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555-Timer Oscillator for Ultra Low-Power Devices
Using the Astable Multivibrator circuit with a CMOS 555 Timer, power consumption on battery-powered sensors can be drastically reduced to microamps. This guide demonstrates two common circuits that can be used to achieve this.…
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10 Gigabit Networking for the Homelab: Beginner's Guide
When I first started to get into building a homelab, I didn't realize 10 gigabit was something that was really reasonable to have in a home network. Understand the 10 Gigabit landscape, what equipment is out there, and what to look out for in order to get the most performance for your money.…
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MakerHawk USB 150W Load Tester - Review and Battery-Power Mod
I ordered this MakerHawk USB load tester a few months ago. For the price it packs a punch, but comes up short on the accuracy of voltage readings. I modded it to run on a single 18650 Li-ion battery, making it a much more portable and easy to use tool.…
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Homemade Battery-Powered Alexa Smart Speaker
Using a disassembled Echo Flex device, I made a portable, wireless smart speaker with an integrated phone charger. Aside from being a fun project, it is cool to have a powerful speaker that just integrates with the rest of my Alexa devices.…
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DIY Gigabit 802.3at PoE+ Splitter: Schematic and Build Guide
Making a 802.3at Power over Ethernet (PoE+) splitter using through-hole components and a controller IC. Schematic and build guide - this is a great way to learn about how Power over Ethernet powered devices (PDs) work.…
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Read the Datasheet! How to use datasheets and select the right component for your circuit
Guide to reading and understanding components (ICs, resistors, MOSFETs, capacitors) datasheets. There is a ton of information that you are missing if you don't dive into datasheets!…