliconchip.com.au all around the cable hole (inside and out) and the screw holes. In fact, the sealant also acts as an adhesive and takes some of the stress off the bolts and nuts. Construction E B C C8050 R16 Q16 λ L48 λ L45 siliconchip.com.au A 1N4148 A K Three diodes and Q17 provide constant voltage drive to the bases of 16 transistors, assuring constant current drive to the 16 banks of LEDs. SC 2005 DIODES: 3 x 1N4148 D3 BLACK CLIP LEAD 22nF PRAWNLITE RESISTORS: 16 x 33 Ω TRANSISTORS: 17 x C8050 R1 Q1 22nF D2 K D1 A 12V 1kΩ (R17) RED CLIP LEAD Same-size component overlay. Note the green resistor in the middle of the PC board. It’s the only one which isn’t 33W! LED LEDS: 48 x ULTRABRIGHT WHITE, 5mm λ L39 λ L33 λ L30 λ L27 λ L24 λ L21 λ L18 λ L15 λ L12 λ L9 λ L6 λ L3 E Q17 B C λ L36 λ L38 L35 λ λ L32 λ L29 λ L26 L23 λ λ L20 λ L17 λ L14 L11 λ λ L8 λ L5 L2 λ K λ λ λ λ λ λ λ λ λ λ λ λ λ L31 L28 L25 L22 L19 L16 L13 L10 As mentioned before, the Prawnlite is designed to fit inside a glass jar. The particular glass jar we used originally contained Dorito’s salsa dip – a semi-liquid, so we knew that the jar would be waterproof. It’s made that way by a gasket incorporated into the screw lid. The jar measures about 87mm (OD) x 75mm (outside height). Of course, you could use other similar-sized jars but make sure that (a) the PC board assembly will fit (the PC board is 65mm diameter) and (b) that it can actually hold water; that is, a gasket of some sort must be incorporated into the lid to seal against the glass jar. What complicates the issue a little is that we need to supply power to the PC board, which necessitates drilling a hole in the lid. We also wanted to fit a handle to the jar so it could be used like a wand. This also necessitated drilling a couple of holes for bolts and nuts to hold the handle in place. We overcame both these problems through the liberal use of silicone sealant, L7 Waterproofing L4 that fitted inside the handle. Now that would be clever! A L1 Straight-on view of the completed PC board mounted on the glass jar lid. As you can see, it works! L34 L37 K λ L42 L47 λ λ L44 L41 λ λ λ λ L40 L43 L46 Start by checking the PC board for any defects. They’re very rare these days but a quick check now can save a lot of head scratching when something doesn’t work as it should. January 2005  69 GLU Parts list – Prawnlite Semiconductors 48 ultrabright white 5mm LEDs (L1-L48) 17 C8050 NPN transistors (Q1-Q17) 3 1N4148 silicon diodes (D1-D3) Capacitors 2 22nF MKT Resistors (0.25W, 5%) 1 1kW 16 33W K217 FOAM LID FOAM GLASS JAR DLE” Making the “container” This is probably the most difficult section because you have to be 100% sure that the final thing is waterproof. The handle is made from a short length of 20mm PVC electrical conduit (25mm would also be fine). The end of the conduit is cut on a shallow angle to allow it to mount flush with the lid (see diagram at left). Two holes are drilled through the conduit, with matching holes in the lid, for the stainless steel nuts and bolts which hold the conduit to the lid. A separate hole is drilled in the lid for the power leads. These then progess up the conduit handle, to emerge at the top end, thence to the battery via a pair of crocodile clips. SILICONE Finally, liberal amounts of silicone sealant are used to SEALANT cover the conduit-to-lid join and over the tops of the stainAS GLUE less steel bolts. The same sealant is used at the top of the (OR HOT handle, not only making the conduit top waterproof (it will, MELT at some time, receive a dunking no matter how careful you GLUE) are!) but also making the power leads captive. It’s probably best to work on the lid assembly first as ENSURE this must be right! Cut the conduit to a suitable length (ours was a tad over SEAL IS INTACT IN LID You’ll find it easiest to populate and solder the PC board by working from the middle out – so start with the four diodes, transistor Q17, the two capacitors and then all the resistors. All components mount as hard down onto the PC board as they will go. By the way, by some quirk the three diodes on the prototype PC board were labelled D6, D5 and D7 instead of D1, D2 and D3. We’re assured that production PC boards will be labelled correctly. To make it easy for you, we’ve coloured green the only 1kW resistor (labelled R17) on the component overlay. Put this one in first, then you can’t make a mistake with the rest – they’re all 33W! Next, fit all the remaining transistors. All face the same direction around the ring – the flat side is clockwise. Solder these in place, taking care with bridges between close pads. Finally, it’s time for the LEDs. Unlike the transistors, 70  Silicon Chip there is no consistency to LED direction. Take careful note of the overlay and the overlay also printed on the top side of the PC board. If you get any LED wrong, the other two in its string will also not work. Give your finished board the once-over and if you’re happy with the component placement and soldering, temporarily connect the two power leads. These solder underneath the board – take care with the polarity! Connect the red and black to your 12V battery or power source, obviously red to +ve and black to –ve. Assuming it works – ie, all LEDs light up – you can disconnect and unsolder them. Incidentally, don’t look directly into the LEDs because they are so bright, they will dazzle you. HAN CON DUIT “ PVC 1 PC board, 65mm diameter, code K217 (Oatley Electronics) 1 small glass waterproof jar with lid (with sealing gasket to make waterproof) – around 85mm diameter x 75mm high 1 12V SLA battery OR 1 12V NiCad or NiMH battery 3m length polarised Figure-8 cable OR 2 lengths 3m red and black hookup wire, twisted together 1 red crocodile (alligator) battery clip 1 black crocodile (alligator) battery clip Silicone sealant E TO 12V SLA BATTERY (BELT PACK) The completed assembly immediately before it goes into its glass jar “case”. The “HOT” salsa is entirely optional . . . we wonder how it would taste with prawns? siliconchip.com.au A further two shots of the top of the Prawnlite showing how the conduit is shaped, then screwed and glued to the top of the lid. Make sure it’s thoroughly waterproofed with silicone sealant or hot melt glue . . . or both! 1m which is about right for an average-height adult. For a child it would want to be somewhere about 650-750mm) and then cut one end at a suitable angle (the drawing at left should give you a good idea of this). Drill two 3mm holes through the conduit at about 12mm and 72mm from the end, with matching holes in the top of the lid. The stainless steel screws we used had countersunk heads – if yours do, carefully countersink the holes in the conduit. Drill an additional hole in the lid right in the centre – this one should be larger, say about 5-6mm, to suit the power leads you use. The power leads should be able to pass through easily. Pass your power lead through the conduit from the square (top) end, leaving about 100mm protruding from the anglecut end. That means the bulk of the power leads emerge from the top end. Solder a pair of crocodile clips (red and black) to the far ends of the red and black power leads. Now pass the power lead through the hole you drilled in the lid and fasten the angle-cut end of the conduit to the lid with the two screws. Tighten the nuts and then apply generous dollops of silicone sealant or hot melt glue onto the lid, right around the edges of the conduit. Make sure all parts of the join are well sealed. Also apply some silicone to the underside of the lid, over the tops of the two nuts and bolts and, if you wish, to the point where the power leads come through. Also fill in the top end of the conduit with silicone sealant or hot melt and leave to dry. Mounting the PC board While that’s happening, let’s look at mounting the PC board. Naturally, it needs to sit so that the LEDs shine out through the bottom of the jar. This means you’ll need a support cylinder of foam rubber, styrene foam, etc, just a bit smaller than the inside diameter of the jar. The depth needs to be just a bit less than the internal height of the jar less the height of the PC board assembly. Assuming you’ve soldered all LEDs hard down on the board, that’s around 12mm or so – call it 20mm to be safe. The cylinder will need a hole up the middle for the power leads to not only pass through but squash back up into somewhat, when the PC board is brought down onto it. siliconchip.com.au It can be secured to the jar lid using silicone sealant (as a glue) or you could use contact adhesive. When the handle/lid assembly is dry, cut the power leads to say 50mm (or even less if you have a fine soldering iron). Strip off 5mm of insulation and solder the leads, again watching out for polarity, to their appropriate positions on the underside of the PC board. As the PC board is brought down on the foam/styrene cylinder, the power lead has to squash back into the middle (aha! that’s the reason for the hole!) The PC board itself can be glued or taped to the cylinder so that it sits square on it. (We used ordinary clear sticky tape). The final result should look something like the photo on the opposite page. Before screwing the glass jar onto the assembly, check to make sure the gasket (normally glued to the inside of the lid) is intact – you don’t want any path for water to get in – because if it can, it will! Also, check again that the LEDs still light when you connect power. If so, screw the jar onto the lid, ensuring that the LEDs miss the bottom of the jar by a few millimetres or so. That’s it: your Prawnlite is now completed. Connect it to a 12V battery and test that it works as intended. Good luck with your prawning – can’t you just taste those scrumptious little crustaceans already? And if you discover a really good prawning spot – please, SC let us know? Promise we won’t tell anyone else . . . Where from, how much? The Prawnlite comes from Oatley Electronics, who hold the copyright on both the design and the PC board. Oatley have available two kits of parts: K217 sells for $22.00 and contains 24 white LEDs plus 9 transistors, 9 resistors, 3 diodes, 2 capacitors and the PC board. This makes the “half power” version. K217e, when added to the first, makes the full power version. It contains another 24 white leds, 8 transistors and 8 resistors and retails for $15.00 You need to supply the glass jar, the length of conduit, screws & nuts, silicone sealant/hot melt glue, etc. Contact Oatley Electronics on (02) 9584 3561 or via their website, www.oatleye.com January 2005  71 SILICON CHIP If you are seeing a blank page here, it is more than likely that it contained advertising which is now out of date and the advertiser has requested that the page be removed to prevent misunderstandings. Please feel free to visit the advertiser’s website: www.altronics.com.au/ SILICON CHIP If you are seeing a blank page here, it is more than likely that it contained advertising which is now out of date and the advertiser has requested that the page be removed to prevent misunderstandings. Please feel free to visit the advertiser’s website: www.altronics.com.au/ SILICON CHIP If you are seeing a blank page here, it is more than likely that it contained advertising which is now out of date and the advertiser has requested that the page be removed to prevent misunderstandings. Please feel free to visit the advertiser’s website: www.altronics.com.au/ SILICON CHIP If you are seeing a blank page here, it is more than likely that it contained advertising which is now out of date and the advertiser has requested that the page be removed to prevent misunderstandings. Please feel free to visit the advertiser’s website: www.altronics.com.au/ Simon Says . . . Ahhhh! – nostalgia, it ain’t what it used to be. We take a look at how electronic games have changed over the last 25 years and describe a new “Simon Says” game for you to build. By CLIVE SEAGER R EMEMBER THE 70s? The BBC in the UK recently produced a series of television programs called “I Love 197x”. You certainly start to realise your age when you discover that 1978 was over 25 years ago! The 1978 program made reference to the cult toy of the year, “Simon”, made by MB Games, which was loved by children Fig.1: this page from the General Instruments 1977 catalog lists the PIC1650 as a “Programmable Intelligent Computer” 76  Silicon Chip and loathed by parents! This was one of the very first mass-produced electronic games and I remember playing it with friends and relatives. Simon For those too young to remember 1978, the idea behind the Simon game was quite simple. It was based on the old school playground game “Simon Says”. The game was made up of a big round plastic case with four coloured panels. Each panel concealed a switch and a light bulb. At the start of a game, the electronics inside would light up one of the four panels briefly and sound a tone. The player then had to press that panel, after which Simon would repeat, lighting the same panel briefly and adding another. Again, it was the player’s turn. He or she then had to press the two panels in the correct sequence. Each round, the number of panels increased by one until the player could no longer remember the correct sequence. Simon would then issue a harsh buzz and end the game. As I watched the TV program, it struck me that this vintage toy from 1978 could probably be reproduced with a PICAXE microcontroller at very low cost. So I set myself the task of building This is the original MB “Simon” game from 1978. my own PICAXE version of the “Simon Says” game, particularly as I thought it would provide a perfect example of how to remember sequences in a PICAXE BASIC program, something that many users find quite difficult. Internet trivia A quick Google search on the Internet soon revealed lots of trivia about the original “Simon” game. The first single-player game was released in 1978. Subsequently, MB released “Super Simon” in 1979, which had two sets of panels for two players. In 1980, a smaller version called “Pocket Simon” appeared. There was also a special edition Simon with a clear casing so that the internal workings could be seen. Apparently, “Super Simon” even makes an appearance in the film “ET”, where it can be seen on the shelf behind ET’s head when he first speaks! However, I was more interested in how the original game worked. I discovered it needed both a 9V PP3 and two large D cells to make it work, presumably to power the light bulbs and speaker, but could not discover much more online. Then using my “you can buy anything on eBay” philosophy, I did a quick search and sure enough, dissiliconchip.com.au covered that I could buy a real Super Simon, complete with box and instructions, for just £5. So five days later I was the proud owner of a vintage game, which I then, as you probably expect by now, completely disassembled! The original game Removing the cover exposed a sparsely populated PC board. It consisted only of a metal switch contact, eight bulbs buffered by a couple of standard logic gates, and a Texas Instrument “microcomputer” chip. These microcomputer chips were some of the first “single-chip” controllers widely used in mass-produced consumer products, and can be found in a wide range of early 80s equipment such as vending machines. They were the predecessors of the modern PIC microcontrollers. Many people think microcontrollers are a relatively new idea, when in actual fact this game was using very similar single-chip technology 25 years ago! What does “PIC” stand for? One of the most common questions we are asked is “what do PIC and PICAXE actually stand for?” Back in 1975, General Instruments Microelectronics Division developed a small 8-bit controller (PIC1650) based on the Harvard architecture, which itself had been created as part of an earlier inter-university Defence Department competition. Many sources quote the PIC1650 controller as being created primarily as a support input/ output device for the more powerful CP1600 16-bit processor and so quote PIC as standing for “Peripheral Interface Controller”. However, a rare scanned copy of the 1977 General Instruments “Micro-electronics” catalog tells a different story. Fig.1 shows the PIC1650 page from this catalog, which lists the device as a “Programmable Intelligent Computer”. The datasheet clearly shows that this device was the “first in breed” of all the later PICmicro devices, even though is was only available in masked ROM version using NMOS technology. In the early 80s, a venture capital group purchased 85% of the GI Microelectronics Division, including the Arizona manufacturing plant, and formed the Microchip company as it is known today. This new company combined the original PIC1650 techsiliconchip.com.au “Super Simon” came a year after the original “Simon” game and featured twoplayer support. A disassembled “Super Simon”, revealing the TI microcontroller (the larger 28pin chip) and not much more. nology with EPROM memory to create the one-time-programmable PICmicro “C” series parts known today. Later they added erasable EEPROM memory to create the PIC16C84, then the 16F84, and subsequently all of the “F” (FLASH) series parts. Therefore, PIC can stand for either January 2005  77 Fig.2: the circuit diagram for “Simon Says” is a PICAXE incarnation of the game. As with the original, a single-chip micro handles all the smarts but LEDs and a piezo sounder replace the incandescent bulbs and speaker. “Peripheral Interface Controller” or “Programmable Intelligent Computer” – take your pic(k)! PICAXE is easier to explain; it is simply a brand name based on a play of words! The new Simon game The circuit diagram for the PICAXE version of the game is shown in Fig.2. As you can see, it’s very straightforward indeed, consisting of just the micro, four LEDs, a piezo sounder, five pushbutton switches and a few resistors. PC board assembly is also quite straightforward. Use the overlay diagram in Fig.3 as a guide to component placement. Take care with the orientation of the four LEDs, which must have their flat (cathode) sides positioned as shown. Also, make sure the notched (pin 1) end of the PICAXE micro faces the serial link socket. Before soldering (1). Wait for the player to press a switch to start the game. (2). Generate a sequence of random numbers, ranging from 0-3 for the four LEDs. In this case, I will use 100 steps; many more than the seven or eight I can normally repeat in a game! These numbers are stored using the write command in the PICAXE-18A’s separate data memory, which actually has space for up to 256 steps. (3). Get the microcontroller to play back the numbers. To do this, the micro must know how many steps to play back in each round of the game. A variable called topstep will be used to remember the number of steps. If topstep = 1, one step will be played back, if topstep = 2, two steps will be played back, and so on. (4). When the player presses a switch, the microcontroller must light the correct LED for that switch and then compare the switch press to see if it is in sequence. The micro must therefore count the number of switches the the battery clip leads, thread them through the adjacent hole to provide strain relief. Power your completed project only from a 3 x AA alkaline cell (4.5V) battery pack or regulated 5V DC supply. Take particular care that you have the power leads around the right way, otherwise you’ll destroy the PICAXE! Programming introduction The programming task for the Simon game is fairly complicated but is a good example of how to “remember” sequences using the separate data memory (available in all the “A” and “X” series PICAXE micros). When approaching a complicated problem like this, it is essential to break the overall task down into small, manageable chunks and then put the whole program together at the end. The following tasks were identified: Table 1: Resistor Colour Codes o o o o o No.    2   1   1   4 78  Silicon Chip Value 10kΩ 22kΩ 4.7kΩ 330Ω 4-Band Code (1%) brown black orange brown red red orange brown yellow violet red brown orange orange brown brown 5-Band Code (1%) brown black black red brown red red black red brown yellow violet black brown brown orange orange black black brown siliconchip.com.au Parts List 1 Simon PC board 1 3.5mm stereo socket 1 miniature pushbutton switch (SW5) 4 pushbutton switches (SW1 – SW4) 1 battery clip 1 3 x AA battery holder 1 18-pin IC socket 1 miniature piezo transducer Semiconductors 1 PICAXE-18A microcontroller 1 5mm green LED 1 5mm red LED 1 5mm yellow LED 1 5mm blue LED Fig.3: follow this diagram when assembling the board. Take particular care with the orientation of all the LEDs, the PICAXE micro and the power input leads. Capacitors 1 100nF (0.1µF) MKT (code 100n or 104) Resistors (0.25W 5%) 2 10kΩ 1 4.7kΩ 1 22kΩ 4 330Ω 1 10kΩ trimpot (VR1) Also required (not in kit) PICAXE Programming Editor software (v4.1.0 or later) PICAXE download cable (part AXE026) 3 AA alkaline cells Obtaining kits and software This is what the completed PC board looks like. Power comes from an external 4.5V battery pack consisting of three AA alkaline cells. player has pressed. These are accumulated in the playerstep variable. (5). When the player reaches the end of the sequence, the microcontroller must acknowledge the success, add one to the value of topstep and then repeat the process from (3) above. If the player gets the sequence wrong, a buzzer will sound and the game will reset. Program The full program listing is shown siliconchip.com.au in the accompanying panel. Although the program is quite complex, we’ve included it here as an example of what can be achieved with PICAXE microcontrollers. Full comments are given in the program but a brief explanation is also included below. Note: to save typing the program in manually, you can download it from the SILICON CHIP web site at www.siliconchip.com.au. Section 1 in the program is a loop that lights all four LEDs, generates a The design copyright for this project is owned by Revolution Education Ltd. Complete kits (part AXE106K) for this project are available from authorised PICAXE distributors – see www.microzed. com.au or phone Microzed on (02) 6772 2777. The PICAXE Programming editor software can be downloaded free of charge from www.picaxe.co.uk or ordered on CD (part BAS805). random number and then waits for a switch to be pressed to start the game. By including the random command within the loop, it is constantly varying and so no two games will be the same. Section 2 uses a for…next loop to store 100 random numbers in the micro’s memory. As the PICAXE random command only works on word variables, it is called using the variable randword. However, as we only January 2005  79 Simon Says PICAXE BASIC Program ' *** Define the variables used *** symbol randword = w0 'random number (word) symbol randbyte = b0 'random number (byte, part of w0) symbol value = b2 'switch value 0-1-2-3 symbol playerstep = b3 'position of player in game symbol freq = b4 'sound variable symbol topstep = b5 'number of steps in sequence symbol counter = b6 'general purpose counter symbol speed = b7 'playback speed ' *** Section 1 ********************** ' Wait for any switch to be pushed init: let pins = %00001111 random randword if input0 = 1 then preload if input1 = 1 then preload if input6 = 1 then preload if input7 = 1 then preload goto init 'light all LEDs 'randomise 'check switches ' *** Section 2 **************************** ' Load EEPROM data memory with 100 numbers preload: let pins = %00000000 for counter = 0 to 100 'LEDs off 'for..next loop let value = 0 random randword 'get random number if randbyte > 180 then set0 if randbyte > 120 then set1 if randbyte > 60 then set2 set3: let value = value + 1 set2: let value = value + 1 set1: let value = value + 1 set0: write counter,value next counter '1+1+1 = 3 '1+1 = 2 '1 '0 'save in data memory 'next loop ' *** Section 3 **************************** ' This section plays back a sequence let pins = %00000000 let topstep = 1 playback: readadc 2,speed for counter = 1 to topstep read counter,value gosub beep pause 300 next counter 'LEDs off 'reset step number to 1 'read speed value from preset 'for...next loop 'get value 'make the noise 'short delay 'loop ' *** Section 4 ************************************** ' Now the user responds playerstep = 1 ' If playerstep is greater than topstep then all done 80  Silicon Chip gameloop: if playerstep > topstep then success read playerstep,value 'recall correct value loop: if input7 = 1 then pushed0 'wait for switch press if input0 = 1 then pushed1 if input1 = 1 then pushed2 if input6 = 1 then pushed3 goto loop ' Now check correct value depending on which switch was pressed pushed0: if value <> 0 then fail let playerstep = playerstep + 1 gosub beep goto gameloop pushed1: if value <> 1 then fail let playerstep = playerstep + 1 gosub beep goto gameloop pushed2: if value <> 2 then fail let playerstep = playerstep + 1 gosub beep goto gameloop pushed3: if value <> 3 then fail let playerstep = playerstep + 1 gosub beep goto gameloop ' Failed so make noise and jump back to start fail: let pins = %0000000 'all LEDs off sound 7,(80,100) 'make a noise sound 7,(50,100) goto init 'back to start ' Succeeded so add another step to sequence and loop success: pause 100 'short delay let pins = %00001111 'all LEDs on sound 7,(120,50) 'success beep let pins = %00000000 'all LEDs off pause 100 'short delay let topstep = topstep + 1 'add another step goto playback 'loop again ' *** Section 5 **************** 'Sub-procedure to light correct LED and make beep beep: high value freq = value + 1 * 25 sound 7,(freq,speed) low value return 'switch on LED ‘generate sound freq. 'play sound 'switch off LED 'return siliconchip.com.au require a byte value, we later use the variable randbyte (one half of randword). We only require the numbers 0-3 (for the four LEDs) but randbyte can contain the value 0-255 and so we carry out a simple comparison test to get the four desired values. Section 3 switches all four LEDs off and then uses a for..next loop to play back the sequence (up to the variable topstep). The “beep” sub-procedure in section 5 is used to light the appropriate LED and make a sound for each step. Note that the sound is different for each LED to aid memory during the game. The length of the beep is determined by the setting of trimpot VR1, which can therefore be used to increase or decrease the speed of the game. Section 4 first resets the player’s position to 1. A test is then carried out to see if the player has completed all the required steps. If all steps have been done, the “success” section of the code flashes all four LEDs, adds one more step to the topstep value and then loops back to section 3. If there are still steps to do, the correct target value is retrieved from memory for comparison. The program then enters a loop, waiting for a switch to be pressed. When a switch is pressed it is compared to the target value retrieved from memory. If the values are the same, everything is correct and so the LED is lit via the “beep” sub-procedure, the players position is increased by one and the program loops back for another switch press. If the value is incorrect, the “fail” section of the code makes a noise and then resets the game. Summary Single-chip controllers are not new, as this game was using them 25 years ago! However, electronics has changed dramatically since then and modern microcontrollers are much cheaper and easier to use than the original micros. Modern microcontrollers such as the PICAXE reduce large complex circuits down to simple, clean designs and dramatically reduce the cost of these products. LED technology has improved and no game would ever be manufactured now with bulbs due to cost, safety and power consumption. Microcontrollers are here to stay! SC Want cheap, really bright LEDs? We have the best value, brightest LEDs available in Australia! Check these out: Luxeon 1, 3 and 5 watt All colours available, with or without attached optics, as low as $10 each Low-cost 1 watt Like the Luxeons, but much lower cost. •Red, amber, green, blue and white: Just $6 each! Lumileds Superflux These are 7.6mm square and can be driven at up to 50mA continuously. •Red and amber: $2 each •Blue, green and cyan: $3 each Asian Superflux Same as above, but much lower cost. •Red and amber: Just 50 cents each! •Blue, green, aqua and white: $1 each. Go to www.ata.org.au or call us on (03)9419 2440. 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Email us: sales<at>prime-electronics.com.au BRISBANE SHOWROOM 22 Campbell Street Bowen Hills QLD 4006 Telephone: (07) 3252 3762 Facsimile: (07) 3252 5778 SOUTHPORT SHOWROOM 11 Brickworks Cntr, Warehouse Rd Southport QLD 4215 Telephone: (07) 5531 2599 Facsimile: (07) 5571 0543 SYDNEY 185 Parramatta Road Homebush NSW 2140 Telephone: (02) 9704 9000 Facsimile: (02) 9746 1197 January 2005  81 Vintage Radio By RODNEY CHAMPNESS, VK3UG Outback communications: the Flying Doctor radios Radio communications played a vital role in bringing the Flying Doctor service to the outback. Here’s how the outback radios were developed. Back in 1912, the Reverend John Flynn became acutely aware of the needs of people living in outback Australia. The community facilities that we now take for granted in our cities – ie, good roads, rapid transport, good medical services, communications (including telephones), entertainment and supermarkets, etc – simply did not exist in the outback back then (and Alfred Traeger posing with the first pedal radio in November 1928. This consisted of a 2-valve regenerative receiver using space charge tetrode valves (A141) and a 1-valve triode (B205) crystal-controlled Morse code (CW) transmitter. The transmitter operated with an output of 1-1.5W on a frequency of 2230kHz. 82  Silicon Chip often still don’t today). Admittedly, many of these facilities were rudimentary – and in some cases non-existent – in city areas in 1912. However, the people of the outback had none of these conveniences. How would we like to live in a world like that? In reality, the infrastructure in outback Australia is quite poor and, given the sparse population, will remain that way. Flynn, through the Australian Inland Mission (AIM), an arm of the Presbyterian Church in Australia, began looking at ways to address the plight of people in isolated outback areas. In particular, he saw that people needed medical facilities (hospitals, doctors and nurses), the means to obtain speedy access to these facilities, and a means of calling promptly for this assistance. The few medical centres that did exist at that time were thinly spread throughout remote areas. A single nurse (or perhaps two) and – if they were lucky – a doctor within a few hundred miles were about the best that people in the outback could expect nearly a century ago. Transport to and from these centres was also a very real problem in those days, as the best roads were often little better than two wheel ruts through the scrub. Flynn was convinced by 1917 that aircraft could ultimately provide the needed transport in emergency medical cases. The cost of landing strips was much lower than providing roads and aircraft were speedier than land-based vehicles. Bush radio Another problem was that a means of quickly summoning aid was not siliconchip.com.au John Flynn (nearest to camera) and George Towns setting off from Adelaide on their 1925 trip to test radio communications equipment in outback central Australia. available. There were no telephones back then, as the cost of providing a telephone service to outback cattle stations was prohibitive. In addition, cattle drovers were never in one place for long, so a telephone service would have been useless for many people anyway. By 1919, Flynn hit on the idea of using radio communications to summon aid in an emergency. However, he could see that radio was still in its infancy and not really suitable at that stage for the job. The world was just recovering from the ravages of World War I and many things were still in a state of confusion. Spark wireless transmitting and crystal receiving equipment was totally unsuitable for use between outback cattle stations and the nearest town where medical facilities were available, such as Cloncurry or Oodnadatta. The government had also placed some restrictions on the use of valves by radio experimenters, although this was gradually being relaxed. In fact, by 1919, valves were being used in an increasing number of transmitters and receivers and valveequipment was showing promise as a possible solution to his problems. But even the most advanced cutting-edge radio technology of 1919 was still totally unsuitable for the work that Flynn envisaged. As a result, Flynn encouraged both siliconchip.com.au individuals and groups involved in wireless communications – such as the Wireless Institute of Australia – to develop an easy-to-operate, portable or semi-fixed radio transmitter and receiver for use in the outback. This equipment was to be used on remote cattle or sheep stations to communicate with a central base station. Many tried and failed and even the military, despite all the facilities they had at their disposal, had nothing like the equipment Flynn required. Was he asking the impossible? Early experiments Despite those early setbacks, Flynn continued to encourage experimenters to develop suitable radio communications equipment. In 1925, he obtained help from Harry Kauper to develop equipment to test various ideas on outback communications. Kauper was the chief engineer of radio station 5CL and arguably the most competent radio experimenter in Adelaide at that time. Under his guidance, Flynn and George Towns (an ex-WWI digger with experience in wireless) built the equipment. The amount of equipment involved can be seen in the accompanying photograph of Flynn and Towns leaving Adelaide in the overloaded Dodge buckboard. This equipment was tested by Flynn and Towns throughout the outback and they were able to contact Kauper and other experimenters. The experiments were successful in that some ideas were definitely worth incorporating into a portable transmitter/receiver, while others required further development. And of course, some ideas proved to be failures. However, the overall development VALVES AUDIO HI-FI AMATEUR RADIO GUITAR AMPS INDUSTRIAL VINTAGE RADIO We can supply your valve needs, including high voltage capacitors, Hammond transformers, chassis, sockets and valve books. WE BUY, SELL and TRADE SSAE DL size for CATALOGUE ELECTRONIC VALVE & TUBE COMPANY PO Box 487 Drysdale, Vic 3222 76 Bluff Rd, St Leonards, 3223 Tel: (03) 5257 2297; Fax: (03) 5257 1773 Email: evatco<at>pacific.net.au www.evatco.com.au January 2005  83 The 1930 pedal radio was built into a heavy metal cabinet and used two transmitters – one on 2020kHz and the other on 8630kHz. This set was the Augustus Downs pedal radio and is now at John Flynn Place, Cloncurry. An under chassis view of the 1930 pedal radio. The transmitters used A615 valves (or A415s) and had an RF output power of just 1.5W. direction was slowly evolving. For example, it quickly became painfully obvious that voice communications were out of the question with the portable equipment envisaged. However, Morse code transmission from portable stations would be practical within a few years, once a range of problems had been overcome. In 1926, Kauper built three transmitter/receiver sets for use in experiments between Arltunga, Hermannsburg and the AWA-supplied base station at Stuart (Alice Springs). These were tested by Flynn and Alfred Traeger (the pedal radio man) and proved successful, the unit operating for several months before breaking down. Inside view of the first pedal radio, complete with all the batteries. Note that the transmitting valve (B205) is missing from its socket at the bottom left of the photograph. 84  Silicon Chip The birth of pedal radio With the design criteria sorted out, Flynn gave Traeger the job of developing a suitable transmitter/receiver un- der the watchful eye of Harry Kauper (Traeger’s mentor), who contributed his considerable skills to the design. After many experiments, Traeger built the first pedal radio and unveiled it to Flynn in November 1928. This was a magnificent achievement, as it was the first portable high-frequency (HF) transmitter/receiver in the world that could be used by non-technical people. According to its operating licence, the transmitter was crystal-locked on 2230kHz. It used a B205 valve which was operated in class “C” mode as a Morse code (CW) transmitter. Now the efficiency of small battery valves was quite low in class “C”, so an input of about 4W gave just 1.5W of output power – ie, it was only 40% efficient. The low-tension “A” battery supply came from two No.6 cells in series, while the high-tension “B” supply was nominally 180V but depended on how quickly the operator pedalled the generator (hence the name pedal radio) which supplied this power. The transmitter was coupled to a quarter-wave wire aerial and a tuned counterpoise system. This proved to be an extremely effective antenna system, which it needed to be, considering the low transmitter power and the long distances over which the equipment was required to operate. In fact, this type of system was used up until relatively recent times. The receiver was a simple 2-valve unit. It consisted of a regenerative detector and a transformer-coupled audio output stage which fed a pair of headphones. It tuned the broadcast band and one shortwave band, which included 2230kHz. The valves used were two A141 space charge tetrodes which required 1.5V (“A”) for the filaments and 9V (“B”) – from two 4.5V bias batteries – for the high tension. The very low voltage on the “B” supply was sufficient for the A141 valves, which were designed to operate effectively on voltages from 2-20V. Kauper selected the A141 valves because they drew very little current at low voltages. High voltage dry batteries of the era deteriorated very quickly in sub-tropical environments where these sets were to operate, such as Cloncurry in Queensland. Six such sets were installed during 1929 within a radius of 600km of the siliconchip.com.au Base transmitter The Cloncurry base transmitter was much more powerful than the pedal radios, having an output power of 50W on (AM) voice. Of course, fixed base transmitters of reasonable power drew considerably more electrical power than a pedal radio transmitter. However, this wasn’t a problem in this case, as a 32V lighting plant had been installed at Cloncurry to power the base station (despite the expense). The base station receivers were also more elaborate than the pedal radio receivers, mainly because they had to be more sensitive. Teething problems Despite quickly proving their worth, practical experience with the new radios during the first few months also revealed some shortcomings. In particular, the sets were not always able to achieve reliable communications. To achieve that goal, it was evident that a frequency near 10MHz was needed in addition to 2MHz. It was a case of going back to the drawing board and making the necessary improvements so that the pedal radios would be effective. Although the pedal generator had proved quite satisfactory, the receiver lacked gain and stability, and it seems that the transmitter valve may not have been rugged enough to stand the physical abuse of being bumped around in the outback. As a result, these first six sets were scrapped over a period of time and their parts used in later improved sets, which is why there are no examples of the original sets in existence. However, there are two photographs which do show what they looked like. The 1930 pedal radio Harry Kauper decided to move to Melbourne in 1930, which meant that he was now able to provide only limited assistance to Alfred Traeger. Left largely to his own devices, Traeger used the best design aspects of the original sets and worked on methods of overcoming the weaknesses. The replacement sets were built into a heavy metal case (to thwart termites) and the original single siliconchip.com.au Fig.1: this is the circuit for the 1930-model pedal radio. Note the two almost identical transmitter stages based on A615 valves (one for 2020kHz and the other for 8630kHz). The receiver used three A109 triode valves – a regenerative detector and two transformer-coupled audio stages. The receiver tuned the broadcast band and up to around 10MHz, using plug-in coils. Cloncurry base. They quickly proved their worth when it came to saving lives, by summoning aircraft to carry patients to the hospital at Cloncurry. January 2005  85 A model 36 pedal radio with pedal generator mounted below it, on display at “Adelaide House” in Alice Springs. transmitter became two transmitters – one on a frequency of 2020kHz (night frequency) and the other on 8630kHz (day frequency). Exactly when these frequencies were issued is uncertain but it was definitely by 1931. Traeger reasoned that by having two transmitters, communications with Cloncurry could be achieved either on the night frequency or the day frequency, even if one broke down. The transmitter design remained essentially the same as before, except the valves used were now A615s (or even A415s), which required four or five No.6 cells in series to power the filaments. The radio frequency (RF) output power remained at about 1.5W. The antenna design also remained much the same as for the original set but it was now expected to operate on the two frequencies. As a result, two separate counterpoises were used in these units. Initially, they were tuned in the same way as the original pedal radios, by laboriously adjusting the length of each counterpoise. Later on, they were modified so that the electrical length (and hence the tuning) of each counterpoise could be adjusted within the set itself. Developed in 1931, Traeger’s Morse typewriter sent perfect Morse code, regardless of the skills of the operator. 86  Silicon Chip No meters were used in the transmitters to indicate the correct tuning. Instead, tuning was carried out by watching a small pea lamp and adjusting the transmitter and counterpoise controls for maximum lamp brightness. It was said that if you got a glimmer out of the pea lamp, you had succeeded in tuning the transmitter! The receiver, although also basically the same as the original, now boasted three conventional A109 triode valves. There was a regenerative detector and two transformer-coupled audio stages, with the output stage feeding a pair of headphones or, if the signals were really strong, a loudspeaker. The receiver was able to tune the broadcast band and up to around 10MHz using plug-in coils. It was a much better performer than the original but now required a 45V HT battery in lieu of the 9V HT battery used in the original receiver. To the best of my knowledge, there is only one example of this model in existence and it is housed at John Flynn Place in Cloncurry. Another set that appears to be the same is at the RFDS base in Alice Springs. However, this is a model 34, which was made around three years later and uses different valves – three 30s in the receiver and two 33s in the transmitters. Gaining access to these sets is difficult but I was able to see them some years ago thanks to the late Reverend Fred McKay. Unfortunately, I was unable to test them but I did build replica transmitters similar to the sets at John Flynn Place and in Alice Springs, in order to assess their performance (the receivers were conventional for their era, so I didn’t build any replicas of these). The accompanying photographs show the construction of the set at Cloncurry. The “chassis” is ebonite and components are mounted on it as shown. The wiring is in dark red spaghetti-covered single conductor wire. The transmit/receive switch is the very large and relatively complex unit in the centre back of the set. Its operation can be traced in the circuit diagram. It’s also worth noting that Traeger made any special switches himself. The meter on the front panel was used when adjusting the filament voltages on the transmitter and the receiver valves. In practice, the receiver valves siliconchip.com.au Fig.2: the model 36 was the first AM/CW pedal radio to be produced in any quantity. It was supplied with three plugin transmitter assemblies (one for each frequency) and also used plug-in coils in the receiver. were adjusted for a voltage of 1-1.3V and the transmitter valves for 6V. The Morse typewriter The next improvement in outback communications came with the development of the ingenious Morse typewriter by Traeger in 1931. As might be expected, the Morse code skills of the operators at the cattle stations were generally quite poor and it was often quite difficult for the base station operator to understand what was being sent. By contrast, the typewriter sent perfect Morse code and even had a mechanical interlock which prevented more than one key from being pressed siliconchip.com.au at a time. The exact sending speed was adjusted by an oil-filled dashpot and this was usually set to give a transmission speed of 10 words per minute. Traeger could see that this valve could also perform as a push-pull class “B” modulator for the plate and screen The first voice pedal radios Voice communication was still the goal as far as Flynn was concerned, however. By 1934, the type 19 valve was available in reasonable quantities in Australia. This valve was originally designed for use as a class “B” pushpull audio output stage and was capable of around 2.2W with 135V of plate voltage. With this valve, battery receivers were capable of audio outputs that rivalled many mains-operated sets. January 2005  87 Photo Gallery: General Electric 1934 Duette (Made by AWA) total. However, from my research, it would appear that a model 35 was the first of the AM/CW sets and there may have only been one or two of these produced. It had a 3-valve receiver similar to the early CW-only receivers and a transmitter similar to the later 36 set. The 36 set, which was produced in late 1935 or early 1936, had a totally new receiver. Some of the new lowfilament current tetrode RF valves found favour with Traeger and the new receiver had a 32 as an untuned RF amplifier, followed by a 32 as a regenerative detector. A 30 triode was used as an audio stage and this was transformer-coupled to a triodeconnected 49 audio output stage. This set had an advantage over the earlier regenerative receivers in that the regeneration was not affected by the style of antenna connected to it. As a result, the regeneration control was much smoother. A design similar to this receiver was published in the April 1929 issue of “QST”, the official magazine of the American Radio Relay League. However, it used valves with higher filament current drains, which were unsuitable for the pedal radio designs of 1929. Plug-in coils Manufactured under licence in 1934 by AWA, the GE “Duette” was a 5-valve reflexed superhet receiver that was electrically equivalent to the AWA Radiolette Model 27. The valve line-up was as follows: 78 RF amplifier, 6A7 frequency changer, 6B7 reflexed IF/audio amplifier/detector/AVC rectifier, 42 audio output and 80 rectifier. Photo: Historical Radio Society of Australia, Inc. of the transmitter output valve (33). This was tried and proved successful, even with 180V on the 19 valve – well above its design ratings. Its standing current was 20mA instead of 10mA in this situation, with zero bias. This mistreatment seems to have been tolerated by the valve because of the intermittent nature of transmitting. The base station operators also used to do routine visits to the various outstations and replaced any weak valves in the transmitters on a regular basis to keep failure rates down Perhaps one point needs to be made quite clear – the pedal generators did 88  Silicon Chip not produce more than 220V (when pedalling hard) and supplied between 160V and 200V (depending on the version of the pedal generator used) at normal pedalling rates. If they had produced the 350V some texts suggest, transmitting valves such as the 19 (with a maximum design rating of 135V) and the 33 (rated at 180V) would have failed spectacularly within seconds. The model 36 The model 36 was the first AM/ CW pedal radio to be produced in any quantity – perhaps 10-20 sets in The 36 also included an innovation that had started to appear in the last of the CW transceivers – ie, plug-in transmitter assemblies for each frequency (this in addition to plug-in coils for the receiver). Changing the transmitter frequency was simply a matter of changing the pre-tuned plugin assembly. Three plug-in assemblies were supplied with each transmitter, as only three frequencies were allocated to each network. The wiring of each plug-in was such that the correct counterpoise was automatically connected for the frequency in use. As for the frequencies used, in 1935 the base station at Wyndham was allocated 1600kHz, 5300kHz and 8830kHz (the broadcast band only extended to 1500kHz at that time). The receiver’s tuning range remained nominally the same as previous models, with enough plug-in coils to cover from 550kHz to around 10MHz. The higher frequency coils were wired in such a way that bandspreading was achieved for easier siliconchip.com.au tuning, as can be seen in the model 36 circuit diagram. For those unfamiliar with bandspreading, it is a mechanical or electronic means of spreading the tuning out across a band, which makes for easier tuning. A typical dual-wave receiver tunes from 6-18MHz in one sweep, which makes it hard to tune accurately. By contrast, a set with band-spreading splits that range up into multiple bands and is therefore easier to tune accurately – eg, an AWA 7-band set has seven bands which tune from 550kHz to 22.3MHz. Once again, I built replica transmitters to check their performance. They performed pretty much as predicted. In the model 36 set, the 19 valve is overloaded and some standing bias would have been a good idea. I did not build a replica 36 receiver, as Graham Pitts, VK6GF – the Base Director at Alice Springs from 1944 to 1953 – assured me that these receivers performed satisfactorily. Summary The early development of the Flying Doctor pedal radios is fascinating. In this article, I’ve given you but a glimpse of what happened over the years from 1912 to 1936. It progressed from nothing to Morse code transmissions from the out-stations (homesteads) and voice transmission from the base station at Cloncurry in 1929, and then to voice transmissions from the out-stations and the base stations in 1935/6. Due to the low power of the outstation pedal radios, the reception at the base stations was, more often than not, very poor. By contrast, base station transmissions were clearly heard most of the time as the transmitter power was much greater than the 1.5W output of the early pedal radios. In late 1945 (after the end of WW II), out-station transceivers of up to 20W became available which improved communications performance markedly. Depending on the circumstances, the base transmitter powers varied between 20W and 400W output when AM transmissions were at their peak use. For those who wish to know a lot more about the development of communications in the outback, my book “Outback Radio – from Flynn to Satellites” will be helpful – see adjacent SC panel. siliconchip.com.au BOOK REVIEW By Leo Simpson History of Outback Radio Outback Radio, from Flynn to Satellites, by Rodney Champness. Published 2004. Soft covers, 210 x 296mm, 186 pages. ISBN 0 646 43674 0. $39.95. Just by coincidence, this month’s Vintage Radio column happens to cover some of the subject material in this book, involving the pedal radio developed by Alf Traeger. Rodney Champness has put a great deal of research into this book, going as far as to reproduce some the early radios to check their performance. In total, there are 17 chapters and eight appendices and the story goes right back to the beginnings of European settlement. The first chapter is largely devoted to the Overland Telegraph which began to be installed around Australia in the 1850s. In the days before the 1920s, the Telegraph and the various state railways represented the only ways to get messages quickly over vast distances and those methods left vast areas of Australia totally isolated. Few people had telephones and so there was a vast challenge which was taken up by John Flynn. John Flynn and Alf Traeger are the two heroes of this book. Rodney Champness proceeds to describe the development of early radio communications in minute and exhaustive detail, covering not only the various transmitters and receivers but also the innovative pedal generators, designed by Alf Traeger and Henry Kauper. An incidental detail is that the pedal generators designed by Traeger only supplied the transmitter’s high voltage while the remaining filament and other supplies were provided by batteries. While the main thrust of the book is the pioneering radio work to complement the Royal Flying Doctor Service, a good portion is devoted to more recent develop- ments since the 1950s, right up to the use of satellite communications, EPIRBs and GPS. The eight appendices are of particular interest. Appendix one is a synopsis of the 17 chapters of the book while appendix two is a collection of early transmitters and transceivers and reviews of their performance. This will probably be the most closely read section of the entire book. Appendix three is a detailed discussion of aerial and counterpoise systems – critical to early radio communications. Appendices four and five are collections of miscellaneous information, significant dates, valve data and radio frequencies. Appendix six contains brief profiles of outback radio pioneers and appendix seven is a comprehensive glossary. Appendix eight is the bibliography. In summary, this is a thoroughly researched history of outback radio which will be of value to anyone interested in early Australian radio. The book is available from the author, Rodney Champness, 6 Mundoona Court, Mooroopna, Vic 3629. The price is $39.95 plus $8 postage. Payment may be made by cheque or money order. (L. D. S.) January 2005  89 ALL S ILICON C HIP SUBSCRIBERS – PRINT, OR BOTH – AUTOMATICALLY QUALIFY FOR A REFERENCE $ave 10%ONLINE DISCOUNT ON ALL BOOK OR PARTSHOP PURCHASES. CHIP BOOKSHOP 10% (Does not apply to subscriptions) SILICON For the latest titles and information, please refer to our website books page: www.siliconchip.com.au/Shop/Books PIC MICROCONTROLLERS: know it all SELF ON AUDIO Multiple authors $85.00 The best of subjects Newnes authors have written over the past few years, combined in a one-stop maxi reference. Covers introduction to PICs and their programming in Assembly, PICBASIC, MBASIC & C. 900+ pages. PROGRAMMING and CUSTOMIZING THE PICAXE By David Lincoln (2nd Ed, 2011) $65.00* A great aid when wrestling with applications for the PICAXE See series of microcontrollers, at beginner, intermediate and Review April advanced levels. Every electronics class, school and library should have a copy, along with anyone who works with PICAXEs. 300 pages in paperback. 2011 PIC IN PRACTICE by D W Smith. 2nd Edition - published 2006 $60.00* Based on popular short courses on the PIC, for professionals, students and teachers. Can be used at a variety of levels. An ideal introduction to the world of microcontrollers. 255 pages in paperback. PIC MICROCONTROLLER – your personal introductory course By John Morton 3rd edition 2005. $60.00* A unique and practical guide to getting up and running with the PIC. It assumes no knowledge of microcontrollers – ideal introduction for students, teachers, technicians and electronics enthusiasts. Revised 3rd edition focuses entirely on re-programmable flash PICs such as 16F54, 16F84 12F508 and 12F675. 226 pages in paperback. by Douglas Self 2nd Edition 2006 $69.00* A collection of 35 classic magazine articles offering a dependable methodology for designing audio power amplifiers to improve performance at every point without significantly increasing cost. Includes compressors/limiters, hybrid bipolar/FET amps, electronic switching and more. 467 pages in paperback. SMALL SIGNAL AUDIO DESIGN By Douglas Self – First Edition 2010 $95.00* The latest from the Guru of audio. Explains audio concepts in easy-to-understand language with plenty of examples and reasoning. Inspiration for audio designers, superb background for audio enthusiasts and especially where it comes to component peculiarities and limitations. Expensive? Yes. Value for money? YES! Highly recommended. 558 pages in paperback. AUDIO POWER AMPLIFIER DESIGN HANDBOOK by Douglas Self – 5th Edition 2009 $85.00* "The Bible" on audio power amplifiers. Many revisions and updates to the previous edition and now has an extra three chapters covering Class XD, Power Amp Input Systems and Input Processing and Auxiliarly Subsystems. Not cheap and not a book for the beginner but if you want the best reference on Audio Power Amps, you want this one! 463 pages in paperback. DVD PLAYERS AND DRIVES by K.F. Ibrahim. Published 2003. $71.00* OP AMPS FOR EVERYONE By Bruce Carter – 4th Edition 2013 $83.00* This is the bible for anyone designing op amp circuits and you don't have to be an engineer to get the most out of it. It is written in simple language but gives lots of in-depth info, bridging the gap between the theoretical and the practical. 281 pages, A guide to DVD technology and applications, with particular focus on design issues and pitfalls, maintenance and repair. Ideal for engineers, technicians, students of consumer electronics and sales and installation staff. 319 pages in paperback. by Sanjaya Maniktala, Published April 2012. $83.00 Thoroughly revised! The most comprehensive study available of theoretical and practical aspects of controlling and measuring EMI in switching power supplies. Subtitled Exploring the PIC32, a Microchip insider tells all on this powerful PIC! Focuses on examples and exercises that show how to solve common, real-world design problems quickly. Includes handy checklists. FREE CD-ROM includes source code in C, the Microchip C30 compiler, and MPLAB SIM. 400 pages paperback. By Garry Cratt – Latest (7th) Edition 2008 $49.00 Written in Australia, for Australian conditions by one of Australia's foremost satellite TV experts. If there is anything you wanted to know about setting up a satellite TV system, (including what you can't do!) it's sure to be covered in this 176-page paperback book. See Review Feb 2004 SWITCHING POWER SUPPLIES A-Z PROGRAMMING 32-bit MICROCONTROLLERS IN C By Luci di Jasio (2008) $79.00* PRACTICAL GUIDE TO SATELLITE TV See Review March 2010 ELECTRIC MOTORS AND DRIVES By Austin Hughes & Bill Drury - 4th edition 2013 $59.00* This is a very easy to read book with very little mathematics or formulas. It covers the basics of all the main motor types, DC permanent magnet and wound field, AC induction and steppers and gives a very good description of how speed control circuits work with these motors. Soft covers, 444 pages. NEWNES GUIDE TO TV & VIDEO TECHNOLOGY By KF Ibrahim 4th Edition (Published 2007) $49.00 It's back! Provides a full and comprehensive coverage of video and television technology including HDTV and DVD. Starts with fundamentals so is ideal for students but covers in-depth technologies such as Blu-ray, DLP, Digital TV, etc so is also perfect for engineers. 600+ pages in paperback. RF CIRCUIT DESIGN by Chris Bowick, Second Edition, 2008. $63.00* The classic RF circuit design book. RF circuit design is now more important that ever in the wireless world. In most of the wireless devices that we use there is an RF component – this book tells how to design and integrate in a very practical fashion. 244 pages in paperback. PRACTICAL RF HANDBOOK AC MACHINES By Jim Lowe Published 2006 $66.00* Applicable to Australian trades-level courses including NE10 AC Machines, NE12 Synchronous Machines and the AC part of NE30 Electric Motor Control and Protection. Covering polyphase induction motors, singlephase motors, synchronous machines and polyphase motor starting. 160 pages in paperback. PRACTICAL VARIABLE SPEED DRIVES & POWER ELECTRONICS Se e by Malcolm Barnes. 1st Ed, Feb 2003. $73.00* Review An essential reference for engineers and anyone who wishes to design or use variable speed drives for induction motors. 286 pages in soft cover. Feb 2003 BUILD YOUR OWN ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE by Carl Vogel. Published 2009. $40.00* by Ian Hickman. 4th edition 2007 $61.00* Alternative fuel expert Carl Vogel gives you a hands-on guide with A guide to RF design for engineers, technicians, students and enthusiasts. the latest technical information and easy-to-follow instructions Covers key topics in RF: analog design principles, transmission lines, for building a two-wheeled electric vehicle – from a streamlined couplers, transformers, amplifiers, oscillators, modulation, transmitters and scooter to a full-sized motorcycle. 384 pages in soft cover. receivers, propagation and antennas. 279 pages in paperback. *NOTE: ALL PRICES ARE PLUS P&P – AUSTRALIA ONLY: $10.00 per order; NZ – $AU12.00 PER BOOK; REST OF WORLD $AU18.00 PER BOOK To Place Your Order: INTERNET (24/7) PAYPAL (24/7) eMAIL (24/7) www.siliconchip. com.au/Shop/Books Use your PayPal account silicon<at>siliconchip.com.au silicon<at>siliconchip.com.au with order & credit card details FAX (24/7) MAIL (24/7) Your order and card details to Your order to PO Box 139 Collaroy NSW 2097 (02) 9939 2648 with all details PHONE – (9-5, Mon-Fri) Call (02) 9939 3295 with with order & credit card details You can also order and pay for books by cheque/money order (Mail Only). Make cheques payable to Silicon Chip Publications. ALL TITLES SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. PRICES VALID FOR MONTH OF MAGAZINE ISSUE ONLY. ALL PRICES INCLUDE GST ALL S ILICON C HIP SUBSCRIBERS – PRINT, OR BOTH – AUTOMATICALLY QUALIFY FOR A REFERENCE $ave 10%ONLINE DISCOUNT ON ALL BOOK OR PARTSHOP PURCHASES. CHIP BOOKSHOP 10% (Does not apply to subscriptions) SILICON For the latest titles and information, please refer to our website books page: www.siliconchip.com.au/Shop/Books PIC MICROCONTROLLERS: know it all SELF ON AUDIO Multiple authors $85.00 The best of subjects Newnes authors have written over the past few years, combined in a one-stop maxi reference. Covers introduction to PICs and their programming in Assembly, PICBASIC, MBASIC & C. 900+ pages. PROGRAMMING and CUSTOMIZING THE PICAXE By David Lincoln (2nd Ed, 2011) $65.00* A great aid when wrestling with applications for the PICAXE See series of microcontrollers, at beginner, intermediate and Review April advanced levels. Every electronics class, school and library should have a copy, along with anyone who works with PICAXEs. 300 pages in paperback. 2011 PIC IN PRACTICE by D W Smith. 2nd Edition - published 2006 $60.00* Based on popular short courses on the PIC, for professionals, students and teachers. Can be used at a variety of levels. An ideal introduction to the world of microcontrollers. 255 pages in paperback. PIC MICROCONTROLLER – your personal introductory course By John Morton 3rd edition 2005. $60.00* A unique and practical guide to getting up and running with the PIC. It assumes no knowledge of microcontrollers – ideal introduction for students, teachers, technicians and electronics enthusiasts. Revised 3rd edition focuses entirely on re-programmable flash PICs such as 16F54, 16F84 12F508 and 12F675. 226 pages in paperback. by Douglas Self 2nd Edition 2006 $69.00* A collection of 35 classic magazine articles offering a dependable methodology for designing audio power amplifiers to improve performance at every point without significantly increasing cost. Includes compressors/limiters, hybrid bipolar/FET amps, electronic switching and more. 467 pages in paperback. SMALL SIGNAL AUDIO DESIGN By Douglas Self – First Edition 2010 $95.00* The latest from the Guru of audio. Explains audio concepts in easy-to-understand language with plenty of examples and reasoning. Inspiration for audio designers, superb background for audio enthusiasts and especially where it comes to component peculiarities and limitations. Expensive? Yes. Value for money? YES! Highly recommended. 558 pages in paperback. AUDIO POWER AMPLIFIER DESIGN HANDBOOK by Douglas Self – 5th Edition 2009 $85.00* "The Bible" on audio power amplifiers. Many revisions and updates to the previous edition and now has an extra three chapters covering Class XD, Power Amp Input Systems and Input Processing and Auxiliarly Subsystems. Not cheap and not a book for the beginner but if you want the best reference on Audio Power Amps, you want this one! 463 pages in paperback. DVD PLAYERS AND DRIVES by K.F. Ibrahim. Published 2003. $71.00* OP AMPS FOR EVERYONE By Bruce Carter – 4th Edition 2013 $83.00* This is the bible for anyone designing op amp circuits and you don't have to be an engineer to get the most out of it. It is written in simple language but gives lots of in-depth info, bridging the gap between the theoretical and the practical. 281 pages, A guide to DVD technology and applications, with particular focus on design issues and pitfalls, maintenance and repair. Ideal for engineers, technicians, students of consumer electronics and sales and installation staff. 319 pages in paperback. by Sanjaya Maniktala, Published April 2012. $83.00 Thoroughly revised! The most comprehensive study available of theoretical and practical aspects of controlling and measuring EMI in switching power supplies. Subtitled Exploring the PIC32, a Microchip insider tells all on this powerful PIC! Focuses on examples and exercises that show how to solve common, real-world design problems quickly. Includes handy checklists. FREE CD-ROM includes source code in C, the Microchip C30 compiler, and MPLAB SIM. 400 pages paperback. By Garry Cratt – Latest (7th) Edition 2008 $49.00 Written in Australia, for Australian conditions by one of Australia's foremost satellite TV experts. If there is anything you wanted to know about setting up a satellite TV system, (including what you can't do!) it's sure to be covered in this 176-page paperback book. See Review Feb 2004 SWITCHING POWER SUPPLIES A-Z PROGRAMMING 32-bit MICROCONTROLLERS IN C By Luci di Jasio (2008) $79.00* PRACTICAL GUIDE TO SATELLITE TV See Review March 2010 ELECTRIC MOTORS AND DRIVES By Austin Hughes & Bill Drury - 4th edition 2013 $59.00* This is a very easy to read book with very little mathematics or formulas. It covers the basics of all the main motor types, DC permanent magnet and wound field, AC induction and steppers and gives a very good description of how speed control circuits work with these motors. Soft covers, 444 pages. NEWNES GUIDE TO TV & VIDEO TECHNOLOGY By KF Ibrahim 4th Edition (Published 2007) $49.00 It's back! Provides a full and comprehensive coverage of video and television technology including HDTV and DVD. Starts with fundamentals so is ideal for students but covers in-depth technologies such as Blu-ray, DLP, Digital TV, etc so is also perfect for engineers. 600+ pages in paperback. RF CIRCUIT DESIGN by Chris Bowick, Second Edition, 2008. $63.00* The classic RF circuit design book. RF circuit design is now more important that ever in the wireless world. In most of the wireless devices that we use there is an RF component – this book tells how to design and integrate in a very practical fashion. 244 pages in paperback. PRACTICAL RF HANDBOOK AC MACHINES By Jim Lowe Published 2006 $66.00* Applicable to Australian trades-level courses including NE10 AC Machines, NE12 Synchronous Machines and the AC part of NE30 Electric Motor Control and Protection. Covering polyphase induction motors, singlephase motors, synchronous machines and polyphase motor starting. 160 pages in paperback. PRACTICAL VARIABLE SPEED DRIVES & POWER ELECTRONICS Se e by Malcolm Barnes. 1st Ed, Feb 2003. $73.00* Review An essential reference for engineers and anyone who wishes to design or use variable speed drives for induction motors. 286 pages in soft cover. Feb 2003 BUILD YOUR OWN ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE by Carl Vogel. Published 2009. $40.00* by Ian Hickman. 4th edition 2007 $61.00* Alternative fuel expert Carl Vogel gives you a hands-on guide with A guide to RF design for engineers, technicians, students and enthusiasts. the latest technical information and easy-to-follow instructions Covers key topics in RF: analog design principles, transmission lines, for building a two-wheeled electric vehicle – from a streamlined couplers, transformers, amplifiers, oscillators, modulation, transmitters and scooter to a full-sized motorcycle. 384 pages in soft cover. receivers, propagation and antennas. 279 pages in paperback. *NOTE: ALL PRICES ARE PLUS P&P – AUSTRALIA ONLY: $10.00 per order; NZ – $AU12.00 PER BOOK; REST OF WORLD $AU18.00 PER BOOK To Place Your Order: INTERNET (24/7) PAYPAL (24/7) eMAIL (24/7) www.siliconchip. com.au/Shop/Books Use your PayPal account silicon<at>siliconchip.com.au silicon<at>siliconchip.com.au with order & credit card details FAX (24/7) MAIL (24/7) Your order and card details to Your order to PO Box 139 Collaroy NSW 2097 (02) 9939 2648 with all details PHONE – (9-5, Mon-Fri) Call (02) 9939 3295 with with order & credit card details You can also order and pay for books by cheque/money order (Mail Only). Make cheques payable to Silicon Chip Publications. ALL TITLES SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. PRICES VALID FOR MONTH OF MAGAZINE ISSUE ONLY. ALL PRICES INCLUDE GST CIRCUIT NOTEBOOK Interesting circuit ideas which we have checked but not built and tested. Contributions from readers are welcome and will be paid for at standard rates. Lithium-polymer peak charger This circuit was developed to charge the Lithium-Polymer cells used in a model aircraft. Lithium-Polymer cells are incredibly lightweight compared to Nicad battery packs of the same voltage and amp-hour rating. Their only drawback is that they require a rigid charge and discharge regime to achieve maximum life. The most important points of note are as follows: (1). They should be charged using a constant-current, constant-voltage method, which stops the charge once the current has dropped to about the C/10 rate. For example, for an 800mAh pack, charging should be terminated once the current falls to approximately 80mA. (2). They should never be discharged below 3V per cell otherwise they will be permanently damaged. (3). They should not be charged or discharged above their rated current otherwise an explosion and fire can result! To initiate charging, the momen92  Silicon Chip tary “Start” button (switch S1) is pressed, closing the relay contacts and connecting the battery pack to the output of REG1. The circuit will then charge two 800mAh cells in series at a constant current of 600mAh until they reach a peak terminal voltage of 4.2V per cell (nominal terminal voltage for these cells is 3.7V). REG1 and transistor Q2 form a current-limited voltage regulator. When the charge current exceeds about 600mA, the voltage developed across R7 turns on Q2, which in turn pulls the adjust terminal of REG1 towards ground. This shunts the voltage adjustment resistance chain formed by VR2 and R3, thereby limiting the output to 600mA. When the battery voltage reaches about 8.4V, the regulator limits any further voltage increase, as set by VR2. The charge current will then slowly decrease as the cells reach full capacity. As a result, the voltage across R7 also falls, until the bias voltage on the base of Q1 is too small to keep it in conduction. When Q1 turns off, the relay also turns off, Wayne R is this m objent o winner nth’s o Peak At f the las LCR Meter isolating the fully charged battery. The charger is set up as follows: (1). Connect it to 12V DC and place a digital voltmeter between the output of REG1 and the negative output for the battery pack. Adjust VR2 for a reading of 8.4V. (2). Adjust VR1 so that the voltage on the base of Q1 is at maximum. (3). Place an ammeter in series with the battery to be charged and press the “Start” button. The output current will shoot up to around 600mA, then slowly decrease over the next one to two hours. Once it falls to around 80mA (or whatever the C/10 rate is for your cells), slowly turn VR1 until the relay switches off and indicator LED goes out. The circuit should now charge your battery packs to within 97% of their rated capacity. Finally, note that in most cases, REG1 will need to be fitted with a heatsink. Wayne Robjent, Tuart Hill, WA. ($50) siliconchip.com.au Efficient fan speed controller A partial solution to quietening noisy PCs can be to reduce the speed of internal cooling fans. Low-cost fan speed controllers are available, but they often employ inefficient, heat-generating linear regulators and contain no temperature feedback mechanism. This idea makes use of a readily available, cheap in-car mobile phone charger. The majority of these use common circuitry and require only minor modifications to operate as efficient fan speed controllers complete with temperature feedback. Most in-car chargers are based on the well-known MC34063 DCDC switchmode IC. When used for charging mobile phones, the open-circuit output voltage is typically set to between 7V and 9V. This is achieved with a simple voltage divider across the output, the centre point of which connects to the feedback input (pin 5) of the MC34063. To make the output voltage variable with air temperature, first replace the upper resistor of the divider with a 4.7kΩ resistor in series with a 4.7kΩ trimpot. The lower half of the divider is then replaced with a 470Ω resistor in series with a 500Ω NTC thermistor. These values are only a guide and can be varied to suit different thermistor and fan types. Note that component lead length should be minimised to avoid introducing noise into the feedback circuitry. Getting the correct fan starting voltage is a matter of trial and error. The values shown on the circuit give a starting voltage of about 6.8V at room temperature but trimpot VR1 can be used to raise this voltage as necessary. The output can then rise to about 10V if the interior temperature rises sufficiently. The 4.7kΩ resistor could be reduced to 3.9kΩ and VR1 adjusted to give a lower starting voltage if the fan speed is still too high at 7V. After running for one hour or so, the fan voltage as set by the interior case temperature thermistor on my PC settled at 7.4V. Suitable chargers are available Simple white noise generator siliconchip.com.au from Oatley Electronics, Cat. No. 2D0074. They’re currently listed at $5 for two, which is less than the price of the MC34063 ICs alone! Data on the MC34063 can be downloaded from www.onsemi.com and a useful development aid is to be found at www.nomad.ee/micros/ mc34063a Finally, note that not all chargers have an output filter capacitor installed. Typically, this is a 220µF 10V or 16V electrolytic type. To save a few cents, the manufacturers sometimes leave this component out, relying on the mobile’s battery to perform the filtering task. If this component is missing from your charger’s PC board, it should be installed before the supply is used. Brad Sheargold, Collaroy, NSW. ($35) This two-transistor white noise generator has a surprising feature – about 30dB more noise than the more traditional designs. Q1 and Q2 can be any small-signal transistors with a beta of up to 400. The reverse-biased emitter-base junction of Q1 provides the noise source, which is fed into the base of Q2. Q2 forms a simple amplifier with a gain of 45dB. The improved output level is due mainly to the inclusion of C1, which provides a low-impedance AC source to the noise source while not disturbing the DC bias of Q1. The low amount of feedback also makes this circuit very resistant to oscillations and tolerant to circuit layout. Unfortunately, the truism of “no such thing as free lunch” also applies; C1 makes the circuit very sensitive to power supply ripple. David Eather, Camp Hill, Qld. ($25) January 2005  93 PICAXE-based toy traffic lights with battery saver With help from a PICAXE-08 micro, this trivial circuit is all that’s needed to build a nifty set of LED toy traffic lights. The circuit and associated program also demonstrate a technique to achieve long battery life in circuits that must periodically monitor a port input. Pushbutton switch S1 functions as both a power switch and a user input. When the unit is off, it can be turned on by pressing and holding S1 until all the LEDs come on (this may take up to two seconds). While the unit is operating, pressing the button briefly reduces the “red” period from 30 seconds to 3 seconds. Alternatively, pressing and holding S1 for 3 seconds turns the unit off. It also switches itself off automatically if S1 is not pressed for 5 minutes. These functions are implemented in the program as follows: When the unit is “off”, the program alternates between polling S1 and SLEEPing for 2 seconds. When the unit is “on”, the program polls S1 continually to determine the amount of time it is pressed or not pressed. If the preset time limit is exceeded for either condition, the unit goes into the “off” state. Of particular interest is the method used to terminate the 10kΩ pull-down resistor for the switch input. It is usual to connect one end of this resistor to ground, so that pressing the switch changes the normally-low input on pin 3 (leg 4) to a high. However, with one end of the resistor grounded, the circuit would draw about 0.5mA while S1 is pressed. If the switch is continually held down, such as might happen when the unit is tossed into a toy box, the battery would eventually run flat. To eliminate current drain, the resistor is connected to pin 4 (leg 3) of the PICAXE instead of ground. This pin is programmed as an output and set low while S1 is being polled. At other times, the pin is set high so that no current will flow regardless of whether S1 is pressed or not. 94  Silicon Chip '----------------------------------------------------------------' PICAXE-08 Toy Traffic Lights with battery saver '----------------------------------------------------------------' ' Periods are: ' red: 30 seconds without button press, or 3 seconds ' after button press (up to 30 second maximum) ' green: 8 seconds ' amber: 3 seconds ' ' Features automatic power-off if the button isn’t pressed for ' 5 minutes. Turns on if button is held down for up to 2 seconds. ' Turns off if the button is held down for 3 seconds continuously. ' ' Hardware: ' pin 0 (leg 7) is GREEN (output) ' pin 1 (leg 6) is AMBER (output) ' pin 2 (leg 5) is RED (output) ' pin 3 (leg 4) is button S1 (input) ' pin 4 (leg 3) is pull-down (output) ' ----------------------------------------------------------------symbol red_signal = %00000100 symbol amber_signal = %00000010 symbol green_signal = %00000001 symbol red_time = 5400 symbol red_min_time = 800 '27 seconds 'minimum red time of 3 seconds; enforced 'even if button pressed during red period '8 seconds '3 seconds symbol green_time symbol amber_time = 2200 = 800 symbol off_timeout = 800 symbol idle_timeout = 60000 '3 seconds: time button must be pressed to 'switch unit off '5 minutes: time button must not be pressed for 'unit to auto switch off symbol delay = w2 'time parameter/variable for delay loops symbol pressed = w3 '1 if button pressed at last poll, 0 if button 'not pressed at last poll symbol count = w4 'number of consecutive polls before unit 'goes into the off state. main: let dirs = %00010111 ' pin 0 is GREEN, pin 1 is AMBER, pin 2 is RED, ' pin 3 is button S1, pin 4 is pull-down '----------------------------------------------------------------' The OFF state '----------------------------------------------------------------' Wait until the button is not being pressed. This ensures the ' user has let go of the button after pressing it to turn the unit ' off. It also ensures that the unit does not power itself up if ' the button is held down continuously (eg. if it is placed in the ' toy box in a way that keeps the button pressed). '----------------------------------------------------------------wait_no_press: high 4 'disable pull-down sleep 2 power_down: let pins = %00000000 if pin3 = 1 then wait_no_press 'enable pull-down ' Wait in low power mode until the button is pressed for at most ' 2 seconds. Do this by sampling the button every 2 seconds with ' low-power sleeps in between until the button is found to be ' pressed. wait_press: high 4 sleep 2 let pins = %00000000 if pin3 = 0 then wait_press 'disable pull-down 'enable pull-down siliconchip.com.au let pins = %00010111 sleep 2 ‘the button 'turn all LEDs on to indicate power-up 'give user time to see the lit LEDs and release '----------------------------------------------------------------' The ON state '----------------------------------------------------------------let count = 0 let pressed = 0 red: let pins = red_signal 'not enough code space to have 'count=idle_timeout, but this is pretty close. 'precondition for poll subroutine. 'show RED signal This technique can also be used to reduce the standing current consumption when analog input devices such as LDRs must be periodically sampled. The unit draws about 9uA in the off state, even if S1 is pressed, so the batteries should last for their shelf life. Andrew Partridge, Kuranda, Qld. ' Wait for red_time or until button is pressed, whichever comes first. let delay = red_time wait_until_pressed: gosub poll if delay > 0 AND pressed = 0 then wait_until_pressed let delay = red_min_time gosub wait_period 'enforce minimum RED time let pins = green_signal ‘show GREEN signal let delay = green_time gosub wait_period let pins = amber_signal let delay = amber_time gosub wait_period 'show AMBER signal goto red 'show RED signal and repeat ' wait_period waits for period determined by value of delay. ' Powers unit down if necessary. ' ' Precondition: delay > 0. ' Postcondition: delay = 0. wait_period: gosub poll if delay > 0 then wait_period return ' Check the state of the button and power the unit down if the button has not ' been pressed for idle_timeout consecutive polls, or if the button has been ' pressed for off_timeout consecutive polls. Also decrements delay. poll: let delay = delay - 1 pause 1 if pressed = pin3 then same ' Button has changed status since the last poll pressed = 1 - pressed ' Set count to off_timeout if button is now pressed, ' or idle_timeout if button is now not pressed count = off_timeout if pressed = 1 then endif count = idle_timeout endif: same: count = count - 1 if count = 0 then power_down return siliconchip.com.au January 2005  95 Silicon Chip Binders Circuit Notebook – continued REAL VALUE AT $12.95 PLUS P & P These binders will protect your copies of S ILICON CHIP. They feature heavy-board covers & are made from a dis­ tinctive 2-tone green vinyl. They hold up to 14 issues & will look great on your bookshelf. H 80mm internal width H SILICON CHIP logo printed in gold-coloured lettering on spine & cover H Buy five and get them postage free! Price: $A12.95 plus $A7 p&p per order. Available only in Aust. Silicon Chip Publications PO Box 139 Collaroy Beach 2097 Or fax (02) 9979 6503; or ring (02) 9979 5644 & quote your credit card number. 12V halogen dimmer I use a 12V 20W halogen lamp (MR16) and a 4.2Ah SLA battery for my bike light system. The battery has only limited life at this power rating, so I designed this cheap light dimmer to reduce the battery drain and allow for longer rides at night. Based on a simple 555 timer circuit and Mosfet switch Q1, it works by pulse-width modulating the 12V supply to the lamp. The 555 (IC1) is wired as a free-running oscillator, with two different mark/ space ratios selectable via a 2-pole, 5-position rotary switch (S1). The third switch position bypasses the electronic circuitry and connects the lamp directly to battery negative. This gives three power levels of about 7W, 13W and 20W. A logic-level IRL530N Mosfet with a drain-source “on” resistance of only 0.1Ω ensures low losses and eliminates the need for a heatsink. An STP30NE06L Mosfet (Jaycar Cat. ZT-2271) would also be suitable. Mike Dennis, Canberra, ACT. ($30) Use this handy form Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $________ or please debit my  Bankcard   Visa    Mastercard Card No: _________________________________ Card Expiry Date ____/____ Signature ________________________ Name ____________________________ Address__________________________ __________________ P/code_______ 96  Silicon Chip CONTRIBUTE AND WIN! As you can see, we pay good money for each of the “Circuit Notebook” contributions published in SILICON CHIP. But now there’s an even better reason to send in your circuit idea: each month, the best contribution published will win a superb Peak Atlas LCR Meter valued at $195.00. So don’t keep that brilliant circuit secret any more: sketch it out, write a brief description and send it to SILICON CHIP and you could be a winner! siliconchip.com.au ASK SILICON CHIP Got a technical problem? Can’t understand a piece of jargon or some technical principle? Drop us a line and we’ll answer your question. Write to: Ask Silicon Chip, PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097; or send an email to silchip<at>siliconchip.com.au TV channel audio receiver Is there a dedicated chip that would produce the audio from TV channels. I wish to construct a Walkman-type unit to receive the TV channels if possible. (B. A., via email). • The most direct approach would be to adapt the tuner, IF and sound stages from a VCR. We don’t know of any chipset that would do the job. 4-channel lighting desk/dimmer In the 4-Channel Lighting Desk/ Dimmer article (June/July, 1991), you specify 4 x Teccor Q6040J7 40A 600V insulated tab Triacs from NSD. Do you know where I can get these or an equivalent device? (A. W., via email). • The Triacs are 40A 600V insulated tab types in the TO-218 package. The BTA41-600B is a suitable replacement and is available from Farnell Electronic Components at www.farnellinone.com.au – phone 1300 361 005. The part number is 505-778 and the cost is $20.99 each plus 10% GST plus delivery. Fan cooling does not work I built the thermostatic switch for car radiator fans some years ago from the March 1992 edition of SILICON CHIP. It works as advertised. Can you advise what the approximate current draw should be for the control circuit? The reason that I wish to know is that I have the unit wired direct from the battery so as to provide cooling when the engine is turned off. (F. W., Airport West, Vic). • The circuit will draw around 100mA on standby so it is not suitable for permanent connection to the battery. Perhaps a thermostat switch (eg, Jaycar ST-3836) that closes at 100°C and reopens at around 85°C could be used to switch a relay and drive the fan for the purpose of running when the ignition is off. In this way the current would be zero when the thermostat is off. Note that running the radiator fan when the engine is off does not help cool the engine since the coolant is not flowing. If you want to do that (and we cannot see why it’s worth doing), you would need an auxiliary electricpowered water pump to circulate the fluid while the fans are running. Courtesy light delay modifications I recently purchased and constructed the Car Courtesy Light Delay kit as published in the June 2004 edition. I’d like to apply this kit to another application, powering two 20W light globes. Will the kit require any modifications to permit this load to be carried? In addition, I would like to slow down the speed of the dimming effect. What components will I need to change? (C. J., via email). • The Mosfet will require heatsinking with a small piece of aluminium or a commercial 10°C/watt type. The 470µF and 47µF capacitors need to be increased proportionally in size for a longer delay. Use 1000µF and 100µF Help Needed With PIC Programmer I have purchased a PIC/EEPROM Programmer kit from the September 2003 issue. I have had a little programming experience with PICs a few years ago but have found it difficult to get started using the IC-Prog programming software suggested in the magazine. Can I use the MPLAB IDE free from microchip.com to program with this hardware? This would solve my problems, since I am familiar with it. The help menu that comes with IC-Prog doesn’t really show the nuts and bolts of how to get your source code into the PIC. Does it need to be compiled, etc? And where can I find a list of programming commands? Any help from you would be apsiliconchip.com.au preciated. (C. A., Nelson, NZ). • IC-Prog doesn’t include any project tools, such as an editor, assembler or compiler. It is designed to load the files generated by these tools (in .HEX format) and write the results into the PIC’s memory, ready for use in the application circuit. This is quite separate from the work you need to do writing the application program. If you prefer to program in assembly language, the tools provided free with MPLAB are ideal for the job. MPLAB can be set up to generate a “.HEX” file whenever you assemble a program that you’ve written using the builtin editor. So it’s a 3-step process: (1) write your PIC program in MPLAB’s editor; (2) assemble your program using MPLAB’s assembler; and (3) load the .HEX file (from MPLAB) into IC-Prog and write it to the PIC’s code (FLASH) memory. If you prefer to program in “BASIC” or “C” rather than assembler, then you’ll need a suitable compiler. A variety of offerings are available on the net. As good place to start looking is www.dontronics.com/ piclinks.html. Compilers can also be set up to generate “.HEX” file output, which once again is loaded into IC-Prog and programmed into the PIC. The complete instruction set for the particular PICs you’re using are listed in the data sheets, available from www.microchip.com January 2005  97 Sensor Circuit For Solar Hot Water I’m interested in a sensing circuit for a solar hot water system. With all the discussion recently about more efficient use of electricity, solar hot water heating must surely be bene-ficial. I have a huge off-peak hot water system under my house in Queensland that simply refuses to die and until that happens, I’m reluctant to pay the money for a full solar hot water system. A compromise is to buy the solar hot water panels and by means of a small heat-resisting pump (12V or 240V) circulate the water through the existing tank. This would involve two sensors, one in the panels on the roof and one in the outlet of the hot water system. When the panel sensor is hotter than the outlet sensor, the pump would operate. This may involve the pump starting and stopping frequently due to temperature fluctuations – perhaps a delay circuit may be needed or a very small output pump may do. I have a few comments on solar hot water systems. They are overly complicated by their “one size fits all” design. For example, most solar systems have frost protection systems to prevent the panels freezing and then bursting pipes. This is not needed in coastal and northern areas of Queensland. You can imagine the complications of heat exchangers and panels with anti-freeze in them. for double the delay, then use trimpot VR1 to adjust the time. Large seconds readout for Big Digit Clock I’m thinking about building the Big Digit 12/24hr Clock from the March 2001 issue but I want to use large 7-segment displays (same as the hours and minutes) for the seconds readout. In the article, it mentions that the LED current for the displays is under software control. I am presuming that in the original design configuration, the small “seconds” displays are driven with lower current levels. 98  Silicon Chip Even with the rebates, the system is still quite expensive. Most solar sales people are turned off by any suggestion that their products be adapted to suit the user – I’ve tried to talk to them and they’re monumentally disinterested. Can you provide me with a sensing circuit to do the job? (P. B., via email). • We don’t think that connecting solar collectors to an existing hot water system is at all simple. Frost protection may not seem necessary in many very temperate areas where overnight temperatures do not go below freezing. However, even so, it is apparently quite common for roof and solar collector temperatures to go down to only a few degrees above freezing and then a circulation pump immediately cuts in. You would need to include this. By the time you calculate the cost of panels, installation, extra plumbing, pumps, sensors, etc, we don’t think it is worthwhile. By the way, if your hot water system is mains-pressure and less than 10 years old, you should have the sacrificial anode replaced. This will typically cost less than $200 and will give your tank many more years – an environmental and economic plus! Most mains-pressure systems fail prematurely because the sacrificial anode has not been replaced. Ideally, this should be done every five years or so, particularly in those areas with soft water supplies. If I was to use large displays for the seconds, would the software have to be changed to accommodate them? I would still like to use the dimming feature. (S. W., via email). • You can use the same LED limiting resistors for the seconds digits as those used for the large digits. No software changes are necessary. Current transformer for appliance measurement I read the entire article on “Current Clamp Meter Adaptor for DMMs” in the September 2003 issue. I want to simply read the current from my 60Hz power line. Is there a way to read 0.2A to 100A using a simple version of your device? I don’t want to add the Hall Effect device and the circuitry. Any advice or help or web pages that you can point me to will help. (A. F., Fresno, Ca, USA). • The toroid can be used in the clamp as normal. However, if the Hall effect sensor is not used, wind on many turns around it to allow current measurement. This will turn it into a simple current transformer. The wire enclosed by the clamp/toroid then becomes a half-turn primary. To make measurements, use the AC volts range on your multimeter. The number of turns can be determined by checking the reading against a known current; eg, a bar radiator which draws a consistent current when hot. Background music too loud on DVDs Having only one functional ear, and that one 85 years old, I find it difficult to distinguish spoken words from over-loud “background” (really “foreground”) music when watching DVDs. Is there any filter system which can reduce the sound level of music without affecting speech? Turning the sound off and relying on subtitles is a very low-tech solution. I do find some improvement by using headphones instead of the TV speakers. (R. S., Armidale, NSW). • Many people find the level of music accompanying a lot of programs quite distracting, even though they may have pretty good ears. One way to partially solve this is to switch over to mono. This kills some of the stereo music signal. Most TVs these days enable you to do this. We don’t think tone filtering will have much effect, although you might try cutting the bass and treble response. Again, many modern TVs allow you to tailor the bass and treble response. Turbo Timer switch modification I have just built the Turbo Timer featured in the November 1998 issue. I would like to be able to manually switch the timer off; ie, disable the timing function. Would the circuit be OK if I replaced the momentary reset switch provided in the kit with siliconchip.com.au Balanced Microphone Preamp Query I’m looking for a microphone preamp for loudspeaker measurements and your design in the August 2004 issue looks interesting. However, I have a few questions. The frequency response is quoted at -3dB between 30Hz & 19kHz. Is there any way of extending the top end? How flat is the response? Is it as flat as shown in the chart or is this a simplified curve? If I were to insert a tone control bypass switch, would it go before or after the 2.2µF capacitor that sits between the tone control circuit and IC1b? (P. M., via email). a 2-position one? Example: the switch is depressed (open) for normal timing operation, and released (closed) to disable the timing function. Or would it be better to connect a secondary line to the same input on the PC board as the thermistor? Or perhaps I should use a switch in the line from the ignition switch or battery? Any comments on the best possible solution would be greatly appreciated. (J. K., via email). • Replacing the momentary reset switch with a toggle type would work. In fact, any of your suggestions would work. Variable speed induction motor control I have noted in your Reference Bookshop, a title, “Practical Variable Speed Drives & Power Electronics” and am wondering how practical and economic this would be as a source of information for building a variable speed drive for an induction motor? I require a reasonably economic controller (less than $200) for an induction motor rated at 300W, to drive a small lathe/mill. I have built the 10A controller for brush type motors (SILICON CHIP, November 1997) which works very well on a range of portable power tools I own, however this is unsuitable for induction motors. Have you considered this type of controller as a magazine project or, as I suspect, are there too many design difficulties or variables to produce a “unisiliconchip.com.au • The frequency response may be extended slightly by changing the 220pF capacitor across pins 6 and 7 of IC2a to 100pF. The frequency response is flat, as shown in the purple curve in Fig.2 of the article, when the equaliser controls are set to mid settings. A bypass loop can be installed between pin 1 of IC1b and the signal going from pin 7 of IC2a to the following circuit. In other words, you would need a switch to select either the pin 7 output of IC2a or pin 1 of IC1b and then feed the signal from the switch to the circuitry involving IC2b. versal” type controller for a variety of induction motor ratings? I have found it difficult (read impossible) to obtain either new or secondhand brush type motors of say 300W or above rating, but note that induction motors of this rating or above are reasonably plentiful from larger discarded household appliances (washing machines, etc). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. (G. H., via email). • We do not have any plans to publish an induction motor controller. We regard the engineering problems as too complex for us to solve, without making a very large investment in time. The book on variable speed drives gives lots of useful information but is not enough for anyone to go ahead and produce a viable design. However, since your motor is only rated at 300W, it may be possible to get a satisfactory result using a fan speed controller such as the circuit published in the January 1990 issue. One other approach might be to adapt the brush motor and gearbox from a large electric drill. These can be quite cheap to buy and you could drive it with the abovementioned 10A speed control. Surge currents and the Energy Meter The Energy Meter kit from the July & August 2004 issues is just what I have been looking for but before I put it to use I have a question. The primary use will be to monitor a Davey pressure Tribotix Specialising in Robotic and Electronic Equipment Ph: (02) 49430146 Fx: (02) 49578244 We offer a unique range of serially controlled motors, suitable for robotics and conventional servo replacements. Ideal for hobbyists to researchers. Megarobotics - AI modules - 31 modules per channel - Position Control mode - Rotatioinal mode - High Torque (upto 10kg.cm) The serial channel allows the modules P and D gains to be changed as well the ability to read the shaft’s position and the modules current draw. Robotis - Dynamixel modules - RS485 controlled Servo - 254 modules per channel - Baud Rate 9600bps~1Mbps - 300o Positioning (10bit res.) - Swiss MAXON motor - Large Torque (up to 33kg.cm) The serial channel allows each modules compliance driving parameters to be changed. The modules position, load and temperature may also be read. email: sales<at>tribotix.com Web: www.tribotix.com pump system rated as 220/240VAC 7.2A 1.1kW although an analog clamp meter indicates only 5A when running. As it is an induction motor, I would expect the starting current to be around 20A for a very short period. Please advise if the meter can handle this surge current without damage, even if it is repeated every five to ten minutes on occasions. (R. C., via email). • The Energy Meter can handle the higher current for the short motor starting time. It will also measure this power and energy accurately without overload. Eliminating distortion from Widgy Box I am about to start construction on your SC480 amplifier (SILICON CHIP, January & February 2003) and will require a preamp for guitar. I have opted for the Widgy Box (May 2003). How do I modify the Widgy Box circuit to leave out the distortion altogether, so as to use it only as a preamp? (B. G., via email). • To chop out distortion, omit diJanuary 2005  99 Valve Preamp Supply Overheats I have used two 12AX7 valve preamp modules (November 2003) to construct a balanced microphone input to balanced line output preamp. The problem is that the switching FET overheats after about five minutes, even with a larger heatsink. Regulation is fine, as is the audio quality. There is a healthy amount of “frizzle” in the audio but not enough to suggest a fault condition, as far as I can tell. There is an audible “chattering” mixed in with the frizzle coming from the transformer. Placing a finger near or on the FET will increase the frizzle and decrease the chattering but has little or no effect on regulation or overheating. I am wondering if there may be a switching problem, odes D1 & D2 and reduce the gain of IC1b by changing the 39kΩ resistor to 10kΩ; change the 150pF capacitor to 560pF. PowerUp turn-off delay I have completed the PowerUp kit from the July 2003 issue and everything is functioning perfectly. I use the unit in the workshop to activate a dust extractor. However, I require a turn-off delay on the slave output of at least two seconds after the main appliance is turned off, so that the dust extractor continues. possibly a secondary frequency, causing the FET to overheat? What size heatsink should suffice for the switching FET to drive two modules? (I. D., Leongatha, Vic). • You should be able to drive a pair of 12AX7 preamp stages with the specified 19mm U-shaped heatsink on the switching FET, without it overheating. The fact that your FET is seriously overheating suggests that it is not being switched correctly. This may be due to some sort of parasitic oscillation, as you suggest, or perhaps something simpler, like driver transistors Q1 and Q2 having been accidentally swapped. Or perhaps one of the electrolytic capacitors has been accidentally fitted the wrong way around. A simple RC time constant will suffice. As the circuit is very stable, I didn’t want to fiddle but rather ask the experts. (M. B., via email). • A turn-off delay can be obtained by connecting a 100µF electrolytic capacitor between the base of Q1 and the 0V rail. In addition, the 4.7kΩ resistor feeding the base of Q1 needs to be connected in series with a 1N4148 diode (anode towards pin 7 of IC2a and cathode end towards the base of Q1). A resistor across the 10µF capacitor will adjust the time that the relay stays on after power is disconnected on the master appliance. Try a value SC of 1MΩ. Notes & Errata Balanced Microphone Preamp, August 2004: Fig.3 on page 46 shows the 3-pin regulator (REG1) in the wrong way around. It should be mounted so that the metal tab faces away from D4. PICAXE-Controlled Battery Charger, September 2004: a subroutine has been labelled Count. This is a reserved word, causing the compiler to stop with a line error. A simple fix is to change “count” to “counter” in the “red” subroutine and also the label for the “count” routine (two places only). Garage Door Remote Controller, October 2004: the circuit diagram (page 78) shows the 10µF capacitor connected to IC2c (pin 10) with reverse polarity. Also, diode D10 and the 220kΩ resistor connected between this pin and +5V should in fact be connected between IC2d’s input (pins 12 & 13) and +5V. The overlay diagram on page 79 is correct. Under “Circuit description” on page 77, the text refers to IC4 in one place instead of IC1. Also, the second paragraph on page 79 incorrectly describes the operation of the monostable circuit. It should read: “The counter (IC1) can be disabled by holding its OE input (pin 13) at +5V. The output of the monostable comprising Schmitt NAND gates IC2c & IC2d is normally low, thus enabling the counter to clock”. WARNING! SILICON CHIP magazine regularly describes projects which employ a mains power supply or produce high voltage. All such projects should be considered dangerous or even lethal if not used safely. Readers are warned that high voltage wiring should be carried out according to the instructions in the articles. When working on these projects use extreme care to ensure that you do not accidentally come into contact with mains AC voltages or high voltage DC. If you are not confident about working with projects employing mains voltages or other high voltages, you are advised not to attempt work on them. Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd disclaims any liability for damages should anyone be killed or injured while working on a project or circuit described in any issue of SILICON CHIP magazine. Devices or circuits described in SILICON CHIP may be covered by patents. SILICON CHIP disclaims any liability for the infringement of such patents by the manufacturing or selling of any such equipment. SILICON CHIP also disclaims any liability for projects which are used in such a way as to infringe relevant government regulations and by-laws. Advertisers are warned that they are responsible for the content of all advertisements and that they must conform to the Trade Practices Act 1974 or as subsequently amended and to any governmental regulations which are applicable. 100  Silicon Chip siliconchip.com.au MARKET CENTRE Cash in your surplus gear. Advertise it here in Silicon Chip. FOR SALE Penguin temperature and humidity dataloggers N1500 universal process indicator. Displays thermocouple, RTD, 4-20mA and 0-5V readings Labjack USB Data Acquisition Module features 8 12bit analog inputs, 20 digital I/O, 2 analog outputs and high speed counter. Free software, Labview driver and ActiveX component. UHF 433MHz and Infra Red remote relay controller cards Serial and Parallel port relay controller cards Pump and Alarm Controller card. Programmers for Atmel and PIC microcontrollers. sPlan Windows electronic schematic software and Sprint Layout Windows PCB layout software are feature packed but low in price DAS005 Parallel Port Data Acquisition Module features 8 12bit Analog inputs, 4 Digital I/Ps & 4 Digital O/Ps. Free windows software and source code. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES Advertising rates for this page: Classified ads: $22.00 (incl. GST) for up to 20 words plus 66 cents for each additional word. Display ads: $36.00 (incl. GST) per column centimetre (max. 10cm). Closing date: five weeks prior to month of sale. To run your classified ad, print it clearly in the space below or on a separate sheet of paper, fill out the form & send it with your cheque or credit card details to: Silicon Chip Classifieds, PO Box 139, Collaroy, NSW 2097. Alternatively, fax the details to (02) 9979 6503 or send an email to silchip<at>siliconchip.com.au Taxation Invoice ABN 49 003 205 490 _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $­__________ or please debit my  Bankcard    Visa Card    Master Card Card No. Signature­­­­­­­­­­­­__________________________ Card expiry date______/______ Name _____________________________________________________ Street _____________________________________________________ Suburb/town ___________________________ Postcode______________ Phone:_____________ Fax:_____________ Email:__________________ siliconchip.com.au Pixel Programmable Controller with 4 analog inputs, 8 digital inputs and 8 relay outputs. Uses a 28X Picaxe. Programmed in basic or Flow chart. 2, 4 & 8 Relay Cards suitable for TTL and Open Collector Outputs Stepper Motor and Servo Motor controller kits Switch Mode and Linear Power Supplies and DC-DC converters. Full details and credit card ordering available at www.oceancontrols.com.au RCS RADIO/DESIGN is at 41 Arlewis St, Chester Hill 2162, NSW Australia and has all the published PC boards from SC, EA, ETI, HE, AEM & others. Ph (02) 9738 0330. sales<at>rcsradio. com.au, www.rcsradio.com.au USB KITS: GPIB Interface, Thermostat Tester, LCD Module Interface, Stepper Motor Controller, PIO Interface, DTMF Transceiver, Thermometer, DDS HF Generator, Compass, 4 Channel Voltmeter, I/O Relay Card. Also available: Digital Oscilloscope, Temperature Loggers, VHF Receivers and USB ActiveX (and USBDOS.exe file) to control our kits from your own application. www. ar.com.au/~softmark NIXIE TUBES, SEVERAL TYPES. Nixie clock kit just $140 including tubes. 74141 nixie driver chips. Superbright LEDs from 35 cents. 5mm superbright warm white LEDs. Other great stuff and more coming soon! www.ledsales.com.au PICAXE PROJECT PCB KIT for home automation & robotics, POWERMATE energy meter, “Your Home” DVD, components: IRF540 FET, ULN2803A driver, 1 watt LEDs. info<at>techbits.com.au, www.techbits.com.au KITS KITS AND MORE KITS! Check ’em out at www.ozitronics.com SUPERIOR GPS UNITS, $125 MiniMouse USB, $149 Compact Flash, $239 Bluetooth Receiver. All incl. GST & Postage and 12 Mth Warranty. Suitable for marine and vehicle navigation. Contact us TODAY. sales<at>twig.com.au January 2005  101 ELNEC IC PROGRAMMERS Universal and specialised models High quality Realistic prices Large range of adaptors Free regular software updates Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2k/XP GRANTRONICS PTY LTD PO Box 275, Wentworthville. 2145. Ph: 02 9896 7150 www.grantronics.com.au New New New Foam surrounds,voice coils,cones and more Original parts for Dynaudio,Tannoy and others Expert speaker repairs – 20 years experience Australian agents for products Trade welcome – email for your user ID Phone (03) 9647 7000 Mark22-SM Slimline Mini FM R/C Receiver speakerbits.com.au TAIG MACHINERY Micro Mini Lathes and Mills From $489.00 • • • • • 6 Channels 10kHz frequency separation Size: 55 x 23 x 20mm Weight: 25gm Modular Construction Price: $A129.50 with crystal Electronics Stepper motors: 200 oz in $89.00, 330 oz in $110.00 Digital verniers: 150mm $55.00, 200mm $65.00 59 Gilmore Crescent (02) 6281 5660 Garran ACT 2605 0412269707 2.4 GHz WiFi Antennas            Web: Email: Tel: Fax: Also Available Panel Antennas Ceiling Antennas Low Loss 50 ohm cable Connectors Pigtails Access Points Masts Amplifiers Power over Ethernet External Enclosures www.freenet-antennas.com sales<at>freenet-antennas.com +61 (8) 9319 3275 +61 (8) 9319 1720 Satellite TV Reception International satellite TV reception in your home is now affordable. Send for your free info pack containing equipment catalog, satellite lists, etc or call for appointment to view. We can display all satellites from 76.5° to 180°. AV-COMM P/L, 24/9 Powells Rd, Brookvale, NSW 2100. Tel: 02 9939 4377 or 9939 4378. Fax: 9939 4376; www.avcomm.com.au book. Available from Rodney Champness, 6 Mundoona Court, Mooroopna, 3629 for $39.95 each, $8 postage for up to two copies, more post free. COLLECTION OF ELECTRONICS AUSTRALIA, June 1974 to October 2001. Very good condition. Housed in a plastic storage container. (03) 9878 8099. Email: gvut<at>hotkey.net.au PATENT LICENCES USA, Aust. for sale. Electronic machine vibration tester. Manufacture to untapped market. Phone AH (03) 5979 8303. HEATSINK: 350mm x 165mm, fins 40mm. Pressed aluminium cabinet – Playmaster. 435mmW x 390mmD x 165mmH. (03) 9878 8099. Email: gvut<at> hotkey.net.au OUTBACK RADIO, a book by Rodney Champness the Vintage Radio columnist. See review and articles relating to the EXPERIMENTER PLATFORM for PICAXE/AVR/BS2 low cost yet provides incremental encoder, piezo, three push- 102  Silicon Chip PO Box 580, Riverwood, NSW 2210. Ph/Fax (02) 9533 3517 email: youngbob<at>silvertone.com.au Website: www.silvertone.com.au buttons, three LEDs, serial port, PSU, 830 Breadboard and PC GUI. www. rhombus-tek.com PCBs MADE, ONE OR MANY. Any format, hobbyists welcome. Sesame Electronics Phone (02) 9593 1025. sesame<at>sesame.com.au www.sesame.com.au BUY FROM HONG KONG, PAY IN OZ. Get many common components direct from Hong Kong but pay in Oz. www. kitsrus.com/bits.html THE PIC CLUB meets 6pm, 2nd Tuesday each month. We discuss PIC programming and project design. 1st Floor, Sydney Mechanics School of Arts, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney. Phone: 9593 1025. PARTIAL PCB MANUFACTURING SET-UP – LESS THAN 1/2 PRICE: UV Exposure Unit RS Components Stock No 435-939 RRP $878; Drill Stand RS 615-270 RRP $550; Electronic Drill Supply RS 541-242 RRP $210; Precision Drill RS 549-066 RRP $177: ALL ITEMS NOT USED. Asking $900. WHY? Phone (07) 3294 7125 or 0412421426. S-Video . . . Video . . . Audio . . . VGA distribution amps, splitters, standards converters, tbc’s, switchers, cables, etc, & price list: www.questronix.com.au siliconchip.com.au Do You Eat, Breathe and Sleep TECHNOLOGY? Opportunities for full-time and part-time positions all over Australia & New Zealand Jaycar Electronics is a rapidly growing, Australian owned, international retailer with more than 39 stores in Australia and New Zealand. Our aggressive expansion programme has resulted in the need for dedicated individuals to join our team to assist us in achieving our goals. We pride ourselves on the technical knowledge of our staff. Do you think that the following statements describe you? Please put a tick in the boxes that do: Knowledge of electronics, particularly at component level. Assemble projects or kits yourself for car, computer, audio, etc. Have empathy with others who have the same interest as you. May have worked in some retail already (not obligatory). Have energy, enthusiasm and a personality that enjoys helping people. Appreciates an opportunity for future advancement. Have an eye for detail. ImageCraft C Compilers: 32-bit Windows IDE and compiler. For AVR, 68HC­08, 68HC11, 68HC12, 68HC16. from $330.00 Atmel Flash CPU Programmer: Handles the 89Cx051, 89C5x, 89Sxx in both DIP and PLCC44 and some AVR’s, most 8-pin EEPROMS. Includes socket for serial ISP cable. $220, $11 p&p. SOIC adaptors: 20 pin $132.00, 14 pin $126.50, 8 pin $121.00. Full details on web site. Credit cards accepted. GRANTRONICS PTY LTD, PO Box 275, Wentworthville 2145. (02) 9896 7150 or http://www.grantronics.com.au STOCK REDUCTION SALE: Every Friday 12pm to 5pm. Electronic components, switches, LEDs, displays, enclosures, connectors, crystals, relays, neons and many more. At Switches Plus Components, Unit 1 - 2 Sibthorpe Street, Braeside, Victoria. Phone (03) 9587 4044. WEATHER STATIONS: windspeed & direction, inside temperature, outside temperature & windchill. Records highs & lows with time and date as they occur. Optional rainfall and PC interface. Used by government departments, farmers, pilots and weather enthusiasts. Other models with barometric pressure, humidity, dew point, solar radiation, UV, leaf wetness, etc. Just phone, fax or write for our FREE catalog and price list. Eco Watch phone: (03) 9761 7040; fax: (03) 9761 7050; Unit 5, 17 Southfork Drive, Kilsyth, Vic. 3137. ABN 63 006 399 480. CENTRAL COAST FIELD DAY, Sunday 20th February. Don’t miss Australia’s biggest Amateur Radio exhibition and sale of new and used radio and communication equipment at Wyong Race Course, just 1 hour north from siliconchip.com.au Advertising Index Why not do something you love and get paid for it? Please write or email us with your details, along with your C.V. and any qualifications you may have. We pay a competitive salary, sales commissions and have great benefits like a liberal staff purchase policy. Airmarine Australia.......................47 Send to: Retail Operations Manager - Jaycar Electronics Pty Ltd P.O. Box 6424 Silverwater NSW 1811 Email: jobs<at>jaycar.com.au Altronics................................. 72-75 Jaycar Electronics is an equal opportunity employer and actively promotes staff from within the organisation. Alternative Technology Assoc......81 Av-Comm...................................102 Dick Smith Electronics........... 18-23 Eco Watch..................................103 Elexol...........................................39 Evatco..........................................83 Freenet Antennas.......................102 Grantronics.................................103 Harbuch Electronics.....................57 Hy-Q International........................59 Instant PCBs..............................103 Sydney. Gates open 8.30 a.m. Special Field Day bargains from traders and tons of disposals gear in the flea market. Exhibits by clubs and groups with interests ranging from vintage radio, packet radio, scanning, amateur TV and satellite. www.ccarc.org.au. Ph (02) 4340 2500. Jaycar ..................49-56,59,103,IFC MISCELLANEOUS NewTek Instruments.....................41 HAWKESBURY COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Advanced Electronics and Introductory Robotics Course, Enrolments January 2005, details at www. ozemail.com.au/~mkabriel and at www.hawkesburycommunitycollege. com.au Prime Electronics.........................81 KIT ASSEMBLY NEVILLE WALKER KIT ASSEMBLY & REPAIR: • Australia wide service • Small production runs • Specialist “one-off” applications Phone Neville Walker (07) 3857 2752 Email: flashdog<at>optusnet.com.au WANTED WANTED: EARLY HIFIs, AMPLIFIERS, Speakers, Turntables, Valves, Books, Quad, Leak, Pye, Lowther, Ortofon, SME, Western Electric, Altec, Marantz, McIntosh, Goodmans, Wharfedale, Tannoy, radio and wireless. Collector/Hobbyist will pay cash. (02) 9440 1267. johnmurt<at>highprofile. com.au JED Microprocessors................5,59 Microgram Computers....................3 MicroZed Computers....................45 Oatley Electronics........................33 Ozitronics.....................................58 Quest Electronics..................59,102 RCS Radio.................................101 RF Probes....................................87 Silicon Chip Bookshop........... 90-91 SC Car Projects Book..............OBC Perfomance Elec. For Cars...96,IBC Silicon Chip Subscriptions...........65 Silvertone Electronics................102 Speakerbits................................102 Taig Machinery...........................102 Telelink Communications.............59 Tribotix..........................................99 VAF Australia................................61 ____________________________ PC Boards Printed circuit boards for SILICON CHIP projects are made by: RCS Radio Pty Ltd. Phone (02) 9738 0330. Fax (02) 9738 0334. January 2005  103 From the publishers of The Lat SILICON s t n e t n o C UND TECH BACKGRO Intelligent turbo timer I SBN 095852294 - 4 TURBO BOOST & nitrous fuel controllers 9 780958 522946 $19.80 (inc GST) NZ $22.00 (inc GST) How engine management works We’ll let the contents speak for themselves: Not a reprint – new projects and articles not published before Learn how engine management works Build projects to control nitrous, fuel injection and turbo boost systems Switch devices on and off on the basis of signal frequency, temperature and voltage Build test instruments to check fuel injector duty cycle, fuel mixture and brake and coolant temperatures P L U S L O T S MORE 104  Silicon Chip t Managemen ng Engine stems work di an st er R 1: Und engine sy 6 CHAPTEhandle on how the various Getting a ement ine Manag anced Eng r ECU functions dv A : 2 R TE he 14 CHAP yond spark and fuel – ot Going be c Systems lled systems in a car er Electroni th O : 3 nically-contro R tro TE 20 CHAP rundown on the other elec A quick Systems pensive as Electronic ex odifying Carstems is not as difficult or M : 4 R TE electronic sy 26 CHAP Understa Systems ur car’s Modifying yo ink you might th n Modificatio Electronic right wires IY D : 5 R TE e 30 CHAP multimeter and finding th Using a ct Kits c circuits ronic Proje lding Elect successfully build electroni ui B : 6 R TE to basic skills 36 CHAP You only need a few , voltage er A Multimet – here’s how to measure eter TER 7: Using 40 CHAP make do without a multim can’t You resistance current and INSTRUMENTS Meter modes art Mixtureal time, see the operating TER 8: Sm 42 CHAP ur car’s fuel mixtures in re -load “lean-out” occurs if a high Track yo d be warned of the ECU an Cycle Meter devices o jector Duty cycles or use it to switch In : 9 R TE P ty 50 CHA monitor fuel injector du Digitally ads nt engine lo ometer off at differe igital Therm perature D to an incredible 1200°C m Te h ig H TER 10: D readout, can measure rature 58 CHAP mpe or LE D et te It uses an LC off at a pres vices on or can switch de SWITCHES AND TIMERS g rnal triggerin Auto Timer : Versatile er with lots of uses and exte 1 1 R TE P A le tim 66 CH se adjustab A multipurpo h – lots r the bonnet ltage Switc : Simple Vog the sensors already unde switching 2 1 R TE P A e in id 72 CH on and off us to nitrous ox es rol Switch devic and fan cont water-spray of uses from y up to ture Switch rk all the wa 3: Temperajustable design that can wo 1 R TE P A H ad 77 C ral-purpose A cheap gene C 5° 24 4 RS ICS FOR CA E ELECTRON PERFORMANC siliconchip.com.au S M test From CHIP off witch equency Syou switch devices on and TER 14: Fr 82 CHAP eap adjustable design lets This ch speed according to Timer ta Throttle on and off, based on how es TER 15: Del 86 CHAP tricky way of turning devic A really iving ally you’re dr enthusiastic ne anding Engi s – p.6 ONTROLLERS MODIFIERS & C Controller LCD Hand – p.105 r rrecto Speedo Co – p.129 r se Adjuste to reduce t : Digital Pul noids in your car – use it extra fuel in 6 1 R TE P A le an l d so ro lse nt 92 CH pu co e or th control of g assistance t Managemen Take eerin ge power st boost, chan r d Controlle Adjuster, Dig 7: LCD Hanprogram the Digital Pulse rcuits 1 R TE P A H r ci r to lle lle ro ro nt nt 105 C Co co t tronic Boos e this plug-in Us t Elec Independen Adjuster and daptor d Injector A u need this 8: Peak-Hold fuel injectors? – if so, yolse Adjuster 1 R TE P A H Pu -hol l ak ta gi pe Di 108 C ve , er ha your car Cycle Met Does e Duty tor to use th roller simple adap c Boost Cont ni tro ec El t en nd pe de In or el Adjustered to adjust air/fuel rat 9: Digital Fu 1 be us R -loop TE P A th H r to at can ange closed 112 C ltage intercep or swaps and even ch vo t an illi br A inject or er et m allow air-flow acteristics running char t oject will ge o Corrector tio? – this pr R 20: Speedission or altered the diff ra TE P A H C 129 t the transm tely again Swapped ou speedo reading accura r nic st Controlle your electro ctronic Booost maps at the flick of le E t en nd depe rbo bo tween two tu PTER 21: In 134 CHAine being able to change be just that do u yo Imag ts is project le a switch – th troller even just to s Fuel Con el supply or R 22: Nitrouinjector for the nitrous fu TE P A H C 149 ntrol an extra Use it to co fan speeds vary pump or Timer rd you’ve gent Turbo atch how ha R 23: Intelliengine idle-down time to m TE P A H C 154 er set the This turbo tim been driving Engine Advanced t – p.14 Managemen ture Smart Mix Meter – p.42 Capacitor : Resistor & ENDUM 160 ADD Codes om Jaycar The Kits available fr and. See Ze Where To Buyoject described in this Abousoktralariae an d New al ery pr l over details. Kits for ev d dealers al for further s stores an ck covers ba e id Electronic ts ou front and the inside p.50 cle Meter – or Duty Cy Fuel Inject om.au siliconchip.c r t Controlle Turbo Boos – p.134 Turbo Intelligent 4 Timer – p.15 om.au siliconchip.c Order direct from SILICON CHIP Publications Price: Aust. $A22.50 (inc. GST & p&p); Overseas $A26.00 (inc. p&p via airmail). Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd, PO Box 139 Collaroy, NSW, Australia 2097. Phone (02) 9939 3295; Fax (02) 9939 2649. Email silchip<at>siliconchip.com.au siliconchip.com.au January 2005  105