with DAVID BARRINGTON
procedure.
Some Component Suppliers for EPE Online Con-
structional Articles
Antex
Web: www.antex.co.uk
CPC Preston (UK)
Tel: +44 (0) 1772-654455
EPE Online Store and Library
Web: www.epemag.com
Electromail (UK)
Tel: +44 (0) 1536-204555
ESR (UK)
Tel: +44 (0) 191-2514363
Fax: +44 (0) 191-2522296
Email: sales@esr.co.uk
Web: www.esr.co.uk
Farnell (UK)
Tel: +44 (0) 113-263-6311
Web: www.farnell.com
Gothic Crellon (UK)
Tel: +44 (0) 1743-788878
Greenweld (UK)
Fax: +44 (0) 1992-613020
Vibralarm
The main cause for concern
when collecting together the
parts needed for the Vibralarm
project will be a source for the
delicate bi-morph vibration
sensor. This is a piezo ceramic
element and was purchased
from Electromail (or RS), quote
code 285-784. The lowest order
quantity listed is 5 off (1.45 UK
Pounds each). Being such a
fragile element, it may not be
such an expensive investment!
Next on the list of “hard-to-
find” are the resistors. The 100
megohm (100M) cermet film
fixed resistor and the 10M
preset potentiometer also came
from the above company; quote
Copyright © 1999 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and
Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc
outlined in the setting-up
Email: greenweld@aol.com
Web:
www.greenweld.co.uk
Maplin (UK)
Web: www.maplin.co.uk
Magenta Electronics (UK)
Tel: +44 (0) 1283-565435
Web:
www.magenta2000.co.uk
Microchip
Web: www.microchip.com
Rapid Electronics (UK)
Tel: +44 (0) 1206-751166
RF Solutions (UK)
Tel: +44 (0) 1273-488880
Web: www.rfsolution.co.uk
RS (Radio Spares) (UK)
Web: www.rswww.com
Speak & Co. Ltd.
Tel: +44 (0) 1873-811281
codes 158-222 and 387-048
respectively.
Instead of a single 100M
resistor, you could use three 33
megohm “high voltage” resistors
from Maplin, code V33M. These
would need to be connected in
series, zig-zag fashion, and the
remaining two ends soldered to
the R2 pads on the PCB. The
micro piezo siren used in the
model was also obtained from
Maplin, code JK42V.
Once again, Electromail
was the source for the low-
current, low-power, low-noise
Zener diode, code 184-6661. If
a different Zener is used, you
will need to check the
stabilization and possibly
reduce the value of R1 as
EPE Online, November 1999 - www.epemag.com - 1079
The “double” printed circuit
board is available from the EPE
Online Store (code 7000230) at
www.epemag.com
Acoustic Probe – Starter
Project
We do not expect any
component buying problems to
be encountered by constructors
of the Acoustic Probe, this
month's “starter project” for the
novice.
If readers do experience
any difficulties in locating a
suitable microphone insert
through their local supplier,
Maplin certainly list two. Quote
either EM-60B sub-min. code
FS43W or EM-10B ultra-min.
code QY62S.
The LF351N opamp gives
quite a good signal/noise ratio
and is fairly inexpensive.
However, if you are looking for
enhanced performance, you
could try using a high quality
audio opamp such as the
NE5534AN. This should provide
a significant improvement in the
signal-to-noise aspect and
extend the probe's capabilities.
Most component suppliers
should be able to supply either
of these opamp ICs.
You can use either a crystal
earphone (preferred) or medium
impedance headphones of the
type sold as replacements for
use with personal stereo units.
The circuit is unlikely to give
worthwhile results with low
impedance types.
Finally, as you will need to
trim the stripboard to size, we
suggest you go for a fairly large
piece so that the off-cut can be

used for another project.
Demister One-Shot
Not too much can go wrong,
we hope, when searching for
components for the Demister
One-Shot project. However,
before undertaking this project,
you should first check whether
you may be infringing your
warranty rights if you tap into
your vehicle wiring.
The special U6047B
automotive-type timer IC was
obtained from Maplin, code
AH44X. They also supplied the
heavy-duty 12V relay, with 16A
rated contacts (code JM26D)
and the small “axial lead” 1A
fuse, code DA53H.
The printed circuit board is
available from the EPE Online
Store (code 7000245) at
www.epemag.com. We
strongly recommend that the
PCB is mounted in the case
using nylon nuts and bolts and
you must use auto-type wire
and connectors where specified.
Ginormous Stopwatch
As the Ginormous
Stopwatch project originated
from Australia, we thought we
were going to have problems
sourcing components. But
thanks to the efforts of Ned, the
author, it has not been too
dramatic an experience.
Starting with the UHF
modules, these are listed by
Maplin and carry the following
order codes: UHF rec/decoder
CR76H; and the keyfob UHF
transmitter CR72P. (These are
not cheap!) You could also try
contacting Veronica FM (Tel
+44 (0) 1274-816200 or
www.veronicafm.co.uk) or
Suma Designs (Tel +44 (0)
1827-714476), who might be
able to help here.
Copyright © 1999 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and
Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc
6KRS 7DON
The BD681 Darlington
transistor may be hard to find, Teach-In 2000 (Part 1)
but the suggested alternative
TIP141 and TIP142 should be
To help take the pressure
off newcomers to the mysteries
readily available. Note the
of electronics, some of our
differing pinouts for the TIP
component suppliers have put
devices.
together component and
Ready programmed PICs hardware packs especially for
are available from the author for
the new Teach-In 2000 series.
the sum of 10 UK Pounds each More will be added as the series
(for either the Digital module or
progresses.
Stopwatch) or 50 UK Pounds for
To date, participating
six in any combination, with free
suppliers are as follows and
postage to anywhere in the
readers are advised to contact
world. Payments should be
them for more details:
made out to Mr. N.
Stojadinovic. His E-mail ESR Electronic
address is: Components – Hardware/tools
vladimir@u030.aone.net.au or and components pack.
write to: Mr. N. Stojadinovic, PO Magenta Electronics –
Box 320, Woden ACT, 2606, Multimeter and components, Kit
Australia. 879.
A programmed PIC16C55 is FML Electronics (Tel +44
also available from Magenta (0) 1677-425840) – Basic
Electronics for the inclusive component sets.
price of 5.90 UK Pounds
N. R. Bardwell (Tel +44 (0)
(overseas readers add 1 UK
114 255-2886) – Digital
Pound for postage). For those
Multimeter special offer.
who wish to program their own
PICs, the software can be
downloaded Free from the EPE
Online Library at
www.epemag.com
Regarding the door minder
“guards”, we are informed that
most “through-beam detectors”
will work with this project. The
following sources and items
have been suggested: Oatley
Electronics, Australia
(www.oatleyelectronics.com);
Kemo Electronics (www.kemo-
electronic.com) light barrier,
code BD45: Maplin through
beam detector, code SH09K;
Farnell miniature photoswitch,
code 532-472. Check prices
before ordering!
Finally, the printed circuit
board is available from the EPE
Online Store (code 7000246) at
www.epemag.com
EPE Online, November 1999 - www.epemag.com - 1080