555th video - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 13, 2013, 01:06:58 pm
content: The 555th video is coming up, and I suck at ideas for such things. So sucky in fact that one idea is to simply have a party at the lab and live feed it.Would anyone be interested in turning up, and well, I don't know, sitting around like a bunch of nerds at a lab party?

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2013, 01:09:01 pm
content: It's a great idea, too bad I'm in the States.

author: toxicnos
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2013, 01:11:06 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on November 13, 2013, 01:06:58 pmSounds like an idea. I don't know when the live stream is. Can you tell me?

author: carpelux
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2013, 01:14:27 pm
content: Maybe You should devote it to the (in)famous chip with the same name

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2013, 01:18:59 pm
content: 555 uses for the NE555. Better start recording now!

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 13, 2013, 01:22:02 pm
content: Quote from: carpelux on November 13, 2013, 01:14:27 pmI wanted to do that, but like I said, I suck at ideas like this.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2013, 01:33:31 pm
content: How about a celebration of electronics in general?A chronological short overview of all the past great innovators and their inventions, which led to the current state of electronics.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2013, 01:37:24 pm
content: @Wytnucls.... absolutely!I like that idea a lot.

author: IO390
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2013, 01:39:57 pm
content: I think the 555 uses is great, but perhaps it might get a little long-winded...But I think Wytnucls' idea is the best

author: KD0CAC John
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2013, 01:50:11 pm
content: I'm waiting for the 666 party

author: kizzap
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 13, 2013, 10:52:48 pm
content: Quote from: KD0CAC John on November 13, 2013, 01:50:11 pmYou will find scholars tend to think it is 616 now...

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2013, 10:54:29 pm
content: A bunch of clowns out searching for Bigfoot make for a better party than people who study Bigfoot hoaxes...

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2013, 11:12:00 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on November 13, 2013, 01:06:58 pmShow as many NE555 circuits as you can come up with! Or maybe dedicate a bit on the history on how its concept was conceived.People using test leads to poke in their noses is not going to be interesting. OTOH it should be summer at your side of the 5th rock from the sun so you could pull out the BBQ. Ofcourse use an NE555 based timer (maybe one for the timing, the other for the buzzer) to cook the meat long enough.

author: Phaedrus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2013, 12:05:29 am
content: Maybe you could use 555 for applications that use one 555, and 556 for applications that use two (like timer + buzzer), where you can use the NE556.

author: apelly
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 14, 2013, 12:33:27 am
content: I'd to see a follow up to the "intro to fpgas" video that you did. Particularly with regard to programming the suckers, like some footage of using the software to actually configure the things, and a bit about available libraries. I see some (very) cool benefits to using them, but I'm afraid to just jump in, in case it just ends up in the too-hard-too-long-got-bored drawer.I bet you could implement a 555 with one. Just a thought.

author: RichardSim
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 16, 2013, 01:11:10 am
content: How about Dave's List of 5's? I'm thinking something along the lines of "5 things Dave is PRO on, 5 things Dave is CON on, and 5 things Dave thinks everyone should remember". It could have multiple "segments", one with pros/cons/reminders on PCB design, one on opamps, one on uC's, etc, etc. I think it'd make for a very fast paced (or rambling...) & fun episode!

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 16, 2013, 03:26:15 am
content: Quote from: RichardSim on November 16, 2013, 01:11:10 amInteresting idea!

author: walshms
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2013, 04:54:22 am
content: Or 5 stories worth sharing, 5 tales from the trenches, 5 nightmares you'd lived through, etc.5 things the budding EE gets wrong and why they do.5 things you wish were different, and why.5 really great historical moments and how they affected the present.5 people that most influenced you.5 great projects for learning electronics...Heck, that could wind up being a very long list. Trust your gut, pick a few that interest you and go for it. Your public awaits!

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2013, 10:44:42 pm
content: How about attendees bring a 555 circuit with them for show and tell.

author: Bloch
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 17, 2013, 09:30:43 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on November 13, 2013, 11:00:44 pmand +1

author: AmmoJammo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2013, 09:33:33 am
content: Do the whole video naked!

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2013, 09:46:58 am
content: A look back in time...5 Most popular Youtube videos5 Most popular forum threads5 Minutes on each

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2013, 10:18:38 am
content: Quote from: AmmoJammo on November 17, 2013, 09:33:33 amNo need to see a little Jones there as well.Admittedly many TV news anchors do work in a suit top with shirt and tie, but wear a set of shorts under the desk. 6kW of studio lighting can get rather warm.

author: Bloch
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 17, 2013, 10:45:25 am
content: Quote from: SeanB on November 17, 2013, 10:18:38 amSome times we see that Dave works in barefoot

author: Jon86
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2013, 11:13:22 am
content: I think it should be something to be something project-related. Something fun, but also something that won't take up too much of your time. The 'going over past things' can get a bit boring, physical things will be more interesting.All you need is an interesting project, maybe involving 555s. I can't think of anything suitable at the moment, but just something fun!

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2013, 11:47:38 am
content: Build a 555 out of discreets and get it working on the breadboard!

author: creyc
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2013, 08:05:46 pm
content: Quote from: RichardSim on November 16, 2013, 01:11:10 amI second this idea, but since it's in accordance with a particular number 555, I feel like it should definitely be just 1 video, 1 segment.We don't need multiple segments on the things Dave doesn't like, I think we get a dose of that every week!

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 18, 2013, 11:02:22 pm
content: On a side note, Dave, I hope you will NOT be doing a 666th video... there are those of us who are extremely religious and penitent and it should go without saying that a video numbered after satan is just not on.Please do not dismiss this as foolishness or improper piety as many buildings do not have a 13th floor, and there are so many Christians in the world, that they can't all be wrong - therefore no 666th video should ever be produced.Mmm'kay?</sarcasm>As for the 555 video... 5*5*5 = 125. I vote for 125 minutes of Dave ranting about anything and everything. Nothing is better than a Dave rant. It's the most enjoyable part of ANY video, especially the highly emoted pejoratives. DIIIIIICKheads!!!! etc.

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2013, 11:10:35 pm
content: Agreed, hard to beat a well worded rant:

author: AndersAnd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2013, 10:03:43 am
content: Quote from: peter.mitchell on November 18, 2013, 11:47:38 amA Discrete 555 Timer kit has already been made by Eric Schlaepfer, in collaboration with Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories:http://tubetime.us/?p=153http://www.evilmadscientist.com/2013/555-kit/Sold here:http://shop.evilmadscientist.com/productsmenu/tinykitlist/652https://www.adafruit.com/products/1526

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2013, 10:11:30 am
content: Quote from: AndersAnd on November 21, 2013, 10:03:43 amHolymoly that thing is huge, with that size they could have also upgraded the specs like 100V , 10Amps

author: strangelovemd12
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2013, 06:00:46 pm
content: The humble 555 chip has been around for 42 years, and a few dozen are made every second. But many chips have not been so lucky. I propose 555 minutes of silence, to honor these less fortunate chips. Preferably streamed live.

author: walshms
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2013, 12:55:15 am
content: Quote from: Kjelt on November 21, 2013, 10:11:30 amAnd if Dave doesn't already have one, he almost certainly will... I don't think he'll be able to resist...Very cool... and very well done.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2013, 05:29:37 am
content: Only problem is they are using 2N transistors with 100mA of current. they need to upgrade the output devices and the discharge transistor to 2N2219A's to give the drive ability of the real device.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2013, 06:20:04 am
content: Quote from: SeanB on November 23, 2013, 05:29:37 amDangit, I wish I would have read this 24 hours ago before I put in a Tayda order for 13 2N3904's and 13 2N3906's.I do have some PN2222A and some 2N2907A transistors though.I just blindly ordered off the BOM that they had without thinking about the current.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2013, 07:01:15 am
content: Use the PN2222A's on the output and pin 7 and it will look the same. Myself I would buy all 2N2222A and 2N2907A and make it a period matching unit ( all same style metal cans like the TO100 version of the device) and if I was doing a board then I would add a simple 8 pin TO100 footprint connected to nothing and solder in one of the TO100 555 timers I have around just as a size comparison.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2013, 06:20:57 pm
content: Funny still that difference between the US and 2Nxxxx series of transistors en Europe using the BCxxx/BDxxx series of transistors, how is this in other parts of the world?

author: AndersAnd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2013, 07:22:47 pm
content: Quote from: Kjelt on November 23, 2013, 06:20:57 pmI think BCxxx/BDxxx are mainly used here in Europe.The European BCxxx/BDxxx part numbers are assigned by Pro Electron:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro_ElectronQuoteThe American 2Nxxxx numbers on the other hand are assigned by JEDEChttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JEDECQuoteThe funny thing is the difference is only for active components. For passive components like diodes Europe also use 1Nxxxx like 1N4001, 1N4148 etc.In Japan they use the JIS semiconductor designation:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JIS_semiconductor_designationQuoteSo JIS starts with "1S" for diodes and "2S" for transistors (instead of the American "1N" and "2N"), followed by a second letter depending on the type (e.g. C for high frequency NPN BJTs and D for audio frequency NPN BJTs). Sometimes the "2S" prefix is not marked on the package.Not sure about the rest of Asia and other continents/countries, I think they use one of the 3 standards above as I don't think others have their own naming standards?But maybe Soviet Union/Russia had/have their own standard too? They had their own Russian tube designations:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_tube_designationsIt would have been much easier if there was only one universal standard instead of both European, American and Japanese standards.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2013, 07:35:21 pm
content: Thanks didn't know that. Only had the pain sometimes to see an american schematic and unable to obtain any of its parts and had to lookup all the equivalents.

author: AndersAnd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2013, 08:01:27 pm
content: Quote from: Kjelt on November 23, 2013, 07:35:21 pmExactly. There's no real reason to use different naming standards, it just makes annoying to try to find equivalents or someone locally selling the American or Japanese transistors.It's very annoying to repair for example Japanese audio amplifiers and trying to find a Japanese output transistor or an European equivalent. It's often impossible to find a direct equivalent with the same Hfe, pinout, voltage and current ratings etc. For simple on/off transistor circuits it doesn't matter much if Hfe etc. is identical, but for more analog amplifying circuits it matters.But there's a lot of annoyances because of different standards used around the world.For example the UK and others driving in the wrong side of the road.Or the 110/120 Volt/60 Hz vs. 230 Volt/50 Hz issues and dozens of different mains plug types even for the same mains voltages. At least the EU harmonized the 240 Volt used in the UK and the 220 Volt used in mainland Europe to 230 Volt some years ago. But it's unthinkalbe to do the same with 120 vs. 230 Volt.Of course the 120 vs 230 Volt issue has become easier with universal SMPS, that accepts all mains voltages used around the world. But you still have the problem with different mains plugs.But it would also be much easier if every country around the world used the same language. You wouldn't have to waste time learning foreign languages and everyone would be able to communicate. Not to mention not having to write user's manual in 100 different languages.

author: kxenos
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2013, 08:43:57 pm
content: Quote from: AndersAnd on November 23, 2013, 08:01:27 pmno no no, don't mix technical stuff with culture/history stuff please. Saying that all the world should have same technical standards is one thing but saying that we should all have same language etc. is a very fascistic idea. The world is richer because we have multiple mindsets, languages, cultures and civilizations...

author: Six_Shooter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2013, 09:07:08 pm
content: Quote from: AndersAnd on November 23, 2013, 08:01:27 pmI didn't read it as the wouldshouldhave the same language used for communication, but that it would be easier, even though it's more than just unlikely.Basically, he's saying that while things would be easier to be standardized, it's just not going to happen, and we've learned to deal with it in each case.

author: AndersAnd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2013, 11:15:26 pm
content: Yes I didn't say everyone should use the same language, just that a lot of things would be much easier if that was the case.But more and more is in English these days even if you're not in an English speaking country. More and more local companies here has English as official corporate language.Just about every book used at engineering colleges here is in English. Except for mechanical engineers who I'm told also use a lot of German material, probably because of the long history of a big steel industry in Germany, and because most Danes learn both English and German in school.It's too expensive to translate and maintain most technical literature to a tiny market like Denmark, so almost all technical literature used here is in English, usually books from American authors.But enough about that.Regarding sourcing rare transistors etc., since the Internet became widespread it has become much easier to find Japanese and American transistors here and other even more exotic parts. Before the Internet it could be very hard to even find a datasheet for some transistors, so it was very hard to even have a chance to find an equivalent part. The small yellow semiconductor database books from ECA was very popular back then, to find data and equivalent parts:http://eca.deBut now you can find most of the needed info on the Internet and order most parts from around the world online at eBay, AliExpress, Mouser DigiKey etc. if you can't find it locally.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2013, 09:15:52 am
content: On the subject of transistor naming standards where does MPSA fit in?

author: AndersAnd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2013, 10:35:02 am
content: Quote from: Stonent on November 24, 2013, 09:15:52 amI believe that's a Motorola (now ON Semiconductor) proprietary naming prefixHere's what I googled:http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showthread.php?t=32827Quotehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transistor#ProprietaryQuoteUnfortunately the lastNaming problemsparagraph tells us we are not getting closer to an universal naming standard, but the contrary when SMD versions of standardized leaded transistors gets different names depending on the manufacturer.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2013, 11:00:42 am
content: Its not only Daves 555th video this year its also the 50th anniversary of Dr. Who. So I think that it would be very cool if Dave came up with a Dalek voice device that used 555's.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2013, 04:12:28 pm
content: A ring modulator.

author: JohnnyGringo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2013, 05:32:45 pm
content: A Sonic Screwdriver. Of course!

author: AndersAnd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2013, 11:53:37 pm
content: Will he make aA 555 Footstool?http://www.evilmadscientist.com/2011/555-footstool/

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2013, 08:18:33 am
content: Even better would be a walking, remote controlled, 555.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 28, 2013, 10:30:01 am
content: I'd love to build the footstool, but I lack access to a suitable laser cutter / CNC machine.Are the files even available?

author: M0BSW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2013, 05:38:12 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on November 13, 2013, 01:06:58 pmNot from the UK thanks , plus I can turn the volume down here when you start ranting

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2013, 09:05:29 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on November 28, 2013, 10:30:01 amYou don't need a laser cutter for that just a saw would do A band saw would make it easier but its possible with just a hand saw.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 29, 2013, 09:20:20 am
content: Quote from: G7PSK on November 29, 2013, 09:05:29 amOn dozens of pieces?

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2013, 12:02:39 pm
content: large solid block of wood, a chainsaw to cut out the shape then some sandpaper to finishOr you could even do it with a large drop saw, maybe 3 horizontal sections instead of 30 vertical sections.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2013, 04:02:48 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on November 13, 2013, 01:22:02 pmExplain how this works?http://www.adafruit.com/blog/2013/09/20/new-product-three-fives-discrete-555-timer-kit/

author: Simon123
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2013, 05:40:15 pm
content: When will you make video about selenium rectifier from mailbag?

author: Galenbo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2013, 05:45:23 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on November 13, 2013, 01:06:58 pmOrganise a tombola or some contest, the first 555 winners or best answers come to your lab and can choose some equipment of choice.:-)