Search found 9 matches

by mhvink
Mon Jan 16, 2017 11:05 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Possibly dumb question from a novice. Please help!
Replies: 11
Views: 12768

What size batteries are you using and what voltage. Remember, each LED drops about 2-4 volts across it, depending on LED color. If you are using 3 to 4-1/2 volts, you have maxed out your batteries.
by mhvink
Mon Mar 16, 2015 11:50 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Novice wiring question.....
Replies: 6
Views: 13786

30-32 AWG stranded wire requires a special stripper due to the (usually) Teflon jacket (insulation). At that size, stranded is stronger than solid core, but solid will allow you to bend the wire and it will retain it's shape better. You can find small guage wire at most electronic supply stores, Rad...
by mhvink
Thu Sep 25, 2014 7:48 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Either something's not right or I'm incredibly stupid!
Replies: 7
Views: 12384

Well, you have the resistor value correct at 120 ohms, but you have the wrong resistor in your hand. According to the color bands, you have a 2100 ohm (red=2, brown=1, red = 2 zeros, gold=5% tolerance). The color bands you want is brown (1), red (2), brown (1 zero) and either gold or silver for the ...
by mhvink
Thu Apr 10, 2014 12:14 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Bussard spinning circuit
Replies: 9
Views: 12387

Ok, we all assume that you have TWO round PC boards that the LED's solder into. If that is true, make ONE as normal. Then take the SECOND round board and flip it over so that the back is now the front. Install the LED's on the NEW front side. Wire the 2nd board to the rest of the circuit as per the ...
by mhvink
Fri Apr 02, 2010 1:12 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: My project
Replies: 5
Views: 2345

Okay, for the hub . . . #1 - Get yourself a soldering iron and a small roll of solder. If you have a piece of solid copper wire (like "Romex" house wire), strip the insulation off of two pieces about 1/2" long. wrap the ends of your lighting wires around each piece of copper wire and ...
by mhvink
Thu Apr 01, 2010 12:19 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: My project
Replies: 5
Views: 2345

Kahless, Sounds good. The only flaw I can see is with your green LEDs (in series). When running LED's in series, you need to subtract the voltage for each LED. I think it should be 6V -2.4V twice or 4.8V total voltage loss. That would give you 1.2 volts across the resistor at 10mA giving you a resis...
by mhvink
Fri Sep 18, 2009 1:48 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Why Three Wires in Xmas Light Strings?
Replies: 19
Views: 10977

"OK. It's a little more complicated than that. But it is hard to explain without 27 8x10 glossy photos with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one. But that's the gist. _________________ John Fleming " You can get anything you want at MMI's restaraunt, 'cepting Johnny. :P
by mhvink
Thu Aug 13, 2009 6:07 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Looking for LM3909N or NTE876
Replies: 3
Views: 3745

You can also go to www.digikey.com or www.mouser.com

Mike
by mhvink
Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:41 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Nacelle Lighting Help
Replies: 7
Views: 4693

I think a bigger concern is not electrical, but mechanical. Surface-mount components are extremely sensative to the heat of a soldering iron. It isn't as easy to mount as a through-hole, leaded part. Use the heat sparingly and try not to leave the iron on the part too long. That is a recipe to unbon...