$1 calculator teardown - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2019, 03:14:26 am
content: Maybe they say the battery is non-replaceable due to fears of using the wrong type and charging it incorrectly, although I can't see issues even if it's completely the wrong type with these kinds of minute currents.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2019, 05:41:51 am
content: The video actually shows why it is non-replaceable, though it is still a bit of a mystery why it is configured as it is. Probably has something to do with available mold sets. When you are selling anything for under a dollar every cent matters.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2019, 05:43:27 am
content: I've seen a few solar powered calculators that were not actually solar powered at all. The solar cell was fake and in reality the battery did all the work.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2019, 06:14:18 am
content: Quote from: james_s on January 09, 2019, 05:43:27 amThose were in the previous video.

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2019, 09:55:43 am
content: It could not be sold in Australia as it has no regulatory approvals whatsoever. In Australia it requires the RCM mark. In Europe it needs the CE mark.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2019, 06:36:05 pm
content: A pocket calculator needs regulatory marks? Can you not get all the random dodgy Chinese junk there that is available elsewhere?

author: apis
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2019, 06:55:08 pm
content: It needs to meet certain standards like RoHS to be sold in EU. The manufacturers can probably self certify in the case of a calculator, in other cases it has to be certified independently.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2019, 07:10:34 pm
content: There's an awful lot of stuff with fake markings on it flowing in all over the world, I'd be shocked if there wasn't a wide range of technically non-compliant stuff available.

author: apis
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2019, 07:50:37 pm
content: I might have misunderstood this, I'm not a lawyer, but I believe the CE mark is only meaningful when you buy something within the EU really. In many cases the manufacturer/importer can self certify that the product meets the required standard. If someone sells a product in EU that requires that mark and it turns out it didn't meet the standard they can be sued. If you buy it outside of EU it is meaningless.If I buy the same model UNI-T DMM in a store locally or directly from China on ebay, the one from ebay often lack a lot of safety features like fuses (and cost 1/10 of the normal price). I'm guessing they are making different versions for different markets to save a few cents, but they use the same case for everything. When I buy it on ebay I get the cheapest version they make probably, but it still has the CE mark.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2019, 11:25:24 pm
content: I'm honestly glad that the CE mark is self certified. There's already an array of certifications required for all kinds of things and this means the market becomes ever less accessible to smaller companies and new parties. You can essentially pump out any software you like, but you're in for a confusing world of hurt if you decide to market an intentional emitter.

author: Inverted18650
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2019, 12:33:29 am
content: I believe the "non removable battery" print is simply a way for the company to say the battery is "Built-in" (even if it can be removed) so they can ship it from China to the U.S. with a battery in it. Most items with "removable batteries" are shipped without the cell and you have to buy one and install it yourself. Just my thoughts. (But yes I did watch the video and see, this one cannot be removed without taking the back off).

author: apis
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2019, 02:21:15 am
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on January 09, 2019, 11:25:24 pmI agree. I'm not entirely sure why they bother requiring the mark at all though, perhaps it's just to make it easier to detect unintentional import mistakes. If someone wants to fake a certification they can do that whether it was self-certified or not. Might as well trust the manufacturers by default and make random tests instead.