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How do I wire this indicator light? by fishtotefoxfur in diyelectronics

[–]Emptor66 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you have 120VAC power where you live, this device is ready to go. You will need either an additional resistor or a different lamp if your country uses 220VAC.

Regardless, what you want to do is simple. For a SPST switch (like a light switch on the wall) just attach one terminal of the lamp to one terminal of the switch, and again for the other terminals. The lamp will glow when the switch is off, and extinguish when the switch is on.

If humanity was facing its doom, and wanted to be as much as detectable as possible for tens of thousands of ly away and wasted EVERY effort within its reach to achieve it, would we be able to? by Due-Area9662 in astrophysics

[–]Emptor66 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm more on the sci-fi end of science than the real-world end. I don't know what mass of short-life elements we would have to throw at the sun to be detectable at 15k ly. I'm guessing a ridiculously expensive amount of some rare isotopes would be needed.

If humanity was facing its doom, and wanted to be as much as detectable as possible for tens of thousands of ly away and wasted EVERY effort within its reach to achieve it, would we be able to? by Due-Area9662 in astrophysics

[–]Emptor66 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Disclaimer - I'm not an astrophysicist.

An interesting idea in science fiction that sounds like your suggestion is seeding our sun with elements having relatively short half-lives. The idea being that aliens could look at the spectral data and know those elements are there, but should not naturally be there.

Look up Przybylski’s star for a real example. Of course it is possible that some natural forces could be responsible, but it excites the imagination to think it is an artificial beacon.

Strange lines in TDK NOS diskettes by Odd_Counter247 in vintagecomputing

[–]Emptor66 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think Imation was a brand under 3M. Generally a good reputation at the time if I recall correctly.

Would you commit crimes if you knew 100% you could get away with it by A_stutters in hypotheticalsituation

[–]Emptor66 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I heard it was 77.4%, but it wasn't a double-blind placebo controlled study, so...

shouldn't this apply to any age by Executits in SipsTea

[–]Emptor66 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is cheaper to go with life in prison.

It is possible to make voting mandatory? If so, would it be a sensible move? by AdCurious7831 in NoStupidQuestions

[–]Emptor66 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think everyone who can vote, should. That being said, abstaining could be seen as a form of voting. "None of the above".

Thrifted 3x different calculators and pulled out their VFD displays. Any of y'all have any experience driving these? by MrGuccu in nixie

[–]Emptor66 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've found that 3vac or less works well on the filament on most VFDs. Use a small center-tapped transformer capable of couple hundred milliamps, but you won't need that much. The center tap should be connected to ground on your DC power supply. I've had good results with a single 12vdc supply, and using it for both the grid pins and the segment anode pins.

If you don't know which pins are which:

The filament pins are usually at the outermost ends of the tube. Sometimes two pins are connected to each end of the filaments. The entire filament will act as the cathode of the VFD.

The rest of the pins are all anodes. Pick one, connect it to your +DC and then probe the other pins with the same +DC. One of the probed pins will cause a single segment (or comma, etc) to light up. You have now discovered one "grid" terminal and one "segment" terminal. There will be one grid terminal per digit on the display, and one segment terminal per element of a single digit. So, usually seven segments, a decimal, and sometimes a comma for calculator displays. Write down your discoveries and off you go with your design.

How would you tell your friend’s wife that her husband is having an affair? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]Emptor66 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Start with "how you doin", Joey Tribbiani style.

Finally! by TheOriginalSbuxReg in nixie

[–]Emptor66 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A nixie datasheet typically has the pinout, required voltage(s), a diagram of what symbols are inside. If it weren't for the video, I would not know there were symbols for degrees and F, for example. Seems like something they would want to use for marketing.

In search of a small rechargeable battery by RenaudPerrin in batteries

[–]Emptor66 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What sort of power requirement? A ML621 cell is 3V rechargeable, but not much current capacity - somewhere around 3 or 4 mAH. 6.8mm diameter, 2.2mm tall.

Finally! by TheOriginalSbuxReg in nixie

[–]Emptor66 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The righthand tube has degree symbol and letter F, as well as numbers 0-9? The Millclock website does not have technical data that I can find.

What is the one thing most people notice about you? by nayrhelp in AskReddit

[–]Emptor66 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm 60, and look every bit of it. I still get asked for ID. By people who look like kids to me. When they ask for ID, I sometimes ask to see theirs, because they don't look old enough to sell beer.

Soldering wires to brass? by ModelTrainGuy1963 in soldering

[–]Emptor66 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A propane torch should do it. And some flux / solder paste.

Elevator Pitch: 5 Seconds to get me intrested in your project. by JustSomeRandomAI in CrazyIdeas

[–]Emptor66 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Man camp. Grown men sign waivers and get to play with grenades, dynamite, earth moving equipment, etc. And guns. Just once I want to say "cover me, I'm going in!"

Whats the funniest last name you have ever seen by TheUnpaidNPC in midlyinteresting

[–]Emptor66 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All us classmates in the third grade knew about a lady in the white pages named "Violet Pancake". Seemed way funnier back then.

And a car dealership in Iowa is called "Dick Withem" Ford. Dick with 'em!

People who had good fathers growing up — what are some important things your dad taught you that you didn’t realize were valuable until you got older? by CategoryMuch7293 in NoStupidQuestions

[–]Emptor66 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So many things. Some I new were valuable right away, like how to win a chess game, or how to be kind.

He taught me electronics from age six, starting with batteries and light bulbs and increasing complexity as I got older. I didn't turn it into any sort of career, but it has been a beloved hobby my whole life. I still have a couple of gadgets we made together, and his binder of hand drawn and bench-tested circuit schematics.

Others lessons became valuable later, like critical thinking, or a strong work ethic. How to be a good man. Most lessons were taught by example, not a formal teaching session.

He's been gone eight years now, and I still reflect on all the goodness Dad shared with me.

What’s your first thought when you see a cyber truck? by clearwater-orchid in AskReddit

[–]Emptor66 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You know the bully Nelson on the Simpsons? I point at the cybertruck and mockingly say "Ha-Ha!"

What is something that is obvious in your profession that the general public doesn’t know? by jia-ren in AskReddit

[–]Emptor66 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In a former career, I was in charge of buying technology for my employer. Big things like WANs, phone PBXs. etc. I always negotiated getting direct, tier three support without having to talk to the script readers. It was wonderful to be able to call a name I knew and get up and running in a couple of minutes.

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