Table Of ContentHowTo-Color (8) / Hacking Electronics / Simon Monk / 236-3 / Front Matter
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About the Author
Dr. Simon Monk (Preston, UK) has a degree in Cybernetics and Computer Science and a
PhD in Software Engineering. Monk spent several years as an academic before he returned
to industry, co-founding the mobile software company Momote Ltd. He has been an active
electronics hobbyist since his early teens and is a full-time writer on hobby electronics and
open-source hardware. Dr. Monk is the author of numerous electronics books, specializing in
open-source hardware platforms, especially Arduino and Raspberry Pi. He is also co-author
with Paul Scherz of Practical Electronics for Inventors, 3rd edition. You can follow Simon
on Twitter, where he is @simonmonk2.
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Hacking Electronics
An Illustrated DIY Guide for Makers and Hobbyists
Simon Monk
New York Chicago San Francisco Lisbon
London Madrid Mexico City Milan New Delhi
San Juan Seoul Singapore Sydney Toronto
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To Roger, for making it possible for me to turn a hobby into an occupation.
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Contents at a Glance
1 Getting Started ............................................. 1
2 Theory and Practice ......................................... 19
3 Basic Hacks ............................................... 33
4 LEDs .................................................... 55
5 Batteries and Power ......................................... 83
6 Hacking Arduino ........................................... 105
7 Hacking with Modules ....................................... 149
8 Hacking with Sensors ....................................... 193
9 Audio Hacks ............................................... 213
10 Mending and Breaking Electronics ............................. 235
11 Tools ..................................................... 245
A Parts ..................................................... 257
Index .................................................... 263
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Contents
Acknowledgments ........................................ xix
Introduction ............................................. xxi
CHAPTER 1 Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Getting Stuff ............................................. 1
Buying Components .................................. 1
Where to Buy Things to Hack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
A Basic Toolkit ..................................... 3
How to Strip a Wire ....................................... 5
You Will Need ...................................... 5
How to Join Wires Together by Twisting ....................... 7
You Will Need ...................................... 7
How to Join Wires by Soldering .............................. 8
Safety ............................................. 8
You Will Need ...................................... 9
Soldering .......................................... 10
Joining Wires ....................................... 11
How to Test a Connection .................................. 12
You Will Need ...................................... 12
How to Hack a Computer Fan to Keep Soldering Fumes Away ..... 14
You Will Need ...................................... 14
Construction ........................................ 14
Summary ............................................... 18
CHAPTER 2 Theory and Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
How to Assemble a Starter Kit of Components .................. 19
You Will Need ...................................... 19
How to Identify Electronic Components ....................... 20
Resistors ........................................... 20
Capacitors ......................................... 22
Diodes ............................................ 23
LEDs ............................................. 23
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