Biggest video yet?
Added 2017-02-20 17:24:00 +0000 UTCA full guide to assembling one of the large digital clock kits widely sold by Chinese eBay sellers. It's a nice kit to build, but like many of these kits it tries to be too clever and has so many functions that setting it via two buttons can be tricky, even with the instructions.
This video is using a new microphone that is pretty much where the original iPad one was. It should sound similar, albeit a bit boomier, as the iPad did a good job of removing the bass from my voice. I do actually have quite a bassy voice, so the new microphone is probably more accurate.
Comments
Just a word of warning if someone gets one of these kits: Test the photoresistor before assembling! It turns out that the photoresistor in my clock kit was bad, but I didn't find out until it was assembled. Once I powered it up, the display was really, really dim and didn't respond to any light shone on photoresistor. The only way to replace the photoresistor is to desolder all of the pins on the first LED digit and remove it....not a lot of fun. But, once that was sorted, it worked great :)
Chris Kelley
2017-03-03 18:49:19 +0000 UTCI wonder if a mat like this would help with auto-focus? I have one on my workbench just for a clean work surface. It's black with light features on the reverse, which might be good for contrast. I don't believe it's conductive but I can check after work if you're interested. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015AOIYI" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015AOIYI</a>
Jonathan Overholt
2017-02-22 15:00:11 +0000 UTCI've built the Jyetech (style) scope kit. It's surprisingly neat, although noisy. The switches and the variation in control height makes it hard to make a makeshift case, though. It can do a lot of basic measurements and certainly helps if you only have a multimeter.
Harri Haataja
2017-02-21 20:42:32 +0000 UTCI'm interested to see how good/bad one of those ~£30 oscilloscope kits from ebay are.
2017-02-21 16:19:27 +0000 UTCNice video, I built one of those cases recently for another project, very confusing. And I found out just how hot a pp3 battery can get when you short it out!
Phil Collins
2017-02-21 14:07:18 +0000 UTCVery relaxing to watch you build this and seeing you awesome skills at soldering things lol. Hope to see more kits in the future. : )
Entropic Nightmares
2017-02-21 11:52:59 +0000 UTCGreat video, very instructive, and like the previous commenter, would be great to see modifications, maybe some sort of massive LED based homemade screen for it? Glad I'm not the only one who hates things that go beep...!
2017-02-21 08:32:56 +0000 UTCExcellent video, as somebody else has said, very therapeutic!! More kits would be good, but building a kit and then adapating/expanding/improving it would be even better. For example, with this light, you said that with 'buffers' you could drive an even bigger display - seeing this done would be very interesting. Keep up the good work.
2017-02-21 06:09:48 +0000 UTCOpening entries for the BC dictionary . 1/ Fritery > Tricky /difficult/ small and fiddly 2/ wee jig > small holder or tool ( not to be confused with a dance of short duration)
Phil Maddox
2017-02-21 03:18:00 +0000 UTCYears ago I used to install alarms and remote starts in automobiles. Long story short, don't do it barefoot and leave the hot soldering iron on the shop floor. Play stupid games....
2017-02-21 02:12:44 +0000 UTCYes, I think that the iPad's microphone just was a bit smaller, so less capable of picking up low sounds.
L3P3
2017-02-21 00:30:33 +0000 UTCFor those interested, the not included Lithium backup battery is a 3V CR1220 Button Battery.
2017-02-21 00:30:12 +0000 UTCIf you have a mobile just get yourself a time tracking app so you just have to tap it every time you go. Though that is not meant to dissuade you from getting a clock kit as well as I would still get a clock as they look quite neat even with the issues Clive pointed out at the end. I've Just ordered a slightly different white one for a fiver. Maybe a better model, though there is ittle to choose except a white diffuser instead of black, for those who don't want to solder quite so much as the display consists of one 4 LED strip consisting of only 10 pins in total.
2017-02-21 00:21:18 +0000 UTCAudio still a little quiet and even more sibilant, I'm afraid. A wind gag might help. Vision a little over exposed. I'd love to make one of these but due to an accident I've now only one good arm. Perhaps with two Helping Hands it might be possible?
2017-02-20 23:20:22 +0000 UTCIt really dims down to the point I thought it had gone out completely. But still visible in the dark.
Big Clive
2017-02-20 23:18:31 +0000 UTCI ordered on of these around a month ago. It's still in the post. I'd like to know if it's overly bright in a dark room since it'll be a bedroom clock.
Michael Kulczycki
2017-02-20 22:58:11 +0000 UTCI haven't had time to watch the entire video yet, but I was immediately compelled to order a clock kit. It's been a while since I've had a nice, straightforward little soldering project to do and this looks perfect! Less than US $8 shipped. Will report back in 3 months when it actually arrives. :D
Rick Hanson
2017-02-20 22:12:31 +0000 UTCWell I had to order one of those....
Big Clive
2017-02-20 22:07:48 +0000 UTCCurrent draw is about 40mA.
Big Clive
2017-02-20 21:53:08 +0000 UTCGreat, loved your video.
2017-02-20 21:38:43 +0000 UTCDefinitely build more kits. Almost as therapeutic watching a kit build as it is doing one. What was the current draw?
Richard Boyce
2017-02-20 21:37:40 +0000 UTCIf you think the beeper is annoying....you can get a talking version :-) <a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-digit-LED-Digital-Desktop-Clock-Electronic-DIY-Kit-with-Transparent-Case-H2F2-/351770810100?var=&hash=item51e72c96f4:m:mpSRBJ5APyBrFFuA4HouRHg" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-digit-LED-Digital-Desktop-Clock-Electronic-DIY-Kit-with-Transparent-Case-H2F2-/351770810100?var=&hash=item51e72c96f4:m:mpSRBJ5APyBrFFuA4HouRHg</a>
Erik G
2017-02-20 21:30:24 +0000 UTCThanks Clive - a very enjoyable video. Keep meaning to start some soldering but life keeps getting in the way. I thought you were meant to have more time as you get older. Just changing the subject. You are always mentioning that there is too little separation on power supplies etc. Is it possible to do a video to show how and when they fail so that we can get a better idea of what is and isn't safe - with smoke!
2017-02-20 21:20:46 +0000 UTCOn my list of To-Do's is a digital clock so that I can see the time at night every time I have to visit that room known as a toilet, loo or rest room. Then I can record the time for my doc. So I was going to search for some simple clock circuits and build it myself but procrastination reigns supreme in this 20c household. These clock kits look a lot easier and being able to kill the chime and the alarm is a bonus. Should I get one or should I not? Damn you Mister Big Clive, damn you Ebay. Why do you make it so easy to justify buying cool stuff?
Demolished Man
2017-02-20 21:05:40 +0000 UTCGood video Clive. Perfectly soldered joints as always.
2017-02-20 21:05:38 +0000 UTCmore kits please, loved the vid
Julian Butler
2017-02-20 20:56:58 +0000 UTCI'm desperate for something to solder and have been eyeballing these kits for a while. Looks like you've just sold me! Looks quite fun!!
Scott Yeager
2017-02-20 20:52:18 +0000 UTCThose are really nice and hackable displays.
Robert Gibbons
2017-02-20 20:45:36 +0000 UTCThose are really nice and hackable displays.
Robert Gibbons
2017-02-20 20:45:36 +0000 UTCI'm not aware of any significant ones in this video, but in a previous video the camera was focussing on the desk and not the selected object. The iPad didn't have that problem because it was fixed focus, hence why it was a softer image. My current approach is to lock focus on the rough area I'll be holding things.
Big Clive
2017-02-20 20:34:45 +0000 UTCI've just ordered some of these:- <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/122209020123" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://www.ebay.com/itm/122209020123</a>
Big Clive
2017-02-20 20:32:58 +0000 UTC
