The Electronic Engineers garage.

MacLaddy

I have been asking many questions trying to really get a feel for what someone in the field of Electrical Engineering really does, but now I realize I have been asking the wrong question.

What I really want to know is: What kind of cool stuff can an Electrical Engineer build in his garage for a hobby, or for fun?

What kind of projects do the members of this forum have going on? I would love to hear some of the hobby's.

MacLaddy

I guess that's actually "The Electrical Engineers Garage." Pardon my mistake.

*Bob S*

I recently built several BLDC (brushless dc) electric motors using neodymium magnets for rotor, a Hall Effect sensor, and an H-bridge for commutating stator coil current.

I recently restored a 100-year-old repulsion-start 1/6 HP electric motor, with a radial commutator (for repulsion start only- brushes retract).

Bob S

bassplayer142

Search microcontroller projects and you will find a lot of stuff!

MacLaddy

Quote by Bob S

I recently built several BLDC (brushless dc) electric motors using neodymium magnets for rotor, a Hall Effect sensor, and an H-bridge for commutating stator coil current.

I recently restored a 100-year-old repulsion-start 1/6 HP electric motor, with a radial commutator (for repulsion start only- brushes retract).

Bob S

Wow, that sounds very interesting... I, um, don't understand any of it; but it sounds really cool.

Quote by bassplayer142

Search microcontroller projects and you will find a lot of stuff!

That's it? I always took electrical engineers to be more of the tinkering type. Tim Taylor meets Nikola Tesla type thing.

Or is it that nobody wants to discuss their super-secret-mega-invention that is going to land them in riches and fame?

rolerbe

With my son, I recently designed and built an audio 'fuzz box', with remote foot switch. Fun project and got to teach some electronics along the way.

Some other projects: A CO2 ejection system for model rockets, remote control guidance system for model rocket recovery, etc.

Slow as hobbies. Work life interferes. :-)

berkeman

Power supplies, laser light show deflector, biofeedback EEG machine, other fun stuff.

pseudophonist

Its probably beyond the budget, but i got to play with a superconducting magnet system for my honours thesis which was pretty awesome.

A friend of mine just modded a remote control car to include a foam dart launcher with automated face recognition and target tracking.

famousken

Recently I have been tinkering with solid state tesla coils. Ive made a 0-200VDC smps for it, oscillator with tl494, a "burst mode" circuit for it, and a large 8000uf 200vdc capacitor bank for operating in burst mode.

Similar Threads for: The Electronic Engineers garage.
Thread	Forum	Replies
Do most engineers work as a team with other engineers?	Career Guidance	2
Question to the Electronic engineers about a reversed capacitor.	Electrical Engineering	2
Your garage	General Discussion	28
Is it possible to be a physicist for mechanic and electronic Engineers?	Academic Guidance	1
Electrical Engineers vs Computer Engineers	Academic Guidance	16

MacLaddy Recognitions: Gold Member	I guess that's actually "The Electrical Engineers Garage." Pardon my mistake.

Bob S	I recently built several BLDC (brushless dc) electric motors using neodymium magnets for rotor, a Hall Effect sensor, and an H-bridge for commutating stator coil current. I recently restored a 100-year-old repulsion-start 1/6 HP electric motor, with a radial commutator (for repulsion start only- brushes retract). Bob S

bassplayer142	The Electronic Engineers garage. Search microcontroller projects and you will find a lot of stuff!

rolerbe	With my son, I recently designed and built an audio 'fuzz box', with remote foot switch. Fun project and got to teach some electronics along the way. Some other projects: A CO2 ejection system for model rockets, remote control guidance system for model rocket recovery, etc. Slow as hobbies. Work life interferes. :-)

berkeman Mentor	Power supplies, laser light show deflector, biofeedback EEG machine, other fun stuff.

pseudophonist	Its probably beyond the budget, but i got to play with a superconducting magnet system for my honours thesis which was pretty awesome. A friend of mine just modded a remote control car to include a foam dart launcher with automated face recognition and target tracking.

famousken	Recently I have been tinkering with solid state tesla coils. Ive made a 0-200VDC smps for it, oscillator with tl494, a "burst mode" circuit for it, and a large 8000uf 200vdc capacitor bank for operating in burst mode.