Using salvaged lithium cells to power LEDs directly. (with protection test)

This video is just a demonstration of how salvaged lithium cells can be put to good use for either decorative or functional lighting with minimum circuitry.
It also shows a way to test whether a small cell has active protection.
Note that the short-circuit test resistors get hot quickly if there is no protection circuitry or the cell is rated for very high current. They should only be applied very briefly.
It's quite a neat way to add a bit of extra self-contained decorative lighting to your workshop or home that will stay lit in the event of power failure. If the battery is made waterproof with a plastic bag or other cover then this technique can also be used to add lighting to small plants/trees outdoors.
As always with lithium cells, make sure they are protected from physical damage and don't show signs of previous damage like significant sharp dents or puncturing.
The best way to render a lithium cell safe is to discharge it to 3V or less when there is little energy left to cause fiery incidents.
The charging modules shown are intended for traditional lithium ion cells with an upper voltage of around 4.2V (average voltage 3.7V) and are not suitable for LiFePO4 type cells that have an upper voltage of 3.6V (average voltage 3.3V) unless they have their own protection circuitry to cut off the charge at full capacity.
The lithium content calculation was based on roughly 0.3g of lithium per 1000mAh original capacity of a rechargeable cell. An equivalent non-rechargeable cell uses more lithium than one that can be recharged hundreds of times, but crams about four times the capacity in the same space.
In hindsight, maybe the title of this video should be "Inventing ways to use my stash of lithium cells."
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
This also keeps the channel independent of KZbin's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.

[@AniviaS]

That hot glue in heatshrink method is a nice trick to know. Thanks for that :)

[@willybee3056]

Back in the 60s we were doing something like that with a plastic soda staw, and rtv caulking. Minus the heat shrink, and it was for automotive applications. We would slip a 2 or 3 inch piece of soda staw over one wire, solder the other wires to the first wire, and slide the straw over the connection, and squirt the rtv into the straw. In a wet environment it was the way to go. At least,, we didn't have any problems. ..

[@paulsengupta971]

If you also watch Julian Ilett's channel, you can see that his production of the outdoor solar controllers he makes/sells/used to sell have a similar construction, hot melt glue under heatshrink.

[@paulsengupta971]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/npukgKmcoJyjf5o

[@paulsengupta971]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYqqnYWhdtemr6M

[@paulsengupta971]

From about 5 mins: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3OYXmSkh7KpfLM

[@covishen]

Is it just me? I never hear the soldering iron buzzing.

[@retrogamer33]

Not just you, I've never heard it either.

[@OAleathaO]

@covishen - The only time I hear it is if I watch his videos and listen with headphones. Normally I watch his videos on my TV with the sound going through my stereo and I never hear it.

[@Rodville]

I thought it was just me being old and my hearing going out.

[@rimmersbryggeri]

@@Rodville I think its very close to the ambient noise from my computer i do hear it some times when its very quiet around me but very seldom I think because it's interesting conmtent. Had it been on gilmore girls we would have probably heard it all the time.

[@ed-jf3xh]

I've never heard a soldering iron buzz. None of mine buzz. Maybe you've got some mechanical issues if yours does.

[@Big_Computer]

I just wanted to say thank you, I have learned so much with you. The technical stuff of course (very enjoyable) but as well as the basic trivial things no one is truly explaining such as soldering tips and tricks, cutting things the right length, using crimping tools ,terminating wires or just good/safe practices/habits to have and so much more of the little things in a very entertaining but skillful and understandable way. It gave me enough know how and confidence to try things myself and I wanted to thank you for that :)

[@stphnwtsn86]

Clive, your voice, content and delivery pleases my soul just about more than anything else on KZbin. Keep the videos coming!

[@higorguedes4413]

Cracked up when he pulled out that pink calculator

[@juliannesermon8057]

It says Sissy Squad. Must be some sort of awesome superhero team.

[@vicecapo8767]

New here?

[@higorguedes4413]

@@vicecapo8767 Nope lol

[@maicod]

@@juliannesermon8057 Vince the crew chief at the tattoo likes to tease Clive. he stuck it on the calculator.

[@man_eating_monkey]

Pulling out a calculator to divide by 100

[@cyberiain]

"There are other strippers that you can get that are easier" ... ... is that also in Glasgow?

[@bennylloyd-willner9667]

@michel777ification I thought strippers were more of a nightly business than daily...

[@ZsomborZsombibi]

Just avoid Thai strippers. Believe me.

[@michaelthibault7930]

It's a puzzlement. Aren't they made for ambient pleasurement? Are you saying that strippers are not all the Siam?

[@charadremur333]

@@michaelthibault7930 you ruined the joke...

[@michaelthibault7930]

@chara Joke, what joke?

[@firstsurname9893]

N.B. This video is not sponsored or endorsed by DuPont, Motorola Mobility or Fire Containment Pie Dish Ltd.

[@highpath4776]

I forgot I can use Fray Bentos tins for useful purposes.

[@TonyLing]

7:10 Posssbly the BL-5C which of course comes from old Nokia phones, but now pleasantly makes an appearance in modern portable radios such as the Retekess V115 and the Retevis RB615.

[@bryantracy260]

Nokia and Technifone garbage

[@imtrue2132]

I was all focusing in a serious manner until the Sissy Squad came forward and the laughter took over.

[@RR2BOX46]

Did something similar with some old phone cells (motivated by previous projects of yours), used them to power a slow cycling RGB LED, in such a configuration that it can be charged while the light is still on, one could conceivably do that with these quite easily, just add a second connector on the battery without a resistor. For some of us IT guys, its all about uptime!

[@TamiyaGuy123]

As someone who's been thinking about getting back into hobbyist electronics for the first time since I was about 12, these videos have been an absolute goldmine for simple, useful tips and bucketloads of information, free of the oft-seen "you need £200 worth of tools & equipment before you even start" gatekeeping of hobbies like these. Like here, strengthening (and I suppose insulating too) bare leads using nothing but a hot glue gun and some heatshrink! Simple but brilliant. Thanks for your work & expertise in putting these together in a way that even an idiot like me can understand. And if you happen to be reading comments on this old video, I must ask where you get your equipment from, particularly those micro molex connectors? The only places I can find sell a single pair for about £2, or a million pairs for £20. Either way, a bit of an investment for a single project that I might give up on halfway through! :)

[@bigclivedotcom]

If you search for KF2510 you'll find the little Molex style connectors and their crimps.

[@jeremylewis4450]

Add a video on Deutsch plugs. I hate them

[@FnordOok]

As a curiosity item, does anyone else actually hear the soldering iron buzzing? I never have.

[@joefarr3304]

Nope, never... I thought it was just me who couldn't hear it.

[@evilutionltd]

The human ear is better at picking up the sound than the phone microphone. Then KZbin compresses it. There's little chance of us hearing it.

[@salfordjc]

no

[@benbaselet2026]

Nope, never.

[@Extras16]

On my bassy laptop (with headphones and/or inbuilt speakers) and TV I can, but they can stream at 4k (not that the videos are uploaded at 4k), so wonder if they are able to decompress more effectively, as never heard on my iPad (with same decent headphones or inbuilt speakers).

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

"I'm just gonna make sure I'm not doing anything weird here." That is something I never thought Big Clive would ever say. Ever. :o)

[@DagrtOne]

Love the simple explanation on how to calculate the amperage and the little adapter is a nice touch. I like the fact that you can still see the resistor value. Awesome video.

[@DoRC]

High quality racheting crimping tools are a wise investment.

[@xiar5546]

I’m gonna be learning how to build my own battery bank soon. I’ve got recycled 18650 cells coming and I’m excited.

[@chartle1]

Perfect timing. Just like you I bought one of those Halloween Strobe lights with the nice housing on clearance and my plan is exactly this right down to the charger board. Ok back to watching.

[@gowdsake7103]

Wonder's if Clive has a red dot on his socks ! Chuckles and runs from the glare !

[@Earthling418]

Clive! Icon of freelance electronic technology implementation! I watch on 50 inch tvs as monitors and listen through workshop HI=FI receiver and have never heard your soldering station buzzing. Love your videos and view them promptly. Kudos!

[@SteveSummers]

Love the thumb and index holding the wires and the middle and ring holding the solder. Not your 1st time doing that I guess 😉. I'll have to try that. Its always a dance with alligator clips over here.

[@bigclivedotcom]

I didn't even realise I soldered like that until people pointed it out. It also explains why people would ask me if I wanted them to hold stuff while I did repairs and then suddenly went silent when I started using my left hand to hold the PCB, hold the component in position and feed solder in simultaneously.

[@COBARHORSE1]

When I see Bigclive doing it, it looks amazing and difficult, but I've caught myself doing it too. Hands are amazing. Good to see you also watch Bigclive.

[@routercnc9517]

Good to see you dropping by Steve. Good luck with the saw restoration !

[@SteveSummers]

@@routercnc9517 Thanks. The saw is slowly coming around. I like watching what Clive gets into. I always seem to pick up something from his videos.

[@Electrowave]

After a few prods with a hot soldering iron I learned to control my fingers pretty quickly. I assume the same for Clive :-)

[@Yrouel86]

I love the TP4056 modules. I converted pretty much all my LED flashlights (and the vintage ones that weren't originally LED got an upgrade) to use lithium cells using those modules to have built-in charging capability. It takes only a couple of minutes to set everything up and I've got quite good at embedding the circuit inside the device. Another fun thing is to restuff alkaline batteries (like the 6V lantern battery or the 4.5V flat square ones) with the lithium cell and circuit to make a completely invisible and reversible mod.

[@michaelosmon]

Hey thanks for sharing your experience. It would be really cool to watch a video of you retrofitting a 6V battery with lithium cells, I'd click on that in a second.

[@TATICMOOR]

I really enjoy watching your little projects, as they give me little hints on what I can use the same similar circuitry in other projects.

[@NudeJawn]

Dear Clive Thank you so much for this vid Love, Jawn

[@grahamserle7930]

Love your videos Clive and it's a delight to listen to someone who speaks English very well.

[@doranku]

“There are others strippers you can get“ Oh my. It all depends on your tastes and budget.

[@bigclivedotcom]

Mainly cheap ones.

[@bland9876]

@@bigclivedotcom i know who im inviting next time i get a fat stack of ones

[@MyName-tb9oz]

@@bland9876, Excellent name. ;-)

[@bland9876]

@@MyName-tb9oz wire stripes = anorexic girl

[@MrV1NC3N7V3G4]

Discounts available if you're not picky about age or number of teeth. 😉

[@AndyFletcherX31]

I have a set of 100 warm white lights. They were powered off three AA cells and a flasher circuit. Funny thing was the circuit boosted the voltage to something like 24V and toggled the polarity for the effects. I eventually replaced the controller with a small 24V transformer and a 27K resistor. The lights now take about 0.3mA and something like 7mW for the lot. At night they still give enough light for me not to walk into things in the room whilst still enabling me to see the stars through the windows! It is impressive how efficient LEDs are these days, I remember my first ones in the early 1970s, 10mA and you could see red LEDs if the room wasn't brightly lit :-)

[@bigclivedotcom]

Modern LEDs are incredible. Visibly lit at literally microamps.

[@rhiantaylor3446]

Very timely with Xmas approaching. Thanks

[@hadireg]

Excellent little project very useful indeed! Thanks Clive!🙏

[@nutsnproud6932]

Thanks Clive, I learned something today. Best wishes.

[@RichardT2112]

This is the Clive we know and love! Thanks for doing a well needed hack episode!

[@bryantracy260]

He was drunk on grappa

[@richardnanis]

I use these cells to build little night lights to guide you the way. I found out they give me enough light when i run the led with 0.1mA or even less. One 18650 liion cells will last for 2-3 years. Self discharge will be higher than the actual current of the led. I just use smd 5630 leds from 5m strips with a 10k resistor in series.

[@WendyMoule]

You make it look so easy! I'm very glad I found your videos as I want to make a system to light up all my dioramas/doll houses.

[@rashton5730]

Your videos are wonderful Clive, I enjoy every one...... Thank You.

[@Ricksp65]

I like the hot melt glue idea to give the connections stability. I will use this first chance I get great idea.

[@vincefletcher1547]

Thanks for The ammeter info.Great Video This.

[@rpdom]

Nice. I have a few old Lithium cells lying about. On a similar note I recently resurrected some old hair clippers where the 3xAA NiCd battery pack had died. I replaced the innards of the charger with a crap USB 5V PSU and rehacked the clippers to use a 18500 Lithium cell with one of those charger/protection circuits you used. They work brilliantly now. Charge very quickly and last for ages per charge and a bit lighter too. The charger weighs almost nothing compared to the big old transformer that used to be in it. I now use the clippers to trim by little beard one a week :)

[@DeeiaaN]

Whoa. Didn't expect to see unior tools in any of your videos. Also greetings from Slovenia where they are made!

[@chrispza]

15:00 BigClive's electronic version of "Measure twice, cut once." 👌

[@ranger175a2w]

Thanks Clive.

[@amedeomodigliani3497]

You're an artist!

[@melkiorwiseman5234]

Something I do with those two-cell Christmas light strings: I make a "Joule Thief" circuit and mount it in the space which was supposed to be occupied by one of the two cells, then I run the light string from a single cell in the remaining space of the battery compartment. The single cell lasts about the same time as the two cells, but the string of LEDs drains the power fast regardless of whether you use it in the original configuration or with a joule thief circuit. BTW, old CFL lamps are a great source for transformer cores to use to make the joule thief circuit. They each have a toroid and a straight inductor, and both of them can be used. The wire from the straight inductor can be unwound and re-used to make the coils for your joule thief circuits, with plenty of wire left over.

[@snipersquad100]

That linking connection is a great idea.

[@cfresque1168]

This is actually pretty awesome, i have done this myself, but not with these kinds of batteries. I took a large retro looking lamp, with those big round glass tops and i have put an old color changing LED setup only in the glass part. So Basically its a big glowing ball when i put it on the floor with the light inside it. The LED changes colors slowly out of one single LED and with the diffusing of the lamps spherical dome that sits by itself on the floor, as if some kind of colored crystal ball, its a nice nightlight for ambiance. I will convert to these batteries next and i like the connector idea of it as well. :)

[@samiraperi467]

That's a familiar looking charge controller. I have a bunch of them.

[@keymad4]

Nice calculator Clive.

[@w.j.bendellr.c.flying.1037]

Beautiful job 👍🏻

[@stephenlittle7534]

Thanks that's very useful knowledge there. I just need to get those charging unit bits.

[@Moist_yet_Crispy]

What an amazing video! Loved the whole video!

[@gordslater]

To release those connectors from the shell you can use a 180g-Force Pogo Pin - the spring takes up some of the pressure and limits the damage to the connector retention tab as you press on it. Snip the tip off a spear-shape probe with a side cutter - a real one, not one for tiny component leads, the cheap component snips are too soft) and it won't skid as much on the tab

[@fromfin90]

i cant hear the soldering iron, or the noise from my desktop computer is outbuzzing it, heh. Or its my damaged hearing :-) Very neat project, need to look into it and see if i got some leds laying about, might have my old samsung s4 4000ish mah battery somewhere... or a old powerbank to salvage!

[@wimwiddershins]

Nice modular approach Clive. I have a tub of assorted cells that need a bit of this action.

[@Miata822]

Great little project

[@robbieaussievic]

..... When the flux smoke rises towards the camera, I instinctively 'blow' it away, (as I have done for 50 years).

[@AVDULAI]

here 2 :)

[@pietpaaltjes7419]

Same here except I keep my breath while the fumes pass :-)

[@bryantracy260]

A little late for Clive, ok?

[@crimsonhalo13]

Cool trick for the protection circuit. I'm going to have to remember that!

[@bryantracy260]

Forget that trick, he's trying to burn you house down

[@thejll]

None of us can hear that soldering iron, Clive ... but it is nice to imagine we could ... go on, tell us another one

[@elektron2kim666]

Funny that I decided to use an LG phone battery as I began to watch this. It's been a few years since it got charged and still lighted up my LED tester. Having small LEDs and wires nearby opened up some exploration for me recently. Your videos are helping me with some circuits I wanted to make.

[@artillerest43rdva7]

you show the safe application in electrical circuits, it is nice to see the methods and explanation of how things safely work together. plus the use of the connections for easy applications with universal connections and various resistors. along with changing set up for the battery.nice video

[@lucidmooses2642]

Wish I could like this video twice. Thanks for the content BigClive

[@joshroolf1966]

I'm getting some great visuals from 'lucid mooses', thank you!😂☁️☁️☁️🌱☘🍀💚💙💛

[@bryantracy260]

I wish I could give you 2 thumbs down

[@michaelosmon]

Thank you for that reminder about measuring voltage drop across the resistor you know the value of to determine Amp draw. I appreciate you sir. You are very easy to follow and learn from.

[@markhall3323]

Thanks this was a really good one. I like to watch you work and learn from you (rather than you just dismantling stuff).

[@grahamwilliams1269]

Bill’s Tool Store in the Glasga Barras is my go-to place for impossible to find stuff. Best visited often, buy on impulse and keep for when may be needed. I really must build another shed. Staff know a lot of stuff too. As usual Clive, both entertaining and educative. Shame a lot of teachers don’t understand the need for both.

[@pulesjet]

A heat gun has been on my list for years. I really need to do something about that, eaaaaa ? Years and Years. One never has enough Kapton Tape. Or the right size.

[@man_eating_monkey]

For heat-shrink tubing an ordinary hair dryer may do. A lighter or candle works too.

[@swapnilkumbhare4357]

7:09 That Nokia battery is model BL-5C. If anyone's interested.

[@TonyLing]

As used on the fantastic and super cheap Retekess V115 radio

[@Knaeckebrotsaege]

And if you buy a BL-5C type battery for a device and it's too thick, you need the thinner BL-4C instead. For actual, genuine nokia batteries the BL-5C would be 1020mAh and the BL-4C 720mAh. The fakes/knockoffs usually claim completely ridiculous capacities (I've seen anything from 1500-2900mAh for a BL-5C, which isn't possible in that physical size) and are actually far below the original batteries' rated capacities (usually 500-800mAh for an okay-ish BL-5C clone, less for really crappy ones)

[@fatblokes_ferguson]

The wire strippers you use are the same type as my preferred ones, I think I acquired them from a careless engineer at my factory, these are basic but consistent when stripping many wires. Great tool from great careless engineer.

[@pepe6666]

thanks once again big clive. learned a thing or two as usual.

[@avejst]

Great project 👍 Thanks for sharing 👍😀

[@tinytonymaloney7832]

I've said it once and I'll say it again, I would love to have a video consisting of your life from leaving school onwards, I'm fascinated as to how knowledgeable you are with electronics and a vast array of other stuff. It's a complicated subject yet somehow you break it down into plain English, or Scottish in your case. You must have left school with some decent exam results to enable you to embark on the career you chose. So how about a Story of BC After School?? 😁😁

[@bigclivedotcom]

Short summary. Bottom of the class at school. Straight into an apprenticeship with an electrical engineering company. Then just absorbing huge quantities of electrical and electronic data throughout my life.

[@GavinM161]

​@@bigclivedotcom Just goes to show formal education isn't everything. Learning on the job and building experience as you go (good and bad) leads to a better engineer.

[@bryantracy260]

Get a life baby

[@nigeljames4038]

good little fitting thanks

[@TeemarkConvair]

quite enjoyable to watch..

[@saintleibowitz8401]

hot glue and shrink tube technique is on point! and very pleasing when the clear tubing is used. definitely stealing this idea.

[@twocvbloke]

Them little TP4056 boards are handy, I've converted a number of things from Alkaline battery to Lithium batteries using these boards, just have to make sure to replace the charge current resistor to match the cell, otherwise it can pump too much current into the cell, which the protection will stop, but still better to be safe... :)

[@elgorrion52]

Great vid - that TP4056 looks like a useful bit of kit. I saw some batttery cob lights with dimmers for 2 quid in Poundland yesterday that might be usable with this :)

[@bald_man01]

You beautiful man you are literally carrying my project with these well made videos.

[@bryantracy260]

What are you making besides a firehazard?

[@arenalife]

Love it Clive, would like to see you try a little light from the side where your wrists are, just to get rid of some of the shadows, only needs a little bit.

[@colinoverton790]

Dear Clive, I have a Moto G5 and love it as an all round mobile. Batteries are less than £10 and you just open the back and fit them yourself, 30 seconds. I have to say the new G8 does look good, large battery, good camera/cheap storage you fit yourself, but sealed back, Cheers Colin.

[@Polite_Cat]

i kinda like manual range meters too because you know what range you are in. the autoranging meters sometimes take a minute to properly read it to figure out exactly which range you are in, whether you should add some zeros in your head or something, etc

[@Lance_MadCat]

I love the calculator!

[@optimizelogicrepair2784]

Most excellent

[@rosco4659]

This goes well with the new ecig battery video

[@akobenadinkrahene2153]

New subscriber. Thanks!

[@craftymulligar]

Yes I need to get that style clamp meter.

[@SianaGearz]

I always used a similar manual stripper to Clive's, except mine was much worse made in quality. Its jaws were straight and didn't connect very well and it didn't cut very well and it was a chore to adjust, and due to bad alignment, and visibility, the amount of covering removed tended to be pretty random. I tried a few automatic ones at a store. They do tend to not work on thinner cables, but there are expensive ones that can. I watched a video by Andreas Spiess about wire strippers and chose the big clunky Chinese black plastic one, the FS-D3, ordered it for about 6€, it took about 3 months, and surprise, it actually works amazingly well for super thin wires and even for ribbon cables.

[@TheKetsa]

Those small TP4056 boards are excellent value.

[@darkravens1136]

Speaking of thoes crimping tools, I have on occasion had to use a pair of pliers in their stead, and yes they are very much worth every last penny for the correct tool.

[@justpaulo]

Maybe I misunderstood you when you talked about one MOS being energized for charging and the other for discharging, but I think you misspoke (don't take me wrong, I'm your fan and I think your channel is great! ) I once worked a bit on a power management unit (PMU) and I believe I know why they use 2 MOS. The use of 2 NMOS is because of the diodes which are shown in the schematic, called body diodes, and that are intrinsic/parasitic to the transistor itself (that's why they are in dashed lines) . By having 2 MOS you end up with 2 back to back diodes which can not conduct in a faulty condition. That is the purpose of the 2 NMOS, despite making the MOS resistance 2x worse and doubling the cost (in MOS at least). For instance, imagine you don't have M1. If BATT+ gets accidentally shorted to BATT-, even if the chip detects it (it should) and turns OFF M2, current will still flow through its body diode and the chip would not have control and be able to protect the battery. Inserting M1 fixes that. Likewise, w/o M2, if someone accidentally tries to overcharge the battery, even if M1 is turned OFF current will still flow through its body diode. You'll need M2 to cut it off. Sure you can use the parasitic diodes path on charge/discharge cycles, but that would lead right away to a drop of 0.7V on the battery voltage and to a loss of efficiency. The MOS resistance is much smaller and the diodes were never intended to be used as charging or discharging devices. Both NMOS are therefore turned ON either when charging or discharging. Of course I might be wrong, but it's too late and I'm too lazy to go check the DW01-P datasheet right now 😊 Cheers.

[@raykent3211]

I think you're right. You can't have significant current through either gate, nor through the current sense pin on the chip. Rub those out and you're left with no path on the negative side if either mosfet is off. It has to go through both mosfets in either direction.

[@neodonkey]

That calculator killed me.

[@PowerScissor]

I've ordered 3 sets of crimpers off Amazon with overwhelming positive reviews. All garbage! Is there a direct link to the good ones? Searching, and wondering if the reviews are legit or a scam is getting tiresome.

[@Dlck.C.Normous]

@@ICNine Thats a nice tool and all but the OP said 'wire crimpers' you posted a link to a wire strippers.

[@lakloplak]

I have been using the TP4065 modules for ages now. Make sure to get the ones with protection built in to make sure shorts are protected. Lately I have been trying to implement the version with adjustable output which works well, until you want to fix the pot. It always seems to shift a bit.

[@paulnorton5670]

The 2030 button battery CAN be recharged using a 6-volt lantern battery in 10 seconds MAXIMUM timing. It can be done a few times. I discovered this after taking apart an 'AA wound up battery torch' powered by 2 button batteries.

[@krisvitak]

Just found your channel and I´m liking it very much, you explain very well! thanks for sharing your knowledge! ¿Can you make a video on how to recharge this batteries ( I have several with different chemistry and voltages) ? Greetings from Mexico!

[@OAleathaO]

24:00 - "If, however, you have a big, *_fat_* battery pack..." How rude! It's not fat...it's just got big atoms. ;) lol

[@bryantracy260]

It was a penis reference

[@Slikx666]

Thanks Clive, I've had a crappy evening and you've made it better.

[@bryantracy260]

Commentary provided by the severely dyslexic.

[@lloydrmc]

For those of you here on the other side of the pond, Klein tools, (e.g. ratchet crimpers and manual strippers), are also high quality. They are carried in some big box home improvement stores, and Amazon also has them.

[@bryantracy260]

You should have just stopped at STRIPPERS. YOU WOULD HAVE GOT A RARE THUMBS UP. Had to go geek it up....

[@Zonediver]

...your "pink calculator" is the best! ;-)

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

Clive, the Uni-T meter becomes a lot easier to use if you put a little dot of white paint in the indicator dimple on the dial switch. Try it and see if it helps you. I've applied this to other meters too. Cheers, mate!

[@bryantracy260]

Who are you? The next unabomber?

[@DigitalIP]

Finally! Pretty much did this with a 1000 Lumen solar motion light so I can manually charge it with a USB power bank or by plugging it into a socket TP4056 + 18650 + 22 gauge wire + USB cable = Never having a dead solar light during winter ever again. I have the wire leading into the house so I don't have to go outside manually charge it.

[@Immashift]

I've got a bathroom scale that talks. Well it used to talk. It kept coming on at random times without provocation and any time someone made any noise near it. It'd be 4 AM, I'd be sleeping away and... "PLEASE WAIT" "PLEASE STEP ON THE SCALE" So I did what any self respecting person would do, and put a drill bit through the speaker at 10,000RPM. It no longer talks. Then the battery tray (double AAA), kept falling out. Couldn't put the scale down or get on it without the batteries falling out. So I chopped it off, stuck it on the bench supply, and found it didn't make magic smoke at 4.2V rather than 3V. Ended up sticking a 1500mah cell on it from a drone battery that had exploded on me. Hot glued a magnet to the scale and to the battery, and now it's a very convenient rechargeable scale. It still comes on randomly and the screen lights for 20 seconds each time, but even after months that battery is still sitting at 4V. It's quite impressive how long low load stuff can go on a simple lithium cell.

[@bryantracy260]

Sure it does. Keep that info on a need to know basis.

[@loucipher67]

I was on my third , so I will watch again tomorrow, thanks

[@bigclivedotcom]

If you mean drinks, then my videos are best watched with a drink and snacks. Especially at the weekend.

[@bryantracy260]

I hope she was lying

[@timteecvhn]

Hey Clive, I'd suggest looking into graphene supercaps. You might find them interesting for how small they are compared to traditional supercaps(which are of course humongous.)

[@bigclivedotcom]

I don't think they've come of age yet. There's also the issue that if a graphene supercapacitor can be charged in seconds then it can also unleash all its energy in seconds too. I wonder what the failure mode is.

[@JerryEricsson]

Indeed, I got one of the orange handle jobbies with three crimp jaws, it is very hard to do and I have ruined many a connector with the tool.