Apparently Toyota omitted placing a EV push button switch on North American Prius 2004+ models. This push button, is normally pre-installed at the factory for Japan and European versions.

Here is a well documented hack that shows Prius users how to install their own EV push button.

It appears that placing the Prius in EV mode could, possibly, improve fuel efficiency. But the owner’s manuals of the European and Japanese Priuses with the EV button warn that use of the EV button could LOWER your MPG.

Make sure you read the full article and understand when to use the EV push button and when not to use the EV push button.

And as always, try not to blow up your Prius when performing this hack, and remember we cannot be held responsible if you do.

For those Prius owners who would like the benefit of the EV push button but who do not want to get their hands dirty, there is an after market solution. See links below:

Prius 2004 EV Push Button

After Market solution

Has anyone seen this Think Geek ad? I am not sure if this is a gag or not?

Think Geek Ad

This device claims to have a 300 foot range and has 15 amp plugs on it.
The ad does not indicate power ratings and does not provide any other technical data other than they have tested it at 300 feet (sounds fishy to me)

Scientists are currently working on being able to charge portable devices powering laptops with a range of around 16 feet.

BBC News Link

Also I am sure most of you have heard about the MIT experiment.

Wireless energy could power consumer, industrial electronics

In the article they state:

“But the team calculates that an object the size of a laptop could be recharged within a few meters of the power source. ”

And on top of this Think Geek is only charging $34.99 for this device.

Could this be a gag gift? Have any of our readers purchased this device? If so
Could you provide us with feedback?

This really looks like a gag to me!!

What is an oscilloscope, what can you do with it, and how does it work?

For those Hacked Gadget makers who have had little experience in working with oscilloscopes and would like to learn more about them, check out these tutorial sites.

Oscilloscope tutorial

Oscilloscopes

Use of the Oscilloscope

Using an Oscilloscope

Oscilloscope Tutorials

“A stepper motor is a brushless, synchronous electric motor that can divide a full rotation into a large number of steps. When commutated electronically, the motor’s position can be controlled precisely, without any feedback mechanism” (citation from Wikipedia)

Any DIY Maker should understand the workings of stepper motors, Ask any Robot maker, just about any motion control a robot makes is done with stepper motors.

Here are a few links that will educate you on what stepper motors are, how to understand their operation and how to control them.

PMinMO.com has a wiki that provides a good basic introduction to stepper motors, related control mechanisms, and software associated with them.

PMinMO.com

A slightly more technical description on the stepper motor itself can be found on the Gecko Drive site

Gecko Drive PDF document

Above image is a B9A Nixie Tube Tester & Regenerator that tests and removed cathode poisoning.

The B9A Nixie Tube tester is just one project from Tube-tester.com web site.

The site is in German and English and is hosted by Dieter. This site is one of the foremost resources around for Nixie tubes, antique tube testers and Nixie tube specifications.

Dieter collects data sheets of Nixie tubes from all over the world and posts these data sheets on his web site.

He builds custom Nixie clocks, sells kits and provides technical data.

Some more images, Link to Dieter’s site below:

Blue Light VFD Clock

Ah! that beautiful Nixie Glow!

Dieter’s Site

This image shows a bipolar marx generator. The output is a million volts.

Mike’s Electric Stuff web site contains three major sections: Antique Glass Stuff, Tesla coils and High-voltage stuff and Miscellaneous electric, science & laser stuff.

This site is definitely a look but don’t touch kind of site. Please enjoy the high voltage, but do not attempt to build these devices unless you have experience working with High Voltage.

I ran across Mike’s site, who is from the UK, because of his interesting section on Nixie clocks and Nixie tubes. Little did I know just what kinds of wild devices of destruction and collections of glass he has.

Here are some more images, The link to his site is below:

Anyone care for a fried PCB:

How about a Tesla Coil with 14″ streamers:

Mike’s Electric Stuff

Here is final project from two Cornell students who researched, designed and implemented an RFID proximity security system.

They decided to build a proximity security system as their student id cards supported both magnetic strip and RFID tags. Many of the controlled areas on campus were switching to proximity entry systems.

The maximum range of their proximity card reader is about 1.5 to 2.0 inches from the antenna coil.

There site is well documented and they did a great job.

Since RFID is getting so much bad publicity lately, it is good to see some examples of the technology put to good use.

Proximity Security System