High Current

Touch LED Modded Calculator!

2012-01-07T23:02:00.001+08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2IInmgY8zMs

Just for fun... :)

I'll update this post soon...

Making Solid State Switching for Car Headlights

2012-01-01T02:46:00.000+08:00

Commonly, car headlights are triggered with relays. I'm fine with that, but, I just dislike the way the contacts wears out over time.
Solid State Relay (SSR) are already in the market, but tend to be quite pricey.

This is my attempt of building one cheaper.

Preparing the PCB.

Searching for perfect configuration.

Cleaning the heatsinks.

Applying thermal paste, using line-method. Why?

Ready to go.

Upper left is the 555 inverting gate driver, lower right is the power PMOS.

Almost done...

Cleaning flux residue with methanol.

I'll update this post soon.To be continue...

Helping Halim

2012-01-01T02:08:00.000+08:00

My pal Halim want to weld his table. So, me as his good friend, just help by standing, watching him. :)

He's busy, I'm not... :)

Work in progress...

So, yeah, the table is usable now, but, with great deal of worries... :)

Reviving Old Speaker Amp

2012-01-01T02:00:00.000+08:00

About five years ago, I'm using my PC as signal generator, and this speaker amp to drive a transistor, which is then driving an ignition coil. I'm using only the left-channel at that time.

While having fun, for maybe about 3 months, boring with just 12V supply, I tried 24V. It ran for few minutes, then, ..., silence... I blew my amp! Feeling guilty, I decided to stop play with it for a while.

Listening music with only my right ear for quite some time, I decided to play with it again.
And yes, now the both of the channels are burnt!

With some few limited spare time, I try to revive it back.

Long time no see...

Opening the back cover.

Here's the circuit board.

Close-up on blown amp IC.

New TDA2030A. :)

Unscrew the heatsink.

Desoldering.

Again...

Poor IC.

Unscrewing them.

End up in my junk bin.

Old thermal paste, need to be clean...

Using methanol.

Wiping it off.

Applying fresh paste.

Kids, don't do the same mistake as I do here.

Don't fasten the screw with powered screw driver!

Now, that's better.

Soldering it back.

Reconnect any connectors left.

Reinstall the back plate.

Hey, it's alive!

Me and my dad bought those IC for about MYR3 each. New speaker amplifier costs almost MYR100. That's a huge saving!

Bench PSU

2012-01-01T01:34:00.000+08:00

In previous post, I said I want to build an opamp circuit to amplify the TPS signal by x3. The TPS requires 5V to be applied. Rather than just take a common LM7805, I thought, I prefer to have an adjustable PSU.

So, here we go!

I'm too lazy to make my own PCB, so, a basic kit would be nice.

The subjected case.

Cutting perfboard for the pass-transistor.

Drilling hole for heatsink.

Hole for the pot.

Almost done...

It runs!

View from above.

Backside of it.

Powering a load.

Yeah, I know I've done a blog post before on modding PC PSU as bench PSU, but, I don't really like the metal nature of the housing.

Keep busy!

Homemade TPS Sensor

2012-01-01T01:21:00.000+08:00

Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) could be quite expensive, so, why not DIY It? :)

The stock TPS worn out due to ageing issue, so I'm keen to mod it.

In my case, I just use a 10kR pot, then, atteched it directly to the stock TPS.

Resurrected... :)

Another angle.

Yet another angle...

Testing on O'scope...

The throttle rotate fully to about 90 degrees, the pot is about 270 degrees. Hmm...

According to the o'scope, the output is about the third of the input.

So, I need to add some sort of an amplifier to it, I'm planning to use an opamp with the gain of x3.

To be continue...

Fume Extractor

2012-01-01T01:07:00.000+08:00

Hey, long time no see! Lol! Yeah, I've been busy lately, living my life, as a human. Anyway, let's see whaatssuup!

So, apparently, I need some sort of a simple fume extractor for my everyday soldering task, buying one would break a bank, so, I DIY'd it.

This is a common car air filter, with AC fan on it.

Close-up...

Inside-view...

Angled-view...

The subjected fan.

Eyeball'd for center, then glue it.

Seal any visible leaks. Oops, I just noticed the flow direction is wrong. Lol!

Make sure the air flow is right. :)

View from an angle, no visible leak.

Same here...

Hey, it works! :D

Unfortunately, it failed to do its task of extracting fume. The filter clogged bad enough to render it useless. Sigh...

BTW, Happy New Year!

My Attempt of Building a Vapour Carburettor

2011-06-30T01:07:00.000+08:00

Here's the circuit we used:

From FujiCera.

Well, a picture worth thousand words...

The damaged ultrasonic humidifier, we pull out the required electrical connections.

Bring to life!

What about a video?

Running at about 60V and 45W.

Here's the carburettor in action:

Finished project. Tested with regular tap water.

More to come...

Experimental Ferrite-Cored Ignition Coils

2011-03-12T18:08:00.001+08:00

This is my first attempt of 'playing' with ferrite-cored ignition coil.

My initial intention is to improve the coil's responds to CDI output. According to my experience, iron-cored coil adds too much latency. Here's my attempt to 'fix' it...

Here's where I get my ferrite core, the infamous flyback transformer!

Here's the air-cored inductance. About 0.4mH.

Previous iron core shown left.

Unmodified stock ignition coil, about 7mH.

Side-by-side comparison between iron-core and ferrite-core.

Comparison of both stock and modded coils.

Ferrite-cored reading, about 8.4mH.

As obviously can be seen, swapping the iron-core to ferrite-core increases the inductance.

The performance haven't practically tested yet.

Intensified Plasma Ignition System

2011-03-01T17:23:00.002+08:00

Abstract

Highly Intensified Plasma Ignition System (HIPIS) is an add-on device to fit any spark-ignition internal combustion engine. This includes reciprocating and rotating (Wankel) engine. The device transform ordinary low-power spark from ignition coil into highly intensified plasma – the fourth state of matter.

Background

This invention generally relates to the utilization of stock spark-ignition system to trigger the high intensity plasma to effectively ignite the combustible mixture in an internal combustion engine (ICE).

The existence of CDI and MSD systems soon after the Kettering system is an evident that it is well known that ignition system plays important role in ICE.

How It Works

Technically, the system looks simple. It consists of three sections. The first section is the High Voltage Side, which’s readily available in most of the vehicle that utilize spark-ignition engine. In our system, we utilize this HV side as a Switcher, which act as a trigger for the third section; the High Current Side.

The synergy between the HV and HC sides resulting high intensity plasma as the output.

Notice there’s too much of word ‘high’ being used. Despite the name, HIPIS doesn’t consume much power to operate, it only draw less than 100 Watts. That’s less than 10 Amps on 12 Volts system – About the same power consumption for each of your car headlight.

Objectives

· To investigate the effects of utilization photon-ignition-system in common internal combustion engine.

o Enhancing the efficiency of ICE, thus, preserving energy.

o More environmental friendly, emission close to zero.

o Extending life of the ICE parts.

o Dramatically improved engine performance

Expected Results

As time passed by, internal combustion engines are designed to work as hard as they can. They include forced induction, direct fuel injection with highly pressurized fuel line, variable/special valvetrain - MultiAir™, Nitrous Oxide Injection, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), Wankel’s engine, high compression-ratio engine and so on. All of these is a great improvement, but, most of the design, excluding advancing the ignition timing, none of them is done to accelerate the combustion process.

Let’s take a single cylinder reciprocating engine as a subject. It’s running at 3000 revolution per minute. That’s 50 cycle per second. Assuming the combustion process lasts for π radians, since a complete revolution takes 2π radians, which equals 100π radians per second. Thus, the period for each stroke is 100^-1which is 10 milliseconds!

Combustion is not just associated with mechanical movement; it’s also a chemical reaction. Chemical reaction takes time to complete.

Hydrocarbon-based fuel is well known for its slow flame front speed, especially high octane petrol. Slow combustion leads to many problems, which could be solved by HIPIS. The utilization of HIPIS could:-

*Accelerate the combustion process

*Minimize engine noise

*Lowers engine temperature, thus detonation

*Increase lean-mixture limit

*Better efficiency of energy conversion (waste heat to mechanical energy)

*More power output for the same amount of fuel – more horsepower!

*Improved throttle response

*Preserve engine life

*Reduce hazardous exhaust emissions

Potential Applications

Obviously, the system is intended to being used on any internal combustion engine. The application is manifold. Whether for variable speed engines; which being utilized on vehicle, or constant speed engines; - i.e., which’s on any spark-ignition engine operated electrical generator/water pump and so on.

Besides than being used as a ‘performance mod’ on subjected engine, it also expands the possibilities for alternative fuels. For instance, it could be CNG, Hydrogen, Ammonia, Ethanol, ‘Wood gas’ and so forth.

At the same time, the system also encourages ‘water injection’ to be applied. As we all know, current spark-ignition technology worst enemy is water. Ironically, water is needed to improve thermodynamic efficiency, especially in Crower’s Six-Stroke Engine.

Rather than being shorted by water at the spark gap, the intensified-plasma electrolyzed it to separate it into individual molecules, hydrogen and oxygen – one of the powerful mix existed. Thus, causing the ignition triggered to become more energetic.

Methodology

In order to verify the system, we initially tested it practically on 4-stroke single-cylinder reciprocating piston engines.

Since the result was quite couraging, we go on further to test it on inline-4 and inline-3 car engines.

The absence of proper test equipment at that time was a huge loss. We aren’t able to record any scientific data as the proof.

However, we have some videos of it running.

If asked, we could repeat the same experiment, with the same result, in a well equipped lab with controlled experiments.

Previous versions

Dirty Honda C70 Passport Carburetor

2010-12-26T12:33:00.003+08:00

I intended to mod this carb into my version of 'Carburetor Enhancer'. I get the inspiration from George Wiseman of Eagle Research.

Before modding it, I thought it would be cool to snap some pictures of it before the mod was done.

Here's some pictures of it, fully disassembled, showing multiple parts, at dirty state, of course...

Interestingly enough, the bike was abandoned just for couple of months, and now, everything is badly clogged up!

I will try to update my post soon after the mod was done and runs right...

See ya later!

Convert PC ATX PSU into Lab PSU

2010-10-02T11:49:00.002+08:00

Lately, I'm been playing with some heavily sulphated LA-batteries. Some are small, others are big.
Realizing I need a better power supply to charge those batteries in parallel, I intended to buy high-current transformer. Unfortunately enough, the price are way too high for me.

Stuck? Not yet! I suddenly just noticed that I have bunch of old PC PSU lying doing nothing in my storage box.
I did convert some of those into my lab PSU. But, the voltage is kinda fixed. Almost no chance of charging those batteries.
I Google'd on how to convert those PSU into variable SMPS.
Then, I found this site: Uzzors2k.

So, here's my version:

The victim

Specs.

Modded!

The 10k pot.

Yeah, I'm lazy to clean those junks! Lol!

(Two black-coloured wires connected to the pot.)

Done!

12V, 40W, being lit with 3V supply from the PSU.

Showing the power output without the mod.

I can vary the voltage up to 13.7V before cut-off triggered.

Now, the PSU is being tortured! I'm running an automotive air-cond blower.10 amps!

Here's the output when I turned the pot. Can't go higher voltage, connecting wire is too hot.

(I'm using cheap wire, :-P)

I even try to charge this battery cell. 2V of course.

Here's the stock output.

Here's the output at 3.3V rail with the mod

This is the voltage without the load.

Well, I guess that's it! I don't know what to type. Way too tired.
I now have a new battery charger!
I'm very happy with the mod done. Thanks Uzzors2k for supplying great instruction!

See ya' later!

The Homemade Blade-less Fan

2010-04-22T06:03:00.000+08:00

Hi y'all!
Recently, in my tiny lab, I've been playing with HV stuffs. Lots of fun!
As the byproduct, I just built something which can provide tiny thrust. I don't know what to call it.
It could be an air ionizer, ozone generator, particle accelerator, lifter, or a blade-less fan.
I choose 'blade-less fan' as the title cause it sounds more catchy... Lol!!

Here's the vid:

As I increase the duty cycle, the HV output goes up. Thus, providing more thrust.

But, if I crank it up higher, the HV sparks is all over the place.

The fan performance is limited to the HV leaks.

It's still a primitive experiment though.

For the next design, I'm planning to use more emitter and better HV insulation.

As usual, tell me what y'all opinion! Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Capacitive Battery Desulphator Circuit!!

2010-01-29T00:54:00.000+08:00

Several month ago, I promised to post the Capacitive Battery Desulphator Circuit to my viewers as soon as possible...
For some random reason, I don't know why, I've been smashed with tons of work to do...
My email inbox been flooded with request from many my viewers, including Myspace too (Musicallman)... Lol!!

I take some time today to draw the circuit, but, I don't know what software is best for the purpose.
So, please forgive me for the crappy schematic...

Now I need your help. Can any of you, suggest a good software for me to draw the schematics?

I prefer freeware, if possible...

I will wait for ya!!

Make a Simple, but, Powerful Air Ionizer!!

2009-11-12T22:07:00.001+08:00

Several years ago, I've been playing with some simple "negative ion generator" circuits...
You can easily get the circuit on the internet of course... Such as this...

It uses voltage multiplier a.k.a. "Cockcroft-Walton Generator" to multiply the voltage to several kilovolts...
I tried that before, and, surprisingly, it does work!! It makes me sleep easier, relaxed, so on and so forth...

But, it's not powerful enough to meet my requirement... I want to ionize the whole air in my entire house!!
Bwahahaha!!

So, I come out with more powerful design...
Very little parts are needed...

In this project, I use:

555-astable circuit

The circuit is pretty simple, but, very effective... All you have to do is tune it to your flyback transformer resonant frequency... To indicate that you achieved resonance, the transistor is cold to touch and it does not draw high current but yet, it produce high output...

The Flyback Transformer

As you may noticed, I also wind a new primary on the ferrite-core... Mine is about 8 turns...

I get this for free from my friend's old monitor... (Thanks Salahudeen!!)

In this case, the transformer produce DC HV output...

The positive is the one which have the rubber cap, while the negative, you have the find it on your own which pin is the correct one...

The NPN Transistor...

It may looks funny, I submerged the transistor in ATF-oil... Although the transistor is cold to touch, I believe it's safer to do it this way... It really saved my transistors from frequent death... Lol!!

The Negative Ion Emmiter Design

This is the simplest design that I can think of... I use a small hex driver as the negative pole, and I use an old hard disk platter as the positive pole...

The hex driver is been positioned at the center of the platter's hole...

Small purple arc also can being seen...

The PSU

I use 3 batteries as the PSU... First battery is used to drive the 555-timer circuit, while other two batteries is been configured in 24V to run the flyback windings...

The RESULTS!!

The result are quite impressive... It worked better than I thought... Here's several pictures of it:

3 amps at 24V max...

Corona discharge at the center emmiter...

Another corona stream shot...

Old tissue proving the strong air flow... It's propellerless!!

Ha!! Better than Dyson's design...

The breeze can be feel at over 12 inches!! It smell fresh too...

In future, I would like to make it in a bigger scale... Hopefully, I can get a strong wind as normal table fan does... Its very quite too... And, cheaper than Dyson's fan... Hahaha!!

Latest Fan Design - It's Bladeless!!

2009-10-21T00:19:00.000+08:00

Several days ago, I'm researching so hard on energy efficient fan. Then, I accidently bump into this vid:

Well, it does impress me... I mean, look at its design, its so simple and very 'modern' looking fan.
He claim that the air sucked-in being amplified by x15 times through Venturi and Bernoulli principles...

I'm interested to have one, but, it seems like it's too overpriced... The cheapest is about $300 dollars.
To me, air-cond is much cheaper than the fan.

Since that's the case, it looks like I have to 'homebrew' it... Hehehe...
Here's my first plan:

See?? It's bladeless too!!
So, as usual, tell me what ya think!!

My Very First Plasma Speaker!!

2009-10-17T05:56:00.001+08:00

Hi y'all!!
Just wanna share my barely working plasma speaker...
It's based on the simple 555 astable circuit...
I really mean it!! The circuit is so damn simple to build...

Here's the vid:

Here's the circuit: http://www.disorder.dk/?page_id=227

Currently, the speaker volume is so slow... I'm still finding the cause of it...
But, the sound quality is so good, crystal clear!!

Tell me what ya think!!

My Latest Capacitive Battery Desulphator Project!!

2009-09-28T13:27:00.001+08:00

In my "Mini-Lab", I have vast amount of heavily-sulphated batteries...
Most of them were from old UPS and discarded LA-Batteries...
I'm intended to reuse those batteries for energy storage purposes...

So, instead of throw it away, I decided to research on the internet for any good mod to do...
I found hell lot of interesting stuffs!! To name the few, it's including Bedini Motor, Inductive-Desulphator, Resistive-Desulphator (Thanks Anwar.Sheikh!!), EDTA stuffs, Epsom salt, Pulse Charger and bunch of other excellent informations...

I also searched very-hardly about Capacitive-Desulphator...
Unfortunately, not even single page come out...
So, I decided to design it by myself...

Here's are several photos:

Here's the scope shot...

Currently, the circuit working perfectly...

Even with just 1-day test-run, the circuit shows obvious effect on the batteries...

I'll keep y'all updated later, and, I will post the circuit soon after I done drawing it...

Tell me what ya think!!