Contents
Vol.37, No.07
July 2024
14 Repairable Electronics
Modern electronics tend to be hard to repair, either because parts are
difficult to source or due to the design. Bucking this trend are devices made
to be easy to fix, including modular parts and open-source hardware.
By Dr David Maddison, VK3DSM
Repairs & open-sourcing
39 The Raspberry Pi 5
Released last September, the Raspberry Pi 5 is their newest single-board
computer. Nearly every aspect of the Pi 5 is a dramatic improvement,
running at least twice as fast as the Raspberry Pi 4B.
By Tim Blythman
SBC review
58 Adding solar charging to a van
We added solar panels (plus an inverter) to the roof of a Renault Kangoo ZE
electric van. With the panels we have as much as an extra 50km of driving a
day just from solar energy!
By Roderick Boswell
Electric vehicles
26 Automatic LQ Meter
Page 26
Automatic
LQ Meter
Raspberry Pi 5
Review:
Page 39
Adding solar charging
to an electric van
This all-in-one design combines two instruments into one, measuring
inductance from 0.1μH to 999μH and Q (quality factor) from 10 to 300 with
a test frequency from 100kHz to 90MHz.
By Charles Kosina
Test instrument project
44 180-230V DC Motor Speed Controller
This Speed Controller is intended for high-voltage DC motors like those in
lathes, treadmills, conveyor belts and more. It is rated for motors from 1A to
10A and has zero to full speed control plus speed regulation.
By John Clarke
Motor speed control project
54 New use for Mains Sequencer
With some wiring adjustments and software updates, our Mains Power-Up
Sequencer from February & March 2024 can be repurposed to cycle power
to multiple devices for use with inverters & generators.
By John Clarke
Mains power control project
64 Jaycar-sponsored Mini Projects
Mimick a lava lamp with this month’s first Mini Project. Or instead build a
digital compass powered via a battery bank. Each project is designed so
that anyone can build it.
By Tim Blythman
Mini projects
72 Workman 1kW Loudspeaker
These genuine 1000W speakers deliver a tremendous amount of sound
using a tool chest you can buy from Bunnings as the enclosure. The durable
enclosure keeps it safe and makes it easy to transport.
By Allan Linton-Smith
Loudspeaker project
Page 58
2
Editorial Viewpoint
5
Mailbag
80
Vintage Radio
86
Serviceman’s Log
94
Circuit Notebook
97
Subscriptions
98
Online Shop
100
Ask Silicon Chip
103
Market Centre
104
Advertising Index
104
Notes & Errata
One-valve superhet radio by Fred Lever
1. JFET-based guitar preamp
2. Push-pull PWM Mosfet driver
