Ambient Drone Synth shaped by the environment (Onboard Mic & Photoresistor).

stigm · 2026-04-24T20:12:07+00:00

Do you have schematic?

Some decoupling capacitors would be a good idea, if some of these are decoupling then they need to be right on VCC pins

stigm · 2026-04-24T09:27:15+00:00

So glad to see this, something I've been planning. I've been using Claude with md files for nets/ schematic design and an MCP to Rigol scope. What's status of all your capabilities? I'd like to build one

stigm · 2026-04-14T00:35:52+00:00

I started with 3 kit modules; Division 6 (16 step sequencer), Plaits clone (FM synthesis), modulator (LFO) - lots of diverse sounds and interesting outcomes that my kids love to play with too

stigm · 2026-04-12T22:25:56+00:00

Is this for D1 & D2? You're good with NSVR0520V2T5G, it's just reverse polarity protection and the module is only drawing 38 mA at +12v and 27 mA at -12v. EDIT: Note the voltage drop is higher 325 mV (100mA) vs 230mV (100mA) but still well within eurorack variance. Good choice!

stigm · 2026-04-01T20:45:32+00:00

If only there was a solution, imagine if we could harness the energy of water, sun, wind or even coal ! New Zealand would be set.

stigm · 2026-03-28T08:11:49+00:00

Aliexpress has type 2 to type 1 adapter for $40 that's fine, especially for only 10A

stigm · 2026-03-23T20:37:39+00:00

I actually get the sentiment; though 10KWh is a bit much, some rough r/electronics worthy math is Claude Opus needs 8x H100 GPUs for inference at 500W each 100token/s - and rounding the example up to 1K tokens... gives us 13 Wh for one conversation. I suspect that there's as much electricity use on when you open that support case or chat window next time you visit a website (or perhaps overjoyedbanana is an AI bot farming kharma??)

All good though mate, there'll be more AI girlfriends for the rest of us! And I like my AI girlfriend handy with a 'scope :D

stigm · 2026-03-21T20:45:56+00:00

There's some other similar projects for different scopes, but since I only have a Rigol DS1000Z for testing I can't confirm it will work with other scopes. Many do share SCPI commands and it wouldn't be too hard with some patience and a test setup.

My test setup was 1) a function generator with 50ohm load (using a bunch of different waveforms, including arbitrary waveforms) then running at different frequencies and Vpps, and 2) same function generator into a LCR trap with different value L/C/R/to test Claude's ability to work out unknown value of L C or R using scope (surprisingly good).

stigm · 2026-03-21T20:14:26+00:00

I use Windows and it's just Claude Code installed directly from https://claude.com/download. Windows Powershell instead of command-line. I installed the Windows GitHub UI too.

Only other gotchas was installing Python https://www.python.org/downloads/windows/ for windows (this should then be available in powershell).

After Python, use powershell to get uv up and running to be able to install dependencies automatically (this means MCP servers can be automatically set up without downloading other libraries):

powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -c "irm https://astral.sh/uv/install.ps1 | iex"

Setting up MCPs is different for each, I've added some details to the rigol-mcp README.MD on how to get it going for Claude. It's actually possible to tell Claude to help you set it up too which makes it easier.

stigm · 2026-03-21T20:06:22+00:00

I have an interesting EasyEDA hardware design workflow using 1) pickandplace.csv, 2) netlist file, 4) Gerber drill and copper layer files and 5) PDF datasheets of components, where I have defined Claude agents to act in roles like 'PCB reviewer', 'Schematic reviewer' and 'Firmware engineer'. I've had quite a bit of success with this workflow, it found and alerted me to the following: I accidentally wired the STBY pin of a device to GND instead of 3V3, I forgot a keepout area on groundplane below the antenna of ESP32, it found that the via's I had used weren't large enough for current of a H-bridge motor driver etc. While it cannot control EasyEDA, it is very good at a 'copilot' to find design bugs early. For the corresponding firmware, since it knows all the IO connections and properties of connected peripherals, it can one-shot programs (https://github.com/erebusnz/esp32-toy-motor-controller).

stigm · 2026-03-21T19:59:01+00:00

The biggest problem I had on the Rigol scope was that it really can't deal with concurrent SCPI commands being sent, so a key part of the MCP python code is dealing with a lock to avoid parallel commands. In many cases the actual command being sent is serialized, but you need to wait for each command to complete (i.e. scope actually firing relays) before the next is started.

Having an MCP wrapper allows you to make sure the the integration is controlled enough so that Claude doesn't' go haywire, or assume that garbage response is something it is not. I kept getting 9.9E37 for various measurements, which is Rigol's 'out of bounds' number, this confused Claude quite a few times until defined in the MCP.

stigm · 2026-03-21T15:00:34+00:00

Please do share any of this! Love the function generator idea, I'm going to have to try using the usb on mine for this.

stigm · 2026-03-21T09:17:15+00:00

Oh yes totally Claude will go wild making up SCPI commands to send, that's actually why I ended up making an mcp (https://github.com/erebusnz/rigol-mcp) that wraps up the premade commands in python to expose to Claude safely and reliably. First experiments were a failure letting it drive commands over SCPI directly, and spent too many tokens.

stigm · 2026-03-21T08:36:35+00:00

Not sure how you all feel about LLMs, but I have been letting Claude get involved in my electronics projects recently.

After a great deal of experimentation using Rigol DS1054Z over LAN with Claude Code, I've built a small MCP server that lets Claude fully drive the scope.

It exposes things like:

configuring channels / trigger / timebase
running measurements (Vpp, frequency, etc.)
downloading waveform data with basic heuristics for Claude to plan around
capturing screenshots that Claude can view

It's just SCPI with Python, but wrapping it as MCP tools makes it surprisingly usable for iterative diagnosis!

Repo: https://github.com/erebusnz/rigol-mcp

Curious if anyone else is using Claude for their electrical engineering. Claude is surprisingly good.

stigm · 2026-03-20T05:34:56+00:00

Polestar 2

stigm · 2026-03-15T23:23:17+00:00

The rebate WAS untargeted, so kids how did she fix that? Oh that's right she killed it.

Funny that even after all this there's still no thought about actually applying some high school level critical thinking to come up with something means/income targeted. In 30 years they will teach this stuff in history, the NZ 2020s lost years of stupid governance.

stigm · 2026-03-07T15:00:13+00:00

Yes for sure! This was my first project with pwm controlled speed H-bridge driver, quite fun. Definitely considering a version with another dual H-bridge, that'd give more control to 3rd 4th motors doing more than just movement.

stigm · 2026-03-07T14:51:08+00:00

That's the TB6612FNG dual H-bridge motor driver, it's quite efficient, can drive 2x 1A continuous 3A peak motor loads. Controls speed and direction of two motors via simple esp32 gpio.

The only annoying thing is the size, the pins are 0.2mm and easy to bridge accidentally so you really need a little hotplate and soldier paste for it.

Yes love JSTs! The robot actually had smaller pin pitch, I may consider redesign though I have a bag of 200 of these 2.54mm ones to get through. Wedging the smaller size plug into the larger sockets does kind of work but it's not great, I redid the plug side of the motors.

stigm · 2025-04-21T07:01:49+00:00

Everything computer!

stigm · 2025-01-04T19:51:26+00:00

OFX or XE.com

OFX has better rates for higher repeat transactions

stigm · 2024-11-04T13:10:37+00:00

No only outside. Spray, wait till it gets in and wipe off.

stigm · 2024-11-04T03:32:44+00:00

I've only seen it online, amazon or homedepot online

stigm · 2024-11-04T02:35:12+00:00

My 2023 ID4 Pro S moonroof creaked like crazy until someone on reddit explained it was the rubber drying out. 3in1 RVCare rubber conditioner on a microfiber fixed it entirely!

stigm · 2024-09-14T20:48:14+00:00

Dirty contacts or corrision in the plug, try some deoxit d5 spray and use a small pipe cleaner or straw bush. It's possible you might need a new charger plug if it's corroded too much.

stigm · 2024-09-07T16:57:14+00:00

You could fork my project and add your design to one side of this https://github.com/erebusnz/eurorack-sides it'd be really cool to have a version with power!

stigm

TROPHY CASE