Silicon ChipNotes & Errata - May 2002 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: A new reactor at Lucas Heights - it's about time
  4. Subscriptions
  5. Feature: Fuel Cells: The Quiet Emission-Free Power Source by Gerry Nolan
  6. Feature: Shark Shield: Keeping The Man-eaters at Bay by Ross Tester
  7. Project: PIC-Controlled 32-LED Knightrider by John Clarke
  8. Project: The Battery Guardian by John Clarke
  9. Project: Build A Stereo Headphone Amplifier by Ross Tester
  10. Order Form
  11. Project: Automatic Single-Channel Light Dimmer; Pt.2 by John Clarke
  12. Product Showcase
  13. Weblink
  14. Project: Stepper Motor Controller by Ross Tester
  15. Vintage Radio: The AWA FS6 military transceiver by Rodney Champness
  16. Book Store
  17. Back Issues
  18. Notes & Errata
  19. Advertising Index
  20. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the May 2002 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 28 of the 96 pages in the full issue, including the advertisments.

For full access, purchase the issue for $10.00 or subscribe for access to the latest issues.

Articles in this series:
  • Fuel Cells: The Quiet Emission-Free Power Source (May 2002)
  • Fuel Cells: The Quiet Emission-Free Power Source (May 2002)
  • Fuel Cells Explode! (June 2002)
  • Fuel Cells Explode! (June 2002)
  • Applications For Fuel Cells (July 2002)
  • Applications For Fuel Cells (July 2002)
Items relevant to "PIC-Controlled 32-LED Knightrider":
  • PIC16F84(A)-04/P programmed for the PIC-Controlled 32-LED Knightrider [KNIGHT.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $10.00)
  • PIC16F84 firmware and source code for the PIC-Controlled 32-LED Knightrider [KNIGHT.HEX] (Software, Free)
  • PIC-Controlled 32-LED Knightrider PCB pattern (PDF download) [08105021] (Free)
Items relevant to "The Battery Guardian":
  • Battery Guardian PCB pattern (PDF download) [05105021] (Free)
  • Panel artwork for the Battery Guardian (PDF download) (Free)
Items relevant to "Build A Stereo Headphone Amplifier":
  • Stereo Headphone Amplifier PCB pattern (PDF download) [01105021] (Free)
Items relevant to "Automatic Single-Channel Light Dimmer; Pt.2":
  • PIC16F84A-20(I)/P programmed for the Automatic Single-Channel Light Dimmer [AUTODIM.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $10.00)
  • PIC16F84 firmware and source code for the Automatic Single-Channel Light Dimmer [AUTODIM.HEX] (Software, Free)
  • Automatic Single-Channel Light Dimmer PCB patterns (PDF download) [10104021-3] (Free)
  • Panel artwork for the Automatic Single-Channel Light Dimmer (PDF download) (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Automatic Single-Channel Light Dimmer (April 2002)
  • Automatic Single-Channel Light Dimmer (April 2002)
  • Automatic Single-Channel Light Dimmer; Pt.2 (May 2002)
  • Automatic Single-Channel Light Dimmer; Pt.2 (May 2002)

Purchase a printed copy of this issue for $10.00.

Questions on guitar preamp I have a few questions regarding the guitar preamp featured in the November 2000 issue of SILICON CHIP, sold in kit form by Jaycar Electronics, Cat KC-5303. Can you please tell me: (1) To connect the second channel’s PC board to the main board, do I need to connect the points marked ‘TP1’? If not, what are they for? (2) All of the connection points on the back (FX send/rtn, balanced out & unbalanced out) have a ground point, except for the ‘line input’ point. Should this line be grounded somewhere? (3) On the schematic for the power supply, where the leads are earthed to the chassis, a 0.47µF capacitor is shown going from the chassis earth point to a regular earth point. Where should this capacitor go to earth? (P. M., via email). • Do not interconnect the TP1 points on the first and second channels. These are test points to adjust the offset in each amplifier (IC2) using trimpot VR7. The line input shares the unbalanced output ground point. The 0.47µF capacitor connects from signal ground to chassis as shown in Fig.1 of the January 2001 issue of SILICON CHIP. they did not make a rotating magnet assembly for these distributors. The HKZ101 Hall sensor is still available from Jaycar (Cat ZD-1900) but the Bosch rotating vane is not available. This would need to be manufactured using a steel cup-shaped vane with eight slots spaced 45° apart. This vane can be glued to the existing rotor button using high temperature (120°C or more ) epoxy or similar. models available but they are in the “cost you an arm and a leg” price range and I am sure such a design would be greatly appreciated by all of us dads who spend half of our lives repairing our son’s R/C cars. R. H., Yatala Vale, SA). • We described a 50A speed control for R/C cars in the May 2000 issue. We can supply this issue for $7.70 including postage. Matching amplifiers to speakers Converting a UPS to use as inverter I am concerned about possible damage to an amplifier when more ‘powerful’ speakers are connected. For example, if 150W speakers are connected to a 100W amplifier, is there the pos­sibility of the amplifier being damaged? Thinking along the lines of source/ load matching as in antennas it seems to me that, provided the amp/speaker matching is correct, there should be no problem. (N. D., Carine, WA) • There is no chance of damage by connecting 150W speakers to a 100W amplifier. Speakers are passive transducers. Provided their impedance is within normal limits, no damage will result. I have a Chloride 12V computer UPS I want to utilise as an inverter but it needs 240V to be on at the moment of a blackout before the 12V inverter will work. This is of no value to me in the fieldwhen trying to operate a drill or grinder. How can I fix it? (R. M., via email). • Without knowing anything about the circuit, we cannot sug­gest a modification. However, it probably has a stepdown trans­former and rectifier to produce a DC voltage from the mains. When that disappears, the inverter kicks in. You need to measure that voltage and then alter the monitoring circuit to disable it. Speed controller for R/C cars I would like to suggest a project for an electronic speed controller for radio controlled cars. There are commercial www.siliconchip.com.au Notes & Errata Mighty Midget 50W Module, March 2002: the list of parts for the capacitors should be as follows: 2 4700µF 16VW, 1 2200µF 16VW, 2 0.22µF MKT, SC 4 0.1µF MKT. SMART FASTCHARGERS® 2 NEW MODELS WITH OPTIONS TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS & BUDGET Now with 240V AC + 12V DC operation PLUS fully automatic voltage detection Use these REFLEX® chargers for all your Nicads and NIMH batteries: Power tools  Torches  Radio equip.  Mobile phones  Video cameras  Field test instruments  RC models incl. indoor flight  Laptops  Photographic equip.  Toys  Others  Rugged, compact and very portable. Designed for maximum battery capacity and longest battery life. AVOIDS THE WELL KNOWN MEMORY EFFECT. SAVES MONEY & TIME: Restore most Nicads with memory effect to capacity. Recover batteries with very low remaining voltage. CHARGES VERY FAST plus ELIMINATES THE NEED TO DISCHARGE: charge standard batteries in minimum 3 min., max. 1 to 4 hrs, depending on mA/h rating. Partially empty batteries are just topped up. Batteries always remain cool; this increases the total battery life and also the battery’s reliability. DESIGNED AND MADE IN AUSTRALIA For a FREE, detailed technical description please Ph (03) 6492 1368; Fax (03) 6492 1329; or email: smartfastchargers<at>bigpond.com 2567 Wilmot Rd., Devonport, TAS 7310 P.C.B. Makers ! • • • • • • • • If you need: P.C.B. High Speed Drill 3M Scotchmark Laser Labels P.C.B. Material – Negative or Positive acting Light Box – Single or Double Sided – Large or Small Etch Tank – Bubble Electronic Components and Equipment for TAFEs, Colleges and Schools Prompt and Economical DeliverySC FREE ADVICE ON ANY OF OUR PRODUCTS FROM DEDICATED PEOPLE WITH HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE We now stock Hawera Carbide Tool Bits KALEX 40 Wallis Ave E. Ivanhoe 3079 Ph (03) 9497 3422 FAX (03) 9499 2381 ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED May 2002  93