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Category Archives: Electronics

Optimizing power consumption on an OLED laptop

I spent some time optimizing my Linux laptop (Thinkpad X1 Yoga 1st gen) for power usage and the results were a dramatic improvement in battery life. One of the most amazing features of this laptop is the absolutely beautiful OLED display. Since OLEDs only consume power when emitting light, showing a white screen takes much […]

Posted 10 January 2019 † John Meacham § Programming ‡ Comments (1) °

Panel Volt/Ammeter

Two inexpensive panel meters fit quite nicely in a Hammond stomp box case. Perfect for a voltage and current meter. From Panel Volt/Ammeter

Posted 27 January 2014 † John Meacham § ‡ Comments Off on Panel Volt/Ammeter °

Simple, reusable ZIF “socket” for SMD parts.

I show how to use a pair of magnets to temporarily mount a surface mount chip to a breakout board.

Posted 27 January 2014 † John Meacham § hacks ‡ Comments Off on Simple, reusable ZIF “socket” for SMD parts. °

Making a conductance substitution box

Resistance substitution boxes are a well known feature of any electronics lab and a common beginning project, allowing you to dial in a specific resistance measured in ohms directly. The inverse of a resistance box is the conductance box, allowing you to dial in a specific conductance measured in siemens. The most straightforward method of […]

Posted 12 August 2013 † John Meacham § ‡ Comments Off on Making a conductance substitution box °