# LEDs and EVs with Mike Harrison

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2021-01-04
- Length: 2h 01m
- Episode: 524
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-01-04-leds-and-evs-with-mike-harrison
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/524-leds-and-evs-with-mike-harrison/

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-01-04-leds-and-evs-with-mike-harrison#t=0) Introduction: Mike Harrison and Mike's Electric Stuff
- [2:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-01-04-leds-and-evs-with-mike-harrison#t=158) Designing a 16-Channel AC LED Dimmer with Scilabs SI8751
- [14:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-01-04-leds-and-evs-with-mike-harrison#t=848) Supply Chain Shortages and Component Availability
- [18:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-01-04-leds-and-evs-with-mike-harrison#t=1128) WS2812 LEDs and Manufacturing Constraints
- [35:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-01-04-leds-and-evs-with-mike-harrison#t=2108) PIC32 Microcontrollers and Development Tools
- [56:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-01-04-leds-and-evs-with-mike-harrison#t=3417) Hyundai Kona EV Ownership and Reverse Engineering
- [1:05:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-01-04-leds-and-evs-with-mike-harrison#t=3954) EV Charging Standards: CCS vs CHAdeMO and V2G
- [1:32:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-01-04-leds-and-evs-with-mike-harrison#t=5566) Self-Driving AI and Tesla's Data Strategy
- [1:56:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-01-04-leds-and-evs-with-mike-harrison#t=6995) Lattice Semiconductor CPLD Licensing Issues

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Mike's Electric Stuff (company)
- Scilabs (company)
- SI8751 (chip)
- PIC32 (chip)
- Hyundai Kona (product)
- Tesla (company)
- Lattice Semiconductor (company)

## 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)
- [294: Ludicrous Numbers of LEDs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-07-11-294-ludicrous-numbers-of-leds) (Embedded.fm)
- [Powering EVs: Microgrids & DC Charging Solutions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2025-08-19-powering-evs-microgrids-dc-charging-solutions) (Moore's Lobby)
- [Ep 195: No NABU for You, Self-Assembling 3D Prints, Black Hats Look at EV Chargers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-12-02-ep-195-no-nabu-for-you-self-assembling-3d-prints-black-hats-look-at-ev-chargers) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [The Spark Gap - Episode 7](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-07-30-the-spark-gap-episode-7) (The Spark Gap)

## Citing this page

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