I am charging at least 20, but up to 30 electronic components. Each will draw 300mA at 5-7VDC. What sort of power supply do I need? [more inside]
posted on May 1, 2008 - 9 answers

Help me figure out what to do with some travel money! Specifically interested in arts / electronics / performance festivals, but any suggestions are welcome. [more inside]
posted on Apr 30, 2008 - 16 answers

(Electronics) Is Static Electricity frying my garage door opener, and can a partial Faraday Cage protect it? [more inside]
posted on Apr 26, 2008 - 3 answers

Is my mp3 player frying my headphones? Is this even possible; if so, how? [more inside]
posted on Apr 24, 2008 - 5 answers

How can I use the speakers in my TV as the "center" speaker on my receiver? [more inside]
posted on Apr 7, 2008 - 11 answers

How do I get rid of visual static/noise when using American electronics with my TV in India? Most notably, with my Nintendo Wii? [more inside]
posted on Apr 4, 2008 - 2 answers

We've got an Onkyo receiver for our new home theater that is running really hot....how can I best place a fan to maximize cooling? [more inside]
posted on Mar 31, 2008 - 5 answers

Why does my cellular phone cause my home stereo speakers to make strange noises? Sometimes it happens when a call is about to come in, but mostly it just happens periodically for seemingly no reason. It sounds like strange beepy static and it happpens much more frequently now that I switched to an iPhone. Is there a way to stop this besides throwing my iPhone across the room?
posted on Mar 29, 2008 - 11 answers

So, on lap top power cables, and USB cables, what is that cylindrical object near the end? Kind of like if the cable was a snake, the snake had gotten hungry and just swallowed a plump, unfortunate hamster. (Or a thirsty, unfortunate snake had swallowed a can of soda.) What is it? What's it called? And what does it do? - Digest electrons?
posted on Mar 26, 2008 - 17 answers

I'm trying to get into building electronics and I need some advice. What would be a good place to start? [more inside]
posted on Mar 23, 2008 - 14 answers

I built this mini guitar amp based on this circuit. But I used a 4 watt speaker rather than the 8 watts specified. What are the consequences of that change? [more inside]
posted on Mar 17, 2008 - 8 answers

What sort of electronic device did this thing come from? More pics here, here and here. It was lying on my bedroom floor, and I have no idea where it came from. What is it, and were did it come from? Any ideas?
posted on Mar 2, 2008 - 10 answers

Help me clear up my understanding of how to ground myself when working on my computer. [more inside]
posted on Feb 28, 2008 - 14 answers

Given my love of building things, should I change my major from Computer Science to Computer Engineering? [more inside]
posted on Feb 22, 2008 - 16 answers

Flat TV's behind two-way mirrors? Good idea or no? [more inside]
posted on Feb 19, 2008 - 10 answers

My phone's power button has shifted internally. Help me figure out how to turn on the phone one last time. I need someone with knowledge of circuit boards and the inner workings of electronics or someone who knows about sidekicks. [more inside]
posted on Feb 17, 2008 - 3 answers

My first time at a pawn shop: basic questions about pawning an iPod and other recent electronics. [more inside]
posted on Feb 14, 2008 - 12 answers

Ipod Device Filter: I am looking for an ipod alarm clock that has a jack for an external speaker or headphones on it. Input jacks? Sure. Output that's NOT usb? Not so much. I haven't found one yet after an hour of looking. Does such a thing exist? [more inside]
posted on Jan 29, 2008 - 3 answers

Can you help me decide between PDA's, Smartphones, Pocket PCs and the year 2008? I am looking most specifically for info on the Sony Clie PEG NX70V ... IPAQ 4350 ... and IPAQ 2215. But advice on any of this would be immensely helpful! I did search AskMeFi, but found only info for new equipment or old posts. I'm talking used equipment instead, older but able to keep up with current software stuff. (More inside) [more inside]
posted on Jan 24, 2008 - 20 answers

What is the cheapest, most cost-effective way to have a lamp (or lighting fixture of some variety) mimic (roughly) daylight hours, including fading in slowly in the morning and going off slowly in the evening? [more inside]
posted on Jan 14, 2008 - 15 answers

It’s that time again – I need a new computer, as my old one struggles with Windows XP and Word and basic functions. However, with all the publicity the Green lobbyists have been getting, I was wondering just how green I can realistically make my new computer? [more inside]
posted on Jan 8, 2008 - 12 answers

Help me get organized: I am looking for a small, very portable PDA-ish device that makes it really easy to program, display, and check off all sorts of reminders (hourly, daily, weekly, monthly etc.) with the option to set alarms. [more inside]
posted on Jan 4, 2008 - 16 answers

I'm looking for the simplest circuit possible that can do two things: 1.Take a line output from a PC sound card and drive a small speaker, and 2.take the input from a microphone and amplify this to a line input level. What's the simplest circuit out there for this? Bonus points on offer if it can amplify up to 4 of each channel. [more inside]
posted on Jan 1, 2008 - 8 answers

How to take apart plastic items that are "snapped" together rather than screwed? [more inside]
posted on Dec 30, 2007 - 5 answers

My friend's just bought a nice new Moog Etherwave! Unfortunately, he plugged it in to the mains with just a plug converter, and since we're in Australia (240V) instead of the US, where the Moog came from (120V or something) - boom. Can we fix this? Would he have just have fried the power supply rather than the Moog itself? If so, can we just cut the cable, buy a new power supply (and transformer), and splice it on? Would that be a horrible nightmare?
posted on Dec 27, 2007 - 4 answers

So, I just messed with the electronics in my car and now the 2001 Hyundai Elantra won't start. [more inside]
posted on Dec 20, 2007 - 7 answers

What should I do with my old digital camera? The flash doesn't work, but otherwise it's fine for taking outdoor or brightly-lit indoor photos. [more inside]
posted on Dec 18, 2007 - 13 answers

Please recommend current-market analog cassette decks with superior signal/noise ratios. [more inside]
posted on Dec 12, 2007 - 4 answers

Anyone know a simple and cheap solar panel setup to run a small boombox about 9-12V DC? [more inside]
posted on Dec 4, 2007 - 3 answers

Please help my find a pair of headphones that won't hurt my head or ears. [more inside]
posted on Nov 29, 2007 - 21 answers

Lazyweb, I need help choosing an automotive GPS navigation unit for a directionally-challenged relative. It must receive traffic updates, have an ability to remember programmed routes, and be reasonably easy to install and use. [more inside]
posted on Nov 29, 2007 - 11 answers

What components do I need to buy to have a solid stereo system for my home? [more inside]
posted on Nov 20, 2007 - 19 answers

I recently came into possession of a Sovtek-branded 7474 IC, listed as having been made in the USSR in October 1988. While it's a standard 7474, I can't find any information about Sovtek having ever made ICs. Have any of you ever heard of this? [more inside]
posted on Nov 19, 2007 - 9 answers

What are the great surplus stores around San Francisco [more inside]
posted on Nov 14, 2007 - 7 answers

I'm looking for a simple, small and cheap way of measuring acceleration. Basically, I want to make a set of LEDs light up if they are accelerated significantly, becoming brighter the faster the acceleration happens. [more inside]
posted on Nov 13, 2007 - 13 answers

My scam detector is going off but... but just a glimmer of hope... Anybody here dealt with "Electronics Marketing Limited"? [more inside]
posted on Nov 12, 2007 - 9 answers

How can a digital clock run fast? [more inside]
posted on Nov 8, 2007 - 13 answers

An artist friend is searching for 4 Polaroid FXM-1511c TV/DVD combo unit, but there don't seem to be any available... if you don't know where she can get 4 of them, can someone recommend a comparable product (inside for the full details).... [more inside]
posted on Nov 7, 2007 - 0 answers

Old garage door opener, and the last remote has gone missing. Can I go to radio shack, and make something work? I suspect this might sound nuts. [more inside]
posted on Nov 5, 2007 - 11 answers

So I love my blackberry pearl 8100 but I've had it with all of RIM's bluetooth crippling and limitations. I want a phone the exact same size with a great keyboard that does email, bluetooth and works with T-Mobile. Ring it up MeFites. [more inside]
posted on Oct 29, 2007 - 14 answers

Did Charleston, SC kill my digital camera with its southern hospitality? [more inside]
posted on Oct 26, 2007 - 7 answers

Why won't an AV selector work backwards? [more inside]
posted on Oct 24, 2007 - 8 answers

I'm going to embark on a stompbox-building adventure, and I'd like to know how much one can mess things up. [more inside]
posted on Oct 21, 2007 - 13 answers

Looking for electronics simulation software. [more inside]
posted on Oct 8, 2007 - 6 answers

I recently acquired an older reel-to-reel tape recorder, and it works fine except for inconsistent tape speed. I recorded a test tone and it plays back at a varying pitch. Can this be fixed, or should I put it out with the trash tomorrow? [more inside]
posted on Oct 8, 2007 - 13 answers

My fiancée and I are getting married in about a year, and being an electrical engineer, I thought it would be fun to incorporate some sort of electronics into our wedding. What I would really love to do is design something small and simple that every guest could take home. Help me design it! [more inside]
posted on Oct 8, 2007 - 18 answers

Who knew finding a tabletop alarm clock would be so hard? [more inside]
posted on Oct 7, 2007 - 15 answers

My company just instituted a “no headphones” policy…how can I deal? [more inside]
posted on Oct 2, 2007 - 43 answers

I need to purchase an all-in-one office machine (fax/scan/copy/printer) from my desk here in the U.S., and get it to my company's CEO in London by tomorrow. [more inside]
posted on Sep 11, 2007 - 11 answers

ElectronicsFilter: How do I drive a step-up transformer to get hundreds of volts out of an AA battery? They're only 1.5v. [more inside]
posted on Sep 3, 2007 - 7 answers