Author Archive
After Long Silence
With only two posts in the last nine months I thought it was time to make provide another missive as proof of my continuing existence… I’ve been toying with an idea, likely never to make it into the material world, but fun nonetheless: The “faceless watch”, an idea I haven’t seen before. With a ring [...]
100 LEDs, 16 Square Inches
I wrote about a project back in August that I called the Twinkle Tag, as an experiment in PCB design and construction- seeing if I could fit 100 RGB LEDs, plus all the circuitry required to drive them in a scanning array based off the Peggy 2 from EMSL on a four inch square two-layer [...]
In Search Of Cheap Fast
Since last time’s disappointment with the performance of the “Alt-Kart” set up with Mars BLDC motor and malfunctioning (now dead) Sevcon PMAC controller it’s been on my summer list to make the kart fast- not perfect, just cheap dirty and fast. To that effect, and to celebrate the ending of summer vacation (classes start tomorrow, [...]
Twinkle Tag: An SMD Experiment- Part 1, Design
I’ve designed and had manufactured several PCBs over the last couple years for the Battery Regulator project. I’ve focused on using through-hole parts, using surface mount components infrequently only when necessary. Even after spending hours condensing the components and finding clever ways to rout traces to maximize the use of board- space I find the [...]
The Moron Fireplace
First Man had Fire. Fire would be found in a pit or later a fireplace. With fire came soot and smoke. Eventually Man put his fireplace behind a pane of glass, eliminating smoke in his dwelling. And again Man figured out that he could have a fireplace burning gas that did away with smoke and [...]
REFUEL 2010 at Laguna Seca Pt. 2- Everyone Else
Since I already posted about my experience at Refuel 2010 now it’s time to look at who all else was there. I was excited to see Palatov Motorsport’s cars. I visited the Palatov shop last July in Portland but at the time the dp1 was out of the shop and the dp4 hadn’t been built [...]
REFUEL 2010 at Laguna Seca Pt. 1- Me
Now in its second year, the REFUEL all-electric expo and race at Laguna Seca Raceway was held last Sunday, the 11th of July. Held by Speed Ventures, it’s an opportunity for owners of electric cars or motorcycles to drive on track in a track-day setting, as well as compete in a time trial style race [...]
Back in DC/DC again
Despite the troubles I was having before, the DC/DC converter has mended itself and appears to be working entirely as it should. It looks like the problem was caused by enabling the converter with the ignition signal before the precharge was done. The idea being that the precharge circuit is usually used in situations where [...]
Back in Action
After having the last couple weeks of my life stolen by first illness, then jury duty, I’m finally back in control and ready to get the stuff that needs to get done done to make the projects that need to happen happen- like the car and the kart. I didn’t shave until I was booted [...]
In: Battery Regulator, EV Miata, Life and Times
How Much Electric Kart Can You Build in a Day?
Last week I rebuilt the kart with fresh fasteners and axle bearings, plus picked up a steering wheel and some #35 sprockets. Then, once the Mars motor looked repaired and good to go onto the kart I picked up a handful of 7/8 keyed #35 sprockets from Surplus Center. The parts were forecast to arrive [...]