LEDs and EVs with Mike Harrison

The Amp Hour · 4 Jan 2021 · 2h 01m · Episode 524

What this episode covers

Mike Harrison of Mike's Electric Stuff joins Chris Gammell and Dave Jones to discuss designing a 16-channel AC LED dimmer using the Scilabs SI8751 capacitive isolator and PIC32 microcontrollers, while also detailing his experience owning a Hyundai Kona electric vehicle. The conversation covers the technical challenges of trailing-edge dimming, component supply chain shortages during the pandemic, and the complexities of EV charging standards like CCS and CHAdeMO. They also debate the viability of vehicle-to-grid technology, the state of self-driving AI, and the business models of modern EV infrastructure.

Mentioned

Companies
Mike's Electric Stuff, Scilabs, Tesla, Lattice Semiconductor
Products
Hyundai Kona
Chips
SI8751, PIC32

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 04m

    294: Ludicrous Numbers of LEDs (Repeat)

    Mike Harrison, founder of White Wing Logic and host of the YouTube channel Mike's Electric Stuff, discusses his work designing large-scale architectural lighting installations using Microchip PIC microcontrollers and Texas Instruments TLC5971 LED drivers. He explains why he prefers white LEDs and RS485 daisy-chained architectures over NeoPixels for permanent, high-reliability projects, citing issues with reliability and color mixing. Harrison also details the logistical advantages of the PIC ecosystem, including Microchip's pre-programming services and the integrated MPLAB toolchain, which simplify production for his consultancy. The conversation covers his transition from general electronics consultancy to a niche in lighting design, his approach to managing power and voltage drops in large arrays, and his hobby of teardowns on obsolete scientific equipment like DNA analyzers.

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 04m

    294: Ludicrous Numbers of LEDs

    Mike Harrison, an electronics consultant specializing in large-scale lighting installations for artists and architects, joins the show to defend the PIC microcontroller and discuss his work with 'ludicrous numbers of LEDs.' He explains why he prefers the TI TLC5971 LED driver over NeoPixels for permanent installations due to reliability and grayscale depth, and details his preference for white LEDs and 24V systems to manage power and voltage drop. Harrison also shares insights into his consultancy business model, his self-taught engineering background, and the logistical advantages of Microchip's pre-programming services for low-volume production.

  • Moore's Lobby · 41m

    Powering EVs: Microgrids & DC Charging Solutions

    Antonio Di Vaira, Senior VP for Power Products at Schneider Electric, discusses the critical need for grid modernization driven by EV charging and AI data centers. He explains how microgrids and native DC distribution offer efficiency and resilience solutions, citing a pilot project at Schneider's Raleigh campus. Di Vaira also highlights the company's 'Flexset' switchboard, a modular, kit-built product designed to reduce lead times and empower electricians, while emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary engineering and customer-centric design.

  • Hackaday Podcast · 1h 08m

    Ep 195: No NABU for You, Self-Assembling 3D Prints, Black Hats Look at EV Chargers

    Hackaday editors Elliot Williams and Tom Nardi discuss a variety of hardware hacks, including a new generation of ATtiny microcontrollers that offer advanced ADC features but have lost the hobbyist-friendly ease of older models. They cover the resurrection of the Nabu PC, a Z-80 based Canadian home computer, and a DIY self-assembling 4D print project using PVA and TPU materials. The episode also highlights the security vulnerabilities of EV chargers, a local AI speech recognition implementation, and the conversion of gas outboard motors to electric.

  • The Spark Gap · 57m

    The Spark Gap - Episode 7

    Rodney McGee, a researcher at the University of Delaware, discusses his work on Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, explaining how electric vehicles can serve as distributed energy storage to stabilize the power grid. He details the technical challenges of standardizing communication protocols between cars and charging stations, highlighting the flaws in existing PWM-based standards and proposing single-ended CAN bus as a robust, low-cost alternative. McGee also covers the economic incentives for users, the specific power electronics required for grid-tied inverters, and the regulatory hurdles facing widespread adoption.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by The Amp Hour. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.