15 replies to this topic

[Omar (OZ)]

Alright I can't find these things so I ask here because many of you might use it. What are those Box looking things that have dials to change Amps and Voltage, you plug it in the AC 110 or 240 Volts and it outputs DC X Volts with X Amps.... Anyone here have one, if so where are they sold?

[Steven Behnke]

Power Supplies? Like this http://www.sparkfun....roducts_id=9294 ?

[Omar (OZ)]

Power Supplies? Like this http://www.sparkfun....roducts_id=9294 ?

Yep, thanks

[Eric Burdo]

That's on my wish list... maybe for Christmas...

[Omar (OZ)]

That's on my wish list... maybe for Christmas...

Maybe you can get these (First three are more affordable than the sparkfun one and the third goes up to a higher voltage too!):
Power Supplies

I don't know much about these things but those seem to do the job. If anyone here knows a little more about power supplies feel free to approve or disapprove those in the link.

[Chris Seto]

Your basically looking at lab power supplies. Just saying "power supply" can be quite generic. For hobby use, pretty much anything from a reputable dealer will work. If you need a super basic 3.3V - 5V linear regulator board: http://www.sparkfun....products_id=114 I have one of those I use for very small quick and dirty stuff.

[Eric Burdo]

Your basically looking at lab power supplies. Just saying "power supply" can be quite generic.

For hobby use, pretty much anything from a reputable dealer will work. If you need a super basic 3.3V - 5V linear regulator board: http://www.sparkfun....products_id=114

I have one of those I use for very small quick and dirty stuff.

I have one of those from SparkFun... just haven't put it together yet...

[Chris Seto]

Yeah, it's a fun little kit if you want a quick time killer. Took me about 10 minutes to put it together. That includes warming the iron up ;-)

[Eric Burdo]

Yeah, it's a fun little kit if you want a quick time killer. Took me about 10 minutes to put it together. That includes warming the iron up ;-)

My soldering skills aren't that good yet... so I've been hesitant to "practice" on this item..

[Chris Seto]

My soldering skills aren't that good yet... so I've been hesitant to "practice" on this item..

This is a great item to practice on! Plenty of different styles of components and nothing is extremely heat sensitive.

If you are still weary, get a proto board and a bunch of headers, then just go down the line soldering.

I think one of the most beginner mistakes I see are people who remove the iron right after they melt the solder. Don't do that! hold the iron on the joint for a second to let the solder flow before pulling it off.

[Eric Burdo]

This is a great item to practice on! Plenty of different styles of components and nothing is extremely heat sensitive.

If you are still weary, get a proto board and a bunch of headers, then just go down the line soldering.

I think one of the most beginner mistakes I see are people who remove the iron right after they melt the solder. Don't do that! hold the iron on the joint for a second to let the solder flow before pulling it off.

I bought one of those "learn to solder" kits from SparkFun too. Or maybe from MakerShed... can't remember which. I've desoldered many components from old boards... and done some basic stuff... just minimal on a circuit board before.

I'm a software guy, who likes to dabble in hardware... which is why I like the netduino so much... so easy to program!

[Chris Seto]

PCB PTH (through hole) soldering is probably the easiest soldering work you can do. Especially when you are working with the kind of components that are on that kit.

[stacyh3]

While you're on the topic of soldering, maybe a thread or blog post on techniques would be cool. There are a few "how-to's" out there, but they miss a few things that scare beginners. For example, I sometimes see chips soldered directly to a board, and other times I see them in the little chip holders. (Hmm. Chip DIP jokes come to mind). How do I know when to do which? I'm learning a lot of this as I go, but could certainly benefit from the wisdom of others. Stacy

[CW2]

I sometimes see chips soldered directly to a board, and other times I see them in the little chip holders. (Hmm. Chip DIP jokes come to mind). How do I know when to do which?

The socket is used in case you need to exchange the IC, usually to replace damaged part or to insert another one (e.g. to program). Sometimes, the socket is pretty expensive, so it depends on how much you are willing to pay for it - replacing a SMD part soldered directly to a board may be way cheaper (if you have the right tools and skills).

[stacyh3]

Thanks. That's good to know. At this point, my hardware skills are minimal. The idea of surface mount soldering seems a bit beyond me. I have basic soldering skills and will be trying my hand at something that's more advanced - for me anyway - within the next few days. Stacy

[Websteria]

Thanks. That's good to know. At this point, my hardware skills are minimal. The idea of surface mount soldering seems a bit beyond me. I have basic soldering skills and will be trying my hand at something that's more advanced - for me anyway - within the next few days.

Stacy

I just put this one together:
http://www.adafruit....products_id=184

It'll do 3.3, 5 and everything from 1-20 with an adjustment... well worth the extra $5.

Jeff