hybridfree/eevblog-posts huggingface dataset:
Spring cleaning - how to test ESD coating on my drawers? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: jpyeron
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2022, 06:05:45 pm
content: I remember reading:DIY or Homemade ESD control for storage binsESD-ifying plastic containers with conductive paintSo I went and got some Licron Crystal spray. Now how do I test it?I thought about buying a Surface Resistance Tester but the device assumes a large open area, not a small 1.75" wide drawer.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2022, 06:26:49 pm
content: I would try a regular multimeter with solder wick attached to the probes to better distribute contact area. You should be able to observe 10 MOhm, and 10 GOhm seems completely useless to me.

author: Tomorokoshi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2022, 06:41:35 pm
content: That drawer looks like it's made out of polyethylene, so nominally very high resistivity. I made direct resistivity measurements on ABS (~2x10^15 ohms), which is also very high. The technique I had to use was specified in 60079-0, and it also shows up in other places. The basic idea:1. Get a representative test sample. It could be the same material, or a material of known higher resistivity.2. Use conductive paint to make two lines, 10 cm long, and 1 cm apart.3. When dried, set up a power supply and ammeter to read the current. Note that while this test specifies up to 500V, you shouldn't need that because you are purposely making it conductive lower voltages should result in reasonable current readings. Measure for at least one minute.4. The standard specifies that the surface shall be cleaned with distilled water, then isopropyl alcohol, then distilled water again. Also that it should be "conditioned" for 24 hours at less than 50% humidity.5. The resistivity will then be 10 x V / I.With multiple samples you could test:A. Resistivity vs. number of coats.B. Durability of coating vs. abrasion. Perhaps use the samples from test "A".

author: jpyeron
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2022, 12:09:05 am
content: Quote from: ataradov on April 23, 2022, 06:26:49 pmMy multimeter is not good a measuring 10 to 1,000 Meg Ohm (should have thought of that first). Licron spray say between 1 and 1000 Megaohms.Quote from: Tomorokoshi on April 23, 2022, 06:41:35 pmSee mention of Licron spray in the original post.Quote from: Tomorokoshi on April 23, 2022, 06:41:35 pmPlan on using actual drawer, after coating with Licron spray. This test approach has hope.Quote from: Tomorokoshi on April 23, 2022, 06:41:35 pmAt 100V and max spec resistance I should expect 0.0001 mA at min spec resistance 0.1 mA. I have 100V PS, measuring the current will be fun.
Generating custom wave forms.  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: chinoy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2022, 09:02:32 am
content: So for years I managed with a cheap USB Sound card. And windows software to output any kind of signal I want.Latter the same USB sound card started to work with android.This worked well for years.It allowed you to pick the shape of the wave form you want i.e. square / sawtooth etc. it allowed you to pick the freq you want.And the voltage as long as it was under 5 volts.But what if I want to put out customised wave forms. Say I want a sine wave with a nipple projection on each end.How would one achieve this.Preferably without having to invest a few thousand dollars in a high end function generator.I vaguely remember one of the s/w allowed you to code a custom wave form. But cant remember the name.More recently I found a blue tooth board with built in amp. In normal mode it works like a blue tooth receiver but if you plug in a USB port it become a sound card. Its like 2-3$. And by using the inbuilt AMP or an external amp you can boost your voltage output as high as you want.Some software even allow you to inject noise into your signal.It would be nice if there was a post linking all the PC based. s/w which allows you to use your sound card as a scope or as a function generator. Back in the day we would hook up the mic to probes and use it as a cheap scope. PC scope was a popular s/w back then.Worst case I am thinking of doing a pic or arduino project that allows one to output custom wave forms.

author: mikerj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2022, 11:58:34 am
content: The phrase you should be looking for is "arbitrary waveform generator". Pretty sure you could do this with Scilab (https://www.scilab.org/) though this is primarily a powerful numeric analysis and data visualisation tool (a kind of open source Matlab) so don't expect some knobs and button to twiddle, you would generate the waveform with math functions which can then be sent to the audio output.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2022, 12:53:07 pm
content: Quote from: chinoy on April 23, 2022, 09:02:32 amTry baudline.http://baudline.com/
Mains overvoltage with domestic feed back to utility - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Sgt_Baker
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2022, 08:38:52 pm
content: Hi all,I forget whose solar roof installation was party to this particular problem, however the fundamental point was that their local mains voltage rose significantly beyond nominal - i.e. 260V for 240V nominal - during peak local solar production along the street. Given that local fat-wires on the utility end can easily accommodate huge currents in the downstream direction, what causes the voltage rise when current should be flowing upstream?Sorry if this is a Frequently-Asked-Question. Have just witnessed my politicians arguing about renewable, again, and this particular aspect of modern installations doesn't make sense within own mind.All the best,Baker

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2022, 10:13:39 pm
content: Most home solar installs are sized far above the steady draw of the house, who actually uses 5-6kW continuously during the peak solar production hours?One house, no so much a problem. When most houses on a low voltage feed do this at the same time its like a reverse of the "normal" (previously designed for) situation of all the houses drawing 5-6kW at the same time.So what used to be a normal: 240V high, 220V low fluctuation from no load to 100% load, becomes 260V high (-100% load) or worse.Double the distribution conductance and cost (halve the resistance) ? yes that would eliminate the problem, but is quite expensive. The grid wasnt engineered for this flow, but slowly slowly it can be upgraded to meet the demands, just as it was slowly updated as people built in higher and higher density. Who should pay for that upgrade is the sticky question.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2022, 10:43:19 pm
content: Quote from: Someone on April 21, 2022, 10:13:39 pmThose who don't have net metering would have a good incentive to use it as it's being generated.
Home made DIY OLED display .... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2022, 11:22:22 am
content: Ok, clearly the title is clicky bait enough, gotcha.This is not for faint hearted, at least from the skill, knowledge and pocket depth POV looking at the home lab gadgets needed to make this.Clearly far beyond my league, just enjoy watching it in awe.
tek 465b - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: jsblues81
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2022, 05:54:59 am
content: for anyone who would know about these symtoms. 1)the horzontal sweep starts and ends in the middle part of the screen. it does not extend to the left and right ends of the screen. 2)the focus only gets so sharp. I can't sharpen the display beyond a certain point. 3)the invert button does not invert and flies off the sceen.please help.

author: PaulAm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2022, 03:42:14 pm
content: Rule number one: Check the power supply voltages and their associated ripple.Power supplies are a common failure point and these scopes do not work at all if the power supply is not within spec. Check ALL of the low voltage supplies. One of them provides a reference for the others. Get a service manual, OK copies are available for free on line

author: jsblues81
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2022, 10:32:19 am
content: Very good advise..I do know better but I thought maybe these kinds of symptoms were unrelated to the ps. I guess not....as always. I'll get back after a full re-cap.
Chinese making a killing on FPGA chips? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Chris56000
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2022, 07:59:41 pm
content: Hi!I was looking at the parts list for the Programmable 405–Line TV Standards Converter, this needs an EP4CE6E22C8N in qfp44, and I was flabbergasted at some of the eBay prices – £250–£700 per chip each!!!Are we ever going to see an end to this nonsense?Chris Williams

author: dmills
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2022, 08:53:23 pm
content: FPGAs are generally painful at the moment, Altera more so the Xilinx but we are getting 9 month lead times on Zynq 7030 and just plain forget about Spartan 6, those are basically unobtanium.I am not at all surprised that an old Cyclone IV is only available from the scalpers.

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2022, 09:08:00 pm
content: We've seen up to 24 months lead time on Zynq 7010's. The market is really weird right now.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2022, 10:40:46 pm
content: You know how to sort by price right? The cheapest one is $50.About the same on aliexpress.

author: Bassman59
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2022, 06:31:30 pm
content: Quote from: dmills on April 13, 2022, 08:53:23 pmMy guess is that Spartan 6 is never coming back. (Nor are Spartan 3/3A/3AN, if you have designs that use them.)I have a Lattice MachXO2 part designed in for something right now and I haven't pulled the trigger on boards because I don't know if those parts will ever come back. I have exactly two of them on the shelf.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2022, 07:17:16 pm
content: Yeah, the MachXO2 has become unobtainium as well..."The people assume we are just going back to the good old world which we had and everything will be normal again. This is, say, fiction. It will not happen."

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2022, 09:46:27 pm
content: Quote from: Bassman59 on April 14, 2022, 06:31:30 pmIt's coming back, but it's on 45nm, which is basically sold out right now. Last I heard is it was on order at Samsung and Xilinx were qualifying the option of making them at TSMC, but being 40nm node rather than 28nm/20nm like 7-Series/UltraScale means yields are lower, costs are higher, you get less on each wafer, and you're at the back of a very long queue with a lot of automotive 40-45nm stuff.
Telaire T6713 Co2 sensor inconstencies - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: rfleming
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2022, 12:47:06 pm
content: Hi All,I've been working recently with a bunch of these sensors from DigiKey. Initially I purchased them in the packs that came with the 2k and 5k max values and found that from the 2 packs of sensors I got about 12 months apart, I am getting very different results.I am testing them in my apartment, I've been running mine for about 2 hours right now and its giving me back 3619 ppm. While 2 others I have sit around 1500.As much as I would like to think there is something wrong with my code. I have gone through it, looked at the hex going each way, confirmed it with example code I have seen online and yet, I still get this crazy results. The documentation is, while good for those commands and hardware, is a little lacking when trying to identify the differences between the devices. I am assuming the 2.5 difference in max value DOES NOT actually scale the result. The devices themselves have a half-assed sticker kind of identifying that it is a 5k unit "T6713 17W50", in comparison to the "T6713 19W36" or the "T6713 20W32".Looking to see if anyone out there has had a bit of a play and can tell me im an idiot and I have 3 different versions that are SUPPOSED to be scaled.
ECCN for export - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: syau
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2022, 11:45:13 pm
content: For those live outside U.S.A. and puchase used equippment or parts, a proper shipper/forwarder/seller needs to provide an ECCN to clear the U.S.A. custom properly. During a recent shipping arrangement, I found that it is very difficult to locate the ECCN number from the manufacture's web site.Kiethley is so kind that they provide a search engine on their web sitehttps://www.tek.com/en/support/export-codesbut not Keysight

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2022, 11:55:42 pm
content: ECCNs change over time, as what was once state of the art eventually becomes commonplace. So, an ECCN may change over the life of a long running product, and even more by the time it reaches the used market. Over time it becomes less interesting for a manufacturer to put the effort into getting an updated an ECCN rating, so anything you find on their site might be old, and more restrictive than necessary. I'm not clear how you get something current.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2022, 02:06:01 am
content: ECCN is the Harmonize number, like 3801.1.0000.Every manufacturer should provide or you can look it up.There is also a US export requirements for shipment value $2500 or moreOver 2500 a CBP number is required, see the freight firm website and airbill form, and contact the CBP to self file.Fed Ex charges $15 well worth as the CBP process takes hours....Jon

author: syau
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2022, 03:56:19 am
content: Purchase new equipment through the manufacturer or distributor will have them sorted out for you. Used equipment is a different story.

author: syau
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2022, 10:41:58 pm
content: Update to include Rohde & Schwarzhttps://rs-us.net/tc/

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2022, 01:46:00 am
content: Quote from: jonpaul on March 30, 2022, 02:06:01 amNope:Quote from:https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/licensing/commerce-control-list-classification/export-control-classification-number-eccn

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2022, 01:53:39 am
content: Quote from: coppice on March 29, 2022, 11:55:42 pmCue the overly cautious sellers in the US refusing to send things because they cant be bothered to navigate the complexities of export restrictions:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/an-rn-42-bluetooth-module-falls-under-us-export-restrictions/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/restricted-components-on-popular-webstores/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/problem-us-ebay-sellers-who-won_t-ship-overseas/

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2022, 05:40:05 pm
content: Quote from: Someone on April 13, 2022, 01:53:39 amTo be fair, if you work in America the home market can be so big you have little incentive to accept any complexity in dealing with people beyond it.
High Density Sub-D as SMT? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: BreakingOhmsLaw
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2022, 07:59:44 pm
content: Does anyone know of a SMT version of Sub-D high-densitiy (three rows) connectors?The standard through-hole variants have such tight dimensions, that I am not able to route traces between the holes. I'd need an 8-layer board just to break the signals free from the connector.Cheers

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2022, 09:08:09 pm
content: You can get those connectors with only two rows on the PCB side. Yes, still three rows on the interface side.I had to get a through hole one to repair a motherboard with a broken VGA connector. There might be an SMD version too.The one I got was from Mouser.

author: TassiloH
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2022, 08:31:47 am
content: Check the hole/drill diameter. I have seen datasheets recommending more than generous 1.3mm drills for these connectors. Others recommend less (Wuerth says 1mm, but pin diameter is 0.65mm). I just looked at an old design of mine with an HD44 connector, the symbol I have used there has 0.82mm drill size/0.254mm restring and the connector fitted just fine. This gives plenty of space to route between pins (see picture). I would suggest to get one of the connectors and measure the pin diameter to be sure.

author: oPossum
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2022, 08:51:19 am
content: Using 0.9mm drill and 1.4mm pad allows enough room for traces.

author: BreakingOhmsLaw
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2022, 08:03:57 pm
content: I redesigned the footprint and it worked just fine. Thanks for the suggestions.I'm puzzled why Amphenol supplies a footprint that is practically unusable.
UK-based electronics/embedded firmware design firms/agencies? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Alex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2022, 03:59:57 pm
content: Hi, I was wondering if you have any recommendations for small-medium electronics design firms based in the UK, Scotland ideally.I am looking to potentially outsource the electronic hardware and embedded firmware aspects of a product development roadmap and currently assessing viability.The electronic design involves photodiode front ends, temperature measurement, A/D conversion, some lightweight algorithms, a simple display, industrial comms (4-20mA, modbus), and power supply/conversion. The firmware design is equally straightforward. Any experience with Ex-compliant products will be beneficial, but there is no requirement for intrinsically-safe design. Here is my current list:- A2E, Scotland based, unresponsive.- Bitbox, England based, no response.- Exalon Delft, Netherlands based, waiting for response.- Any others you would recommend?Any pointers/recommendations will be very helpful.Alex

author: Jackster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2022, 06:05:46 pm
content: https://herculescontrols.co.uk/Birmingham based but has done a great job with my embedded electronics products.This project sounds like his bread and butter. He does a lot of industrial control, sensing and alarm, CNC, user interface etc

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2022, 06:12:13 pm
content: Surprised BitBox has been silent. I've dealt with them in the past (and worked there!) and they've always been sharp on the responses.Are your emails being trapped in some kind of spam filter? Do you use a commercial email address (@orgname.com) or an @gmail.com address?

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2022, 06:15:42 pm
content: Hi Alex,It sounds as though I may be able to help you with your project. Are you able to share contact details so we can perhaps have a chat?Andy.

author: Alex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2022, 06:23:51 pm
content: Thanks Jackster, I'll drop them a line.No idea tom66, corporate domain and g-suite; never had an issue. Maybe you can PM me the contact info for some business dev person?AndyC, will do.Alex
Aisler - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: strawberry
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2022, 09:17:08 pm
content: Is something wrong with webpage.cant upload files.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2022, 09:29:20 pm
content: me no know

author: hans
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2022, 10:00:27 pm
content: It worked for me this afternoon.. with plain gerbers.Unfortunately I'm having a bit trouble of gerber/pcb doc import sometimes.Sometimes gerbers aren't parsed correctly. For example, if I use slot and drill holes -- Altium exports to them 2 tool files, but Aisler's site only reads one.Altium PcbDoc import does the trick usually.. but sometimes that fails to import outright without a clear reason why..All in all usable but sometimes with a bit of effort.

author: strawberry
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2022, 08:15:16 pm
content: With Altium upload works by its default settings but Aisler run in to Outline not detected problem??Sprint layout 5.0 Need this page for GERBER to work:https://aisler.community/t/traditional-gerber/99
How to/not to cook metals - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2022, 06:56:38 pm
content: Quite comprehensive!Tim

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2022, 07:36:05 pm
content: Anyone who attempts metal casting anywhere near water or without making sure that non-porous molds are absolutely dry, and preferably baked out is a dangerous idiot who sooner or later will be badly burnt or worse by molten metal flung around by a steam explosion in the mold. Sand casting is a little bit different - a little moisture is tolerated and even needed for greensand molds, but its got to be dry enough that the rate of steam generation as the heat propagates from the mold surface is low enough for it to escape through the pores between the sand grains.
Non-electronics solder repair, Pace + Artwork - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2022, 05:59:42 pm
content: I had a good friend who was a world class wood carver. He competed and won several awards and I am lucky enough to have a few of his works. Early branches were all copper and brass. This one is a combination of brass tubes and carved leaves. Sadly I noticed that the twig that the baltimore oriole was mounted to had broke. It appears to have been a cold joint. There's no easy fix so I cleaned up the surfaces, inserted the largest tip I had for my Pace iron and soldered it back together. The paint is oil and I blended five colors to get something close. It has a bit of a shine until it dries.I would much rather solder 0402s...
Awesome Cheap Banana Replacement: Lab Trick - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: f4eru
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2022, 09:58:40 am
content: Using a lot of banana pigtails in your lab ?Ever been annoyed that they are expensive and/or a pain to solder ?I found out a neat trick I want to share:use bullet connectors with the right diameter as crimpable dirt cheap female bananas !Of course they are a bit short. It would be nice to have a custom longer version manufactured, but they still work very well, and mate perfectly.Very convenient for connecting pigtails from PCBs to test equipment, and loose wires coming out of a sensor etc.... Crimping is fast, and they are essentially disposable.Since discovering this trick, I basically adapt everything in the lab to bananas and i keep a set of pigtails handy for quick soldering to PCBs.small wires : RS 624-12412.5mm2 : RS 688-11396mm2 unisolated : RS 795-6449

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2022, 04:51:50 am
content: I would not recommend doing this unless it slid in all the way, its too easy to short out.
Big battery test from CBC news.  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ErikTheNorwegian
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2022, 11:33:54 am
content: "We tested double-A disposable batteries to find out whether major brand names like Energizer and Duracell deliver on their marketing promises to be long lasting. Our test reveals some surprising results about batteries from dollar stores. Watch our investigation to find out which batteries you should buy — and which ones you might want to avoid."https://youtu.be/K3nd-OvhPwgTo read more about the resthttps://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/marketplace-battery-test-1.6403542

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2022, 09:20:23 pm
content: Didn't watch the video, but, they don't make a single mention of rechargeable batteries in the article."There's no reason to sell a zinc carbon system in 2022."Sure, also not much reason to sell Alkalines either, when we have LSD Eneloop type cells for ~$1/ea.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2022, 03:54:49 am
content: I didn't find value in the CBC TV Marketplace tests. It's the usual energy capacity test at most +/-8% delta, when the reality is - batteries taking the piss and leaking is the main concern people have, the damage done to the device.They should have also done the bubble test to evaluate the seals and gas generation of the battery's chemistry.Where's the class action lawsuit against Duracell for their total garbage alkaline battery products? The ones the video shows leaking in the package, what a joke it's commonplace and Duracell will never fix their Berkshire Hathaway cheapened-to-rubbish-for-shareholder-return, products. It's the cover-up and inaction of Duracell's executives that is most infuriating. Thousands of mysterious5-starreviews.The warranty might cover a cheap remote control or flashlight damaged, but mention a $400 multimeter or expensive AV remote and they squawk hard, they won't pay for damages there and even insult you by suggesting you are scamming them with such an expensive claim. "Just mail that in and we'll look at it"
Blender PCB Rendering - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Nogtail
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2022, 09:51:16 am
content: I've been working on a Blender add-on to help with rendering KiCad PCBs and thought I'd share where I'm at so far. Here's a rendering and the real board for a comparison:

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2022, 11:16:39 am
content: wow

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2022, 11:30:48 am
content: Looks very well, congrats!

author: ve7xen
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2022, 08:18:32 pm
content: Wow, looks amazing!Maybe something that could eventually be integrated into KiBot?

author: Nogtail
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2022, 03:50:01 am
content: Currently it's just taking the VRML files from KiCad and doing the rest in Blender. The exported files have issues and take some work to clean up. I think I'm reaching the limit of what I can easily automatically fix within Blender so a KiCad extension to export better data would be the next logical step. Here's another render and PCB photo for comparison, ignore the nonsense IC markings, I was testing out materials for them:

author: PKTKS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2022, 08:13:33 am
content: Looks very cool...It can also be cool with povray...SUGGESTION TO MOVE TOPIC TO KICAD SECTION...you may need expertise advice in parsers used by kicad... like xsl and may be PERLPaul

author: nigelwright7557
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2022, 08:51:36 am
content: Its amazing what can be done in 3d rendering these days.
Cheap USB-C cable testers? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: bitwelder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 08:24:26 am
content: Nowadays for USB/micro-USB cables there are some pretty good testers like the  UM24/UM25, etc. that can measure even cable resistance.Is there already something similar available for USB-C cables? Apart of having more wire pairs to check, there is also the difference between 'plain' cables and cables with e-marking (which e.g. affects Raspberry 4 owners), so having a small tester to check the the properties of an unknown cable would be handy.

author: mbless
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 02:51:36 pm
content: Not sure of your definition of cheap, but several of theYZXStudioUSB meters have USB-C ports and can measure cable resistance.This websitehas reviewed several of their meters.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 08:54:17 pm
content: From that review the YZX is measuring the usual VBUS and D+/D- but also CC1/CC2:https://lygte-info.dk/review/usbMeter%20YZXStudio%20ZY1278%20UK.htmlIts not going to tell you any of the other pins connections. If you want to do a basic continuity check you can get something like this:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32956433607.htmlIf you want to check any sort of bandwidth the cheapest option would be to get a 5/10gbps capable device, plug it in, and see if it works at that speed.That is what some USB cable manufacturers do in China to test the cable, as it is the cheapest and simplest method. Any sort of professional tool is going to be ridiculously expensive.It is highly unlikely you would get an e-marked cable without purposefully buying one, as they are more expensive to produce.

author: Bratster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2019, 09:21:38 pm
content: I have one of these:https://www.tindie.com/products/aroerina2/usb-cable-checker/Works great for figuring out what type/ wiring of USB C came you have.Also has provisions for checking the resistance of the power wires with a DMM.Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

author: bitwelder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2019, 07:45:49 am
content: Thanks for all the answers, especially the device on Tindie looks really cool!

author: zelea2
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2021, 12:40:05 am
content: For cable continuity search for "MEGA IDEA TEST" on aliexpress:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003193545806.html

author: petl
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 12, 2022, 12:08:23 pm
content: Just realized that I can add a picture too:
How to solder LV5083A? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Fireball
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 07, 2022, 12:13:54 am
content: Hi guys!Please, any idea, how to properly solder LV5083A chip?Many thanks for hints!

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2022, 03:28:22 am
content: Hot air gun and solder paste. Preheater recommended.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2022, 04:28:26 am
content: ... paste stencil recommended.

author: MegaVolt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2022, 07:58:12 am
content: And then x-ray for control.

author: Fireball
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 07, 2022, 11:16:59 am
content: Thanks for hints. The best way seems to be paste+stencil. The problem is, that the stencil is not existentI decided not to use my hotair rework station, but manual one.As a preparation I covered chip outlets using shiny tip with a ball of SnPb solder + a lot of flux, then wicked out and cleaned with IPA.The same I plan to do with the PCB, but without wicking out. Then IPA cleaning.Finally manual hotair with the smallest flow available (I have very powerfull 1kW device) 400 °C, very small ammount of Amtech NC, 2-3 mins preheat (temperatire measuring all the time) and final reflow about 60 secs at 240 °C.What do you think?Thanks fo your opinions in advance!

author: Fireball
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 07, 2022, 04:32:07 pm
content: ... or maybe: during the second step cover with solder just the inner pads, then attach the chip by hotair and then all the outer pads solder manually...

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2022, 09:50:03 pm
content: Quote from: Fireball on April 07, 2022, 11:16:59 amUsually its only needed to tin the PCB, if you tin PCB + IC that can cause too much solder. But since you are wicking off excess on the PCB, should be fine.You need to add flux after you clean with IPA as well.
Right to Repair in the EU - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2022, 01:47:31 pm
content: Right to repair: MEPs want more durable and more easily repairable products (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20220401IPR26537/right-to-repair-meps-want-more-durable-and-more-easily-repairable-products- you can change the language at the top left).

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2022, 05:00:33 pm
content: Quote from: madires on April 07, 2022, 01:47:31 pmThis makes far too much sense, it will never be implemented!For now, try to avoid buying the planned-obsolete garbage in the first place.... educate your non-technical friends and family members about it...

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2022, 09:46:04 pm
content: EU already has a mandatory 2 year warranty, which is a good place to start.So much stuff here only comes with 1 year or even 6 month warranty. If you can't design an electronic part that lasts longer than a year, you've really failed.
Open source stock tracking / cost per project  software? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: gmc
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2022, 06:07:34 pm
content: Is there any decent open source stock tracking software I can use for a hobbyist?I've been using excel to keep track of quantities and have a tab listing all of the components to work out cost per piece taking into account cost/tax/shipping.I then have a tab for each project listing all the components and quantities required and the costs/stock is looked up from the components tab.This has been working well but its becoming unmanageable with the now 100's of components I have.I've started selling some of these projects so when building the PCB's I then update the stock as I use them and can easily see what it costs to build.Is there some open source software that will do the job better than this? Stock + tracking cost per component as well as costs of projects.

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2022, 06:31:38 pm
content: For stuff like that that involves a web hybrid component I like to use regular Zope. Not Plone, but you can install Plone and use the Zope in Plone which gets frequent bug fixes.. Zope. its a templating and web dev toolkit written in Python. You can use it to do web-database stuff, and each stock lookup is basically a http get which you can implement as a loop in a web page. Its very easy. And very useful. You can make very simple interfaces to all sorts of hardware.Its really a personal choice. I prefer Zope, but its similar to PHP where it sits. Its very secure and has very fine grained security features.

author: phs
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2022, 06:49:27 pm
content: You might want to check out InvenTree and Ki-nTree, especially if you use KiCad:https://github.com/sparkmicro/Ki-nTree/
Laser Etched 555 timer.? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: darky8
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2022, 09:23:03 pm
content: Well this is nuts. I have no idea why you would do this. I know wiping all traces of certain ICs is common place, but a 555.?

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2022, 09:37:23 pm
content: Are you sure it's a 555 and not something like a PIC12Fyxxx? If in doubt, check pins 1&8, PIC's are reversed from 555's.

author: darky8
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2022, 09:53:07 pm
content: I thought about that. But It's being used to drive a piezo atomiser in a model steam ship a friend is building. One of these magazine things, I think a PIC would be overkill for funnel effect.Here's a better pic, it's single sided.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2022, 02:57:11 pm
content: Or it’s a custom IC made for that purpose.Anyhow, a 555 timer isn’t cheaper than a very cheap MCU. It’d be more surprising if it were a 555 timer, given that it also needs more support components than an MCU.

author: darky8
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2022, 04:16:31 pm
content: It has to be more along the lines of this.Unfortunately I don't have it to test right now.https://hackaday.com/2020/08/21/cool-off-with-a-piezo-and-a-glass-of-water/

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2022, 04:31:58 pm
content: Quote from: darky8 on March 26, 2022, 09:53:07 pmWhilst it will work with a 555, it clearly is not a 555 timer. Pin 5 is connected to the gate of the driver transistor. If it were a 555, it would be pin 3.

author: darky8
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2022, 08:10:06 am
content: It might be obvious to you, but I'm a noob. But thank you for pointing me in the correct direction.
Numerous Output voltages from one battery Pack? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: RHH1095
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 17, 2022, 10:27:18 pm
content: Has anyone reviewed or performed a teardown of this Li-Ion Battery Pack.NB7102. Capacity: 3.7V/17500mAh 64.75Whhttps://www.amazon.com/TalentCell-NB7102-Rechargeable-17500mAh-Smartphone/dp/B07RDFM55J?th=1I am curious how the output plug knows how much voltage to supply to the load.About this itemModle: NB7102. Capacity: 3.7V/17500mAh 64.75WhOutput: DC1: 29.4-21V/3A DC2: 19.5V/3A USB-A: 5V/2.4A 12W Max. USB-C: 5V/3A 9V/3A 12V/3A 12V/3A 20V/3A 60W Max.Compatible with most Laptops, Notebooks, LED strip light products, CCTV Camera, LED Panel, Modem, Speak, Car DVR, Router etc. We Provide 12 Kinds of Connector for Most of the Popular Laptops, please Make Sure the Connector Fits for Your Laptop before purchasing.

author: SparkyFX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2022, 10:41:33 pm
content: The USB-C Standard includes a protocol to negotiate the output voltage / power. The device tells the power bank what it wants. Otherwise it will probably fall back to older standards and supply the 5V / 100mA minimum.

author: RHH1095
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 18, 2022, 01:29:50 am
content: Thank you!I found this silliness on YouTube and thought it was more complicated. Lolhttps://youtu.be/SJkx8HRmCTQ
What's in Dave's Garage? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: eti
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2022, 10:45:57 pm
content: No, not THAT Dave, this one:https://www.youtube.com/c/DavesGarage/videosA very clever, very funny and very nice chap, Dave Plummer, ex MS engineer and engineer behind task manager and the disk formatter dialog, and a LOT more. You could do a lot worse with your free time than give some of it to his videos.
Design techniques to accommodate scarcity?  How are you doing this? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: jrs45
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2022, 03:13:48 pm
content: How are people handling the scarcity of parts, from an engineering perspective? How have you changed how you design commercial project?Here's a few things I do:Look at widespread availability from Octopart, including historical. Abandon parts that don't have known delivery dates.Select most common footprints, sometimes doubling up/overlapping (SC70 + SOT-323-5 for example, for single opamp)Pads for piggybacking just about every circuit section. Power, input, output.More thought into "what opamp/etc. do I really need", and documenting part requirements more thoroughly, rather than "use this one"Test/qualify multiple alternate parts, rather than only one.I'd love to hear from others and what they're doing. Any tricks or tips?

author: daqq
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2022, 03:19:31 pm
content: What you said. Also when some discrete blocks are present and board space allows it, I try to create separate blocks for more than one device of the same function. For instance I had a separate completely unpopulated area with a completely different reference, the selection was done using what would be populated and a 0R resistor.

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2022, 10:13:37 pm
content: Nice topic!Firstly, that's a difficult topic. I would go along the lines you've laid out; Depending on quantity, maybe prepare for much more rework options, meaning maybe spending 20 minutes at bench, for every unit sold. That depends on quantity.So I would get really formal, with drawings, instructions, and drawing revision levels.Perhaps consider who to hire, (quickly), as purchasing and vendor experts maybe going to get harder to find.Strategy and...overtime. It's a crisis. My time, at Systron-Donner Safety Systems have me a taste, of CRISIS, as a big testing failure (relays) caused a whole series of ripple effects, resulting in mandatory overtime, I think it was 10 hours per shift.The management said: "Look, we've got a huge crisis and everybody pull together, ,...".Plus, first thing I did, before going in to post this; is to glance at your Country of posting. Ah, US,That matters, because, 'Everything Better, now...'Try apply for some COVID relief.They tried that tactic, in a movie: 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers':..."Wife better now...". Which was indication that the 'body takeover' had occurred with him, now."Country Better Now...". (and you being asked to accept that...). problem solved, you're welcome.
ST Microelectronics (st.com) Validate your email address stupidity - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: perdrix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2022, 12:59:33 pm
content: I'd love to validate my email address as I want to open a support case with them.Unfortunately the hyperlink in their email to validate my email was:<a style="text-decoration: none; color: #ffffff; outline: none;" href="&leadid=" target="_blank">Validate nowand of course there's no way to contact them to tell them about the problem if you aren't registeredCatch 22!If anyone from ST is here, maybe you can do something to get this insanity fixed!David

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2022, 10:20:58 pm
content: You can tryhttp://bugmenot.com/view/st.com

author: perdrix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2022, 10:43:54 am
content: I tried registering again, and this time it sent a link that seemed to make sense, but sadly that reported the link had been used or had expired! So still cannot register!!Do they employ idiots to write their website?D.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2022, 05:00:01 pm
content: Yes, the registration thing on ST's website is a pile of crap.

author: perdrix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2022, 06:20:08 pm
content: Anyone got any contacts inside ST who can sort this out?ThanksD.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2022, 06:51:02 pm
content: I stopped attending ST webinars because weird things happen with registrations. Confirmations not received, registration info is not stored (causing re-entering same information every time even if the page says you need to do it only once ), last straw was when they sent an invite to a webinar which was aired 6 months ago, to which i did not get a confirmation back then. ST is weird when it comes to interaction.
Looking for some variant of 74HC164 ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: 3roomlab
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2022, 11:25:03 pm
content: in 74HC164, you stream some bits with clocking and you get Q0-Q7 lined up as parallel data out 8bit. Does anyone know what is the version/model that does the same, but has a Q0-Q7 "inhibit"? like a enable/disable output? anyone knows? tyvm in advance.

author: oPossum
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2022, 11:27:38 pm
content: 74HC595 has tristate outputs
CRT gets dimmer when average scene brightness is higher - why? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Cugel
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 02, 2022, 07:05:11 pm
content: I've seen this happening with some 1980s TV sets and computer monitors. It's also showing up on one that I'm testing now, and I'm trying to understand the cause.When the picture content is dark overall, the CRT shows those dark colors well enough, and small spots of the brightest possible white are very bright.But when the picture is bright on average (say lots of white), without changing the brightness/contrast controls, all colors become noticeably dimmer.More precisely...Let's say I'm showing something like a standard color-bars test screen, and set the brightness as high as it can get while black is still black.Now switch to a very dark screen: dim greys are now brighter than they were, and the black as well (faint scanlines are showing).Now switch to a very bright screen: the same dim greys aren't visible (or just barely distinguishable from black), and the same white appears more like light gray.So what's the physical explanation behind this? And why do later CRTs not show this phenomenon (or make it much less noticeable)?I thought it may be related to blooming (brighter images make the picture a little bigger, so the same energy is spread over a larger area = slightly less luminance from each phosphor dot). But the size increase seems too slight to account for the very visible dimming. And some later CRTs with similar blooming don't show nearly as much dimming.ATM I'm not really thinking of trying to 'fix' it, especially if it's not a defect. Just trying to understand why it happens.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2022, 07:53:49 pm
content: I strongly suspect what is happening is the EHT is sagging under load resulting in reduced brightness. This will also make the picture expand slightly but due to overscan that may not be noticeable.

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2022, 08:10:19 pm
content: From what I know, the cause is not enough electrons generated by the electron gun. There were some procedures to generate a small arch inside the tube, in order to rejuvenate the area responsible with thermionic emission. Most of the time that didn't work, or at most the rejuvenation was effective only for a short period, a few more weeks.Simply said, old filament.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2022, 08:16:05 pm
content: Bloom and intensity should be proportional, if it's high voltage. So it sounds unlikely.Other possibilities are sag in the mid voltage supplies (100s V), perhaps due in part to increased HV consumption, maybe something about the cathode drivers (depends if video is driven into cathode or grid, I think cathode more commonly? I forget, haven't looked at a TV in ages, monitors usually did this though). Or just plain old shitty DC restore in the video path, or none at all, just flat AC coupling (top level Muntzing).Tim