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High-Energy Ignition with individual coils I would like to use your Multi-Spark CDI design (December 2014 & January 2015; siliconchip.au/Series/279) on distributorless systems, primarily with aftermarket standalone ECUs. I was wondering if I could wind the transformer to support two or more Advertising Index Altronics......... 11, 23, 37-40, 47, 75 Beware! The Loop....................... 12 Blackmagic Design....................... 9 Dave Thompson........................ 111 DigiKey Electronics....................... 3 Emona Instruments.................. IBC Hare & Forbes............................ 6-7 Jaycar............................. IFC, 55-58 Keith Rippon Kit Assembly....... 111 LD Electronics........................... 111 LEDsales................................... 111 Microchip Technology.............OBC Mouser Electronics....................... 4 PCBWay....................................... 13 PMD Way................................... 111 SC Bridge Rectifiers.................... 94 Silicon Chip Binders.................. 65 Silicon Chip OLED Clock......... 111 Silicon Chip PDFs on USB......... 89 Silicon Chip Shop...................... 95 Silicon Chip Songbird................ 62 Silicon Chip Subscriptions........ 41 Silicon Chip USB-C Adaptor.... 111 TME............................................. 99 The Loudspeaker Kit.com........ 101 Wagner Electronics..................... 81 112 Silicon Chip cylinders at a time and then use one multi-spark section/IGBT per cylinder to switch the high voltage. I don’t foresee needing to fire more than six cylinders in sequential ignition mode. Please let me know what you think. (M. N., Bangalore, India) ● You can use the CDI with multiple cylinders and separate ignition coils by duplicating the trigger section for each cylinder and connecting them all to the high voltage generator. Only one of the transformer section that produces the 300V is needed. Checking if ultrasonic tweeters are functioning I would like to build a simple go/ no-go indicator to determine the operation of a tweeter at ultrasonic frequencies, around 20-25kHz. I had in mind perhaps a bat detector or a modified microwave oven detector to suit that frequency range. Have you published anything suitable in the past? (C. O., Adelaide, SA) ● The Ultrasonic Eavesdropper project (August 2006; siliconchip. au/Article/2744) could be used as it down-converts high frequencies to something you can hear. A microwave oven detector would not be suitable as microwave energy is at a much higher frequency and is not sound but electromagnetic waves. Soldering iron power control My wife has expressed an interest in Pyrography (burning patterns into timber and similar) and has a couple of suitable soldering type tools with appropriate tips. She wants a basic heat controller for better results; my mind went back to the ‘simmerstats’ and Triacs/Diacs of my earlier days. I assume there are much better Errata & Sale Date for the Next Issue • High-Current Four Battery/Cell Balancer (March & April 2021 issues; siliconchip.au/Series/358) – also suits 2S, 3S & 4S at higher currents and with better efficiency. For battery lifesavers, see: • Lifesaver For Lithium & SLA Batteries (September 2013; siliconchip. au/Article/4360) – up to 20A. • Dual Battery Lifesaver (December 2020; siliconchip.au/Article/14673) – up to 5A per output. alternatives these days, such as Mosfet control. The irons are quite low power, 30-40W. Could you refer me to a suitable circuit or kit in an earlier publication that I could build? (D. C., Beachmere, Qld) ● Using a Triac for phase control of mains power is still a valid approach. Mosfets can be used for mains switching, especially for dimming LED lighting where trailing-edge phase control is needed. The most relevant project is the Heat Controller (July 1998; siliconchip.au/ Article/4687). The PCB for that project is still available (siliconchip.au/ Shop/8/873). Alternatively, you could use a standard light dimmer housed in an Earthed metal enclosure with suitable mains wiring (similar to the July 1998 Heat Controller wiring). That concept was described in the article on Power Control With a Light Dimmer (October 1996; siliconchip.au/Article/4946). Alternatively, a phase-control based motor controller could be used, such as our Full Wave Universal Motor Speed Controller (March 2018; siliconchip. au/Article/10998). Substitute for old toroidal core I have been unable to find an equivalent for the RCC32.6/10.7, 2P30 ring core (Philips 4330 030 6035) used in the 40V 3A Power Supply (January & February 1994; siliconchip.au/ Series/167). Can you help me find a suitable substitute, preferably available from element14? (M. B., Parkes, NSW) ● The cores available from element14 appear to be for higher frequencies than are suited for the 40V 3A Power Supply. Jaycar’s LO1238 should be a suitable replacement. Their LO1244 would also be suitable. SC Pico Mixed-Signal Analyser (PicoMSA), September 2024: an error in the PCB means that the 10Ω through-hole resistor that powers the +5VA rail (just to the left of LED1) does not connect to the +5V rail. This is most easily fixed by running a short wire on the underside of the PCB from the pad of that resistor that’s closest to the Pico, to the Pico’s pin 40. Alternatively, scrape off the solder mask from the top-layer track that runs under the resistor and solder a short jumper across to it. Also see the Mailbag column of this issue for a letter regarding new firmware that runs the Pico at 200MHz for better reliability. Next Issue: the December 2024 issue is due on sale in newsagents by Thursday, November 28th. Expect postal delivery of subscription copies in Australia between November 25th and December 13th. Australia's electronics magazine siliconchip.com.au