| Interesting Devices |
| Relative Humidity sensor: reads meg-ohms dry, aproaching 30K @100% humidity. Looks like a thick-film resistor deposited on ceramic. Used in VCRs for Dew Indicator function. Caution--AC only! Has Log.-scale characteristic. For more, see the National Semiconductor application note. |
| Wax Motor: takes 120V, pushes hard slowly; based on a heater and expansion of wax. Application: dishwasher soap- dispenser-cup dump actuator. 1/2" travel. |
| Ignitor: takes 110V, 3A; cut-lattice carborundum resistor--runs incandesant continuously. Used in gas ovens and dryers. Run in unison with flame on ovens; they are deactivated after combustion onset for the dryer. Get the boxy-shaped one. The clip fails with the round one. |
| Igniton Module: takes 120VAC; delivers two, hot, 3/8"-sparks, repeating about once a second. Used to start cooktop burners. Series the outputs to double your spark-length (for ~30 KVPK). Module is about the size of a solid-state relay. |
| 120 VAC reversible fractional-horsepower motors--sporting centrifugial clutches!: GE Hotpoint washers have them. Schematic One and two-speed varieties exist.Two-speed types sport a bloated-looking clutch-assy and tourque-selector solenoid. Both require an external starter-relay (split-phase config., no capacitor). Suitable for Welch Duo-Seal vacuum pumps (and other hard-starting applications). Further R&D adapting the clutch for internal combustion engines should be considered next. |
| Consumer Electronics |
| Flame detector (fire-eye-equivelent) has a mica window for exposing an internal bimetal-sheet to any external infra-red emitter. Has N.O. switch contacts, conservatively rated to handle 3A, 120VAC. |
| Catalytic Convertor, has a 1.25" port; and can reduce smoke to colorless odorless CO2 and H20 vapor. These are found in GE electric self-cleaning ranges (under a small exhaust-pipe, beneath the right-rear-burner drip pan). |