The Alpha Geek – Geeking Out

Musical Instruments

Musical Instruments

Adafruit – Perma-Proto Quarter-sized Breadboard PCB

Adafruit 1608 Mk01

Adafruit 1608 Mk02

Adafruit 1608 Mk03

Adafruit: 1608

Description

Customers have asked us to carry basic perf-board, but we never liked the look of most basic perf: its always crummy quality, with pads that flake off and no labeling. Then we thought about how people actually prototype – usually starting with a solderless breadboard and then transferring the parts to a more permanent PCB. That’s when we realized what people would really like is a proto board that makes it easy!

This proto-board is the PCB you always wish you had, but never realized it! We took the basic layout of a quarter-sized breadboard (basically, a ‘tiny’ breadboard plus power rails) and turned that into a beautiful PCB. The top side has a white silkscreen, and the same markings you’re familiar with, to make transferring components easy. The bottom has the 5-hole pad design that matches a classic breadboard, with 4 power bus lines on the sides, and no mask so you can easily cut traces when necessary. We used 1.2mm diameter drill holes so even parts with big leads will fit. All holes are thru-plated for strength – these wont peel off with rework. The finish is a gold plate – you won’t get oxidation like with bare copper perf! There are also two mounting holes so you can attach the PCB to your project box.

Once you use a Perma-Proto board, you’ll never go back!

Technical Details

  • 15 rows of double 5-hole rows
  • 4 power rails with positive/negative markings
  • 1.7″ x 2.0″ (44mm x 55mm), 0.063″ thick FR4
  • 1.2mm / 0.047″ drill holes
  • 2 x 0.125″ or 3.2mm mounting holes 1.4″ apart
  • Weight: 6g

Don Luc

SparkFun – Spring Terminals – PCB Mount (6-Pin)

SparkFun PRT-08077 Mk01

SparkFun PRT-08077 Mk02

SparkFun PRT-08077 Mk03

SparkFun PRT-08077 Mk04

SparkFun PRT-08077 Mk05

SparkFun: PRT-08077

Description: These are small spring terminals. Open the aperature with the small arm, insert the wire, release the arm and the wire is held firmly in place. This is a good quick way to to interface to bare wires. Capable of higher current and more resilient than breadboard or female header type connections.

Terminals with 0.1″ standard spacing. Inserts directly into perf and proto board. Comes in 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 positions. Rated up to 150V @ 2A. Terminal can accept 26 to 20AWG wire.

Don Luc

Steward-MacDonald – Orange Drop Caps

Steward-MacDonald 1281 Mk01

Steward-MacDonald 1281 Mk02

Steward-MacDonald 1281 Mk03

Steward-MacDonald 1281 Mk04

Steward-MacDonald: 1281

Upgrade to the quality caps used in Fender and Gibson guitars.

Made of durable high grade polyester, and favorites for vintage restorations or new builds.

Capacitors are energy-storage devices that filter the high frequencies. A cap lets the tone control roll off the treble response, progressively warming the tone. The higher the value, the more bass output from the tone control at its “zero” setting.

A cap wired to a potentiometer creates a standard tone control, as explained in this Article: How a tone control works.

100V. Sold individually.

  • .022uF 223K Humbucker Tone

Don Luc

SparkFun – Screw – Phillips Head (1/4″, 4-40)

SparkFun PRT-10453 Mk01

SparkFun PRT-10453 Mk02

SparkFun: PRT-10453

Description: There are your standard Philips-head 4-40 screws. They are ¼” long and come in packs of ten. This is the screw size we use in most of the holes for our breakout boards. Check below for other associated hardware. 10 packs.

Don Luc

Adafruit – Lithium Ion Battery – 3.7v 2000mAh

Adafruit 2011 Mk01

Adafruit 2011 Mk02

Adafruit 2011 Mk03

Adafruit: 2011

Description

Lithium ion polymer (also known as ‘lipo’ or ‘lipoly’) batteries are thin, light and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of 2000mAh. If you need a larger (or smaller!) battery, we have a full range of LiPoly batteries

The batteries come pre-attached with a genuine 2-pin JST-PH connector as shown and include the necessary protection circuitry. Because they have a genuine JST connector, not a knock-off, the cable wont snag or get stuck in a matching JST jack, they click in and out smoothly.

The included protection circuitry keeps the battery voltage from going too high (over-charging) or low (over-use) which means that the battery will cut-out when completely dead at 3.0V. It will also protect against output shorts. However, even with this protection it is very important that you only use a LiIon/LiPoly constant-voltage/constant-current charger to recharge them and at a rate of 2A or less (500mA is best). We suggest our Micro Lipo charger, which has a 100mA default rate. You can also set the Micro Lipo to 500mA rate for a faster charge.

Like most lipos, the batteries we sell do not have thermistors built in. This is why we suggest charging at 1 C or even less – 100 to 500mA is a good rate, and available from any USB port if using a USB-powered charger.

Additional safety notes: Do not use a NiMH/NiCad/lead-acid charger! Also, do not abuse these batteries, do not short, bend, crush or puncture. As with all Lithium ion polymer batteries and with any power source – they should be used by experts who are comfortable working with power supplies.

Technical Details

  • Dimensions: 60mm x 36mm x 7mm / 2.4″ x 1.4″ x 0.3″
  • Weight: 34g
  • Nominal Capacity: 2000mAh ±2%
  • Nominal Voltage: 3.7V
  • Standard Charge Current: ~0.2C / 0.5A
  • Charge Cut-Off Voltage: 4.2V
  • Standard Discharge Current: ~0.2C / 0.5A

Don Luc

SparkFun – Polymer Lithium Ion Battery – 1000mAh

SparkFun PRT-00339 Mk01

SparkFun PRT-00339 Mk02

SparkFun PRT-00339 Mk03

SparkFun PRT-00339 Mk04

SparkFun PRT-00339 Mk05

SparkFun: PRT-00339

Description: These are very slim, extremely light weight batteries based on the new Polymer Lithium Ion chemistry. This is the highest energy density currently in production. Each cell outputs a nominal 3.7V at 1000mAh! Comes terminated with a standard 2-pin JST-PH connector – 2mm spacing between pins. These batteries require special charging. Do not attempt to charge these with anything but a specialized Lithium Polymer charger.

Battery includes built-in protection against over voltage, over current, and minimum voltage. Please use caution when using this battery in wearable projects. When using conductive thread, a short in the thread can create sparks and heat. We recommend using coin cell batteries for beginners.

Note: Although these cells are rated for 2C continuous discharge, the wiring and connectors are only rated up to 1A, so be sure to take that into account when determining your power requirements.

Note: Be careful with the JST connectors. They can stick in pretty good and tugging on them can damage the connector.

Dimensions: 50.8 x 33.5 x 5.9 mm

Weight: 22g

Features:

  • Excellent long-term self-discharge rates (<8% per month)
  • Robust power source under extreme conditions (-25 to 60C)

Don Luc

SparkFun – Polymer Lithium Ion Battery – 850mAh

SparkFun PRT-00341 Mk01

SparkFun PRT-00341 Mk02

SparkFun PRT-00341 Mk03

SparkFun PRT-00341 Mk04

SparkFun PRT-00341 Mk05

SparkFun: PRT-00341

Description: These are very slim, extremely light weight batteries based on the new Polymer Lithium Ion chemistry. This is the highest energy density currently in production. Each cells outputs a nominal 3.7V at 850mAh! Comes terminated with a standard 2-pin JST-PH connector – 2mm spacing between pins. These batteries require special charging. Do not attempt to charge these with anything but a specialized LiPo charger.

Battery includes built-in protection against over voltage, over current, and minimum voltage. Please use caution when using this battery in wearable projects. When using conductive thread, a short in the thread can create sparks and heat. We recommend using coin cell batteries for beginners.

Note: Although these cells are rated for 2C continuous discharge, the wiring and connectors are only rated up to 1A, so be sure to take that into account when determining your power requirements.

Note: Be careful with the JST connectors. They can stick in pretty good and tugging on them can damage the connector.

Dimensions: 5.7×29.5×48.27mm

Weight: 18.5g

Features:

  • 2C continuous discharge
  • Excellent long-term self-discharge rates (<8% per month)
  • Robust power source under extreme conditions (-25 to 60C)

Don Luc

SparkFun – Polymer Lithium Ion Battery – 400mAh

SparkFun PRT-10718 Mk01

SparkFun PRT-10718 Mk02

SparkFun PRT-10718 Mk03

SparkFun PRT-10718 Mk04

SparkFun: PRT-10718

Description: This is a very small, extremely light weight battery based on the new Polymer Lithium Ion chemistry. This is the highest energy density currently in production. Each cells outputs a nominal 3.7V at 400mAh! Comes terminated with a standard 2-pin JST-PH connector – 2mm spacing between pins. These batteries require special charging. Do not attempt to charge these with anything but a specialized Lithium Polymer charger.

Battery includes built-in protection against over voltage, over current, and minimum voltage. Please use caution when using this battery in wearable projects. When using conductive thread, a short in the thread can create sparks and heat. We recommend using coin cell batteries for beginners.

Note: Be careful with the JST connectors. They can stick in pretty good and tugging on them can damage the connector.

Dimensions: 5x25x35mm

Weight: 9g

Features:

  • 2C continuous discharge – very high for low price
  • Excellent long-term self-discharge rates (<8% per month)
  • Robust power source under extreme conditions (-25 to 60C)

Don Luc

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