EEVblog

Mailbag. Dave opens his mail and tears down a bunch of random stuff.
Forum: www.eevblog.com...
SPOILERS:
Counterfeit copies of Art Of Electronics!
Genuine copy is here:
amzn.to/1nCmmaK
How to detect the counterfeits: artofelectronic...
Other KZbinrs:
/ dexterslab2013
/ carlstechshed
Electromechanical vibrator from a chopper amplifier
Polygraph machine amplifier teardown
Fluke 70 teardown
RCA valve oscilloscope teardown
Analog Discovery 2
sine.ni.com/nip...
Red Pitaya V1.1 Digital Measurement & Control Development Board
redpitaya.com/
Home energy Saver device teardown
Guest appearance by Sagan
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The 2nd EEVblog Channel: / eevblog2
Support the EEVblog through Patreon!
/ eevblog
EEVblog Amazon Store (Dave gets a cut):
astore.amazon.c...
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www.eevblog.com...
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Electronics Info Wiki:
www.eevblog.com...
💗 Likecoin - Coins for Likes: likecoin.pro/@...

[@TilmanBaumann]

Sagan completely failing to grasp the concept of a scam. You plug it in and it does nothing!? Why would anyone do that? You are right Sagan. Grown ups are weird.

[@power-max]

+iCQ To his defense though "dad" already knew it does nothing, sagen probably thinks that it was advertised to do nothing.

[@BenChilds]

+Big MITTY Give it time I think he'll turn out to be a rugby player with such early-learned headbutting skills.

[@zee-lusay4087]

+Really Funny, Original Name I believe he was implying the word 'dad' should be said with a bit of emphasis. Not quite as much as a 14 year old daughter you've some how embarrassed in front of her friends; more like a droll admission the you are indeed their father. (e.g. "That's my "dad" over there.)

[@rich1051414]

I get vague memories when I was a child being confused by scams and such. Simpler times when you have good intentions and assume the same out of everyone else.

[@ManofCulture]

I'm impressed at Sagan knowing it's an oscilloscope :D.. thumbs up for Sagan :D

[@Thermalions]

+ANTHONY CABALLERO Yeah that was awesome

[@hentaihenry7099]

Video got a like just for that.

[@voltlog]

A comparison video between the red pitaya and the analog discovery 2 would be nice, thumbs up for that!

[@tubical71]

+VoltLog YEP...! :) :)

[@EEVblog]

+VoltLog Are there any other competing ones?

[@voltlog]

+EEVblog None that I know of, at least not as versatile as these two. There are multiple variants of USB Oscilloscopes on the market, that do offer "multi instrument" features but I don't think they come close to the versatility of the Red Pitaya or the Analog Discovery.

[@harrkev]

+VoltLog The Red Pitaya does not even look like it has ANY digital channels (unless I missed them). How is that "vertasile?"

[@voltlog]

+Kevin Harrelson If you don't find versatile a gadget that offers you: oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, LCR meter and possibly more, all for 200 EUR then maybe we have different expectations for the term versatile...

[@yetna197]

Watch the static discharge at 1:53 from the corner under Dave's hand.

[@krisztianszirtes5414]

+ShineShooter Oh wow... That sheet really is conductive then :D

[@Graham_Langley]

+ShineShooter That's a reflection. An AS bench mat is quite resistive so any static gets discharged relatively slowly at a current that won't do any damage.

[@Lenny-kt2th]

+Graham Langley Agreed, that's not a static discharge. ESD would follow the shortest path between the corner and the mat and hence would have been tiny, not the big blob a couple of cm next to it.

[@johneastmond9092]

+ShineShooter Nice catch. I caught the tin whiskers, but this is a good one as well. What would of reflected like that? I would suspect it would be a discharge. interesting!

[@Graham_Langley]

+Jitter 000 As the bench mat is resistive there'd be no spark at all - that's the object of it.

[@uriituw]

The counterfeit one has a counterfeit sticker on the cover. :-D

[@technodaz]

+uriituw I know right , massive hint right there.

[@Sionlockett]

+uriituw Probably put there by Paul Horowitz

[@kjoh42]

+Sion Lockett woosh

[@FranLab]

I will keep my First Edition copy! That potted box looks like a stock generic motor start capacitor, I have seen simillar for small AC motors.

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

Not surprising to see Fran Here

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

Such as in ceiling fans and other fan motors as well sing this quite a bit. Even though you don't often fail Let the magic smoke out pretty violently have seen this couple times in my life. Usually they fail gracefully or just a little at a time as the people want to know would know for sure. This type of capacitor is designed Knoxville catastrophically as in going ballistic! Usually not as bad as the old refa capacitors when they do like to smoke out pretty much! And yes the failure mode at least when it fails correctly is a safety thing as well! I saw one of these capacitors I could not believe it was actually still working it looked like it had walnuts out but still no signs of an externally Elise from the outside of the fan They hadn't reported anything unusual other than just sometimes not starting with all at first. But I could not believe that the capacitor was still in one piece let alone at least somewhat functional unfortunately could not measure it did not have proper equipment to do so but we've been really interesting to see how much was still well quote unquote working! Looks like it had had a few nice pop bang Fizz moments but yet doing so and not raising suspicions also this is only used when people were there for sure for what was told to me

[@leisergeist]

"To get rid of stuff you don't want you just eat it!" Wise words, wise words.. LOL

[@frollard]

37:35 RIP non-sticky work surface.

[@MitchCrane]

Sagan is a genius. Mommy doesn't want the chocolate at home, just eat it. Problem solved.

[@b4ux1t3-tech]

The level of excitement in that tot is so heartwarming. Not that I doubted it, but you're turning out to be a great dad.

[@CircuitSix]

Ever since I was a kid I tore things apart. I took up electronics in the military and have been out of touch with it for quite some time. After seeing your videos I am getting the itch again. Time to get my bench setup!

[@proyectosledar]

DAVE, Please I want to see that energy saver video!! where is it???

[@AureliusR]

+Proyectos LED It's not up yet.

[@tohopes]

FYI it's here: watch?v=_V6nYLIChUA

[@ChrisKoch]

I was worried for a moment, but relieved to find that my copy of "The Art of Ecleotornics" is the real thing!

[@MichelSatoer]

Wow Dave, this mailbag episode with Sagan as co-host takes it completely to another level! Sagan’s great reactions gives it really funny vibe to it. Thumbs up for Sagan as a sidekick!

[@buddhaman001]

Sagan made a nice change of pace, he got excited seeing you unbox something and I couldn't help but giggle haha.

[@gamerpaddy]

"thats how we get rid of stuff which we dont want, we just eat it" - Sagan

[@yssing]

Sagan is one lucky boy, imagine growing up with all that equipment and stuff around... Amazing!

[@JoRosieQueen68]

+EEVblog Sagan almost makes me tear up because he makes me remeber of the period when I was 4 years old and back then I was dismantling stuff next to my father,oh good memories,great episode,keep it up Dave!!

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

I remember actually repairing stuff around 4 and 5 years old one of those types of things specifically lamps. Yep I was repairing and rewiring lamps at that age and actually doing it right and safely! That's right stuff that would be classified as actual electrical work! I had actually learned basic electrical at a very early age it wasn't me at first it was people I know that were teaching me . Ironically we have numerous electrical trade people in our family. Numerous people said that I had it in my blood or in the family! In terms of the starting out in electronics was kind of delayed due to a bad experience my father had with a soldering iron. Me and him were fixing a hair dryer and had borrowed a soldering iron to do this and he burned himself pretty bad in the process. If it weren't for this I probably would have been started a lot sooner I'm doing actual Electronics projects and repairs! Every once in a while at their place my parents place sometimes it's just one of those things that somebody needs to be done quick or run across that really needs it and it's just a minute or two sort of thing. LOL I don't know hey I need to get something fixed here power just needs to be off a minute and it's like responses okay no problem take care of it! Couple years ago avoided a big bang moment when a receptacle did not have a cover plate screw metal plate of course was just about to come off when testing Christmas lights. We've already had a few Big Bang moments over the years with this but different circumstances. Add an outlet short out against a undersized box once what's my father that time. Happened to be in my utility room shop heard the breaker go and heard the word fire. Needless to say grab the workshop fire extinguisher and ran upstairs! By that time it had already put itself out but yeah small electrical fire. Mainly just scorched paint. Receptacle and Christmas light plug toast! Of course one of those years we did not have enough Christmas lights that were actually any good! Naturally!

[@_Corza]

Hey, Im a big fan of the show and love your content. I have just recently just got back into the Electronics world. Im 18 and would love that Fluke multimeter to help me out. I live in Queensland Australia. Keep doing what you do :D Cheers Corey

[@EEVblog]

+vTehCorey It's yours. Email me your snail mail address.

[@stuartthegrant]

Sagan is such a bright kid, a true "chip of the old block" Dave. A credit to your wife and good self.

[@PeterScargill]

When I was young (yup - a long time ago) my dad was a gadget fanatic before me. I remember he had one of the first Philips cassettes (recorder) mounted professionally between the front seats and wired into the radio so you could actually record radio.. but I digress - amongst the toys he had in the car was one of those mechanical vibrators to generate 240v from the 12v car battery - you could hear it buzzing in the background. Amazingly simple - and considering the transistors of the day, not a bad idea.

[@snabelsvin1]

I'm glad you're givin away the multimeter instead of "getting rid of it".

[@winstonsmith478]

Definitely yes on the Red Pitaya vs Analog 2 shootout.

[@tenchimod]

Sagan is utterly adorable and he needs to be in more videos. Wonderful son you have there, Dave. :)

[@Gin-toki]

Sagan: "And that's how we get rid of stuff we don't want, we just eat it!" LOL, smart boy you have there Dave :D

[@awesomecraftication]

I am a youngster in Australia (18) just getting into electronics and would love a Fluke 73 if it's still up for grabs. Really enjoy your videos and Sagan's knowledge and vocabulary is very impressive for his age, awesome. I hope he finds that hidden chocolate.

[@thomascoughran1374]

Automotive radios pretty much through the 1950s used vibrator power supplies.

[@JarodTufts]

Your boy is amazing. I so enjoyed this video. Brings back happy memories of when my son was this fun age. :)

[@bigsamrees]

Love it! I thought my kids were the only ones giving head fives! My eldest (8) is starting to get into electronics (regularly taking my stuff too) - he would be stoked to receive the Fluke 73 from you.

[@KennethScharf]

Nice Fluke meter. I've still got my Heathkit branded Fluke 77 that I bought in the late '70's. Had to replace the fuses inside a few times thanks to my overloading the ammeter! I've got the plastic holster - protector and the fake leather carry case too. Did have to get some new probes along the way.

[@12voltvids]

What you didn't power up the scope. Where is the fun in that.I have a much older HP140A that I have converted into a osciloclock. All original parts, works like a jewel.

[@proteus4631]

I already downloaded a pdf copy of this book. I will now buy a real Genuine copy in honor of these hero AUTHORS THANK YOU!

[@AIM54A]

The blast machine will output a high voltage pulse. DO not touch the terminals on that when you press the fire/detonate button. We're talking about heart stopping potentials/energy there.

[@thekaduu]

Showdown of the last two product would be appreciated, thanks Dave.

[@asew1710]

EEVblog #847 - Mailbag but every time Sagan says 'Ya' the entire bee movie plays, but every time when there is a bee in the frame the entire Star Wars series plays.

[@DextersTechLab]

Glad you liked the polygraph module Dave. Sagan seems to like the Lego! Check out the tin whiskers on the chopper terminals, didn't notice those on the one i took apart!

[@Zenodilodon]

Ah the older Flukes, love them!

[@TheRadioShop]

Awesome mail bag Dave.

[@danielthechskid]

Here in the states PSC motor ceiling fans use a run cap that looks exactly like the one in the "energy saving" box. Our 3 speed ceiling fans have 2 speed control methods, one uses autotransformer taps in the run winding and a single value run cap, the other uses a dual run cap, low value capacitance is low, high value is medium, and both values in parallel is high speed.

[@albertmorganti5828]

Cleveland Rocks! time 17:34 I hope to send my electronics project into the blog for a tear down soon!

[@gamerpaddy]

ive seen these chopper tubes in old 12v to 220v inverters. a tuning fork tuned to 50hz, 2 relay contact and a coil.

[@gladyszryan]

+EEVBLOG I enjoy seeing Sagen in these videos, it's nice to see children around technology. love your videos. keep it up

[@JuanHerrero]

The covers side by side are like a game of "Spot the differences".

[@joewell6435]

I hear "I'll be giving this away to a beginner" and I got excited, then I heard "in Australia" :(

[@Hiltibold]

This book costs 74 € in Austria (not Australia!). No wonder somebody fakes it...

[@BiecherBender]

+Hiltibold aus Graz not very cheap, but I had much more expensive books

[@Kamtar34]

+Hiltibold aus Graz Yes but its sad that it can sell on amazon...

[@Fittneskick803]

+Hiltibold aus Graz wow i also just looked it up for austria...

[@unknown_unknowable]

+Hiltibold aus Graz it's absolutely worth it!

[@IIGrayfoxII]

+Hiltibold aus Graz One would expect them to buy the real one and then make sure the spelling is correct then sell it cheap.

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

TEN-TEC are based in Sevierville and a polygraph is used to extract the truth for perps.

[@nikomo]

When you link to other videos (PFC cap measurement garbage etc.), can you also link them in the description? Mobile devices don't support annotations, and I watch a surprising amount of KZbin on my tablet.

[@gl1500ctv]

Agreed! (Thanks for asking about this, saved me having to.)

[@alancordwell9759]

Me too... I was tapping away but..... nada!

[@SilentMono]

Anyone have the link?

[@squelchedotter]

Or Dave could just use the cards, if he has access to them.

[@AureliusR]

+nikomo That video is not up yet. He will add the annotation and likely the link in the description, but you'll also see it in your feed when it's up.

[@John_Ridley]

"I know how to get rid of the chocolate - we just eat it!"

[@tomwaters86]

Best mailbag episode to date. Sagan is a very clever lad and funny too. He made me laugh talking about hiding chocolate from mummy! Keep it up Dave

[@fusion2x]

I would visit an EEVblog museum! Set it up Dave!

[@travis4798]

lol I think the led's draw more power then that "energy saver" claims to save. The screws that never seem to strip the plastic out are a double helix with one helix more narrow, this prevents it from physically splitting and allows it to self tap making a tight fit. In just about everything I've come across with them they never strip. But some manufactures use regular screws and it strips out in no time.

[@Silenoz1982]

Now everybody knows, what happens with things, they don't want. "That's how weg get rid of stuff, we don't want...we just eat it!" (Sagan; 2016) Thank you for the cathartic moment! :D

[@foorje]

I had my hands on an even older oscilloscope, one from 1955. It was quite something indeed. Only really useful for scoping things out in the audio spectrum though.

[@Imdor]

"Mommy doesn't ordinarily allow chocolate at home" Run Sagen, RUN!

[@CoolAsFreya]

Then he realised mummy has access to youtube!

[@Satchmoeddie]

My explosives detonator box & galvanomter are from the Atlas Powder Company, but they are identical to the DuPont models. Nice old RtR scope! I just got an RCA Isotap TV repair transformer. It is built like a little tank, and has common USA outlet voltages in direct & isolated. Really a nice unit, and without one, you could kiss your O Scope goodbye. The RCA tube analyzer is still considered one of the best! Back when RCA was in New Jersey. Now RCA is just a name used for branding garbage Chinese televisions, sold at Walmart & other discount retailers, of third rate junk. Fluke 73s were a good field meter for electricians. The capacitors were under a carbon fiber shield so if you were dumb enough to try to test the 13,600 volt test taps at the copper mine, it would not blow up in your face.

[@sghost128]

Lol. Counterfeit books. I honestly never thought I would see the day. Whats next? (I legitimately sat at my desk for 5 minutes trying to think of something else ridiculous that they could counterfeit bet I legitimately couldn't because everything I thought of already exists...)

[@tubical71]

+sghost128 if something is of someones interest you will see couterfeits all over the place....clocks....DSOs...TVs...Smartphones..Turntables (technics 1210) chocolate....walkmen (back in its days)...Vinyl...Cassettes....LightBulbs...DogFood....name it....Currently i´m working on a big airport and there is a huge display of couterfeit things at the main customs entrance...you wouldn´t believe what they showing inside there....

[@sghost128]

+frumbert Oh yeah. Now we are getting real meta. What we should actually do is setup counterfeit supplies for counterfeiting. A bunch of counterfeiters buy tools to counterfeit books, two books in, and all their tools are broken.

[@sghost128]

+TubiCal I mean yeah, those for the most part are all pretty popular and well know. Did you know counterfeit caviar is a thing? When I first read about it I was shocked. SHOCKED.

[@slm60uk]

+sghost128 I'm sure my ex was a counterfeit - she was always falling apart :)

[@sghost128]

+slm60uk Shots fired. Lol.

[@KingNast]

I still use my fluke 75 I got in 1990! It's seriously on the second battery. Didn't know about the resistor trick, I'll have to try that.

[@recordonline]

I always put a new women to the smell test, front to back, it's an absolute must.

[@kristina80ification]

Those chips in the calculator had a bunch of Texas Instruments branded chips, I'd be willing to bet that Sinclair calculator was just a re-branded old school TI calculator.

[@bargainspares9531]

"That's how we get rid of stuff, we eat it" I love kids!!

[@p00pie]

Sagan is going to live well into the 2100s.

[@zaprodk]

I'm pretty sure the EMI can has never been soldered onto that WiFi-module in that WDTV-box. The footprint for it is always made in the layout, and it's then only fitted if EMC-requirement shows it's needed. Cost cutting i see all the time.

[@gblargg]

+zaprodk I wouldn't be surprised if the sender mooved the WiFi module to the side and removed the RF cover to try to reduce heating. At 24:52 you can see hand-drilled holes on top and added thick feet on the bottom to increase airflow.

[@zaprodk]

+blargg Look at this. It's factory to look like that: www.storagereview.com/western_digital_wd_tv_live_review - Yes he did drill holes, but did nothing to the Wifi-module.

[@gblargg]

***** OK, don't have a cow. It's just my idle commentary on something insignificant :)

[@Bbaass_TMH]

+zaprodk "WiFi-module" It says USB Dongle on the silkscreen :P

[@zaprodk]

+Bbaass_TMH It's still a Wifi-module.

[@wald01979]

The honey dripping all over your anti-static is cracking me up.

[@steffenhansen9212]

Sagan is just adorable!! Love your blog Dave, Keep up the awesome work..!

[@douro20]

Capacitor-discharge blasting machine. Some people still use mechanical ones.

[@thomasguilder9288]

"JFETs with pilot lights"... just great😂

[@HomelessTechnology]

Sagan is getting so much like Dave. Even got the tongue at the right angle.

[@BTom16]

The counterfeit edition Art of Electronics includes a great DC boost circuit that will increase battery life up to 8x!

[@DielectricVideos]

I have an old DC-AC inverter for an electric razor from the 60's that uses a mechanical vibrator similar to that to generate its AC signal and an iron-core step-up transformer to bump it up to 120 V. It only makes about 15 watts, but it's actually enough to run a cell phone charger or an LED lamp!

[@iamatis20]

I love this guys commentary........ " Its just a dogs breakfast!!!" LOL @15:10

[@fluffskunk]

Lerece-Neville, still around but they're in Arcade, New York now. Cleveland still has Lincoln Electric, though! World's best welders!

[@xmed0]

dude! you have one of the the best intro of youtube !! I absolutly love it ! , simplicity !! :)

[@madkins0128]

Just ordered The Art of Electronics from your link .... no indication of affiliation with EEVBLOG ... hope you get some benefit!

[@EEVblog]

+Michael Adkins The link just works, you won't see anything. Rest assured that I will get the cut. Thanks.

[@tomaszwota1465]

Yeah, imma get one too, I think.

[@electronicbob6237]

Electro Mechanik chopper very interesting....i think the damping is to reduce acoustic noise or resonating in the case itself....

[@KostadinIVKostadinov]

When you ask people to buy your products it feels like charity, except that you are teaching people electronics better than those who are specifically paid for that. The book looks great btw :D

[@Mikeanddrea]

Is that your son? He's so cute. He needs to be on more often.

[@mdrolc]

Can't wait for RedPitaya vs. Analog Discovery 2 video.

[@mike7958]

I vote that all mailbags should be done with Sagan from now on.

[@kenfoland]

In America these devices will not even save one penny. It will actually cost a small amount to use it. Our residential power meters do not measure reactance, only the resistive portion of the load is measured.

[@merc68k]

Hi Dave, love the channel. FYI if you're interested, I have one of those WDTV boxes and solved the overheating and locking up issues (almost daily) I was having by reverting the firmware to an older version. I don't have the link handy now but there is a thread about this online with the older firmware posted, I can look it up if you like.

[@spengu64]

24:45 Just buy small heatsinks from ebay and through them on the processor and memory, it should fix the heating issues

[@ForViewingOnly]

My favourite part was 27:21 - the tweeters blew on my speakers but it made my day :-)

[@dailydog5378]

To be completely honest I find the Lego more interesting than anything else

[@rooneye]

31:49 "Aaaaahhh beautiful!" lol 33:05 "Oohhhhh beautiful!" Thats the sound Dave makes when he has a nerdgasm :D

[@tubical71]

i go for a shootout between the RedPitaya and the discovery 2 as well, and i´m especially interested in the FFT capabilities....so do one, Dave...:)

[@EEVblog]

+TubiCal Are there any other competing ones?

[@AureliusR]

+EEVblog What happened to the high frame rate?

[@tubical71]

EEVblog i just don't know....my old uni-t dso does a good job on audio signals...I wonder how these PC based scopes perform especially in real time updating...I also have an analog spectrum analyzer but since it's sweeping I have no real use as my stuff usually mess around with its output over the audio frequency range vs. Time (phaser and hi/lo/band pass filters with a lot of modulation of them center frequency....I bout my uni-t back in 2009 just for its nice and very fast math fft function. Even twice prized digital scopes can't compete.... I would love to see how the Rode@&Schwarz performing a real time audio frequency range fft....

[@kevinjacquot3183]

I've alays loved mailbags, but with Sagan it's even better =) Makes me smile everytime =D

[@DjResR]

22:52 Maybe he talked about those red mutated capacitors with a tiny slot in it?

[@zee-lusay4087]

I wish I still had the O-scope my father built as part of his correspondence electronics course. 195? probably 56-to 58. I have the multi meter somewhere. and the books. Fundamentals are still the same, though the parts are a bit smaller now.

[@alancordwell9759]

A good crop of tin whiskers in the chopper relay!

[@TheSkytherMod]

Melbourne here! I had a generic multimeter but my parents threw it away thinking it was junk :/ Would love to receive a fluke never used one but from your word they seem fantastic even the older ones!

[@ColdestLivewire]

13:49 looks like a dcdonalds promotional glass, ebay is about the only way to find a replacement

[@bluefox616161]

+Kartal Kapena yea i sent that box in and i have had my eye out on ebay for some time now without any luck

[@IanTester]

@17:00 Shit, I almost jumped with that jump cut and sound effect!

[@gglovato]

lol that bodge in the WD media player is because that's a USB dongle, it's written there in the silkscreen, so they wired it to the mainboard :D, easier than a custom design

[@mackocour]

38:36 that honey leaking from the box

[@502deth]

i had that EXACT rca scope. i sold it about 2 years ago at the local auction house, iirc, i got about $15 for it (BEFORE the auction co took their cut) with a probe and pdf manual burned on cd.

[@marshaul]

OK, I gotta say, Sagan saying "oscilloscope" was pretty undeniably cute.

[@biagiomattiamoro1844]

28:30 two children opening their christmas presents..awesome!

[@antsgamingvideosn2b]

Leeds-Neville later became part of Prestolite-they make things like alternators nowdays.

[@brokenscart7989]

I shut my ducking pants when you pressed detonate lol