Questions tagged [diy]
Do It Yourself. Build, modify, repair something without the aid of trained professionals.
363 questions
24
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3
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What went wrong with my DIY project?
I have been teaching my son the basics of electronics by taking apart his old toys. We got to the level where we can fix things and put them back together. Last weekend we spent several hours putting ...
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15
votes
9
answers
5k
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Cheap and safe way to dim 100+ 60W Incandescent bulbs
For my wedding reception, we are building ~25 lighting fixtures with 4 bulbs each (fixture per table for dinner). For aesthetic and budget reasons, these are 60w "Edison-style" bulbs which we want to ...
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12
votes
6
answers
21k
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How to get 20 V from a USB-C charger?
I want to power my DIY stuff with a MacBook Pro USB C charger. The label on a charger says that it can provide three different power profiles:
20.2V - 4.3A
9V - 3A
5.2V - 2.4A
There is a ton of ...
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12
votes
2
answers
2k
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Why doesn't this DIY high-speed probe reflect signals?
I am reading The Art of Electronics, page 809 and 810, where they show this probe:
Figure 12.32. Probing digital signals: […] Simple 20× passive “probe” for 50 Ω ’scope input: 953 Ω series resistor ...
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9
votes
1
answer
2k
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Soldering BGA components DIY
If I understood correctly, current BGA components contain solder balls under the package. Do I still need additional solder paste to put on the board, or the amount of solder on the component contacts ...
- 3,212
8
votes
4
answers
14k
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What is "switched neutral"?
In the context of mains power, and wiring a light and switch. I thought I understood it, but what I'm thinking of I believe is something else called a "switch leg". Disclaimer: I'm a ...
- 199
8
votes
2
answers
1k
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Drill through PCB or just use glue to mount component?
For a one-off hobby project I want to add a potentiometer to an existing two-sided PCB. There is an unpopulated zone (as far as I can tell) on the PCB that looks ideal, but I'd have to drill mounting ...
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7
votes
1
answer
45k
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Diy 18650 4s battery pack [How to charge, how to build?]
I'm building a bluetooth portable speaker.
However, I have some questions about building my first 18650 battery pack.
I have 4 pcs of Panasonic unprotected NCR18650B 18650 3.7V 3400mAh.
My goal is to ...
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7
votes
3
answers
2k
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Schematic for a lipo battery bleeder overcharge protector
OK, so I am building a 12v (really 11.1v) 10000mah lipo battery. I am going to use it on campouts to run things like 12v fans and car chargers and run other high-current devices that couldn't be run ...
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6
votes
10
answers
3k
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Film/TV question: How to build Foam Cutter from only household items
I'm writing a scene for television and I need to make a foam/rope cutter from household items. I've watched several videos, including this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM0lP2WCzY0, and ...
6
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7
answers
2k
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What would cause desoldering braid to simply not work?
I'm trying to replace the triac in a floor lamp dimmer, and completely failing to remove solder from the pads with desoldering braid. I've desoldered plenty of times before, though admittedly not ...
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6
votes
6
answers
8k
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Techniques for building 'Bed of Nails' testing board
When testing a complete circuit board a 'Bed of Nails' can significantly reduce time and errors.
What are some techniques for making a DIY Bed of Nails?
...
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6
votes
4
answers
70k
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Mains LED light bulb flickers when switched off [closed]
We have LED bulbs in our apartment. In the bathroom, the bulb flickers on and off when it's switched off. Same when it was a CFL bulb before I switched to LED cause I hate CFLs. Our mains voltage is ...
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6
votes
2
answers
544
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Is it possible to make an OFET in a home lab?
Is there a way to build an OFET at home?
(low tech, no deep vacuum and plasma, without toxic/hard to dispose chemicals)
What can be the minimum budget for that?
While conductive polymers are pretty ...
- 121
5
votes
3
answers
741
views
74LS161 miscounting
Following Ben Eater's 8-bit computer assembly, my program counter, which is built out of 74LS161s, does not count correctly. In trying to figure out the issue, I have completely isolated the circuit ...
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5
votes
3
answers
10k
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Safety when using ATX power supply as benchtop supply
I found many pages where people convert an ATX power supply to a benchtop power supply to give 12, 5, 3.3V.
However the current output can be very high (several amps).
When using this and you NEED ...
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5
votes
3
answers
8k
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How does this circuit in an electric mosquito swatter work?
I had an electric mosquito swatter lying around so I decided to open it up and check out how it works.
I understood some parts of the circuit however I did not clearly understand how the rest of it ...
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5
votes
6
answers
5k
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Would it be possible to make a solid state transistor by hand?
I am curious, would it be possible to fabricate a modern BJT/FET transistor with hobby/garage tools only if size and aesthetics was not important?
Which materials would one use and how would one ...
5
votes
4
answers
875
views
Why did my homemade PCB turn out like this?
I did a first experiment with the UV-lamp + Transparency + Presensitized-Board method.
Using a randomly drawn pattern, this was my (promising but unsatisfactory) result:
What could typically be the ...
- 4,972
5
votes
1
answer
26k
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Making a [4-Pole TRRS to 3.5mm Stereo & Mic Adapter (Male to 2x Female)] from an iphone headphone splitter jack?
I want an adapter that merges the microphone and earphone 3.5 mm jacks into a single 3.5 mm jack ( basically I want to build the blue adapter thingy):
I have an earphone splitter for iphones that has ...
- 382
5
votes
3
answers
342
views
What kind of equipment would I need to apply nonpermanent extension wires to test points of a PCB so I can access them via a microcontroller?
This is a DIY project. The title question is the first problem I'm considering, but the entire project is the goal I'm not an expert in hardware, but neither am I uninitiated. Put me at around an ...
- 151
4
votes
3
answers
822
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Matching number of LEDs to power supply
I have an LED power supply - constant current with output 1.4A/96W/23-69VDC. I want to buy a number of LEDs and connect these in series.
What do I need to calculate to know how many of the following ...
4
votes
2
answers
1k
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Most efficient way to power a 5 V circuit from a 14.8 V battery
I am making a DIY Raspberry Pi laptop. So far I have found a suitable board that will drive my display (M.NT68676.2A). From research I have found out that it will run off of anything from 12 V to ...
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4
votes
5
answers
3k
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DIY generator. Simple and small
I have read many posts on this site and everyone seems very competent, so here I am... very new to this. I'm trying to learn how to convert a motor into a generator. I'm just getting a bit overwhelmed ...
4
votes
1
answer
19k
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Creating a home made ultrasound transducer
I don't know how ultrasound transducers (transmitters) are made, is it possible to create a home made ultrasound transmitter with a custom specific range 1MHz or more? If it is not, would a 3D ...
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4
votes
1
answer
1k
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How to apply solder paste with stencil in a 2 sided PCB?
I have seen lots of tutorials about how to apply solder paste using a stencil, but all of them only show how to apply the stencil to one side of the PCB. My current project is 2 sided and I would like ...
- 4,353
4
votes
1
answer
135
views
Choosing LED brightness
I am planning to build an electronic fencing scoring apparatus for training purposes in our club (so no FIE certification required, it's a pure hobby project).
For hit indication, I want to use a ...
3
votes
6
answers
7k
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How can I build a simple USB signalling device?
I would like to construct a simple device that plugs into a USB port and sends the computer a signal (i.e just a 1) when a user presses the button or switch etc.
I ...
- 445
3
votes
6
answers
5k
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UV solder mask sticking to cover instead of PCB
I'm doing the usual DIY PCB process. Lately I got some of the chinese UV solder mask (similar to the one used in this video). I can work with it just fine - it sets under my UV lamp perfectly, within ...
- 508
3
votes
3
answers
1k
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What are an amateur's options to put a high-end IC on a board? [closed]
I'm actually an experimental physicist who does software-development for a living. So my knowledge basically stops at writing micro-controller programs and putting them on a breadboard, and hooking ...
3
votes
1
answer
493
views
Why am I not getting an output from this breadboarded phaser?
After following along with a hobbyist's video, I breadboarded a phaser. Unfortunately it seems my circuit is not achieving anything close to what the hobbyist achieved with his.
I believe the issue is ...
3
votes
3
answers
19k
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How do I check polarity on loudspeaker?
How do I check the polarity on a loudspeaker?
I have an 8 ohm 2 inch speaker with no wires soldered into it and the terminals have no markings.
How do I know which of the two terminals is positive ...
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3
votes
2
answers
2k
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How to safely use Lithium-ion batteries in DIY projects?
Disclaimer: I am far from being an electrical engineer, I'm only a DIY enthusiast trying to stay safe.
I'm building a collection of sensors using little ESP-01 chips, but having them running free on ...
- 323
3
votes
1
answer
897
views
What causes failure in longer USB cables?
I wired up some USB-C 2.0 to USB-A 2.0 cables, and tested the maximum length I could get out of them when connecting a PC (host, USB-A) to an external hard drive (device, USB-C). I got stable power ...
- 273
3
votes
1
answer
716
views
How to find connections on board? - DIY Keyboard from Old Laptop
I have a project that I have hit a wall on. I need your guidance!
I need to find the spots on the board for the 4 USB connections.
The attached photo is of the board.
There are 4 connections I need ...
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3
votes
1
answer
271
views
Is this a valid design of an audio power amplifier with bipolar transistors and no capacitors?
I'm concerned about input/output capacitors in power amplifiers and their destructive impact on the sound-wave.
In my understanding, for simple transistor DIY amplifiers you'll need a really big ...
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3
votes
1
answer
6k
views
What is the difference between 4-, 5- and 6-band resistors?
I have been buying PSU DIY kits from eBay and I am learning a lot the PSUs that I've soldered together use the LM317 and the resistors used in R1 and R2 can change the outgoing voltage. The LM317 PSU ...
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3
votes
1
answer
5k
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inkjet cartridge control [closed]
I would like to build this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjlHtHAN0DU
I.e. a programmable stamp/printer that you slide along a piece of paper. I would like for it to use easily obtainable ...
- 33
3
votes
4
answers
988
views
Connecting home elliptical trainer to TV power
I'm attempting to use a TV addiction to help motivate an exercise routine. To do this, I am going to connect an elliptical trainer to the power of a television set (flatscreen). Here is my plan:
I ...
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3
votes
1
answer
485
views
Can you separate the D+/D- wires from the GND/Vcc wires in a USB 2.0 cable?
I am currently designing a wiring loom which includes USB 2.0 cable within it. It is critical that the thickness of this leg is as thin as possible due to the constraints of my client. Unfortunately, ...
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3
votes
3
answers
2k
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Running a brushless DC motor on low rpm using servo tester
Background
I'm working on a gift for the wife for Christmas - an electric bobbin winder (a winding machine/spooling machine) - which will work in the same way as this machine:
It winds yarn on ...
3
votes
3
answers
2k
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Is my PSU design safe, what should I change?
Normally I would just go and breadboard the design out, but since this is using mains power, I would rather ask experienced people first.
I want to build a desktop 170V DC power supply to fiddle ...
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3
votes
3
answers
416
views
Regulations (if any) for using electronic devices built by myself in my house
Are there any rules and regulations for using electronic devices built by a user in his own house in the UK?
Like for example, if I build a DMX control system (from scratch - i.e. PCB and enclosures ...
- 161
3
votes
1
answer
215
views
Converting TO-263 to TO-220?
I’m trying to repair an amp where the power MOSFETS (HUF76639) are no longer available in a TO-220 package. They’re currently available in TO-263 package. I’m thinking of adapting the TO-263 package ...
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3
votes
2
answers
177
views
Slowing cooker hood fan on lowest setting with resistive series load (or alternative)
My cooker hood has 3 settings, and the low setting is very powerful.
I want to make it less powerful to reduce the (high) noise but still provide some extraction.
I have dismantled the circuit to ...
- 221
3
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Can you power a smartphone (no battery at all) by a power supply alone?
I have a project in mind, where I need alot of parts that quickly would make this project really expensive.
Then I thought that, all the parts I need is already in a smartphone, but I don't need a ...
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3
votes
1
answer
1k
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Maximize efficiency and brightness of diff color, cheap, 5m 5630 SMD LED strip lighting
I'm a science teacher and we are going to explore different design/effects of grow-light setups this year in class. I've gotten some great ideas for this project from reading from this stackexchange ...
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3
votes
0
answers
75
views
DIY project, encountering difficulties with solenoids
I'm currently working on a project that is supposed to dispense something out of a container after receiving an input.
I have a solenoid that connects to an interior hatch. It will open up a hatch ...
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3
votes
1
answer
754
views
Need help identifying the 4 microphone wires in my laptop webcam
I am trying to adapt my laptop's webcam into a USB webcam. Although I couldn't find any schematics online, the manufacturer did print (I assume) labels to identify the 8 wires coming out of the webcam....
- 31
3
votes
0
answers
257
views
RF signal Multiplier or Chopper
I'm trying to design a circuit that "multiplies" two signals.
I have an electrical unit with two separate circuits. One circuit drives the other one with a square signal. The width of the square ...
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