On Wed, 23 Jun 2004 13:48:21 -0500, llile@SALTONUSA.COM wrote:

> Let's re-focus this to the actual topic heading:
>
> embedded work requirements:
> What does it take to actually do what we do?
>
> Here is my list:

>...<

> A big box of parts, hopefully well organized

And another one that isn't, to while away happy hours when there's nothing else going on :-)

> So what would you add to your must-have, don't-code-without-it wish list?

Well not just code, but build...

A couple of DMMs, one with "continuity beep", and one with an analogue reading (bar graph or actual needle) to
make it quick to spot change-trend.

A pair of little magnets-on-wire, to make it easy to connect meters to ferrous metal (batteries, mainly)

A logic probe, with positive indication of High & Low, and a pulse-catcher.

A large magnifyer (120mm diameter, so you can see with both eyes), with a ring fluorescent tube around it, on
an "anglepoise" type arm.

A low magnification (5x) stereo microscope with top-lighting - excellent for soldering tiny parts and looking
for solder whiskers.  And for getting splinters out of fingertips!

Spencer-Wells forceps (ratchet closing), straight and bent-tip.

A "PanaVise" with PCB holder for assembly & soldering.  Just wish they had a component-holding pad...

Conductive foam for sticking parts in for storage, and when getting them together prior to soldering.

Anderson "Powerpole" low voltage connectors - they are genderless 30A connectors and everything I have that
supplies or uses 12VDC has them fitted.  Excellent piece of kit!  I use Saratoga PowerPanels as multi-way
adaptors.

Atlas LCR, and Atlas Component Analyser, from Peak Electronics.  They save hours by doing quick readings of
components, and identifying the leads, without having to set anything - clip on, press, done!  And they use
PICS internally, too  :-)

An RCCD (Residual Current Circuit Device - I forget what they're called Stateside - trips when an imbalance of
Line/Neutral current happens) for when I'm working on something that's mains-powered.

So far I've managed to do without a signal generator - I wonder what people use them for with PICs?

I'm sure there are other things I use when I need to, but can't think of them at the moment...
Cheers,

Howard Winter
St.Albans, England

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