The Alpha Geek – Geeking Out

Digital Electronics

Digital Electronics

SparkFun – SPDT Slide Switch

SparkFun COM-09609 Mk01

SparkFun COM-09609 Mk02

SparkFun COM-09609 Mk03

SparkFun: COM-09609

Description: This is a simple SPDT slide switch – great for use as an ON/OFF button, or just as a general control switch. The pins are spaced by 0.1″, however they are incredibly thin making breadboard use not recommended. The switch is rated for 0.3A at 50VDC.

This switch is just a bit smaller than our popular SPDT Mini Power Switch, but uses the same pin spacing. Being smaller takes up less PCB space (good!), but it does make it a bit harder to hit and flip easily.

Don Luc

SparkFun – Dual/Quad Power Amplifier – STA540

SparkFun COM-09557 Mk01

SparkFun COM-09557 Mk02

SparkFun: COM-09557

Description: The STA540 from STMicro is a 4-channel, class AB audio amplifier designed for high quality sound applications. The four independent channels makes this amplifier a great choice for a number of projects, with needs ranging from four speakers stereo (F/R) to two-speaker bridge solutions. The chip accepts a voltage supply ranging from 8 to 22VDC and has very high output power capability.

This chip comes in a staggered-lead Multiwatt-15 package. While our breakout board for the L298N isn’t designed for it specifically, it will breakout out all pins of the STA540 to a more standard single row of 0.1″ pitch headers. Also, keep an eye out for some upcoming amplifier products based on this chip!

It works great with the 6400BG Heatsink!

Features:

  • High output power capability
  • Standby function (CMOS compatible)
  • Minimum external components count:
      no bootstrap capacitors
      no Boucherot cells
      internally fixed gain 20 dB
  • No audible pop during standby operations
  • Diagnostic facilities:
      clip detector
      output to GND short-circuit detector
      output to VS short-circuit detector
      soft short-circuit check at turn-on
      thermal shutdown warning
  • Output AC/DC short circuit protection
  • Soft short-circuit check at turn-on
  • Thermal cutoff/limiter to prevent chip from overheating

Don Luc

SparkFun – Piezo Speaker – PC Mount 12mm 2.048kHz

SparkFun COM-07950 Mk01

SparkFun COM-07950 Mk02

SparkFun COM-07950 Mk03

SparkFun: COM-07950

Description: This is a small 12mm round speaker that operates around the audible 2kHz range. You can use these speakers to create simple music or user interfaces.

Each speaker is PTH solderable and requires an operating voltage of 3.5-5V with a mean current of 35mA max. These speakers also have a typical sound output of 95 dBA and a coil resistance of 42 ±6.3 ohms. Many people call this a buzzer but it is not. The piezo element requires a square wave (common from most microcontrollers) to produce a tone.

Don Luc

Pololu – 2-AAA Battery Holder

Pololu 1141 Mk01

Pololu 1141 Mk02

Pololu: 1141

This battery holder features two 6″, 24-gauge leads that have 5 mm of insulation stripped off of the ends.

Description

This battery holder features two 6″, 24-gauge leads that have 5 mm of insulation stripped off of the ends.

Dimensions

  • Size: 53 × 24 × 13 mm
  • Weight: 0.15 oz

General Specifications

  • Lead length: 6 in
  • Cells: 2
  • Cell type: AAA

Don Luc

Pololu – 2-AAA Battery Holder, Enclosed with Switch

Pololu 1143 Mk01

Pololu 1143 Mk02

Pololu: 1143

Enclosed battery holder for two AAA cells. This holder features a lid that slides over the batteries and snaps into place to fully enclose them. It also features a switch that lets you open and close the electrical connection between the batteries and the holder’s leads.

Description

This battery holder features two 6″, 24-gauge leads that have 5 mm of insulation stripped off of the ends.

Dimensions

  • Size: 63 × 26 × 16 mm
  • Weight: 0.45 oz

General Specifications

  • Lead length: 6 in
  • Cells: 2
  • Cell type: AAA

Notes: Switch adds 2 mm to the height.

Don Luc

Adafruit – Half-Size Breadboard

Adafruit 64 Mk01

Adafruit 64 Mk02

Adafruit: 64

Description

This is a cute half size breadboard, good for small projects. It’s 2.2″ x 3.4″ (5.5 cm x 8.5 cm) with a standard double-strip in the middle and two power rails on both sides. You can pull the power rails off easily to make the breadboard as thin as 1.4″ (3.5cm) and stick it onto an Arduino protoshield. You can also cut these in half with a saw to create 2 tiny breadboards, or “snap” these breadboards together either way to make longer and/or wider breadboards.

Technical Details

Dimensions:

  • 2.2″ x 3.4″ (5.5 cm x 8.5 cm)
  • 9.7mm(0.38in) thick, including sticky foam on the bottom
  • Weight: 38.9g (1.27oz)

Don Luc

SparkFun – One Wire Digital Temperature Sensor – DS18B20

SparkFun SEN-00245 Mk01

SparkFun SEN-00245 Mk02

SparkFun SEN-00245 Mk03

SparkFun: SEN-00245

Description: This is the latest DS18B20 1-Wire digital temperature sensor from Maxim IC. Reports degrees C with 9 to 12-bit precision, -55C to 125C (+/-0.5C). Each sensor has a unique 64-Bit Serial number etched into it – allows for a huge number of sensors to be used on one data bus. This is a wonderful part that is the corner stone of many data-logging and temperature control projects.

Features:

  • Unique 1-Wire® interface requires only one port pin for communication
  • Each device has a unique 64-bit serial code stored in an onboard ROM
  • Multidrop capability simplifies distributed temperature sensing applications
  • Requires no external components
  • Can be powered from data line. Power supply range is 3.0V to 5.5V
  • Measures temperatures from -55°C to +125°C (-67°F to +257°F)
  • ±0.5°C accuracy from -10°C to +85°C
  • Thermometer resolution is user-selectable from 9 to 12 bits
  • Converts temperature to 12-bit digital word in 750ms (max.)
  • User-definable nonvolatile (NV) alarm settings
  • Alarm search command identifies and addresses devices whose temperature is outside of programmed limits (temperature alarm condition)
  • Applications include thermostatic controls, industrial systems, consumer products, thermometers, or any thermally sensitive system

Don Luc

SparkFun – Mini Photocell

SparkFun SEN-09088 Mk01

SparkFun SEN-09088 Mk02

SparkFun SEN-09088 Mk03

SparkFun: SEN-09088

Description: This is a very small light sensor. A photocell changes (also called a photodetector, photo resistor, CdS or photoconductive cell) resistance depending on the amount of light it is exposed to. These little sensors make great ambient light triggers (when light in the room turns on, do something).

Features:

  • Light resistance: ~1k Ohm
  • Dark resistance: ~10k Ohm
  • Max voltage: 150V
  • Max power: 100mW

Dimensions:

  • 2 x 4 x 5mm
  • 4mm between pins
  • 31mm lead length

Don Luc

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