Objects in Flux - RMIT Research Repository - RMIT University

Objects in Flux
and miscellaneous items of interest. Individual
build log posts often end with a description of
what remains to be done to complete the project
and may ask for reader assistance in resolving
specific design problems. An interesting aspect
of the build log is that if a project has remained
inactive for an extended period of time, often
a number of months, the project’s author may
apologise for their lack of activity. Such apologies
suggest that writers feel a sense of obligation to
both their practice and their readers.
The B&O MP3 Mod project, developed as part of
my research into computer case modding com-
munities, adopted the build log as its main form
of public presentation. This project was devel-
oped over a period of three years and presented
across 13 build log posts. The B&O MP3 Mod
project involved integrating an Apple Macintosh
PowerBook computer into a 1979 Bang and
Olufsen BeoCentre 4500 stereo to produce a
large-format MP3 player. The completed project
won first prize in the 2006 MacMod Challenge. vii
The blog entry re-presented here, ‘Woz is God,
vii. MacMod.com was a community news site for
discussing and publishing computer case mods
based around Apple hardware, in particular
Macintosh computers. The MacMod Challenge
was an annual computer case modding
competition that accepted entries from the
case modding community. Participants were
required to submit a build log, including photos
of the construction process and finished object.
MacTech Magazine purchased MacMod.com in
2009. Despite claims that content from the
MacMod site would be merged with the MacTech
network, much of the community-developed
content from MacMod.com, including the
MacMod challenge pages, are now inaccessible.
http://www.mactech.com/macmodannouncement
accessed 6 January 2011.
84
frequency range (possibly as great as 20 to 50kHz) and will
respond to a wider variety of bats. Unfortunately introducing
an RF choke caused my circuit to oscillate so I left it off
(it may be a problem with the type of transducer I’m using).
I also omitted the stability components (the 10 ohm resistor
and 50 nF capacitor) from the amplifier ICs because of
problems with oscillation, and I removed the 220 uF power
capacitor because I ran out of space inside the lighter. (With
the 220 uF cap. removed you could also omit the 220 ohm
resistor, but mine was already soldered in so I didn’t bother.
The missing components are shown greyed-out in the circuit
diagram above.)
[Figure 5-6 ] Original Braun lighter – disassembled, 2005.
Disassembling the lighter took a couple of minutes. There
were just two screws holding it together; it’s a very impressive
design. With the fuel tank removed the lighter was a
hollow shell; I needed some kind of internal structure to
mount the circuit and switch assembly. I turned to my boxes
of miscellaneous crap and I found this: