Neon and Sound System.
I am working on the Neon and a sound system. I'm documenting the parts used so that it's easy to copy my results. I'm going to use a laptop inside my computer to control movements and sounds. Usually this is a bad idea and it's cheaper and easier to use a PIC board. It's also much smarter to save setting up the neon as the last job because playing with your neon can only lead to breaking it.
First I needed a 12 Volt power supply to feed the neon power converter. I could use a battery or a radio shack power supply that converts 115 volts AC to 13 volts DC.
The small radio shack version sells for $41.00. Ok for playing around with but I remembered I had an old computer in my basement. The PC power supply is easy to remove and provides lots of easy hook ups. (Most old computers aren't worth $41.00)
You just can't use a PC power supply without some slight modifcations.
Next I had to prep the back plate. I will be using a fiberglass back plate. I like the strength. I'm going to mount the neon electronics to the back of the plate and the neon to the front. I want it to be modular.
I sanded, primed and painted this today.
8/5/2004
I used Marine Epoxy to mount flat head NYLON 6/32 screws on to the backside of the back plate. I have to make sure these don't get in the way of the Neon loops that go behind the back plate and the connections.
Later I will use the same putty to mount more screws onto the inside of the torso for easy mounting of the back plate. I also though of using fiberglass filler.
I had to move the screws it was very easy to Dremel the Marine Epoxy off cleanly.
8/6/2004 I'm took apart a cheap set of PC speakers to amplify the signal from the PC. I put connectors on all the wires for easy testing. Later I'll mount bar with screws and Marine Epoxy to the back side of the back plate.
Note I may need to build a humanoid robot like Robby above...to finish my B9.
8/6/2004 I'm close, .the circuit works correctly but is weak when playing music. I think a stronger amp is needed.
8/6/2004 It wasn't the speaker amp but the power supply. As soon as the power spiked...it would drop off. You could hear it in the power supply fan. So much for using an old computer's power supply.
(NOTE 6/26/05) I didn't know what I was doing. It would have worked if I jumped a wire.
I ordered this power supply.
8/8/2004 I'm using 22-18 gauge spade and ring tongues on a terminal bar, both can be found at radio shack. A bag full of terminals are just $3.00. I also use shrink tubing where terminals don't make sense.
You slide this on the wire before splicing and soldering then position the tubing over the splice. Then use a heat gun to shrink the tubing to a tight fit.
I'll mount the Neon tubes with transparent silicon sealant.
8/16/2004 Power Supply showed up today. Instantly my neon was up an working.
So I mounted everything on the back. Then silicon sealant pasted the neon to the front. (My hint put the neon on THEN silicon or you'll smear the silicon across the back plate.) I used light tape to hold the neon in place while the silicon dries. Later I'll double check to make sure it looks good in place...Almost forgot- I drilled holes into the back plate so I could use screws to mount it on the torso later.
Next I'll try to mount this on my B9 Torso. You may have noticed that some of the pictures are dark and grainy. This because it's usually late at night when the house is asleep.
The Neon and back plate look good when I hold it up on against the inside of the torso.
Right now I will leave the sound system just two PC speakers, but after the robot is complete. I'll make it more of a Juke box and add a car stereo amp and car speakers.
Above...No, Sally Ride, the first American woman in space didn't send me this for my awesome web page, rather for kindly giving her the Domain www.SallyRide.com.
I should have asked for an autographed book!
New Parts Media Files Mystery Island Con Photos Robot Parts Home Robots in The News
