In the early days of the Internet, finding a connection was often very tricky while travelling.
I used this antenna to find open networks, as a mobile Internet connection was not a thing back then. I often had to hold it out of open windows and try and grab my mailing list and newsgroup up...
2024-09-08 13:45:54 +0000 UTC View Post
I remember buying this from a surplus supplier, and I think there may have been a manufacturing tolerance issue with the design. It also has a very "firm" ball action versus the more common, but expensive free-rolling optical type. (My preferred input device is an optical trackball for use wit...
2024-09-08 12:57:12 +0000 UTC View Post
The air fryer was so big that it was easier just to sit it on my lap to take it apart.
The airflow was different to what I was expecting, and the unit has lots of useful components that would cost more than the complete machine (a ridiculously low £20!)
The main assembly may also fin...
2024-09-06 21:56:02 +0000 UTC View Post
A closer look at one of the Indian amulets we were maintaining during the run of the show. For its cheapness and simplicity, it gives a stunning effect.
The performers with these had one on each wrist, and turned them on at a key point in the act.
They are literally just nine strips ...
2024-09-01 19:39:43 +0000 UTC View Post
A nice simple teardown for a change. It's a common oil vaporiser for deterring the presence of flying insects. I'm not sure how effective it is, since they're not a huge issue here.
The custom ceramic heater is very nice. The devious way they have made the unit one time use less so. I w...
2024-09-01 13:06:01 +0000 UTC View Post
Compared to the mass of cheap eBay lights with very suspicious lithium charging circuitry, this unit takes a safer and more traditional approach to charging.
It seems a fairly well designed and functional light.
2024-09-01 03:29:23 +0000 UTC View Post
Something refreshingly simple for a change. It's a ball themed puck that glides on a bed of air created by an internal fan.
The construction is very simple, but it still manages to squeeze in a PCB, albeit purely for marshaling power to the LEDs.
If all goes to plan I intend to stream as usual.
https://www.twitch.tv/bigclivedotcom
2024-08-31 03:20:09 +0000 UTC View Post
This is the second time the Indian act has come with less than stellar lithium battery packs for their illuminated props/costumes. This year most of it was OK, but what appeared to be professionally made lithium 12V packs turned out to be cobbled together from random reclaimed 18650 cells with ve...
2024-08-31 02:23:56 +0000 UTC View Post
The show is complete and the lights, cables and truss are all on their way back.
There's a great feeling when the doors of the trucks are closed and we head off to a local Thai restaurant for a meal generously provided by Vince the crew chief.
This truck was the last one, so the fligh...
2024-08-31 02:12:17 +0000 UTC View Post
A quick tour of the accommodation I was staying in while in Edinburgh.
It's student accommodation - although it's also used by visiting labour and tourists.
There's a sign in the room that basically says "Manage your expectations - this is not a hotel."
If you've noticed that my name has changed to a random string of characters in my replies to comments, it's because of the latest YouTube mystery action.
2024-08-27 13:57:27 +0000 UTC View Post
This is what it's like going up in the crane's elevator. It's very open and very wobbly. Definitely not for the faint hearted.
Sorry for the shady footage - it was filmed late at night. It would have been better to film this in daylight, although that would have made the experience a bit...
2024-08-26 23:46:02 +0000 UTC View Post
The crane we use is very tall. It folds out from a compact driveable unit, and has an elevator just for the driver to get to the top.
2024-08-26 23:42:37 +0000 UTC View Post
I'm not aware of any other venue that uses this system. I suggested it during the design of the new stadium, and it has been very helpful indeed in moving the high number of extremely heavy lights we use.
2024-08-26 23:40:28 +0000 UTC View Post
A look inside the farting ninja toy after it had been powered with a 240V supply.
The blob chip seems to have borne the brunt of the carnage.
2024-08-25 10:28:36 +0000 UTC View PostSorry. Mixture of long hours and a blip that set all recent uploads from unlisted to private, meant that video wasn't visible. It should be fixed now.
2024-08-25 09:24:51 +0000 UTC View Post
Spoiler - you can't change any of the four lights...
Quite neat design though, and a good example of mass production and the illusion of providing something more complicated than it is.
https://youtu.be/5tCf84AopnM 2024-08-24 13:59:01 +0000 UTC View Post
When we're not fixing stuff we're breaking stuff. In this instance we decided to destroy one of the many farting ninja toys dotted around the workshop.
2024-08-24 13:32:03 +0000 UTC View Post
This is a new variant on the Air Wick essential mist oil atomiser. It has a nice illuminated panel on top that glows quite brightly while the unit is emitting mist.
I've experimented with DIY aroma oils, and while you can get a fairly strong aroma from pure essential plant oils diluted wit...
2024-08-22 03:10:41 +0000 UTC View Post
The Indian act again, because it's fairly colourful. I don't have many cues to do during the first show on a Saturday, as it is done in daylight. (The show is best seen in the later, darker show.)
I popped through to the production control room to make a short video.
The outer three...
2024-08-21 12:18:45 +0000 UTC View Post
I didn't release this video at the time, because I felt I messed it up a bit.
Now I'm reviewing it, it's not too bad, even if I was a bit perplexed as to what to call the stator.
I was expecting a capacitor for speed control, but it's simpler than that.
Another interesting gift from Vince the crew chief. He travels a lot internationally with work, and finds weird and wonderful gadgets.
This one came from Qatar, but as with almost every other gadget, it is made in China.
The incense box says that it is made in the UAE (United Arab Em...
2024-08-21 02:53:02 +0000 UTC View Post
An unusual device bought from a local shop (Home Bargains in Edinburgh).
It has a spinning holographic blade that must appear as some sort of monster predator to flies.
The battery/USB switching circuitry is very novel and intriguing.
Bubble whistling. I'm almost too embarrassed to release this on YouTube...
I'm just miming along to a little musical bubble machine, which I will be taking apart for your viewing pleasure later on.
2024-08-19 13:10:40 +0000 UTC View Post
They're going all in on the haze this year. These machines use a very small amount of vegetable glycerine to create dense clouds of haze that swirl in the wind.
The glycerine haze fluid is pumped in as pulses by a solenoid pump, mixed with air and bubbled through a wide heater tube. It at...
2024-08-19 13:07:49 +0000 UTC View Post
Some of the shows have an RAF flypast at the start. The first one was a jet with that hit the show countdown literally to the nearest second, and that was followed by the Red Arrows and other random aircraft.
2024-08-19 13:00:59 +0000 UTC View Post
General repairs to the illuminated Indian props. This is one of many illuminated amulets worn by the performers during the Indian act. The main issues we've had have been damaged LED sections caused by overzealous clashing of amulets during the dance routines, and rogue switches going intermit...
2024-08-19 12:57:57 +0000 UTC View Post
I'm undecided whether the blue light in this is actually effective at aiding in luring insects to the beer inside, but it's a visually nice feature.
The high value inductor means it should have a fairly long run time at night.
I'll guess that this same light is probably available under different brands elsewhere in the world, but in the UK it's sold under the Parkside brand by LIDL.
Very simple operation, but an interesting design that gives the microcontroller an override facility for the charge circuitry, and c...
2024-08-15 02:59:47 +0000 UTC View Post