What a span. From telephone phones with cranks and AM radios with tubes (n= o = FM) when I was young, to printers with SMD's in them in Juan's youth. Bill ----- Original Message ----- = From: "Juan Cubillo" To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public." Sent: Friday, January 06, 2006 12:35 AM Subject: Re: [EE] stupid (learning) mistakes Let=B4s keep adding to the list: I opened a printer and found some SMD leds. I "touched" them with a 2xAA battery pack I had and it turned on. - "Wow, it lights!" Then, I decided to use a 24V backup battery from an old house alarm... The led made a REALLY bright flash that left a nice white spot in my vision for about 5 minutes. Then, instantly, it burned and a string of white smoke went up in my room. That was how my interest in electronics got started... Juan Cubillo -- = http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist