# An Interview with Mike Harrison - X-ray Examining Xenogogue

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2013-03-05
- Length: 1h 38m
- Episode: 135
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-03-05-an-interview-with-mike-harrison-x-ray-examining-xenogogue
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/the-amp-hour-135-x-ray-examining-xenogogue/

## Summary

Mike Harrison, founder of Mike's Electric Stuff, discusses his transition from freelance electronics consulting to large-scale LED art installations and architectural lighting. He details the engineering challenges of projects like the Halo 4 launch structure and high-voltage Mark generators, emphasizing the importance of custom hardware design, such as his 48-channel DMX dimmer and low-cost PIC-based LED controllers. Harrison also shares insights on managing one-off production runs, sourcing components during shortages, and navigating the regulatory grey areas of experimental art installations.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-03-05-an-interview-with-mike-harrison-x-ray-examining-xenogogue#t=0) Introduction: Mike Harrison and Mike's Electric Stuff
- [2:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-03-05-an-interview-with-mike-harrison-x-ray-examining-xenogogue#t=145) Early Career: Repair Shop and IBM PC XT Networking
- [10:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-03-05-an-interview-with-mike-harrison-x-ray-examining-xenogogue#t=658) Consulting Work: Microchip PICs and Fire Alarm Sounders
- [20:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-03-05-an-interview-with-mike-harrison-x-ray-examining-xenogogue#t=1222) Business Model: Quoting, PCB Turnarounds, and Pick-and-Place
- [23:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-03-05-an-interview-with-mike-harrison-x-ray-examining-xenogogue#t=1431) Art Installations: Jason Bruges Studio and Lift Shaft Project
- [42:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-03-05-an-interview-with-mike-harrison-x-ray-examining-xenogogue#t=2539) Large Scale Projects: Halo 4 UFO and Helicopter Lifting
- [51:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-03-05-an-interview-with-mike-harrison-x-ray-examining-xenogogue#t=3075) High Voltage Hobbies: Tesla Coils and Mark Generators
- [59:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-03-05-an-interview-with-mike-harrison-x-ray-examining-xenogogue#t=3561) Scaling Electronics: LED Glasses and Microcontroller Control
- [1:10:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-03-05-an-interview-with-mike-harrison-x-ray-examining-xenogogue#t=4243) Component Shortages and Regulatory Grey Areas
- [1:26:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-03-05-an-interview-with-mike-harrison-x-ray-examining-xenogogue#t=5194) Safety, Reliability, and Advice for Aspiring Artists

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Mike's Electric Stuff (company)
- Jason Bruges Studio (company)
- Microchip (company)
- PCAD (tool)
- Faros (company)
- Technology Will Save Us (company)
- Bright Eyes LED glasses (product)
- Lumiphone (product)
- Halo 4 UFO (product)
- Mark generator (product)
- Tesla coil (product)
- X-ray machine (product)
- PIC 10F322 (chip)
- Scilabs radio receiver chip (chip)
- 48 channel dimmer (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [294: Ludicrous Numbers of LEDs (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-08-25-294-ludicrous-numbers-of-leds-repeat) (Embedded.fm)
- [499: This Is Your Problem](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-04-17-499-this-is-your-problem) (Embedded.fm)
- [294: Ludicrous Numbers of LEDs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-07-11-294-ludicrous-numbers-of-leds) (Embedded.fm)
- [44: Light Up Strikes Back](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-03-26-44-light-up-strikes-back) (Embedded.fm)
- [429: The Fabric of Your Lungs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-02-09-429-the-fabric-of-your-lungs) (Making It)

## Citing this page

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