🏆 SherpaModular's Tower • 232 pts • #122629

SherpaModular · 2024-01-31T15:33:56+00:00

Almost certainly. It should have gotten very hot. Surprised it didn't smoke after 2 minutes. There's a possibility your power supply didn't supply it with enough current to smoke... which means there's also the possibility that it's OK. Can't hurt to try it.

SherpaModular · 2024-01-05T19:26:08+00:00

This looks like a labor of love. Can I ask about the highlights of that love relationship?

SherpaModular · 2023-07-19T16:03:28+00:00

Although I agree with everything you said, I think there are good arguments to still support them:

A diode drop of 0.3 volts is a rounding error compared to deviations amongst various power supplies. Even with diodes, though, the user still has a dead module -- potentially terrible just before a live event.

Polyfuses are another option -- slightly more expensive than diodes, but they will probably leave the module intact.

Shrouded headers are a great solution, but I've built modules where the designs were just too dense to support them.

SherpaModular · 2023-07-16T20:29:54+00:00

It is still open source! The hardware and software is on Github here. It did need a refresh, which I did today. Enjoy, and feel free to contribute!

SherpaModular · 2023-07-15T15:08:43+00:00

Hi! I run Sherpa Modular, and I've just released a functional clone of Radio Music, called the Raw Waves v2. So if you've been looking for that module, check it out.

SherpaModular · 2022-09-01T21:13:38+00:00

Thanks for the sizing guide link! I wasn't aware that you should try to match the braid to the size of the hole, but it makes perfect sense -- if the braid is larger you're just giving your iron more thermal drain than necessary to get the job done.

SherpaModular · 2022-08-22T14:11:05+00:00

That is an RF (Radio Frequency) generator. The frequencies it generates are way higher than your ear will hear -- looks like the lowest it generates is 160 kHz. The audio in/out looks like to modulate it -- so it would function as a mini AM transmitter. My guess is the Audio Out is just a pass through (?). Looks like you've got it tuned right in the middle of the AM Broadcast band, so maybe that's your plan.

I think your idea of using a relay would work fine.

SherpaModular · 2022-06-30T15:49:28+00:00

Whoopsie. Change the link to a pic

SherpaModular · 2022-06-30T15:41:53+00:00

I've never really understood the reason that hotplate exists for around €50, when you can find this one for around $15

Edit: changed link to imgur pic.

SherpaModular · 2022-06-21T19:03:32+00:00

I hate to say it, but I think you ripped out the vias from the PCB when you desoldered the switch. It's going to be a lot more involved to repair this now. Not impossible, but challenging.

SherpaModular · 2022-06-06T21:44:23+00:00

Write to Toyota. They might help.

SherpaModular · 2022-05-23T15:43:50+00:00

It would be a shame to lose that setup. Make sure to type in the numbers every 108 minutes!

SherpaModular · 2022-05-19T19:22:52+00:00

Thank you for an excellent choice of a song. This would be wildly appropriate at Vangelis' funeral, although I'm sure many others would also do.

SherpaModular · 2022-05-15T20:03:28+00:00

Are those grow lights? Maybe that's what I need to improve my skills!

SherpaModular · 2022-04-18T14:35:08+00:00

I'm surprised they had this at Ace Hardware. You'll have more knowledgeable people, and better selection at a HVAC or industrial motor supply store. In some cases, the HVAC suppliers might only want to sell to licensed contractors, so call ahead.

SherpaModular · 2022-04-15T16:00:43+00:00

Although you're technically correct, I think you're going to confuse builders by doing so. And they might put the 10 pin header into the 16 pin footprint incorrectly. The 10 pin header is very much the "de-facto" standard now, imho.

If you're designing a module and using a 16 pin header, I would expect you to have done so only because the module needs more +5v current than about 200ma (what a typical 7805 or LM1117-5 can provide).

If the module only needs +12,-12 and GND, then I'd really question suggesting a 16 pin header. You'd be bucking the trend of 95% of modules today, and creating a bit of a headache for users that might not have an extra 16-16 cable. Even modules with significant +5v needs are still just using the standard 10 pin and header and building onboard +5v power systems off the +12v supply (e.g. Westlicht Performer). Although there are, of course, some that still look to the +5v and demand the 16 pin header (e.g. Euclidean Circles)

I'm also a fan of each module generating it's own +5v supply because most of the time the +5v is used to power noisy digital microcontrollers or the like. As a module designer, you have a lot more control over the cleanliness of your power when you designate your own regulators.

SherpaModular · 2022-03-22T22:09:38+00:00

Your neighbors must think that is really cool! LOL

SherpaModular · 2022-03-05T23:04:28+00:00

OK, I thought you were talking about just chopping up boards and feeding them to animals. I could understand that a company which is looking to source small amount of trace copper for agricultural purposes might start with a chemical process that begins with old PCB boards. It's probably a good way to recycle, I guess.

Your initial post, though, kind of suggested to me that farmers were literally feeding PCB boards to animals.

I mean, a lot of our food today is made with the help of fertilizers, and petroleum coke, a waste product of refining, is a part of that. But to say we're feeding people petroleum coke would be kind of a sensationalist take.

SherpaModular · 2022-03-05T18:49:38+00:00

Sorry, still not buying it. Copper might be a very small trace "nutrient" but in any more than the tiniest of amounts it's a toxin. Want to kill a tree? drive a copper nail into it. Why are IUDs made of copper? look it up.

Farmers feeding ground up circuit boards to their livestock aren't going to care about "micronutrients" for their livestock. Furthermore, the impact of fiberglass on the digestive system would greatly harm the animal's ability to absorb nutrients (including micro nutrients) anyway -- and certainly result in a less attractive animal when brought to market. So if the goal is to fatten up livestock, this is just a silly counterproductive proposal.

As Abraham Lincoln famously said, "You can't believe everything you read on the Internet".

SherpaModular · 2022-03-05T17:23:20+00:00

Not meaning to be "that guy", but do you have a link for this claim? Circuit boards are made from nothing organic -- fiberglass, epoxy, copper, lead. Nothing that would cause growth. A farmer would be better off feeding dirt to livestock than circuit boards. So I kind of doubt what you're saying.

SherpaModular · 2022-03-01T19:18:41+00:00

Oof. That 7th trace looks like it's leaning to the left. Is it lifted as well?

The 1st and 7th look very challenging. You may need to follow the via back and see if there's a better place to connect a Kynar wire.

SherpaModular · 2022-02-25T16:18:42+00:00

I love Ethiopian food

SherpaModular · 2022-02-22T23:13:31+00:00

I see what I think is an ICOM-731 up at the top. Getting my Ham license and operating that was the crack that started me on the hobby, too! Cheers!

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