I wasn't expecting much in these units. Maybe just a resistor to limit current?
Turns out that somebody has done some serious design on the current limiting circuitry.
2020-02-24 18:53:05 +0000 UTC View PostI'll be doing a Sunday livestream shortly (Sun 23rd Feb.) at 10.00pm UK time. (Google what is the time in the UK)
It'll be on the live channel:-
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClIzWmVzGPm2zhNT2XZ-Rkw
2020-02-23 19:08:14 +0000 UTC View Post
If you see one of these lying in the street then scavenge it for the decent 280mAh lithium cells inside. I've done a full three charge-discharge cycles on the cell in this one and it clocks in at slightly higher than the stated capacity.
It's worth mentioning that the cell dimensions are a bit off tolerance to the cell number, which may be part of the reason they are being used ...
2020-02-21 22:25:41 +0000 UTC View Post
This is a video of a unique Disney fan parade from 2018 that features lots of the rarer Disney characters that don't usually appear in the main corporate parades.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTGVq5uEw34
Things worthy of note:-
Elastigirl runs over Bolt's foot with her hoverboard at 4.25 and doesn't realise it so she's checking the safety lanyard point (not connected) and the base controls...
2020-02-20 05:46:29 +0000 UTC View Post
This vintage electronic ioniser / ionizer isn't radioactive.
But if you go on eBay or Amazon you can buy modern pendant and bracelet "ionisers" that ARE.
2020-02-20 00:17:40 +0000 UTC View Post
These are quite fun to play with, but be aware that there are two different technologies. The older Zinc Sulphide version and the newer Strontium Aluminate version that is brighter and holds the glow for much longer too.
When you buy a multipack like the two in the picture above then you will generally get just one pack of the new high output Strontium based powder and the rest ...
2020-02-17 20:30:58 +0000 UTC View Post
This lamp actually turned out great. The camera doesn't catch it's full effect.
I've included search links for all the components in the description on YouTube.
I'll also be releasing another much shorter video tonight for those of you who aren't into the longer videos or want to save the long one for the weekend.
2020-02-17 20:23:14 +0000 UTC View Post
It looks nice, but I wouldn't recommend screwing this into a lamp holder while the power is on.
I wonder how they can even do stuff like this. Did someone suddenly decided to make a luxury chrome one without thinking things through?
2020-02-16 01:01:51 +0000 UTC View Post
I try not to put too many videos about similar items close together, but the video I had been hoping to make has had to be delayed until I get back home so I can do it justice. (Lots of pictures needed.)
This little light is still very worthy though. It's from an independent pound shop and is very good even if just for the components inside.
I'll be doing a short (yeah, that never happens) live stream from Glasgow in about an hour from posting this message at 10.30pm UK time.
It'll be on the live channel:-
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClIzWmVzGPm2zhNT2XZ-Rkw
2020-02-10 21:27:28 +0000 UTC View Post
I've been getting some interesting stuff while over in Glasgow. Most of it will be taken back for proper analysis at my usual workshop, but some stuff like this little light is perfect for a short video.
The fluorescent tube style diffusers are very reminiscent of the awful handheld flashlights that used to have a short fluorescent tube down the side and ran it cold cathode styl...
2020-02-10 15:41:21 +0000 UTC View Post
LIDL is a stack-'em-high low cost supermarket chain that uses short weekly bursts of gadget stock to keep people coming back. Obviously I had to go and check out what they had while I was visiting Glasgow.
This light is very similar to the generic import units, but claims a 15 year LED lifespan and promises that you'll never have to change a lamp again. It's true. Yo...
2020-02-07 02:49:18 +0000 UTC View Post
This seemed like such a good idea until I started putting it together. It makes me appreciate how much work is involved in manufacturing the rugged rubber cable, resin potted municipal light strings.
In hindsight I wonder how well this would work with light-cured resin. It could allow easy and fast curing with a violet laser pen.
The end result is more of a novelty t...
2020-02-06 10:15:08 +0000 UTC View PostSince arriving in Glasgow just 24 hours ago, I've bought and taken apart three 10W lamps from ASDA, LIDL (Philips branded) and One Below (formerly Pound World). I've also taken apart a Philips ceiling light with PIR from Lidl and reverse engineered the driver and PIR sensor. Really annoyed at not having my usual lighting/printing setup to make videos with high detail images, so if I make videos about them here It'll have to be descriptive doodles.
Also regretting not having ...
2020-02-04 23:40:04 +0000 UTC View Post
These have been around for a while. I made a video a while ago showing how they are fake and it upset quite a lot of people. Here are a couple more of the electrodes, which are a consumable as the metal is effectively dissolving into the water through electrolysis.
Many people do seem to claim relief from the treatments, so I'm not sure if they're shills, if it's a placebo...
2020-02-04 02:37:41 +0000 UTC View Post
This seems to be a common kit on eBay. I've included an eBay search link in the description, but keep in mind that China is in the middle of an epidemic at the moment. In the meantime you can buy similar modules built to local standards from most big electronic component suppliers.
It's a fairly common filter arrangement with design features that hint at it being a less we...
2020-02-03 01:02:25 +0000 UTC View Post
This is a short spoof video based on the real video that is currently uploading.
It's actually a home audio power filter kit from eBay that I analyse, reverse engineer and build in the real video.
The case, however is a real quack device. More on that in the next video.
2020-02-02 22:39:51 +0000 UTC View PostTesting some new lighting, so about to do an unplanned livestream as we approach midnight on Friday 31st Jan 2020 UK time.
It'll be on the BigCliveLive channel.
This little drone is both pleasing and terrifying. It's the new update on the classic flying ball type of toy, but this time it has intelligence and spatial awareness.
You turn it on by holding a single button, and when the light is green you simply toss it into the air. It then darts about in the room, pausing to rotate on the spot while scanning with three infrared detectors. One in front, one at the back and one underneath.
If you approach it a gun targets you...
2020-01-31 07:38:24 +0000 UTC View Post
When I saw this I thought it looked a bit flimsy. But it turns out to be a rugged little light with an interesting twist to the design.
It takes standard AAA cells, but I'd recommend using rechargeables as the higher current with fresh alkalines will result in a lot of heat if used at full power.
I've put some test data in the video description.
2020-01-31 07:18:59 +0000 UTC View Post
I'm not going to recommend this head torch. While it's commendable that it has a built in mains charger rated up to quarter of a thousand volts and a solar panel too, the device is rather bulky and heavy compared to many others.
If you don't mind having a big plastic brick on your forehead then it's certainly usable as a light. The COB provides a wide but dim wash of light...
2020-01-30 04:34:07 +0000 UTC View Post
I've come across this exact issue with low power battery operated items before. A rogue component that suddenly decides it's going to draw current, and the normal standby current of a few tens of microamps suddenly becomes milliamps.
Can you guess which component failed?
2020-01-28 01:43:47 +0000 UTC View Post
The openSCAD script for this actually fitted into the YouTube description area, so you can copy and paste the script from there to openSCAD to make one of these.
I optimised it for efficient printing as a thin hollow (but strong) plastic shell. In hindsight it may be possible to pre-solder the LEDs into a chain before pressing them into the form and then soldering the resistors together and adding the USB cable.
I'll not be making too many 3D printing videos as I realise tha...
2020-01-26 18:28:30 +0000 UTC View Post
I recently got a new label printer and they've improved greatly since I bought my last one. I bought the unit as a kit from a UK trade supplier called Toolstation who seem to alternate with Screwfix in offering the kit for around £50 as opposed to the official price of £100.
https://www.toolstation.com/brother-pte300vp-handheld-label-printer/p77444
I'm guessin...
2020-01-24 21:41:09 +0000 UTC View Post
I was actually quite impressed by the quality of construction of this festoon.
My main interest was the way the tails were tapped off the main flex and how they were then terminated into the lamp holders.
It turns out that a lot of work goes into making this stuff. Note that there are cheaper versions shipped with similar looking lamps that are traditional tungsten, so run...
2020-01-22 22:02:18 +0000 UTC View Post
I'm still hunting for the elusive bottom of the bucket trash LED filament lamp that uses a simple resistor and rectifier circuit. I was hoping this was it, but it turned out to be a bit more sophisticated.
The advantage of the circuitry used is consistent intensity even with supply voltage fluctuations.
I made a DIY resistor ballasted filament lamp and it does show signifi...
2020-01-20 22:46:23 +0000 UTC View PostThe Scottish army ration had a massive majority and has been released.
Let's observe the reactions and marvel at how many people ask where they can get the nuclear ration heater.
I'm trying to avoid April the 1st for releases since people then expect a spoof video on that day.
2020-01-17 19:07:55 +0000 UTC View PostI could keep releasing videos in order and unleash the Lithuanian MRE video.
Or I could release the more recent spoof Scottish MRE video.
Or maybe even REALLY jump the gun and release the new 3D printed cheese-light video.
I'll let you guys choose which gets released today.
2020-01-17 12:12:47 +0000 UTC View Post
I promise not to do too many of the spoof videos, but with a 3D printer and left over Babybel cheeses it seemed like a good idea to practice my coding skills with something utterly pointless and slightly hazardous.
Things I learned. How to add pillars for PCBs (or cheese electrode containment plates) onto a tapered conical surface using the intersection function of openSCAD.
2020-01-16 03:18:08 +0000 UTC View Post
It's a while since I've looked at one of the Chinese street lights on eBay, so here's one with a different style to the others I've looked at.
It's got potential for personal projects with a bit of hacking, and represents very value for the parts.
2020-01-15 21:22:19 +0000 UTC View Post