bigclive

Video release and LED video-wall data

By request, I'm going to be jumping the plug in heater video up the queue due to the number of scammers selling them as being "miracle" heaters during this suspicious "energy crisis".

On the last Patreon live stream I showed some video wall panels and a surprisingly cheap module that turns them into the moving message signs you see in almost every corner shop these days.
The data on the Aliexpress listing is wrong for the panels.  The correct preset option in the software is:-<...

Extra Patreon Stream?

An extra Patreon stream to pass the evening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhLGfNKZbi8

Ambient video, making a very useful power pack

Since I'd already shown how rechargeable lithium cells can be reclaimed from discarded disposable vapes, I thought it would be a good idea to show the process of making up a little power pack from them.

It's pretty neat.  It charges from a USB lead or solar panel and with a full charge can run a string of LEDs or a work light for a time determined by the choice of current limiting resistor.

In this case the lights will run for well over a day as the current will reduce slowly...

Cheapy Chinese lighting panel hacks

This is a redesign of an existing panel to make it even cheaper by basically removing almost all of the circuitry.

But it's OK.  Because we can reverse engineer it and put the circuitry back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9U2fCE9Sps

Exploded USB socket

I'm not a huge fan of building electronics into buildings for the exact reason shown here.  If something fails you can end up with defective energised electronics sitting inside a wall.

As with many similar items, when they go bang like this it often obliterates any clue as to what initiated the failure.  It's just one big sooty skidmark inside.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpiSk4S7mZU...

Miracle heater teardown

It appears that the latest marketing thing is pushing these fairly common heaters as being so efficient that they can heat your whole house for pennies.

In reality an electric heater is 100% efficient at converting electricity to heat regardless of the power, so the cost for a given amount of heat will be the same.  And electricity isn't the most economical way to heat your home.

https://www.youtu...

Deja-vu - but weird circuitry twist

I've featured lights like this before, but they all seem to have their own little twist on the circuitry.  I wonder if they originate from the same factory or if they have just become so popular that they are widely copied.

This one's circuitry twist had me puzzling for a while.  It's clever and weird simultaneously.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nQC8Dl92uQ

I subsequently hacked ...

Flasher with intriguing circuitry

This module uses a very unexpected component to trigger a MOSFET for flashing 12V lights with just two wires.

I was actually quite pleased to see such a retro component is not just still available, but has made the transition to an SMD package.

https://youtu.be/aphdM0ttTJM

Weekend stream link

Here's the link to the weekend stream:-

https://youtu.be/2SfeKg7pScc

Another eBay architectural light

I've featured similar lights to this in the past, but it's good to revisit generic Chinese made LED lighting fixtures.

This one generates a fairly tight line on each side with minimal divergence to create fairly narrow beams of light on walls or a ceiling.

https://youtu.be/0dbFbFfDNqk

Toaster stunt (now fixed)

Following on from the recent livestream - the link to the "toaster stunt" video showing a much younger Clive at work doing stupid shit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwaQU5vN4z0

Stream about to start

A reminder of the Patreon stream.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwHLqaaRJNE

Quiet Patreon Stream

Here's the link to the upcoming Patreon stream.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwHLqaaRJNE

Wifi socket repair fail

Wifi socket repair fail - except to an ESP geek, to which it would actually be an interesting challenge to use the unit as a base for their own software.

Still wouldn't trust that tiny relay for much current though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCf8BfJD9NU

Water distiller teardown

I doubt many of these are actually used to distil water.  They seem to have become a handy kitchen accessory for making your own vodka/rum.  But they do an excellent job of distilling water, which can be useful in many applications.

The slight downside is that they are quite slow, as all the water needs to be boiled through as steam.  But in an emergency these units could make contaminated or sea water drinkable.

There's no proper thumbnail for this video yet, as it...

Parkside 20V soldering iron and hack

I'd guess this is sold under different names around the world.  It's a Parkside soldering iron that uses clip-in 20V batteries.

It actually feels pretty good to use, and because of it's unusually high fixed temperature it packs quite a punch when soldering.

That high temperature probably makes it ideal for soldering large wires together, but could pose a risk of component damage if used by someone new to electronics soldering.  If you're experienced in soldering it will ...

Obligatory cat video (My apologies to the dog lovers)

One of Ralfy's kitties attempting to eat me.

That's the peril of domesticated tigers.  This little bundle of fur can't get enough petting, but occasionally gets too excited.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iInlMQ-JIic

Can I make a short showing the full tool operation?

I decided to see if I could make a short that showed the full use of the core exchange tool in less than 60 seconds.

I managed it in 59.   Darn it's hard making shorts with technical content.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1sx59oIO8FI

Random technical tangent

Sometimes I find a tool that is so cool that I just want one to play with.

This firmly falls into that category.  It's designed to allow changing of the core of schrader valves while under pressure or vacuum while reducing the loss of gas or intake of air to a minimum.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsLZE5SG0EY

Weekend stream link

Here's the link to the weekend stream:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz6IKbODUqg

Extra one-hour Patreon live stream

Short notice, and just an hour.    I've got things to test and take apart, so this ambient chat and mild beverage opportunity should put me in the mood for such things.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZamY-RKm6gw

First test of a two part LED neon material

I made this video "raw" without any prior test of using this material.  The speed it went in and the end result was very impressive for a first try.

This is a neon-like LED system designed for use in routed channels, but I used a 3D printed frame to test it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqlDAagxR5w

Desiccant drum dehumidifier teardown

A complete teardown of the main components of a desiccant drum dehumidifier.

These units are a good alternative to the traditional compressor based units, but a lot quieter and able to operate in low temperature environments.

They're a scaled down version of a system that has been used in industry for decades.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGrAjx1MIkc

Drunken canbus fakery

I may have perhaps partaken of rum and cream soda while reverse engineering this VERY perplexing circuit.  A circuit that looks like it's added analogue circuitry to stolen software and then added a layer of deception in the form of plated through holes that basically lead nowhere in particular.

It just makes me want to rewrite the software completely!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azuB9ZJuDlM 2022-09-21 04:17:27 +0000 UTC View Post

Literally the shittest fake OBD fuel saver yet

We've looked at these before, and they were generally making at least some attempt to look as though they were doing something "technical".  But obviously the cheapest microcontroller is still too expensive for the scammers, so they've reduced the circuitry to the minimum possible.

I say the minimum possible, but they could actually just have used a flashing LED and resistor, with the button shorting the LED for "user interaction".

2022-09-21 00:52:11 +0000 UTC View Post

Nice case, shame about the product

This unit emulates a thunderstorm.  That's assuming that your local thunder is mainly screeching treble and each lightning bolt is identical and repeats one after another.....

Other than that, the unit is very hackable, and has a fairly decent case.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOyk2euJ4-o

Frustrating prop making dealines

A look at a simple wiring loom for adding into props associated with a TV or film production.
The time I got for this was a bit too low to use custom ordered materials, and that made the circuitry and assembly just a little bit more complicated.  But the end result is what was requested.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvFZa_aKuPk

The original considerations were a microcontroller based LED...

Weekend stream

Here's the link to the weekend stream:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJuptDWntrk

Inside a vintage fermentation agitator

First video back at the usual bench, and it's a low-tech one.  A motorised magnetic agitator for stirring a fermentation, whether wine or just a sugar wash.

Part of the reason for this video is to remind you of how useful magnetic coupling through solid surfaces can be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBu8aLv3RSM

Patreon stream reminder

The Patreon stream will be happening very shortly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIR87I-gNgQ