the replacement cost is near $200. and as for starting simple and going from there? That's probably the approach I'll take.Something Like a current sensor could be as simple as a single resistor, add a comparator chip (very very cheap) and you have an adjustable current limit. So many ways to do it.
Best plan is work out exactly what you want it to do, build a simple version frst, something very basic and take it from there, two years from now you will have a home lab![]()
![happy :happy: :happy:](/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/happy.png)
I appreciate everyone's help so far, and once you guys stoke my brains enough I'll even get brave and post a schematic for the group to critique . I love a challenge.