Julian's Postbag: #78 - Electronics from China via eBay

[@dtwistrewind7361]

I keep trying to scroll when I'm looking at you looking at the listings and I've found myself blowing the screen when you have soldered in the past lol.

[@JulianIlett]

A bit like trying to press the brake pedal on the passenger side of the car :)

[@unklStewy]

Julian, it looks like the LED bar mounting holes could be used with nylon mounting pegs like one would use to mount an ATX motherboard. You can find them with threaded holes on the back side of the nylon plugs.

[@DJignyte]

Julian, the Qidian QD185-TY has an auto and manual mode so you can disable the auto shutdown when there is no load on the outputs.

[@JulianIlett]

Indeed it does - although it doesn't have QC3.0

[@uhadonejob]

You should check the 18650 holder by removing the cells. Some have clips that actually damage the plastic coating when you remove the cell and the battery is dangerous (easily shorted) at that point.

[@rak3shpai]

At 17:47 and 18:27, you don't have anything connected over USB, yet the YZX meter shows a 12v output. At that point if you were to connect a regular 5v USB device, you could potentially release the magic smoke from your USB device, isn't it? Shouldn't the charger immediately switch to 5v when the data lines go open-circuit?

[@normberg1347]

Julian, still at it with the magnets I see. I had a thought about the whole soldering issue... what if you put your soldering work between stacks of other magnets so that when the one you're soldering re-magnetizes as it cools? Just a thought...

[@tracyguilbeau]

7:43 the problem with the holes in the neo pixel strips, try using a hex socket capscrew, they have smaller heads

[@Hugatry]

You mentioned about possibly doing a DIY version of that tester. You may have seen my video about manually bitbanging the QC2.0, which could be a good starting point. As far as I know, QC3.0 protocol is the same but adds high-pulses to D+ and low-pulses to D- to increment and decrement. I would have tested that as well, but I don't have a QC3.0 PSU... But that should be easy to check with a scope. Good luck with that project, if you decide to try it. Don't break anything! I lost one USB power monitor -thingy, because I didn't remember it couldn't measure 12v :)

[@AndyHullMcPenguin]

If that little regulator on that USB tester is only rated for around 12V then it might be software restricted to 12V in order to stop it from going up in smoke... assuming it is powered from the USB of course.

[@rpeebles]

Any chance you could post the link to the DIY robot kit you play with at the end? Seem it in many videos but dont recall seeing the link to where it is sold. I love a challenge and would love to build one. Thanks.

[@jensfrobel6442]

Maybe you can do continuously decreasing the voltage by keeping the button pressed after the red blink

[@AdammP]

with those neo pixels I suppose you could use those plastic type pcb standoffs with the barb type locking mechanism, I think they often come with an adhesive on the opposite end, just a way to mount them i guess it would be better than having crushed SMD's

[@Lauriemine]

I have a few 18650 holders, if possible, could you do a video explaining what charging and protection circuits you use as i intend to do something similar. Cheers.

[@edmundfisher4951]

A quickcharge 3 power supply, with proper output terminals and selectable voltage pot and display would be awesome!

[@-yeme-]

whats the usb tester actually useful for...does it just confirm that quickcharge ports really supply the voltages theyre designed to? I mean, Id be surprised if they didnt. and without checking that theyre stable under load even that seems a bit pointless.

[@tasherratt]

Be very gentle with the countersunk NIB magnets they snap very easily I've snapped a couple by hand and quite a few more when tightening them up, especially with prevailing torque nuts.

[@abrahamiqbal100]

Hey Julian, did you ever consider using an attiny85 to drive your neo pixels? I know not as standalone as a pic can be but for a neat little package you have something capable of driving your neos

[@JulianIlett]

Yes, and I'll have more details on that soon :)

[@SpeccyMan]

Been driving Neopixel rings with an ATtiny85 for quite some time now, courtesy of the very useful add-in for the Arduino IDE. Yes I know it's cheating :) However your PIC experiments have reawakened my interest and I have decided that after the hols are over I am going to treat myself to something I've been wanting for a long time. I'm going to splurge and buy one of those Mikroelectronika PIC boards (you know the one with all the bells and whistles.) In the meantime I have been getting acquainted with Great Cow BASIC. An excellent IDE and programming language for both PIC and AVR microcontrollers.

[@donovanpl]

Whatever happened to the battery balancer charger that you were designing?

[@Gooberslot]

An 18650 that is 3mm to long really isn't an 18650 anymore, it would be an 18680. :)

[@Markle2k]

Re: the magnets. If you can solder to the head of a ferromagnetic 3mm screw, the magnet should simultaneously hold the screw to the magnet and the magnet to the 18650 cell. You might need to shorten the screw so it is flush, but that's not a problem. Ta da! No need for a nut on the flat side.

[@californiakayaker]

Someday the Post will realize that those magnets demagnetize many credit cards in nearby envelopes lol

[@RaspberryStraw]

Hi Julian, love your videos. Are you planning to take a look at Attiny85 microcontrollers and make some projects using them?

[@gartmorn]

The prices of electronics modules from China, in general, seem to be creeping up . Having said that they're still a lot cheaper than buying locally!

[@TuttleScott]

every 18650 battery holder I've gotten has contacts that are made of some type of unsolderable metal. appears to be good but snaps off soon after. blah.

[@californiakayaker]

I've used a type of flux used by stained glas folks. Doesn't seem to corrode and makes a good connection.

[@DreStyle]

Robot will be finished 2022.. Hope that the earth is still there by the time 😊

[@jlucasound]

"Nothing Lasts Forever but the Earth and Sky" (Kansas). I'm not so sure about the "Sky", though. Just look at Mars.

[@AlpineTheHusky]

Funny you mentioned this...

[@beargun42]

WS2812 is 6 pin WS2812B is 4 pin So those 8 led strips are WS2812. The 1M strip was WS2812B

[@beargun42]

ArduinoPlays 4 pins: VCC, GND, Data In, Data Out. The 6 pin one has separate vcc and gnd for both the leds and the IC.

[@beargun42]

ArduinoPlays aha. Now I understand where you were coming from. Those 6 pin leds are cathode-red, anode-red, cathode-green, anode-green, cathode-blue, anode-blue

[@chamrog1973]

Can you get that battery holder in a version that takes protected batteries? i have only been able to find them for unprotected cells

[@miningbruno]

If you need to estimate lengths and sizes, don't forget that you have a cutting board with a centimetre-scale right underneath! =)

[@sham1234567891]

Hi Julian. I need your help to build a 5s 18volt battery pack with charger board for powertool. Please advise. Thanks n regards. Sham.

[@tianxizheng6647]

How do you convert (or invert) DC to AC? I want to power a 12VAC microwave type stepper motor from the car battery, but don't know how. Also, is a choke necessary in this situation to limit the current?

[@tengelgeer]

About the robot, I think that one axle should be fixed but the gear should run freely around it. It's the only axle with two gears on it :)

[@akarshagarwal4516]

Julian can we expect a diy USB detector adapter in future?

[@JulianIlett]

Maybe - it looks pretty straightforward (I've said that a few times and regretted it)

[@akarshagarwal4516]

I'll wait for it. hahaha.

[@nor4277]

Hey guy you haven't built any Chinese kits in a while I miss those videos.I hope you will still do some in the future..if you have and I have miss them please let me no so I can find them and watch,great video too.

[@karlng2691]

What is the Mediterranean Workshop Project?

[@JerryEricsson]

Instead of screws try pop rivets with the pop on the other side.

[@PhattyMo]

Do it with an ESP8266 instead of a PIC,and you can have a webpage to control the lights.. That's my plan,one of these days. (Tony D from Adafruit just did something similar.)

[@michaelrapirap4647]

very clear audio

[@peerfunk]

mhm would be interesting how the postal service handles magnets ..

[@cody9089]

is there a board like the tp4056 that can charge multiple 18650 batteries instead of 1

[@cebruthius]

Definitely interested.

[@ekner]

TP4056 can do an infinite number of cells in parallel, but for series cells you have to use a BMS board.

[@cebruthius]

Yes, a BMS is asked for. Parallel is not very interesting.

[@cody9089]

ekner thank you, is there any videos on this?

[@pfeerick]

There is a tp5100 that can charge either one cell or two cells in series. Other than that, your best option is probably a BMS, unless you are doing parallel charging.

[@Tom5TomEntertainment]

That robot looks almost as complicated as some of the big Lego sets.

[@jamesledcube5827]

When's the next live stream Julian?!!

[@Luke-san]

What's better than Xmas gifts ..... postbags! To be honest I am not kidding I think. Btw major LOL at 4:25

[@MrShivamgautam1]

Which video capture software do you use?

[@JulianIlett]

OBS Studio and more recently Xsplit

[@pepijn_m]

Why do you buy everything on ebay instead of aliexpress?

[@northwales1000]

Pepijn Mommersteeg probably because, more choice and easier to use and pay for.

[@mitropoulosilias]

that dinosaur will never end!! looks like it need some finger puppet to help on that!!!

[@benjamincrall8065]

when is the christmas tree livestream?

[@jameslamb4573]

Merry Christmas, may it bring you many "wise" items from the East!

[@cody9089]

building a battery pack and need a easy way to charge it for my led light

[@AgentOffice]

where do I buy robot

[@squalazzo]

Julian, I think those pins can be used if you attach multiple of these items one into the other, side by side, so you can solder 1 piece to the following... their design is done as you can fit 1 into the other, like in these smd boxes: it.aliexpress.com/item/fast-shipping-50pcs-SMD-SMT-component-container-storage-boxes-electronic-case-kit-the-1-Automatically-pops/32367611676.html

[@JamesP6084]

Cool stuff as always

[@tzq33tdq]

I love cheap, eBay electronics from China. they give me a purpose in life

[@MrBrymstond]

Good stuff.

[@opticaltrace4382]

what have you asked santa for this Christmas Julian?

[@JulianIlett]

Socks :)

[@tomlamerton2818]

Julian Ilett why don't you ask for this : www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01IUY62RM?psc=1. it's a clone arduino starter kit. you need to get this 😁

[@opticaltrace4382]

Julian Ilett I'll predictably get lots of pants. let me know if you want to trade.... unworn obviously lol

[@JulianIlett]

Goodness, there's about a year's work there!

[@tomlamerton2818]

Julian Ilett I know that's why I suggested it 😁😁😁

[@babylonfive]

No faces for patreon or other videos at all, Julian

[@JulianIlett]

Ha, yes, I'm adding the eBay links as I watch the video back - and I've just added the end card links - you must have been just ahead of me :)

[@RandomTechStuff]

+Julian Ilett why don't make it private when you upload and then after you set up everything make it public?

[@jeffmerlin2580]

Another nice video. Thanks! No faces to click in the end though... But you probably know that by now. ;-)

[@JulianIlett]

All sorted now :)

[@maximilianraab18]

Nice Video! Thanks for that!

[@colonfrancelj9356]

It's gear mating season!

[@johnf3326]

Showing this to my wife to prove I'm not the only one ......

[@rtesimpson]

why would anyone dislike this?

[@beesbees2423]

Rob Simpson the way he opens those resealable bags :|

[@1995epicfail]

Rob Simpson then Dave would get more dislikes?

[@TheDutyPaid]

_Teach us oh master!_

but it's evening..

[@JulianIlett]

Yes, I just made an urgent trip to the pound shop - while the video was processing ;)

[@jeffmerlin2580]

Can't believe the thumb down after only a few minutes. Who would subscribe only to give thumbs down? Weird.

[@Hugatry]

We shall fight back and click the thumbs up!

[@jeffmerlin2580]

I did! :)

[@JulianIlett]

Thanks guys - I think I'll click it too!!

[@BajanAlan]

Have u heard of Trolls?

[@Markle2k]

I thought that too until I tried to upvote a video on my iPad Mini. It's really difficult to not randomly hit the thumbs down by accident.

[@stinkycheese804]

1) 3 x 18650 battery holder - typical Chinese junk. They could have spent 20 cents more to put proper coiled springs on the negative end, then it would not only handle protected cells, but last through dozens of times more insertion and removal cycles before the flat spring contacts became deformed, and fragile after repetitively bending more springiness into them. 2) Not sure why you had a problem with magnetism after soldering. Other people do this with success, so are you merely observing that the magnetism was not "as" good? Perhaps you merely chose too thin a magnet so it got hotter than those other people used? 3) Neopixels - Use smaller screws. How big do they really need to be to secure something that must weigh an oz. at most? No need for the threads to be barely smaller than the holes, so long as the head doesn't pull through. 4) Charge Tester - Isn't it a shame that there aren't people who can write proper instructions, translated well to English? I mean, actually doing so. Certainly there is at least one person in China that is capable of both, but doing something else for a living, lol !

[@3dprint-tech787]

I love ebay

[@nor4277]

That kits can't be for kids ,it to kiss off adults .does.t look fun to me anyone

[@akarshagarwal4516]

alice alice alice shipping stuff

[@JulianIlett]

Yes, Alice does appear in this video :)

[@akarshagarwal4516]

lol, I have in fact started ordering stuff from Alice too.

[@Alan2E0KVRKing]

Did you lose your own face?

[@JulianIlett]

It was slowing my PC down - and isn't really necessary

[@ThatGuy-nv2wo]

It is a racist battery holder though