Mailbag Monday202

[@pault6533]

Same exact circuit boards Radio 40 years ago Shack. The problem with a lot of these alligator clips is the slippery boot spins around when the clips are squeezed. That blue powerbank tube you had in hand has a control module which does not shut off at low current. Great for charge controllers for low current projects. The cap unscrews at the bottom.

[@3ATIVE]

YAY - Mail Bag Monday!!!! Nice addition to my morning Coffee. 🥳

[@Bob_Burton]

I have a problem with alligator/crocodile clips when the plastic shroud is too slippery which makes pressing the clips to open then quite difficult

[@George-pg2ii]

I agree! They are aggravating.

[@frankowalker4662]

Years ago I got some very similar AT Tiny boards with the USB socket and cheap strings of single colour LED's. I made Christmas lights out of them. LOL.

[@pileofstuff]

I've got a couple of sets of Christmas lighting using them as well.

[@retireeelectronics2649]

Nice heat wave you have been having for end of summer. The solenoids look interesting. have a good day

[@TerryLawrence001]

I am working on a xylophone that uses a very similar solenoid and one of those kid's toys.

[@pileofstuff]

Sounds like a fun project. Liz @BlitzCityDIY has also done something similar

[@GnuReligion]

@@pileofstuff Ready for a collab with LookMumNoComputer?

[@voltare2amstereo]

those pcb usb led lights are handy in a power out, last forever on a power bank, saw them on a bigclive video many moons ago

[@Bob_Burton]

Do they draw enough current to keep the power bank outputting power ?

[@edmarks688]

I keep one of these in my travel EDC bag. I always have a power bank and this works as a basic flashlight as needed in a hotel room or client site.

[@voltare2amstereo]

@@Bob_Burton they do for some,

[@brettb.345]

You can never have enough attiny85s. :)

[@pileofstuff]

They're really handy for small projects.

[@GnuReligion]

@@pileofstuff The attiny85 chip costs more that you paid with shipping ... we should buy them out!

[@pileofstuff]

@GnuReligion If it wasn't an auction, I would have bought more at that price.

[@AnotherMaker]

Fun stuff as always!

[@AsilarWindsailor]

I haven't seen the Look Mum No Computer videos referenced in this video but I imagine something like a small Xylophone being played by a bank of solenoids and brained with an Arduino or equivalent board

[@pileofstuff]

His pipe organ and the more recently received "Stockdale collection" all use older style solenoids.

[@GenevaSolvayRailroad]

Question can the solenoids be slowed down for a train switch?

[@pileofstuff]

Not in any practical way without severely reducing their strength. I prefer servo motors for track switches. Those can be made to move very slowly without reducing their strength.

[@jstro-hobbytech]

i keep an eye on amazon kent. pomona leads are on sale sometimes. i got 100ft of red and black cable for like 20beans once. well 20 per color. but i'll never need test lead cable again. plus i have so many rc stranded silicone colors.