Electronics Assistant version 4.31 is now available to download from the 'downloads' link on the menu at the top of this page. Users of V4.1 or later can also install it by selecting 'check for updates' on the 'help' menu. If you have problems installing the update automatically, run Electronics Ass...

Hi, Yes, you could power the pump via a transformer from the machine, the only risk being that the pump will probably draw more power than the solenoid value, so you could overload the switching capacity of the washing machine's controller output. You need to check the current consumption of the pum...

Hi, Electronics Assistant isn't dead, the next version is coming along, although much slower than hoped due to other commitments. Version 4.3 won't have many new features, mostly a couple of minor enhancemetns and bug fixes, but I've got a list of stuff to add to the following version. I take it you...

Any chance of a picture? Might at least be able to identify what it is.

Sounds like the connection if it works intermittently - certainly the socket needs checking (could be the soldering, or a loose / dirty contact) and could also be the plug on the PSU. Might be worth changing replacing this too while you are at it.

Are any voltages present on any of the wiring connecting the two boards? I the input is on one, and the switch on the other, the unswitched supply almost certainly connects between the boards. No voltage on the interconnecting wiring would suggest the fault is on the input connector board, and vice ...

Infra-red remote controls, as the name suggests, emit an infra-red light which is sensed by the equipment being controlled. Most remote controls transmit data using a standard protcol such as RC-5; the data to be transmitted is modulated onto a carrier frequency. You can purchase ICs to encode / dec...

At least the adapter is working. Is there 9V or thereabouts on any of the switch pins? If not, I think you need to trace the 9V power tracks between the input connector and the switch to see what other components they go through on the way. Probably best to do this visually on the board, and use the...

That makes sense. I'm guessing that pins 1 & 4 aren't connected to anything (they will be connected to the battery supply when the keyboard is off). Troubleshooting steps: 1: Check the continuity between battery positive connection and pins 2 & 5. At least one of these should be connected, a...

Hi, I don;tt know of an off-the-shelf solution, although I'm sure such a thing must exist. If you want to investigate building your own, EPE magazine published an SMS controller design back in March - May 2007. Even if this doesn't quite fit the bill, it might give some information to point you in t...