TECHFORUM
This is a READER-TO-READER Column.
All questions AND answers are submitted by Nuts&Volts readers and are intended to promote the exchange of ideas and provide assistance
for solving problems of a technical nature. Questions are subject to editing and will be published on a space available basis if deemed suitable
by the publisher. Answers are submitted by readers and NOGUARANTEES WHATSOEVERare made by the publisher. The implementationof
any answer printed in this column may require varying degrees of technical experience and should only be attempted by qualified individuals.
Always use common sense and good judgement!
All questions and answers should
be sent by email to forum@nuts
volts.com All diagrams should be
computer generated and sent with your
submission as an attachment.
QUESTIONS
To be considered, all questions should relate
to one or more of the following:
❶ Circuit Design
❷ Electronic Theory
❸ Problem Solving
❹ Other Similar Topics
■ Be brief but include all pertinent information. If no one knows what you're asking, you
won't get any response (and we probably
won't print it either).
■ Include your Name, Address, Phone Number, and email. Only your Name, City, and
State will be published with the question,
but we may need to contact you.
■ No questions will be accepted that offer
equipment for sale or equipment wanted to
buy.
■ Selected questions will be printed one
time on a space available basis.
■ Questions are subject to editing.
ANSWERS
■ Include in the subject line of your email,
the question number that appears directly
below the question you are responding to.
■ Payment of $25.00 will be sent if your
answer is printed. Be sure to include your
mailing address or we cannot send payment.
■ Only your Name, City, and State, will be
printed, unless you say otherwise. If you
want your email address included, indicate
to that effect.
■ Comments regarding answers printed in
this column may be printed in the Reader
Feedback section if space allows.
94 August 2008
>>> QUESTIONS
I'm looking for information on
power line communication systems.
Does the US power grid broadcast any
information that can be read from the
power lines coming into my home? Are
there any projects that can tap that
information?
#8081
Steven Van Epps
via email
I need info on refurbishing or
building custom solar yard lights. I
currently have a Lighthouse lawn
ornament that has a solar light that
doesn't recharge the replaceable
rechargeable battery. Information on
troubleshooting would be helpful for
what I assume to be a fairly common
circut. I would also like to illuminate the
lantern of a Lawn Jockey and a Pagoda.
Adding multiple LEDs with changing
colors and blinking patterns could also
be a take off. Anyone have a circuit?
#8082 Mike Hoffert
via email
>>> ANSWERS
[#5084 - May 2008]
I'm looking for an affordable (US)
PCB MFG who specializes in prototype
quantities (<100) of COB (chip on
board) from DIE that I provide. I need a
company who can lead-attach the DIE
and epoxy-seal it, forming a COB PCB.
#1 I found these companies online.
They offer prototype services among
others.
IDAX microelectronics Lab
Anaheim, CA
714-632-5088
www.idaxlabs.com/services.asp
Quik-Pak
San Diego, CA
858-674-4676
www.icproto.com/products/
Majelac Technologies
Aston, PA
610-459-8786
www.majelac.com/
Daryl
via internet
#2 I have had prototype and full
production PCBs made with the
company listed below, with excellent
personal service, board quality, and
pricing without any problems for over
25 years. They are directly associated
with several companies that will provide
your requests with great satisfaction.
Northern Circuits, Inc.
East Syracuse, NY
315-463-8531, 800-378-0490
http://northerncircuits.com/
John F. Mastromoro
Saint Johnsville, NY
#3 Hybrid Design Associates www.
hda-smc.com/ in Tempe, AZ may be