26 June 2008

A portable USB hard drive is a great way to back up data but what if your USB ports are unable to supply enough "juice" to power the drive? A modified version of the SILICON CHIP USB Power Injector is the answer.

20 June 2008

Do you have a large collection of slides which are deteriorating by the day? Are they growing mouldy or becoming discoloured? Then there is no time to waste. Get them onto your computer's hard drive before it is too late. This method is very quick, simple and does not require any electronics.

10 June 2008

Here's a new and enhanced version of a very popular project: an easily-programmed low-cost electronic timer module. It's compact, easy to build and offers a choice of either a single on period or continuous on/off cycling with independently programmable periods.

09 June 2008

If you work in the professional audio field, you need to use balanced lines for long signal runs to prevent hum and noise pick-up. This Balanced/Unbalanced Converter is really two projects in one. It can convert an unbalanced input to balanced outputs and vice versa.

03 June 2008

This DSP Musicolour accepts audio input signals and drives coloured lights "in tune" with the music. Its four output channels respond to different audio frequency bands and the brightness of the lights is in direct proportion to the amplitude of the frequency components. A dot-matrix LED menu display is featured on the front panel and this also functions as a spectrum analyser or VU meter.

19 May 2008

Need to operate a CD, DVD or MP3 player from the cigarette lighter socket in your car? Or perhaps run a digital still or video camera or some powered speakers from the power supply inside your PC? This Low-Voltage Adjustable Regulator will step the voltage down to what's needed. It has jumper shunts to select one of six common output voltages (from 3-15V) and depending on the input voltage and the heatsink(s) you use, it can deliver an output current of just over 4A.

19 May 2008

This low-cost unit can program all dsPIC30F series microcontrollers in the DIP package, along with most PIC microcontrollers. It's easy to build and uses standard parts.

19 May 2008

Here's a handy piece of test gear you can build for yourself - a Digital LC Meter for measuring inductance and capacitance over a wide range. It's based on an ingenious measurement technique, delivers surprising accuracy and is easy to build.

19 May 2008

If the CDI module in your motorbike, outboard, ride-on mower or other small petrol motor fails, you could be in for a shock. Depending on the brand or model, they can cost up to $400. You can build this one for less than $50 and it will do the same job for most engines.

01 April 2008

Last month, we described the circuit and software features of our new High-Current DC Motor Speed Controller. This month, we show you how to build and test it.