Another N0QBH polarity control project

[Magic Static]

I have been salvaging some circuit boards lately and have acquired a pile of components. I decided I wanted to make something. I had a lot of fun with the Deluxe Polarity Control circuit. N0QBH also has a basic control circuit So I decided to stick one of those in a new V-Box 7. NOTE: VBox controllers are no longer being imported to the states. They have been cheapened too much. The failure rate is too high.
Well I managed to find some at LeoMall. Cheap So now with soldering iron in hand I'm starting the new project. Instead of a display there will only be a bi-color LED indicating V or H polarity. There is no skew adjust control. It basically operates like a voltage switch LNBF, simple. But since there are discrepancies between individual polarity servo motors, there is a calibration adjustment in the circuit (10K pot)
http://www.ringolake.com/pic_proj/satellite/sat_projects.html

Pictures to follow

 

[Magic Static]

camera battery dead. Only thing worse than that was my turn for "Show & Tell" and the stupid frog had died.

 

[Magic Static]

Well the camera is working. Unfortunately the polarity control is not. I had a devil of a time getting the chip to flash and I think therein lies the problem. I checked powers and grounds and checked continuity with no issues observed. I'll work on the chip and see what I find.

 

[Magic Static]

As I suspected. Reflashed the chip correctly this time. It helps to know how to use your programmer This thing works pretty good. Calibrated easily. Very good stuff N0QBH, I like it!!!

 

[Magic Static]

I'm using a 5V source from the VBox so the polarity control is always active when the VBox is plugged in. Red LED on V mode.

 

[Cosmo Blatz]

Nice project! Titanium better watch out. El cheap-o ASC1 here. LoL!

 

[Titanium]

No worries here.

Think the market is big enough for both of us...

 

[Magic Static]

I have an old VBox 7 with a broken F fitting. It has a metal I/O plate on the back for the connectors. I found a good replacement F fitting during salvage operations and I think I'll do an "OverHaulin" job on that VBox and make some improvements and make it look pretty.
It needs a fuse for one. Unlike the newer cheaper cousin the old VBox does not have a connecter from the transformer to the main board. It's soldered directly onto the board. That makes working on the main board like dragging a ball & chain. I salvaged one of those connectors too The polarity indication LED is a bit bright and I think I will leave it inside behind the darkened lens on this unit. The old VBoxes have a better firmware than the new ones. This one will go on the Pinnacle with a Corotor II.

Next project will be an optical sensor for my other AJAK. I have all the pieces now. With this will be an optical sensor adaptor on the ASC1. I got some ideas I want to try out

 

[Cosmo Blatz]

With this will be an optical sensor adaptor on the ASC1. I got some ideas I want to try out

How about a fiber optic line from the Ajak sensor to the ASC1? No glitches!

 

[Magic Static]

Weird Wonkiness!! I had an attack the other night. I have a reproduction Star Trek hand phaser with flashing lights and sounds sitting on my desk, ornamental like. Out of the blue it starts firing itself when I turn on and off the desk lamp. Every time like clockwork. I played with the phenom for a bit. Now it's gone. Not a peep from the phaser now and it never did it before the other night.

 

[FaT Air]

1-800-GHOSTBUSTERS Like NOW!

 

[Cham]

Better put on that tin foil hat!

 

[FTA4PA]

 

[Magic Static]

Well that was fun. And now back on topic. Some changes have been done to my next victim

 

[wallyhts]

Cool add-on.

Thanks for posting.

 

[Magic Static]

While waiting parts for the inside I've been playing with the outside.

 

[KE4EST]

Well that is different!

 

[Magic Static]

Never rains, but it pours. My main computer just blew the power supply But I got the parts to finish the VBox

 

[bpalone]

Nothing money won't fix!

Sorry to hear about your tribulations.

 

[KE4EST]

Got one like this last month to upgrade my main machine. Had a 430 in it, but it was not enough to cut it when I installed a new video card.
Amazon product ASIN B00K85X23O