Convert an ATX Computer Supply to a Bench Power Supply

Convert an ATX Power Supply to a Workbench Supply

A Bench Power Supply is an essential component for any serious electronics experimenter. But a good supply with multiple output voltages and a high current capability can set you back some serious cash

In this article we’ll look at an alternative – using an old computer ATX power supply as a high-performance workbench power supply.

It’s a simple project that can give you a highly capable piece of equipment for next to nothing

WiFi Stepper Motor Controller

WiFi Stepper Motor Controller

The WiFi Stepper is exactly what its name would imply – a board that lets you control a stepper motor via WiFi. Its full-featured web-based interface gives you complete control of your motor, and it can support steppers of all sizes up to 85 volts at 10 amps!

Today I’ll demonstrate how to use this versatile board. I’ll hook it up, learn how to use it and even run a simple Bash script on a Raspberry Pi to demonstrate how to incorporate it in your programs.

Experiments with the RCWL-0516 – Doppler Radar Distance Sensor

RCWL-0516 Microwave Proximity Sensor

The RCWL-0156 is an inexpensive yet useful proximity sensor that can be used on its own or with a microcontroller like an Arduino Uno.

The device is unique in that it uses microwaves and Doppler Radar to detect moving objects

In this article I will show you how the device works on its own and how we can add an Arduino (or two) to create some useful projects

Powering Your Electronics Projects – Voltage Regulators and Converters

Power For Your Electronics Projects

One of the most important, yet most overlooked, aspect of building a project is designing a method of giving it power. Power sources like batteries and AC adapters are only half of the answer, you still need to provide logic-level voltages to safely power your devices.

In this article we will look at several methods of providing safe regulated power for your electronic designs.

Soldering the Raspberry Pi Zero GPIO Connector

Solder Raspberry Pi Zero GPIO

Here’s a quick tip for soldering a 40-pin GPIO connector to a Raspberry Pi Zero or Zero W. While it’s not a difficult solder job the problem many folks have is getting everything aligned and held together while you do the soldering.

In this article I’ll show you a trick I use to make this job a lot easier. And unlike some other methods this one won’t sacrifice a solderless breadboard

So warm up the soldering iron and get ready to add a GPIO header to your Pi Zero!

Don’t get Zapped by Static Electricity!

Static Electricity

It’s hard to say anything nice about static electricity. It causes things to stick to your socks, makes it difficult to comb your hair and can give you a nasty zap when you touch a doorknob after walking across a carpet!

Even worse, static electricity is a deadly enemy for electronic components. A static shock can completely destroy or severely degrade fragile semiconductor devices. In this article we’ll examine what you can do to prevent that from happening to your precious components and circuit boards.

Tools for Your Electronics Workbench

Tools for your Workbench

Electronics can be a fun and rewarding hobby especially when you have the right tools and test equipment. A lot of people think that some of the specialized equipment for working with electronics is beyond their reach but this isn’t true at all. You’ll be amazed how much you can get within the constraints of a small budget.

In this detailed article I’ll discuss the tools that you need for working with electronics and how to select them. So read on and learn how to pick the right tools to do the job!