Here's the link to the Twitch channel for the weekend stream.
Best viewed on Twitch, and you may need to refresh the page for it to start.
https://www.twitch.tv/bigclivedotcom
2024-11-30 20:20:25 +0000 UTC View Post
Another of the many LED grow lights that will probably not make your secret herb garden grow much faster.
This one does have a mix of whites and some other colours thrown in to tick the broad spectrum "sunlight" box.
https://youtu.be/6pegr-yruSc<...
2024-11-25 12:09:08 +0000 UTC View Post
One of the most fun things to do with the Chinese clones and modules is work out how to actually use them. Especially when the abbreviated menu names bear no relation to the actual function.
It's like a puzzle.
2024-11-23 23:50:57 +0000 UTC View Post
Another mystery emergency light from AliX. This one uses a nickel cadmium pack and has some interesting circuitry.
2024-11-23 19:56:52 +0000 UTC View Post
Streaming from Gotham City in 5G - so we'll see how that goes...
As usual, the stream is best viewed on Twitch and the page may need refreshed to start the stream.
https://www.twitch.tv/bigclivedotcom
2024-11-23 17:22:08 +0000 UTC View Post
A very cheap cordless angle grinder from eBay that was cheap for a reason. The tool itself is OK, but the batteries are not able to supply the initial inrush current to the motor, and cut out on overload.
When used with a compatible battery from a cordless ratchet, the angle grinder performs surprisingly well. I was ...
2024-11-21 13:20:15 +0000 UTC View Post
A very nice light that I wasn't expecting to be rechargeable, and with a useful cell capacity too. This one even has enough space inside that a true geek could fit in six 18650s for a mega runtime.
I've put a link to the seller in the video description. But they have now blocked me from buying more because of my locat...
2024-11-19 22:45:37 +0000 UTC View Post
A connector that is easy to crimp reliably, has pins you can pop in and out for service, a locking system that holds them firmly in place when needed, and proper waterproofing.
It's almost like someone put some thought into these connectors.
Such a perverted sounding title, but in reality these rugged city-lighting grade light strings are very robust and weather resilient. The rubber cabling has a very wide temperature range and good abrasion and UV resistance.
I mainly installed 24V versions of these lights for extra safety, and the electronic power suppl...
2024-11-17 08:07:56 +0000 UTC View Post
I'll be streaming on Twitch as usual. Best viewed on Twitch, and you may need to refresh the page to start the stream.
https://www.twitch.tv/bigclivedotcom
2024-11-16 19:08:43 +0000 UTC View Post
By request, another carbonated beverage. This time with a strong American theme.
Ultimately we know that most spirits ARE improved with carbonation, especially for parties. But the "science" still has to be done.
I should get one of the carbonation units off AliExpress to test it.
I added this to an order as a novelty item, expecting it to just be deep violet. But it really is a blacklight torch/flashlight, with a dark UVA filter on the front.
Quite a pleasing little light.
2024-11-14 09:07:09 +0000 UTC View Post
This is where I really need a UVC meter. I had to send the UVC spectrometer back to Naomi as it costs over $2000 and would not get enough use to justify buying one. I'm considering buying a simpler UVC power level meter though.
This is a little waterproof module that can be fitted into small water storage tanks, and w...
2024-11-13 05:26:13 +0000 UTC View Post
A non-zappy one for a change. This unit uses light at the UV end of the visible spectrum to attract standard (non biting) flies and then traps them on a replaceable sticky card.
The construction seems quite good, but there's a strange circuitry choice with the LEDs.
It's a while since I've taken one of these to bits. Let's open one and see if anything has changed inside.
Given how bad the circuitry was before, i was hoping it had evolved a bit. And the big capacitor has definitely "evolved".
2024-11-11 08:01:44 +0000 UTC View Post
Quite a nice change to have a pluggable ceiling mounting light. It would make future maintenance easier if you had spares with the same connector system.
Also quite novel that it also has an optional E27 screw in lamp adaptor.
2024-11-10 05:38:14 +0000 UTC View Post
I occasionally use press-stud fasteners to repair or modify work clothing, and saw this unit on AliExpress, so decided to see how strong the plastic handles were.
It doesn't quite manage to complete its task. The plastic is not a good choice of material for a tool that requires reasonable force.
Same link as usual, since the streams run to a schedule on Twitch now.
Best viewed on Twitch and you may need to refresh the page to start the stream.
https://www.twitch.tv/bigclivedotcom
2024-11-09 18:16:22 +0000 UTC View Post
A look inside one of the power factor correction capacitors out of a street light ballast.
This one was destroyed during shipping, but that's a good thing, since it inspired me to explore the insides. I wasn't expecting the polystyrene beads!
Note that it's MUCH easier to use a simple capacitor like this to corre...
2024-11-08 02:48:44 +0000 UTC View Post
This was sent to me as being faulty, but I'm wondering if it had a software glitch or was maybe in timer mode.
But it's a great opportunity to explore the way the WS2812B addressable LEDs work, and how they are so data intensive that they have their own microcontroller just to send the data fast enough without worrying ...
2024-11-06 04:57:38 +0000 UTC View Post
This is a fairly common weakness with this type of material. Especially when it's formed around tight shapes.
This video shows three ways to fix it, and then I do a repair of the original strip.
2024-11-06 04:34:35 +0000 UTC View Post
The price of these things is ridiculously low for what you are getting. It's a bare GTL3 UVC bulb in an outer UVC transmissive uviol/quartz glass tube with a tight rubber bung.
The driver is as minimal as you'd expect, but still very functional. And there's not only a tiny fuse, but also a beefy discharge resistor to ...
2024-11-04 02:38:17 +0000 UTC View Post
Check the time of this week's live stream. Our clocks went back an hour last week.
As always, the stream is best viewed on Twitch and you may need to refresh the screen for it to start.
https://www.twitch.tv/bigclivedotcom
2024-11-02 01:07:50 +0000 UTC View Post
Quite an odd thing. I'm not sure how much power is normally required to actually heat an aquarium.
I guess it depends on the size and ambient temperature.
I'm sure there are many other uses for a waterproof heater though, including fermentation and avoiding liquid from freezing up in outdoor applications.
<...
2024-11-01 05:36:28 +0000 UTC View Post
Not just exaggerated ratings, but also photoshopped images to make the light look absolutely massive.
Needless to say it performs somewhat lower than the listings tend to indicate. Fun to take apart though, and useful for the LED COBs and hacking into something more useful.
A very non-electronic teardown of a classic arcade style joystick assembly. These could have many other uses including machine position control.
The construction is very simple and evolved, and they are so mass produced that you can buy these for $5 shipped with a wide range of knob shapes and colours including pink an...
2024-10-27 19:51:32 +0000 UTC View Post
A very neat and highly integrated LED Christmas light available in 120V and 220-240V flavours and a selection of colours.
The circuitry is being driven very gently, so they should last a decent length of time.
Let me know if you've had any issues with these small lamp holders having water ingress and tracking/flas...
2024-10-23 05:49:28 +0000 UTC View Post
I couldn't resist this eBay find. It's an air sterilising unit made for heavy industrial use.
It doesn't bang out ozone like the shady little units sold online, but instead puts out a low amount with a strong airflow. It seems to be aimed at industries like food storage and processing.
The construction is simple...
2024-10-21 06:12:09 +0000 UTC View Post
Plenty of notice this time. I'll be streaming on Twitch as usual - but no fizzy wine this time in case I say "stuff".
As always, it's best viewed on Twitch and you may need to refresh the page after the stream has started to get the live feed. If it goes weird mid-stream - try refreshing the page. Sometimes the Inter...
2024-10-19 18:29:18 +0000 UTC View Post
These little countertop machines are a miracle of cost efficient design with good software.
They are usually very similar inside, and tend to have the same type of faults - mainly involving water ingress.
But they are often very easy to fix for those of a technical inclination.
Even if not economic to fix, t...
2024-10-18 06:03:28 +0000 UTC View Post
