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Originally Posted by Steinola
I guess I'm not sure how this qualifies as an "invention", or qualifies you as an "inventor", since satellite radios already exist... but no matter... sounds like a cool, fun project. 
As far as wrapping a circuit board in cardboard, I wouldn't recommend it. Plastic (or even wood) would be better. Fry's and Radio Shack typcally sell what they call "project cases", which are just little plastic, non-conductive boxes or varying sizes built to hold PCBs. You might look to see if they might have one that's a decent size for your appplication.
At any rate, it's unlikely that you'd "kill yourself by electricution". You're talking milliamps of electricity, at only a few volts... you'd probably only get a tingle if you were to touch anything power-wise. But what you want to watch out for is actually static electricity. If your body is loaded up with static electricity, and you touch a PCB, you'll overload the circuits and wipe any programming in the chips. Meaning, your handling an unshielded circuit board is more dangerous for the circuit board than it really is for you. I would definitely suggest you wear a anti-static grounding strap (a small bracelet you wrap around your wrist and connect to a metal grounding point) before you handle the PCB anymore. And definitely keep it away from the metal sides of the lunchbox. You'll want to stand it up off the walls with plastic risers. |
It's an invention cuz i say so...i invented satellite radio remember? Tell em Fred!
But seriously...thanks for the advice on not elctrifying me or anything. It looks like i may have to run back to Radio Shack...i hate that place. Those kids never know a damn thing about what they sell there. The kid yesterday wanted me to buy a 30 adapter for this very project. What is he nuts??
Anyway, glad to know cardboard would be bad.
This is a project i decided to take on since my $200 XM/CD boombox took a dump and broke on me and i wanted a replacement. This will be good to sell to people as i can make them fairly cheap. All i'd need are old computer speakers, lunchboxes, and a car kit.
john