bigclive

Weekend live stream link

Here's the link to this weekend's live stream:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYAykzbkx4Q

(There's also going to be an MBC stream.)

Prototype USB to LED string PCB

Just the same circuit as the hard wired version, but with the convenience of everything just plugging together without chopping up USB leads.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7pbjI2wQXY

This was a prototype, and in hindsight I might just put two large solder pads on it for direct connection of the LED string, or maybe even a mini screw terminal connector.  Then the whole PCB could have a short...

Eggs are dangerous

I had a "special moment" today.   I bought a pack of four hard-boiled eggs from a local supermarket and microwaved one for 30 seconds to warm it up for eating.

When I bit into it, it exploded and sprayed a jet of superheated steam which burned my top lip and has left it red and blistered.

I think I'll stick to burgers and stuff - much safer.

Inside a generic voltage detector stick

Not just a single schematic, but three variants and hand built versions of each to test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejek0BMiE3s

One was rubbish, but the other two were good.

These sticks can also apparently be used to demonstrate the presence of "dirty electricity" so you can sell fake whole-house electricity filters to non technically inclined people.

New PCBs (not a video yet)

Two orders arriving at once from JLCPCB (not a sponsor) with my first attempt at vee-cut panelisation.

The PCBs on the right cost a fraction of the PCBs on the left which incurred a significant processing charge due to their size.

Slightly disappointing pumpkin light

It's a short video because there's not a lot to say about this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW8UcWjxwX4

The schematic didn't take long to draw.

Poundland floating Harry Potter candles

I recorded this just before coming over to Glasgow.

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

It's a decent effect.  I think it may be a rebadged Premier product.

Weekend stream link

Here's the link to this weekend's stream:-

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

Midweek live stream in progress

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wryui1L4imo

Corned beef vs 240V

By request - the zapping of corned beef.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnKP0N6-ruw

The smoke was extremely unpleasant this time.  It made my eyes sting for some time afterwards.

HEPA air cleaner - the video

This turned out really well.  It's a low power and low noise air cleaning unit that simply uses a standard computer fan to pull air through a common HEPA filter from eBay.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Vmh2Ip2Vxg

It seems to have a decent airflow and looks quite stylish too.

The Silentnight unit the filter is originally designed for is quite annoying in that it always defaults to off ...

Patreon mid-week stream link

This one will be coming from Glasgow if everything goes to plan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wryui1L4imo

Air filter evolution - now HEPA (Not a video yet)

I've just upgraded my simple air filter to use a common HEPA filter for higher air throughput.

Furnace style filters are much harder to get here due to our hot water heating systems.  This ring filter seems to be used by a few brands.   I wonder what the most common filter like this is on eBay.

Advantages of this unit.  Common cheap filter that the fan literally plugs into.  Will just run when powered with no fancy controls.   Can be used on lowe...

The wine-influenced prop making Q&A part 2

It was Friday night when I made this.  I just spontaneously decided to have some wine....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8i5cCkHOv-U

That was a mistake as always.

More Q&A while making prop stuff

A follow up to the previous Q&A videos, answering questions asked in the comments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0diErBQ97Cw

In the video I'm also demonstrating how unglamorous technical prop making usually is due to the amount of repetitive work making up wiring looms.

Weekend stream link

Here's the link to this weekend's stream:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM6y-ukUHZM

USB water steriliser

This is a minimalist version of a chlorine generator.  A device that electrically converts salty water into a chlorine based surface and water steriliser.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC29AduaJ0c

My thoughts on this is that it could be useful knowledge for making sterile drinking water in the event of some disaster scenario.  The low current makes solar or battery operation viable.

Molecular miracle

After giving myself a routine covid test I decided to explore the test strip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kjmrb5vPn8k

I deliberately kept it simple and avoided the word "antibodies" which is the basis of the keys that attach the dye to the virus and then catch it as it passes the test line.   I felt that the word might trigger the flat earthers.

That $2 soon adds up

My latest order from JLC with their 5 for $2 offer seems to have incurred quite a lot of extra cost for being 52 tiny PCBs per 100mm square panel.  That said, there will be 36 vee-cuts per panel.

It's for a prototype string of lights based on a vintage Russian style.

Coin payout hopper teardown

Taking apart the coin payout hopper mech from a gaming machine.

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

The communication protocol it uses is quite interesting.  CCtalk - a single wire bidirectional serial link that can address several bits of coin handling equipment.

Just a quick repair

A very common style of repair on the power supply of a faulty thermostat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU5fNfVXpGM

You may be able to spot the fault just by looking at the picture above.

Weekend stream link

Here's the link to the weekend stream:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WXSdAqJGbk

Patreon stream in progress

Just a reminder:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEmMX3F2Q3I

Experimental prop rose with dropping petals

A random project inspired by a theatre friend who enquired about the technical options for achieving this effect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hWQbQJMf5s

I think heavier petals and a softer wax will improve the effect.

Midweek Patreon stream link

Here's the link to the Patreon stream later this week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEmMX3F2Q3I

The mystery of the arcing cable

An extension lead and plug in thermostat that may or may not have been involved in the cable suddenly spewing a flame out of its side.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktNxF5SmZGg

It turns out it wasn't as sinister as it sounds.  I also took the thermostat apart and explored the circuitry.  No schematic though, as it breaks down into distinct modules with just a small amount of discrete co...

Retro circuitry comparison

I managed to find some much older versions of the aliexpress fridge freshener.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8D_uUlyCDM

Turns out that not much has changed at all over the past 20 years.

Vintage slot machine coin counter in action

This is the payout counting mechanism in an old Bally slot machine.  This transition to electrical control allowed early machines to have extra features and larger payouts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clTchLRZzs4

Note that this video may be a bit loud at bits as the sharp percussive noises from the mechanisms were giving the microphone auto-gain circuitry a hard time.

Fly chopping electric toadstool

Another of these dubious devices that may catch some flies, but probably not the mosquitos they claim.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x8WUNB_vxo

I wonder how many people have bought things like this in the belief it will protect them from mosquitos, and have then suffered the consequences.

Nice enough case and fan assembly though.

Extra midweek stream

Another spontaneous main channel mid-week stream that will start as Patreon-only before being opened to general channel viewers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t75wtDif0w4

It will be starting around 2 hours from me posting this message.