Following is a list of unanswered reader questions, printed in the Tech Forum, from recent issues of Nuts & Volts Magazine. Be sure to include the ID number printed at the end of the question when offering a solution. Answers should be e-mailed to forum@nutsvolts.com

TechForum

May 2008 Issue

I have two questions about the IBM Ideascan model 0275011 used on the parallel port (printer port): 1. What is the wavelength of the light tube? 2. What are the control codes, e.g., light on/off, move, stop, speed, etc
#5082
Paul Weijers
Lachine, QC Canada

Has anyone hacked a digital camera and installed the sensor and minimum circuits into an old film camera like an old Nikon F or Leica M2 or M3? I've seen astrophotog guys hack digital Canon EOS D30 and Rebel to remove the IR filter for IR photography ... I don't know which electronics I can safely clip out of the digital donor. (There are film camera nuts out there that would die to see this done.)
#5083
George Kase

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.
#5084
Charlie Van Dien
Port Saint Lucie, FL

June 2008 Issue

Has anyone adapted surplus computer parts for other uses? For example: adapting on old sound card for use as an amplifier. If so, please tell what you did and how. Also, can someone explain the similarities and differences between audio CDs and DVDs?
#6081
Paul Vandervort

Okay, I'm a rebel. I don't have nor do I want another two year commitment for cell service (or for that matter a dual data/voice plan). Just pay my bill and use my old(er) cell phone. To the point: Several years ago, I'd seen a device that plugged into a laptop's modem port and then to the headset port of a cell phone, and presto — an Internet connection! All that I can figure out is the interface device must have somehow produced a tone for the modem to believe it had a live line. From there, it was a simple matter of pushing 'speed dial' on the cell phone and away you went -- surfing. Do you have any ideas about this and how it could be built from scratch? Better yet, could there be something built that would handshake between the data or USB port?
#6082
A. Raines

How can I configure a small LCD display as a voltmeter and/or amp meter?
#6083
Paul Vandervort

July 2008 Issue

My furnace/air conditioning servicer recently replaced the control unit in my high-efficiency furnace. The defective portion of the control unit turned out to be the spark generator, but, in the process I see the unit has a single-wire electric flame sensor, not the old standard thermocouple. I can't figure out how the thing works. Can someone please enlighten this old-timer?
#7081
Anonomous

Can a security system be built that would utilize a switch on a door to trigger a cell phone to call a number? A similar system on the Internet costs around $300. Can something be built for less than $100 with a “pay as you go” wireless phone?
#7082
Steve Plaskon

August 2008 Issue

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

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