I cleaned my Kotronic jukebox and now it’s time to give this an upgrade. I will leave all of the original electronics intact and still working but I will add the WS2812 led strip inside the bezels, top and centerpieces. these will be controlled using an Arduino to simulate the “bubbler” bezels from the original wurtzinger/rock-ola jukeboxes from the ’50s.
Tag: arduino
DIY PC PSU to Bench / Project Power Supply
Computer power supplies typically cost around $30, while dedicated lab power supplies often come with a much higher price tag—$100 or more. However, by repurposing inexpensive or even free ATX power supplies found in discarded computers, you can create a highly capable lab power supply without breaking the bank. These units offer impressive current outputs, built-in short-circuit protection, and surprisingly stable voltage regulation, especially on the +5V rail.
This makes converted ATX power supplies an excellent choice for hobbyists, students, or anyone needing a reliable bench power source on a budget. With a bit of modification and setup, you can turn a common computer PSU into a versatile lab supply that rivals many commercial options in both performance and safety features.
CategoriesHardware
Fix FTDI DMX interface & Arduino on OSX 10.9+ Mavericks
Apple recently made a significant change with the release of OSX 10.9 Mavericks by introducing their own custom FTDI driver. While this move was likely intended to improve system integration and performance, it inadvertently caused compatibility issues for many users relying on devices that use FTDI chips, such as Arduino boards and USB DMX interfaces. These devices suddenly stopped functioning correctly because the new Apple driver did not fully support the communication protocols these peripherals required. As a result, many developers and hobbyists found their workflows disrupted, with their essential tools no longer recognized or operating as expected.
Fortunately, there is a straightforward way to resolve this problem by disabling Apple’s new FTDI driver and reverting to the previous, more compatible version of the driver. By doing so, you can restore full functionality to your Arduino and USB DMX devices, ensuring that all your related applications work seamlessly again. This guide will walk you through the necessary steps to safely disable the updated driver, reinstall the older FTDI driver, and get your hardware back to working condition — allowing you to continue your projects without interruption.
CategoriesArduino
Arduino Composite TV output Shield
Shields are add-on boards designed to plug directly onto the Arduino’s main PCB, expanding its capabilities without the need for complex wiring or additional hardware. These shields can add everything from network connectivity and motor control to audio output and displays, making the Arduino platform incredibly versatile for a wide range of projects.
In addition to its usual input/output functions, the Arduino is also capable of generating a composite video signal, allowing you to display basic graphics or text on a standard TV using a simple yellow RCA video cable. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how I built my own composite video-out setup for the Arduino in under 15 minutes, using just a few basic components and minimal code.