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Notes & Errata Wireless Rain Alarm, Circuit Notebook, June 2016: the type number for IC3, TL071, was left off the circuit diagram on page 84. Combined Timer, Counter & Frequency Meter, Circuit Notebook, June 2016: in the circuit on page 87, pins 23 and 24 of IC1 are shown swapped. Also, the pot connected to pin 27 should be labelled VR3, not VR1. Ask SILICON CHIP . . . continued from page 103 like that should have been a standard feature, given the cost of a replacement battery. From what I have read, battery life in the Civic Hybrid from this era is not good. Luckily, the battery on this vehicle seems to be OK at the moment. I would like to keep it that way. Yes, it’s simpler just to start the car once a month and run it at 2500 RPM until the batteries are back up to full charge but that’s far from ideal and it would be easy to forget. I did come across this item, which may be suitable: www.ebay.com/ itm/2006-2011-Honda-Civic-Hybrid -Standard-Grid-Charger-IMA-Battery -Balancer-/351641475458 (P. H., via email). • We have no experience nor expertise on the Honda Civic Hybrid. Designing a high-voltage charger for this vehicle would be a challenge, both in the actual power engineering involved and sorting out the complex safety interlocks which are bound to be part of the vehicle. It would seem that if your proposed charger is going to be able to charge the battery in a reasonable time, its power rating will need to be very substantial, possibly in the region of to 1-2kVA. You might gain some insight by referring to the article we did on the Toyota Prius in the February 2008 issue – see www.siliconchip.com.au/Issue/2008/ February/How+To+Get+More+Than +100MPG+From+A+Toyota+Prius That article showed how to add an extra Lithium battery to greatly increase its electric driving range and effective fuel economy but whether that is an economically viable proposition is open to debate. Electronic fuse wanted Have you ever published a project like an adjustable electronic circuit breaker for automotive use (12V DC)? Sometimes when trouble-shooting, I reckon such a thing would come in pretty handy. (M. K., via email). • We haven’t published an electronic fuse but it’s worth thinking about. A 12V light bulb could be used as a current limiter for some testing, especially if the current draw is not too high. The lamp rating to use depends on the current requirements of the circuit being tested. The lamp could be wired across a blown fuse and plugged SC in as the test fuse. Next Issue The September 2016 issue is due on sale in newsagents by Thursday 25th August. Expect postal delivery of subscription copies in Australia between August 25th and September 9th. Advertising Index Allan Warren Electronics............ 103 Altronics.................................. 76-79 Australian Exhibitions & Events.... 15 Digi-Key Electronics....................... 3 Digilent Inc................................... 27 Emona Instruments.................... IBC Hare & Forbes.......................... OBC High Profile Communications..... 103 Icom Australia.............................. 41 Jaycar .............................. IFC,49-56 Keith Rippon Kit Assembly ........ 103 LD Electronics............................ 103 LEDsales.................................... 103 Master Instruments........................ 5 Microchip Technology................... 11 Minitech Engineering................... 12 Mouser Electronics......................... 7 Ocean Controls.............................. 8 PCB Cart........................................ 9 Pinfold Health Services................ 13 Sesame Electronics................... 103 SC Radio & Hobbies DVD............ 91 SC Online Shop........................... 75 Silicon Chip Binders..................... 96 Silicon Chip Wallchart.................. 93 Silvertone Electronics.................. 13 Tronixlabs.............................. 14,103 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 Competition & Consumer Act 2010 or as subsequently amended and to any governmental regulations which are applicable. 104  Silicon Chip siliconchip.com.au