Unusual diffraction grating disk
The video that's currently uploading is about a common "60 effect" laser projector that has a very neat diffraction grating disk. It produces some very cool effects.
2020-12-17 01:51:10 +0000 UTC View Post
bigclive posts
LED path light
This is a rather neat little light for mounting on walls or posts to provide a wash of light at ground level.
Like most modern LED lights you can't change the lamp, but people like us can swap and repair the PCB.
2020-12-14 21:40:30 +0000 UTC View PostLocal Christmas tractor run
Every year, the Young Farmers do a tractor run around the island.
This is them passing through Ramsey. They drive along Parliament Street and then stop for a while before moving on to the next location.
2020-12-13 04:31:28 +0000 UTC View PostA new low for shitty eBay fairy lights.
How low can they go?
I'll let you be the judge....
2020-12-12 00:16:16 +0000 UTC View PostDusk sensor with very nice case
This dusk sensor came from a prominent UK supplier, which is odd, since it's very "eBay". But it's got a really nice case. It's only after I'd made the video that I realised that the case alone is worth buying it for.
2020-12-09 22:15:47 +0000 UTC View PostQuiet Patreon stream on Thursday
A little extra stream that will let me answer some of the many technical questions you asked.
How does this timing work out for you guys? Given the spread of time around the planet there must be a sweet spot where most of you can enjoy a stream at a realistic time.
2020-12-08 11:16:37 +0000 UTC View PostSaturday's stream link
The usual Saturday stream will be taking place:-
To interact with the chat you'll need to view it on YouTube.
2020-12-08 10:59:56 +0000 UTC View PostBonsai Gerber zip files.
A few people have asked about the files for the mini LED bonsai tree project. I've finally found the zip file and uploaded it to my site. There's no link there yet, but you can find the files here:-
http://www.bigclive.com/bonsai.zip
And the original build video here:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OXsd6Gq5-...
2020-12-08 10:32:52 +0000 UTC View PostOne last bike component.....
There's only one component left on the quad/bike wiring loom. It seems a good idea to try picking the lock and then opening it and looking at the contacts.
It'll be back to electronic stuff after this.
2020-12-08 09:29:50 +0000 UTC View PostAnd another. Stripping apart the quad start relay
This is part of the same quad wiring loom I've been exploring in previous videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9hVt9gMiN8
This bit turned out to be quite interesting, because it's operation was the reverse of what I expected. I'm guessing it's so it can "bang" the contacts apart if they stick.
2020-12-07 05:26:23 +0000 UTC View PostBuilding the DOV controller (sped up)
This video is actually intended as a linked video for another one about the full project, combining the construction of the frame and controller and showing the finished panel.
I made a video last year with a normal speed build and questions and answers session to pass the time. The link can be found in the description of this video on YouTube.
2020-12-07 05:23:01 +0000 UTC View PostThe smoked consumer unit video
Here's the full video mentioned earlier. It's the charred remains of a plastic consumer unit that was removed from a house by Nick Bundy Electrical.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buiJTq-w2fY
It's interesting to see the results of the fire. The plastic case had burned away completely, leaving just the breakers, metalwork and charred wiring.
2020-12-04 08:39:50 +0000 UTC View PostShould I sell these on eBay? (Video coming soon.)
Tonights video was very black and crispy. It'll be uploading shortly.
2020-12-04 04:49:56 +0000 UTC View PostSaturday subject suggestions?
Any suggestions for technical subjects to talk about on Saturday?
I'll be avoiding red wine this time.
2020-12-03 23:15:07 +0000 UTC View PostSaturday's stream link
It's quite tricky trying to think of thumbnail pictures when you don't know what the subject of the stream is going to be.
As always, you'll have to view the stream on YouTube to interact with the chat.
2020-12-03 23:05:32 +0000 UTC View PostNot a video. Customising connectors
Sometimes the bit you need isn't available in the quality or the style you want.
Whilst removing the excessively long Rode microphone cable for use in the upcoming MBC livestream, I replaced it with a new custom sized microphone lead with a rugged cable also going down to a headphone jack - suitably anchored to avoid an awkward moment if I walk away during a live stream while wearing headphones. It should theoretically disconnect itself safely at the bench if I do so.
By mak...
2020-12-02 06:01:40 +0000 UTC View PostThe video of yesterday's spoiler
I've probably ruined the video by excitedly sharing the circuitry with you yesterday.
But it's still a very interesting device. I've just ordered a 110V one to take apart to see how the circuitry differs.
2020-12-02 05:49:12 +0000 UTC View PostDefinitely a corona discharge and ozone
The little module I'm currently reverse engineering, definitely creates a faint corona discharge on the carbon fibre emitters, and creates a noticeable smell of ozone when the electrodes are confined in a container.
2020-12-01 05:49:12 +0000 UTC View PostNot a video yet (spoiler)
In a way, this is a bit of a spoiler for the video in progress.
I've de-potted a Chinese module and it's NOTHING like I was expecting.
Those 1206 capacitors should be fairly high voltage (630V?) with an unexpected capacitance of between 85nF to 95nF, and the diode packages will have two diodes each, with one pointing from the left pin to the middle pin, and the middle pin to the right pin.
I'm not immediately aware of an A7 dual diode package rated for at least 600V......
2020-12-01 05:11:14 +0000 UTC View PostPoundland £5 PIR sensor LED tape
This product has three parts which could be used independently. A USB to power jack cable, 2m of 5V LED tape that can be cut on every LED and a universal PIR sensor with jack in and out, that can operate between 5V and 24V.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVdsiXrCBlw
The wide voltage range of the sensor and its adjustable time makes it worth the £5 pack cost alone.
2020-11-30 23:17:34 +0000 UTC View PostFull DOV metal frame build - Diresta-style
The high speed (16X) build of the metal frame Diresta style.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2flsFpv92bc
2020-11-29 01:43:50 +0000 UTC View PostMBC post-lockdown livestream link
Since we're off lockdown here, the MBC are getting back together to do a livestream next week.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnnmfUOMdx0
Chat interaction will be on the YouTube page.
2020-11-28 06:23:44 +0000 UTC View PostHere's the actual video
Some additional data. Quiescent current is around 18uA whether the display is on or off. An LR44 style button cell should have a capacity of around 100mAh, so battery life should still be good. I mention that because a common complaint seems to be low battery life.
Maybe it draws the current as a series of pulses for the capacitive sensing, and is sensitive to high impedance cells.
2020-11-27 11:44:27 +0000 UTC View PostSaturday stream link.
This weeks theme is the start of an extra trashy Xmas.
When the stream is running you'll have to be on YouTube to interact with the chat.
2020-11-27 10:13:21 +0000 UTC View PostVideo currently uploading.
I decided to explore a very cheap set of digital calipers. The circuitry is ultra minimalist. Most of the work is being done by a blob chip and a clever capacitive linear encoder.
It's so refined for mass production that even a bear can put it back together and still achieve its original repeatable 0.1mm measuring accuracy.
I think that the reason I couldn't access some of the hidden features on the PCB may be down to chip bond-wires that may have been left off during ...
2020-11-27 08:25:03 +0000 UTC View PostTest run of new lighting panel
For scale, the panel is 1.95m (6'5") tall by 0.92m (3') wide.
I divided the warm white surround in two, and used a bit of software to apply a randomiser to make it look like fluorescent tubes flickering to life. It's different every time.
This is just a visual test. I'll tweak and adjust the patterns and timing before it gets installed.
The transition to the ra...
2020-11-25 05:21:03 +0000 UTC View PostConverting 3V LED stars to 12V in custom colours
I decided to use a set of standard LED star frames in this years Department of Villainy Xmas lighting panel.
The standard frames are fitted with 3V strip and powered by a 3xAA battery pack or USB connector. I replaced the original LED strip with 12V stuff in eight colours.
2020-11-23 00:14:05 +0000 UTC View PostSaturday's livestream link
Here's the link to Saturday's stream:-
To interact with the chat it will have to be viewed on YouTube.
2020-11-20 03:58:48 +0000 UTC View PostExperimental "junk on my bench" video.
That's not candy in the thumbnail....
This is just an experimental relaxed video talking about stuff that had arrived in the mail. I guess that makes it a mailbag video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WFHvS92DbU
Is it worth doing more of these? Should it even be released?
2020-11-19 07:39:02 +0000 UTC View PostTest clip Jimmy DiResta style
Just a quick test clip showing assembly of an aluminium frame at a high frame speed.
It's styled on Jimmy DiResta's videos where he does full builds, but then speeds up the repetitive bits.
2020-11-18 04:37:53 +0000 UTC View Post