Category: Electronics

How Servo Motors Work

Date: December 24, 2019 Category: Electronics, Learn Tags: , , , , , , Comments: 0

"See here? Someone has tampered with the servo. They switched the ground to the negative, so when he put the key in the lock...""He completed the circuit."Ghost in the Machine (1993) First of all, what exactly is a servo? A servomechanism is technically any automatic device that can correct its own position based on negative feedback. Negative feedback is the process by which electrical signals are fed back in a manner that ultimately reduces further fluctuations. Servo motors can rotate or push components with amazing accuracy using this method. Servos are very widely used in a vast array of electronics. Volume knobs, gas pedals, even…

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Types of Wire Strippers/Cutters

Date: December 17, 2019 Category: Electronics, Learn, Tools Tags: , , , , , , Comments: 0

"Mickey, you're gonna get in there, start stripping wires, and you're gonna ---- everything up!"The Battery (2012) Choosing the right tool for the job is arguably the most important step in the planning process of any project. While it may not seem like something you really need to plan for, having a good pair of wire strippers at the ready will save you a lot of hassle when the time comes that you actually need them. There are a few different types of wire strippers on the market, ranging from very basic to pretty ingenious. First, let's take a look at the most basic of…

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Custom Modified Computer Keyboard

Date: December 16, 2019 Category: Electronics, Geek, Make Tags: , , , , Comments: 0

If you're a gamer or even just someone who spends a lot of time on a computer, chances are you have preferences for how your keyboard looks and feels. Everything from the space between keys to the material used can radically change the feel of a keyboard. What happens if you like two different things about two different keyboards? Combine them, of course! A user by the name of GuzziGuy posted a series of pictures on imgur detailing exactly how he took a keyboard he liked and modified it. GuzziGuy | imgur In his tutorial, he custom builds a wooden housing unit for the keyboard…

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Stuff a Fully-Functional Nintendo Wii Into an Altoids Tin

Date: December 2, 2019 Category: Electronics, Geek, Make Tags: , , , , , , , , , Comments: 0

Before we even get started, be warned: this project is time-consuming, nerve-wracking, and ultimately unnecessary... but boy is it cool! Firstly, it should be noted that this is NOT an emulator. This is a fully-functioning Nintendo Wii circuit board that was cut down and modified to fit into a mint tin. A modder by the name of Shank took it upon himself to make the smallest working Wii. It was over a year in the making, and by his own admission it was one of the more frustrating projects he'd ever worked on. He even named it the Kill Mii. Luckily, he shared the entire…

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Reading Axial Resistors

Date: November 12, 2019 Category: Electronics, Learn Tags: , , , Comments: 0

"Resistance is useless."Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy Resistors are a necessary part of any electrical system. They provide the ability to limit current and signal flow, among many other uses. There are numerous different types of resistors, all varying in size and power, but we're going to take a closer look at arguably the most common type- axial resistors. Axial resistors are pretty easily recognizable, even to people who know little about electronics. Chances are you've seen these tiny little dumbbell-shaped components around. You may have also noticed a lot of them have different colored bands going around them. These colors actually indicate just how…

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Arduino Vs. Raspberry Pi

Date: October 29, 2019 Category: Electronics, Learn Tags: , , , , , Comments: 0

"You do understand the circuits cannot be cut locally?" Die Hard (1988) Arduino vs. Raspberry Pi: a battle as old as... a few years. Though it isn't really much of a battle since both interfaces provide vastly different experiences. We're going to take a look at some of the similarities and differences between the two and hopefully help you decide which one (or both) is the right fit for your project. What Are the Big Differences? First, let's look at the key differences between the two systems. Arduino is a microCONTROLLER, while Raspberry Pi is a microPROCESSOR. Microcontrollers require hardware to control. Microprocessors are essentially…

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Choosing the Right Wires For Your Project

Date: October 15, 2019 Category: Electronics, Learn Tags: , , , , , , , Comments: 0

"It seems to run on some form of electricity." Marvel's The Avengers (2012) One of the most confusing parts of electronic work is choosing the right wires. If they're too thin, they may not be providing enough power. If they're too thick, they may be taking up precious real estate if you have a densely-packed project. Figuring out the right wires to use also involves a fair amount of math. Let's hope you were paying attention in algebra. The Basics Before we even get into wires, you'll probably want to know the basics of electric power. The three common elements of power you'll need to…

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What’s The Best Battery For My Project?

Date: October 8, 2019 Category: Electronics, Learn Tags: , , , , , , , , Comments: 0

"The Matrix is a computer-generated dream world built to keep us under control in order to change a human being into this." The Matrix (1999) While we are still a long way from rogue artificial intelligence enslaving the human race (at least I hope we are), the necessity for batteries remains largely the same. Batteries power most things in our lives. Phones, watches, cars, tools- all of these things are powered in some part by batteries. Naturally, with so many different devices and applications, there must be many different types of batteries as well. So how do we go about deciding which kind is right…

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Plug Your Headphones Right Into Your Desk

Date: October 7, 2019 Category: Electronics, Make, Music Tags: , , , , , , Comments: 0

Headphone jack. 3.5 mm. Aux port. It has many names, but serves one very important purpose. It delivers audio from our devices to our ears. If you frequently use your headphones from your computer, as a gamer or editor for example, your audio jack may not always be in the best spot. Maybe it's at the back of your monitor or behind your computer tower. If you're like me, maybe you tend to bring your headphones with you to different jobs. Now before you get all "just buy wireless bro" on me, understand that wireless is not the solution for everyone. I personally prefer wired…

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Choosing the Right Soldering Tip

Date: October 1, 2019 Category: Electronics, Learn, Tools Tags: , , , , , , Comments: 0

"Hey, you're talking to my guy all wrong. It's the wrong tone. Do it again, I'll stab you in the face with a soldering iron." Joe Dirt (2001) While we don't recommend using your soldering iron for homicide, we DO recommend following this guide to determine which tips you'll need for your project. Soldering is probably a lot older than you'd think. It dates back to at least 3,000 B.C. where the Sumer people of Mesopotamia used soldering to assemble their swords. Historically, soldering was used mainly for jewelry, cookware, and stained glass. Today it is widely used in electrical work and electronics. If you're…

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