The Current Buzz

Ford Windstar Monster Van

Ever see a family van turn heads? This Ford Windstar is guaranteed to do just that!
“SPECS:
* Chevy 3/4 ton frame… shortened 12 inches
* 1995 Chevy 305 V8 … Edelbrock 4 barrel intake, quadrajet carb
* Turbo 350 trans…. internals new.. clutches, bearings,… mild shift kit
* 231 Transfer Case… full time 4wd with lockout hubs
* Dana heavy duty 3/4 axles
* Cooling system…. Oversized radiator from dodge V10 truck
* Rancho 4 inch reached springs in front… blocks in rear
* Block hugger headers
* custom brush guard, nerf bars, tube bumper
Interior is original with exception of doghouse for larger engine. Complete set of new Equis white phantom […]

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DCC Ammeter

This circuit provides an easy way to meter current if your meter only has voltage capability.
“The circuit shown on this page is a reasonably Low Cost, Hi-Tech ammeter that can be used with DCC systems. The circuit’s meter output is always has the same polarity regardless of the input polarity. This allows a low cost DC voltmeter to be used to monitor a DCC current.”

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Pedal Powered Television

Save on your energy bill and loose weight with this home made pedal wheel generator.
“The Pedal Powered Prime Mover (PPPM) can be assembled with standard hand tools (drill, hacksaw, wrench, pliers, screwdriver, etc.). There is no welding, brazing or machine-shop work required. The PPPM can be used to power virtually anything that spins or rotates, as long as the effort required is within the capabilities of the rider..The approximate cost for parts to construct the PPPM, based on full retail prices at hardware and bicycle stores in Northern California, is US $230.00″
Via: Make

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TRAXMOD - SD card MOD player

The LPC2103 microcontroller from Philips sounds too good to be true. All the specs listed below for $5.00. The guys over at TRAXMOD have used it to create an audio player.
“TRAXMOD is a small digital audio player using the Philips LPC2103 ARM7TDMI-S high speed microcontroller chip (prior versions were based on Microchip dsPIC DSPs). Currently, the ARM port can play raw wave audio streaming off of a FAT formatted MMC/SD Card at 44100Hz, 10-bits, stereo. It is also beginning to play small 4 channel MOD files. The hardware for TRAXMOD/ARM can be built using a BBMICRO Protoboard and a few additional low cost components.
LPC2103 Features
* Up to 70MHz (63MIPS) 32bit ARM7TDMI-S core.
* 3.3V I/O (5V tolerant). 1.8V core
* 2 UART, 2 I2C, 1 SPI + 1 SPI/SSP
* 8 channel, 10-bit ADC
[…]

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LOCUST Bike

We have all seen compact folding bikes before but Josef Cadek has taken compact to the next level with his LOCUST Bike.
Thanks Keith S.

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Home Made Video Car

Unlike the video car that was featured yesterday, this one by Ryan Robinson was built from scratch using some common parts. The results are fantastic!
“This weekend I happened to come into possession of a $170 store credit to one of the better hobby shops in the area. Not being into RC cars or planes I figured I’d just nose around and see if anything struck my fancy. Well, something did. A six channel futuba radio set that came with 4 servos. I didn’t know what I’d do with it but I had a pretty good thought it would be useful for robotics experimenting and stuff so I plunked down the store credit and another $30 and walked out wanting to play with my new toy.”

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Inside the Spy Video Car

What is Hacked Gadgets doing with a toy? Taking it apart of course! What makes this thing tick, and how else can it be used? This Spy Car is no normal RC car, there is a cool black and white camera mounted on the car that sends live video back to the hand held controller. A head set plugs into the hand held controller and presto your right eye is watching whatever the car is pointed at. If that isn’t enough there is a switch on the side of the camera that turns on some IR LEDs to allow the camera to see in the dark. It reminds me a bit of the Dragon Runner
Not interested in the guts and just want to see the car, no problem. Check out the pictures on page two.
I can imagine numerous projects that this car could be used […]

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LEGO Marble Carousel

Lemariogo has built a crazy LEGO Carousel. After watching the carousel have a look at his other creations.

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Glowing Keyboard Mod

This is a cool mod that get some light inside a computer without using LEDs! Instead the creator used some electroluminescent wire.
“This is my glowing keyboard mod.It is lit up with neon (electroluminescent) wire. I decided to use blue beacuse my case is blue and the whole set up is blue/red themed, and since red is too harsh on the eyes I chose blue. I also addes a switch on the back so I can turn it off when it gets annoying. I had to dig a trench with my dremel so the wire wouldn’t get in the way when the keys are pushed down, then i glued the wire into the trench, routed the wire ot of the keyboard, added a switch and made a power outlet behind my pc where I plug it for the power.”

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Treadmill Bike

Why walk on the ground when you can walk a treadmill bike.
“In extolling the benefits of the treadmill bicycle, the merchant says “Today’s urban landscape is increasingly dominated by large SUV’s and multilane roadways. The Treadmill Bike’s elevated running platform means you’ll be seen over the hood of even the most heinously overbuilt motor vehicle.” (Yes, the image of sitting in traffic on my treadmill bicycle with the large SUV’s in multi lanes of traffic makes me wiggle with excitement.)”
Via: Gizmodo

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