Julian's Postbag:

[@sandrainthesky1011]

That's so cool you still do PIC assembly! I though I was the only one left on the planet haha! Nice on the rechargeable 9V, we can't get them shipped here to Canada, they always get sent back

[@karlng2691]

I really love that soldering iron. Another soldering video will be appreciated:) Thanks!

[@DM-fz3ly]

Hi Julian, Love your channel. Where did you get the PIC8-PIN board? Could you please post a link to it or the video where you first talked about it? Thanks and Merry Christmas!

[@richardnilsom7102]

Try removing the plastic lable from the 9v batteries, see if they fit better then.

[@GRBtutorials]

What a coincidence! Today I stumbled across those SOIC8 to DIP8 adapters on Banggood.

[@benjamilindqvist912]

One of my friend once bought a guitar with that kind of holder from the US, but it turned out Finnish 9 volt batteries were too big for that thing. We had to rip off the batteries out from their metal casings to be able to fit them, but a local electronics store actually had a case that would fit the finnish batteries. I don't know whether it was just a design flaw or is it actually so, that 9 volt batteries are so slightly different sizes in different parts of the globe.

[@Ramog1000]

I bought the same soldering iron as you have and I must say its quite nice ^^ 18w seemse to be perfect for electronic component soldering.

[@GeeTheBuilder]

I love the idea of these cheap Xmas decorations. I had no idea you could just use the PIC chip, a usb power supply and some neopixels. To be fair I’d never given it much thought, but it’s a great project for someone to try. I don’t know anything about PIC programming. So I’m glad some bloke with a softly spoken voice on KZbin has written a PIC programming tutorial ;)

[@Atty1958]

What are the little feet on the PCB called the push threw white ones. Thanks in advance

[@sparkyprojects]

You could gently squeeze the batteries in a vice, i'm guessing that the metal case may have a slight outward curve, there's usually a bit of room inside if this is the case.

[@TheSoxmania]

You could always get some lithium ion PP3 batteries. They're a bit more expensive but they're really good for high drain applications. Not to mention they also have internal protection and balancing so you can charge them off a constant current/voltage 8.4v supply.

[@gazzaka]

Lidl's rechargable 9v batteries are good value and look similar size to normal, problem is they don't always sell them...:-(

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

That programming header looks useful. You can never have to many and still never have the right one. Amazing that when I have to pull an IC out of a socket by hand how often one of the pins finds it’s way under a fingernail !

[@Anvilshock]

"one of the pins finds it's way under a fingernail." - About as often as an apostrophe finds its way into an "its". Hurts about the same, just from looking at it.

[@ElmerFuddGun]

Ya, it isn't "it's" unless "it is".

[@MandoMike]

I know this is a few years old, but I'm working on a project, the white LED ring, can it be basic +/- powered by a USB plug?

[@roidroid]

This vid prompted me to spend a while researching those adapter sockets, to see if they could be used to quickly program a whole lot of ESP8266 (2mm pitch) or ESP32 (1mm pitch) modules. Alas no, unfortunately they were all 1.27mm or 2.56mm pitch, i couldn't find any 1mm or 2mm pitch ones. So i guess it still might just be best to use normal 1mm or 2mm pin headers, bent over to be springy.

[@juststeve5542]

Re the 9v batteries, you could try peeling the label off, that might give you enough clearance. Just out of curiosity, what voltage are they really? IIRC most "9V" batteries are made of 6 cells, which for a standard non-rechargeable is 6x1.5v (9v), but for rechargeable 6x1.2v, so only 7.2v... It wouldn't be so bad if they put a 7th cell in. At least then you'd get 8.4v.

[@richardgrier4721]

Perhaps, grind the corners of the batteries to round them slightly?

[@-Xaverius]

Would you also have a link to that smaller pixel ring

[@vincents.3996]

Julian, you do not say what the dimentions of your zinc carbon batteries are. I just purchased Soshine 350 mAh NiMh batteries recently, their width is 26 mm, and they have a thin plastic sheet which could be removed. Would that fit in your guitar box ?

[@ntoobe]

Love the postbag!

[@kurtzxcvb3481]

Can you trim the plastic wrap off of it and then use a little bit of sandpaper on the corners of the housing and or battery casing to make the battery slip in and out like you desire

[@JulianIlett]

I may do that, or I may dismantle one - they are much lighter than my other 9V NiMHs, which is a bit of a worry :)

[@maicod]

Maybe you can get a couple of those 'fake' PP3's that incorporate LiPo cells and boost+charge+protection circuitry. Not sure if those have well rounded top plate edges though :)

[@whollymindless]

Sorry we had to scare you like that. Glad to be back as a supporter.

[@JulianIlett]

I completely understand. Thank you for coming back :)

[@kose2ik]

1:10 chip just hidde/put in USB male connector ( like this ebay.com/itm/282668530124 ). I made "555" bringness controller inside USB male connector, and using old cracked LCD like USB FlashLight/FlashWall (USB 5v +1A (~2A)).

[@MrShwaggins]

Has Julian's audio gotten very high pitched and screechy recently? It seems like any bit of crinkling of plastic sounds like nails on a chalkboard. Order a Takstar mic for Xmas! Only 25 USD and can keep up with a 300.00 USD Rode mic (and some say beat the Rode)

[@marsrocket]

Try the battery backwards to see if it's the case or the plastic bit at the top. If it's the plastic bit you may be able to file it down a bit.

[@JulianIlett]

Sensible idea - love it :)

[@benbaselet2026]

I'd try warming the case up to soften the plastic maybe.

[@maicod]

Though it was REALLY time for me to write and send some Christmas cards to my family and friends (yeah I'm old fashioned hahah) I couldn't wait to see your Postbag video so I did :D

[@MrLordBaer]

have you tried those rechargeable lithium 9v s?

[@justDIY]

Interesting assortment of stuff. Is the plan to glue the PIC to the back of the led ring? Why bother with smt for that, dip is plenty small, just cut off unused leads. Why PIC rather than Attiny and the fastled library?

[@JulianIlett]

I'll glue the USB plug PCB to the LED ring and solder the SMD PIC to the USB pins.

[@GeeTheBuilder]

Julian Ilett that’s it. I’ve GOT to make one of these now. You bugger! You plant these seeds of ideas and now I HAVE to make one or my brain won’t let me forget it 😀 I’ve got a bunch of neopixels to use for something. Marry Christmas, Julian 🎅

[@chartle1]

You should think about using a micro USB jack so you can use regular micro usb charge/data cables to power your lights.

[@goddamnfuturama]

If you ever come across thinner/smaller 9v rechargeables, please let me know. I have 3 Varta batterychargers which can charge 9v batteries except that the contacts sit in a very deep indentation that is ”battery” shaped. Do I need to say that none of my 9v batteries fit in there and I have to use a flimsy homebuilt extender that I made from discharged alkalines. //Richard Öhling

[@darkdragonsqd]

is there a kit that u would recommend for someone that wants to get into this kind of hobby ? sorta like a learners build kit ?

[@benbaselet2026]

I'd say just go for the cheapest kits you can find. Destroying old stuff like motherboards can be fun and educating too. i wouldn't go shelling out tens of bucks per gadget before you know what you actually want to get working.

[@NetworkXIII]

Those ZIF sockets are either recycled, or knockoffs. Enplas charges way more than a dollar for them when they are new.

[@DanafoxyVixen]

Why don't you remove the label stickers on those 9v rechargeable battery's? doing so you might thin them down enough for repeatably smooth insertion

[@maicod]

it has more to do with the unrounded top plate

[@twotone3070]

Take a file to it?

[@SThomas1972]

As of jan 1st 2018 passing the processing fees to the card holder will be illegal in the U.K. they would have to revert it any way.

[@theoriginalbabycub]

Does anyone know what the PIC Dev board Julian is using is?

[@JulianIlett]

on eBay "pic board" will find it :)

[@benbaselet2026]

Check his previous videos from a few months ago where he starts a tutorial with the board (and never continues it, by the way!)

[@tad2021]

It wasn't just Patreon shifting the fees to the patrons but also increasing the fees slightly and worse, deaggregating the charges to per-creator. I supported a lot of separate creators and my monthly fees were going to be almost 40USD.

[@gregorythomas333]

You may wish to checkout another site MakerSupport (dotcom). Fees are rather low and unlike Patreon does not pull that crap.

[@iceberg789]

nice post bag. but you could just use 9v battery clip-ons instead.

[@AJB2K3]

THousands of patrons left in protest and so you were not alone.

[@microwar]

clas ohlson won the powerbank tests here in norway, så they are not bad. Gives you what the promise.

[@JulianIlett]

I'm not surprised :)

[@QLTD]

you better 3D print your own battery compartment than keep hunting for a battery that fits :)

[@todkapuz]

for me it was more the issue that "paid posts" were going to be charged at the post, instead of the end of the month all as a lump sum... I understand the problem that its trying to solve that way, but seriously is horrible to charge a service fee nearly half the donation at the time of each post.. which for one of the people I support is 4-6 times a month... for me and that person it would have been something on the order of $3 in fees that really seem stupid. I personally am not opposed to paying the "fee" for the card, assuming its being charged in a sensible way (ie 1 lump sum) .. anyhow..... yeah..... alwys enjoy watching your videos ...

[@raykinsella78]

Brillant!

[@___aaron.m7930]

Love your channel

[@JulianIlett]

Thanks :)

[@ollieb9875]

postbaaag! :) :) :)

[@MarcelOoms]

I'm having terrible experiences with alice1101983 lately. Not working items, wrong items, items not arriving. Customer support just stops answering after a few - stalling - idiotic replies. Am I the only one, or is their service gone down?

[@leighclaxton9492]

All rechargeable batteries are bigger than the normal ones

[@lemmonsinmyeyes]

I don't think you will find any rechargeable 9v batteries that fit, because they need space for the onboard BMS. Akin to 14500 rechargeables are longer than "AA"s

[@nikhildabas]

NiMH batteries do not have onboard BMS circuits.

[@GRBtutorials]

As for the batteries, you could try lithium ion 9V ones (which also have a higher capacity and are rechargeable through USB). For example, goo.gl/VX8JM9 . But a much cheaper solution would be just getting a normal holder and soldering it to some cables!

[@spikeydapikey1483]

Just cut *ahem* the end of the damn battery holder off already !!

[@ollieb9875]

Did you accidentally a word?

[@spikeydapikey1483]

Ollie B mebbe.....

[@rimmersbryggeri]

150mil you say?

[@JulianIlett]

I do :)

[@rimmersbryggeri]

that's 6 inches though.

[@ElmerFuddGun]

No. "mil" is NOT short for millimetres. "mil" is 1/1000 of an inch in this case. So it is .15" across. Look it up on Wikipedia.

[@michaeltempsch5282]

> that's 6 inches though. Not when 'mil' refers to thousands of an inch (a.k.a. 'thou') - then it's 3,81 mm

[@rimmersbryggeri]

Thats usually referred to as a thou though like the other poster said. Never heard of it referred to as a mil. My mistake. 1 milimeter is 40 thou roughly.

[@juncusbufonius]

Just as a warning I've loved ordering from Alice1101983 until I had a failed delivery. I now realise they asked a load of standard questions and then didn't resend. I believe this as 6 weeks later they asked me the same questions. "Have you checked the address" "I will check our post office" "You should check your post office". They completely missed that I had ordered 30-40 items from them already. So I can no longer buy from them. Not for the messing about but the lost 3 months in projects. So if you have a failed order just get a refund cos they will just lie.

[@benbaselet2026]

I just had a bunch of stulff arrive that was piled up somewher for over a month. I suppose the mail is pretty stuffed around this time in lots of places. Still 98% of all the hong kongonese ebay packets seem to arrive mostly intact which is pretty amazing. I've found that I can orderr from 5 different vendors and get exactly the same copypasted answers and messages so I presume it's either a larger company operating under dozens or hundreds of different seller names or they just combine the "customer service" out to someone else who is "good" at that.

[@MarcelOoms]

What a coincidence, I just posted my similar experiences here. I'm no longer buying from alice1101983 either! They keep promising a resend, nothing arrives and the period for negative feedback expires! It seems their policy now just to stall.

[@juncusbufonius]

I do get that but I ordered this on the 9th September. Items I ordered after arrived but neither the first or the second send of the same order. They don't even check if you are a regular or not. I guess it's just not worth it to them.

[@cmb1972]

6:33 Predators mouth parts.

[@maicod]

yeah they look like the beaks in the movies of Alien :D

[@___aaron.m7930]

Probably best 21:15 minutes I have spent today

[@JulianIlett]

Thanks, very kind :)

[@MaxintRD]

To fix the size-issue of the 9V rechargeable you could make your own Li-ion like the one I made here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYSVm6x3l5aSiLM BTW: Nice postbag. I like how you didn't just unwrap, but also demonstrated usage. Thanks!

[@lemmonsinmyeyes]

Oh, checkout makersupport, it's grand

[@raykent3211]

The true meaning of Christmas is not the baby jesus nor feasting nor robins in the snow. It's a circle of leds. Among the most irritating lighting effects ever devised. Not quite as bad as an epileptic fit inducing strobe, but quite awful. I do not accuse you of promoting the sale of such products, but it is starting to look like you are in it for the money. It would be good to have a vote from viewers of how many actually built what you describe and how many's partners left them. I guess that most of the plaudits are from people who will not actually do this and would not like the result for long if they did. So maybe you are advertising?.

[@narayanbandodker5482]

First!

[@___aaron.m7930]

Narayan Bandodker this video was uploaded like 15 hours ago and you commented 15 minutes ago

[@narayanbandodker5482]

That_apple420 well, its the first comment when the video came public

[@___aaron.m7930]

Narayan Bandodker the first public comment was wholly

[@ElmerFuddGun]

Please realize that no one gives a flying !#$@% about being "first" to post a comment! If you have something useful to say and happen to be "first" fine but just claiming "first" is very childish. I'm sure you can find a kids channel to subscribe to if you want to be "first".

[@benbaselet2026]

The only use it is to separate the useless gits from actual people.. still annoys the heck out of me.