Any questions for the Saturday streams?

There probably are, but not really for jamming under doors. Not sure the best option there.

Big Clive

Do you know of an extension cable thin enough to fit under a closed door? There are thin audio cables that are like tape. But I need something that will carry 15A safely. I could build one, but I'd rather buy something known safe than roll my own maybe-it-will-be-ok :) I thought there might be something for stage performances and the like. Reason: I want to charge an electric car from my room when traveling so I can wake up to fully charged.

Nani Isobel

Just wanted to say thanks to Clive for answering my question in his own inimitable fashion. Just rewatched the lava lamp episode, and it is indeed a mix of fun, bangs, and pants-wetting terror. RIP Jessi Combs, Grant Imahara, and live long and prosper to the rest of the Mythbusters crew. (Sorry, obligatory Star Trek reference)

Tim Pearson

Between the two :) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field-programmable_gate_array

Generaly the rule of thumb is to use Japanese Electrolytics, the jury is still out on Tantaniums :)

I have my own version that I have yet to order, the inlaws live in China so I could have the order sent to them to re post to avoid Guss Thumbs & Neck size adding a charge :) https://easyeda.com/steverddrf/a4-gallium

It's a case of understanding what each part does, I do electricity, electronics, pneumatics, and hydraulics, they are all the same but different with different symbols for the same function, for example hydraulics are short circuited when not doing anything to avoid blowing a fuse ( return to tank ). Yes I often have to look up symbols :) If you had a flow charts then they might help, they were taught in my day of programing computers :)

There are 3 types of 4017, CD, HC, and HCT, the HC being the TTL 5v logic level version. The current drawn by these IC's is naff all so by ohms law your 1k resistor is causing just enough voltage drop to get it working. I suspect your problem is the wrong type of 4017 rather than a breadboard issue. Breadboards do vary especially with an oxide layer on component legs, a wiggle on the breadboard may have caused the same issue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKQJhe9n_ug

https://www.talktofrank.com/

Andrew Donaldson

Cabochon script in last week's stream and concertina script in this week's stream description.

Big Clive

UVC is defo harmful to plants. Watch the green banana test and wonder how any vegetation would react to just short bursts of UVC.

AlfaGuy

I'd appreciate if perhaps you could explain how harmful UVC Lights could be to plants, and to which degree running a UVC light all day (in absence, of course) could be suited to fight something like a cloth moth/flies infestation. Thank you, much appreciated either way :-)

lImbus924

Are we going to get the OpenSCAD files for the bauble variants we see in the poster image for today's live stream? :)

Replace any RIFA capacitors you find. Known for causing many problems as they absorb moisture and do weird stuff. Especially found on units from the late 80s and early 90s

L. Brait

Lee Braith Hi Clive, Possible 'useful' questions. I'm interested in your experiences with - Using the thermal camera to look through opaque things (red wine, black garbage bags) Using thermal camera to spot dodgy connecters / under-rated cables under load. What does the ceiling look like through the thermal camera after a good woosh or two? Stories of beasties etc nesting or otherwise in equipment. Stories of equipment lock-up, water inundation, wild weather, power outages or lightning strikes at venues? Stories of quick equipment fixes (or workarounds) during a performance Favorite conformal coating for PCB's in semi exposed positions? How thick a conformal coating? Effect on conformal coating, heatsinks and components if they are running close to max temp? Is it better to try and completely seal the box or leave a drain hole to allow condensation to drain? Preferred type of box / lid seal method? Preferred cable glands? Preferred water-resistant connectors, toggle switches, rotary switches? Favorite way of waterproofing soldered or crimped cable joints? Thoughts on making reliable weak points / disconnects in long cable runs in case a cable gets snagged or something gets moved without being unplugged? Best method of leaving operating instructions or diagrams for yourself (and others) in the distant future when you will have forgotten the details of a particular contraption? Favorite methods of labeling cables? How about a demonstration of the ways to roll up a cable by hand and the knotted result if incorrectly unrolling a cable that was rolled up by hand with the 'over-under' or 'alternate half-twist' method.

L. Brait

https://youtu.be/uVvEkcN5tW8 he's done many finger print locks. I can't think of any that have faired well

Neil Tonks

Are you still "on the tools" by day, or does being a Social Media Influencer and all round Sex Symbol put the bread on the table, wine in the Soda Stream and Fluorescein in the gin?

Angus McLean

Who is Frank?

Hi Clive. I bought an old Iwatsu SS-5711 oscilloscope off eBay. It works, but the horizontal line on any trace is wider than the vertical. So on a square wave test trace, the vertical part is a clear thin line, but the horizontal part is a ghostly rectangle about 15 times thicker than expected. This effect sometimes disappears. I’ve had a good look at the boards and reflowed some suspicious joints (someone had been here before me), but I am not sure where to start more in depth investigations. Can you advise how you think about such intermittent problems?

Simon York

No, it makes 2020 and hour longer

I vote for this topic :D

Do you agree with the clocks going back 1 hour tonight?

Andrew Donaldson

I have mine set up over clocked with cooling tower on it using it as a media server for the house.

Having moved from the UK to Norway last year, I brought with me a few appliances with UK plugs with the intention of re-wiring them when I got here. However, I was put off when I realised that European plugs are not polarised. Why is it that it is important in the UK for live/neutral to be the right way round but in Europe this doesn't seem to matter? Is it safe to re-wire a UK appliance in the way I planned, even though the polarity will often be reversed due to the design of the plugs and sockets?

Stephen Pettitt

The newest Raspberry Pi (the model 4) is a wonderful little board, especially overclocked a bit. Have you figured any uses for it besides the obvious "cheap disposable desktop computer" route? I turned one into a print server for USB-only old printers and another into a torrent box so I don't have to use my main desktop, and a third for ad blocking on my home net. Those probably aren't too useful to you specifically, but there's tons more electronic projects they're great for.

Or if he has enough to drink, he'll set the clock back at 1am again, and again and again...

Roland Roberts

Could you talk about passive component brands, i know brands like vishay, panasonic, nichicon, and most name brands are acceptable or very very good, but is there any brands you have had bad experience with and should be avoided? I just avoid buying no name components from ebay. I typically just buy from mouser because they ship so fast. Just want to know your thoughts as far as brands when considering not wanting to find any bad ones in a batch. I feel i spend more then i need to on the best brands when i probably didnt need the best brand. But i dont want to have a bad component screw up my repair or project. I know you do not like to recommend brands or products and i dont blame you, i mostly want to hear about any downside of components you have got and what is considered a reasonable price to pay. For example how much would you pay for 100k 5% carbon film resistors? I bought ohmite for 0.013 usd. So it was 65 cents for 50. They will be used in a cb radio, should these be fine or would better brand be preferred? I did not see much for carbon film resistors that cost much more then that, the original is carbon film so i definitely what to keep it carbon film. I read metal film and others can effect a radio circuit.

I prefer the Euro Schuko plug. It has the same shielding protections as the UK plug and can be used with a socket that has a good earth and fixed L/N. Downside is that it is not fused. My objection to the UK plug is the right angle lead exit. If you tread on one it will invariably be prongs up, and if you trip over a cable it will not pull out of the wall, instead you will fall hard and damage the socket. The Schuko plug is much more forgiving as it will just cleanly pull out of the socket. The US stuff is just garbage.

AlfaGuy

No questions, but thank you Clive for the Gallium A4 idea. I've just got my boards back from China. They are based on your design, but with 368 LEDs in a 16 x 23 matrix and a Micro USB socket. JLCPCB soldered on the surface mount resistors for very little cost but saved me hours. Photos and video here (if Patreon will let me post links) ... https://www.flickr.com/photos/27032047@N06/albums/72157716593406571 I've got a few boards spare, so anyone in the UK would like one at cost, message me.

Gary Bleads

Are Fingerprint Padlocks Safe & Secure?

Andrew Donaldson

Under Stalin the Sovjets had to make "Soviet Champagne" and would go to Sibiria if they did not meet the quota. The did it by making shitty vine, adding sugar and other stuff finishing it in a gigant Soda Stream. Would you try to make Soviet Champagne?

Simon Mikkelsen

Sometime in the future we will look back at the nostalgic age of the internal combustion engine. Just as we now look back to the wonderful age of steam trains. In both cases swapping a dirty, inefficient technology for something "better".

AlfaGuy

BC has already done a good video of how he coped with his mother and her Alzheimers. Worth watching even if not a problem for you now, some preparation for the future.

AlfaGuy

Do you have advice for getting better at reading circuit diagrams? (Simple ones, like 2-transistor "astable multivibrator" LED blinking circuits.) Are there "bibles" on this subject worth reading? I work in IT, and do electronics as a hobby. I find understanding program sourcecode easy, but circuit diagrams hard. It's like it requires a different way of thinking that hasn't "clicked" with me yet. Or is it a sign of lack of electronics engineering education? (My knowledge is at around final year school physics lessons level.)

Do we get a 4 hour stream because your clock is going back at 1am and does that mean 2 Jager shots or one less?

Mike Hanley

I built a circuit using a 4017 decade counter IC, works great on a breadboard at 9v but I had to add a 1k resistor to the +ve supply (or reduce down to 5v) to get it to work once in a PCB, is there really that much resistance in breadboards?

Mike Hanley

Did you order your fiber internet yet?

John McFerren

And I'd like to know how one might pick them for "smart" LEDs, like the 1.5Hz, candle-flicker or RGB color changing ones.

QUESTION: could you please go over resistor sizing with LEDs?

A BIG “THANKS, BIGCLIVE” ... have recently received Gallium boards, giant Gallium boards and letter boards from JLCPCB ... plenty fun coming up ..

Ive got a question, is this where we've to post questions for Saturday night Clive or for Frank 🤷‍♂️

Youtuber channels you watch. Also, check out bob's decline. He is a lineman and does a nice job of explaining what things need to be done on real calls.

Witold Witkowski

Weird subjects indeed. Sometimes I wish things were a little more technical, but then I'm not that much fun anyways from what I can see....I didn't step foot into a bar until I started singing in them. Long story. Hey I'm all happy because I was able to score a third speaker that I have found to have very pleasing characteristics when used for amateur radio. It looks really nice and generic and sounds great and the price was unbeatable to boot! -You just don't do much of that whilst drinking with friends, or I don't. (wish i did)

Michael Thompson

What's the simplest voltage limiting Componant you Could use to make a constant 5 or 6 volt feed from 2 or more 18650s?

Clive what was your favorite technical toy or toys growing up? We're talking just before you took the vacuum apart or in parallel to that.

Michael Thompson

Do you spend any time in the Technical Family Discord?

John McFerren

Diffrence between mircochips, FPGAs and PLCs. I know some but haven't had time to look into FPGAs all to much. I use arduinos heaps, PLCs are out if my price range to mess with but i know what they do. So where does fpga fit in?

Would you consider doing a behind the scenes video for a ‘One Moment Please’ ? I doubt any of us really appreciate the time, the efforts and perhaps the heart ache you go through while yes one simple moment passes.

Holly Brereton

More of a Public Service Announcement. Always buy quality batteries. I found my Sony laptop from 2003, while cleaning. Factory battery, date code May 14, 2003, Gen code G4P. Pulled the 18650s out of it and tested. All batteries went from their original 1960mah rating to between 1600-1700mah. Amazing. I'm using them in my LED projects now. Hooray for upcycling.

Scrufdog

My former boss (this was a long time ago) asked me to clean a expensive IBM mainboard. At that time I did not know that a brush and a vacuum cleaner could create static electricity... After cleaning It tried to boot one and then was completely dead for ever.

Hubert Hoefsloot

Which is the bigger tyrant -- the YouTube algorithm, or having to sustain the expectations of your cyberfamily? How do you cope with the asymmetry of that relationship -- surely, there must be times when you'd rather do your own thing, once a while?

What is the most expensive magic smoke escape moment that you're willing to admit you caused? Mine was fixing someone's radio that was oozing obsolete parts. It came in with one fault and I managed to create many others. Solder bridges are not your friend I discovered........

Paul Noble

What is/ was your favourite prop that you made and which of your props has had the most screen time?

Lee Goodair

Are you now advertising your hosting provider?

Frank

Interesting one. The safety features of rides and the controllers.

Frank

What is the application?

Frank

Repairability can be for hardware and software. In the EU they are working on regulating software updates for connected devices. If the supplier does not guarantee software support like bug fixes and security fixes for a reasonable time, usually three years or so, then the product is not allowed to be sold. We are not quite there yet but this is where we are heading and I applaud this.

Frank

When was the last time you visited the Laxey Wheel?

Frank

Are those power supplies low-cost ones from Aliexpress?

Frank

Then the transistor probably broke. Got overloaded and shorted internally.

Frank

Rightfully so!

Frank

Can you cook food with that supply?

Frank

+1

Frank

Turning on and off using a momentary push switch?

Frank

Don't do it, it will instantly kill you.

Frank

Two questions, Do you watch Robot Wars ? What service do you use to host your website ? I have a server in France from OVH, choice of operating systems and I can use it for anything. https://www.kimsufi.com/en/servers.xml

Maybe only if the current is very very low.

Frank

Question, what are you planning to do? Simple tip for Voltage potentials, DC safe voltage is anything below 60 Volt and for AC anything below 42 Volt. For current it depends on the wires and connectors you use. Too much amps through a too thin cable will heat it up and release the magic smoke. Not to be inhaled!

Frank

Do fairground ride controllers incorporate speed limiters?

Andrew Donaldson

Hi Clive. You've mentioned Mythbusters a couple of times in your streams. As yesterday would have been the 50th birthday of the late Grant Imahara, do you have any favourite moments from the show?

Tim Pearson

ideas on how to boost or lower voltage and amps in a circuit.

Well I might as well throw my two-penneth into this bizarre pot, albeit a little off tech. In light of the recent passing of that ardent sceptic, the great James Randi, what are your thoughts on the likes of Mr Geller and his spoon-bending antics …was it all complete and utter nonsense? Has anything unexplained and 'worthy of note' happened to you? ...the Jägermunion draw mysteriously ending up in one of the other storage cabinets? Reminder: email Ralphy to secretly move draw.

Phil in the kitchen

How do you rate the different plugs being used in different countries/areas? The UK plug seems quite nice with a built in fuse, the US plug can be made quite compact (fold in "prongs"). The EU plug is supposedly safer with insulated parts when plugged in. (If you answer this, please try to wait until one hour after the stream has started since I'm working! :D )

Have you heard about giving electric goods a "repairability rating"? They should put you in charge of this, Clive! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54612879

Ian Cooper

It would be interesting to here more about the Isle of Man... I had a quick read on Wikipedia and there are so many interesting things, like it says that the island has its own language which I didn’t realise... can you speak any Manx? Also it has its own breed of cat with a stumpy tail, ever seen one? And it has its own internet TLD (.im),.. you should register https://www.bigclive.im and point it to your website! And the Bee Gees were born there. Tell us some other interesting facts about the Isle of Man!

Is there an easy way to improve the current output of a 5v switch mode PSU (mains powered)? I have a lot of them that struggle to put out the "rated" current and maintain full 5v.

Wim

Perhaps a bit heavy but... We didn’t see Covid 19 coming even though the risk of a pandemic had always been there. What others things do you think could happen that we currently would not even consider? e.g. the world wide web disappearing or changing; Chinese goods being blocked from sale on eBay; everyone having to pay to watch YouTube. On a lighter note … as an apprentice is the 70s I caught the tail end of vacuum tube technology and the start of the electronics revolution so I have fondness for both. So is there any other technology, other than electrical/electronics, that you have a fondness for?

John Russell

I recently got a wifi rgb led controller and it leaves the blue channel on all the time. What could cause this issue? I assume it's with the transistors that draw the voltage to ground, if I understand the circuit well enough. Have I broken the transistor by opening it? (And possibly shorting it?) Or is this a problem that all wifi rgb controllers experience. I can provide the Amazon link to this product.

Joseph

Hi Clive, did you know you are listed on IMDB as a current TV show !!!!! Fame at last :-)

Private Private

What's the status of your pinball machines? Will you ever do a video with them again?

Roy Eltham

For the more serious moments... what is it like to deal with the loss of your parent... and how did you cope. Sorry but... i see this in my future

Chipmunk

Have you ever competed in the World Tin Bath Championship?

Lostngone

I've just bought a 150v 2a dc power supply, which was principally for providing a stable high voltage source for calibrating electronic loads. Having done that, I'm now looking for other things to do with it. Having cooked off capacitors with spectacular results (wish I had a high speed camera and I'm so glad I was wearing glasses!) and resistors with varying degrees of effect, are there other interesting things people can suggest I 'test'?

Can you introduce your resident cats?

Philip Childs

Is there any way to get an LED torch to just turn on and off. I have no need for lower intensity and flashing modes.

AlfaGuy

I would also like to see a tear-down of a fairly simple vintage product/device using valves, I have no idea how they work!

Is it possible to charge an 18650 without protection with a solarpanel?

Mike Weijmans

If I'm getting back started again, what voltage/amperage should I worry about injury/fire at?

Bradley Johnson

I would like to see some practical advice with SMD soldering, I know there are many YouTube vid's out there, non have your flair.... I want to see a hobbyist take on the assembly using minimal equipment and workarounds.

Are the railroad workers out of jail yet?

Lostngone

What is your favorite part of the job when you worked on fare ground lighting?

What are the best charging practices to extend battery life of lithium ion, lipo, and nimh batteries?

Matthew Arnold

What is the sound of one hand clapping???? 😂

Lostngone