InTheMail – Page 2

InTheMail | Voltlog #444

In the latest installment of the popular “InTheMail” series, tech enthusiasts are treated to a diverse array of electronics and accessories straight from the mailbag. From compact chargers and carry cases to specialized tools and sensors, this episode covers a wide range of products that cater to various needs.

Kicking things off is the VOLTME dual USB Type-C phone charger, a compact and powerful solution for charging multiple devices simultaneously. Its small form factor and GaN technology make it an ideal travel companion. Next up are EVA hard shell cases, offering protection for soldering irons and oscilloscopes during transportation.

The Ulanzi VL49 RGB LED light is a versatile addition for photography and videography, boasting impressive specs like high CRI, adjustable color temperature, and long battery life. The episode also showcases a learning RF remote control with an impressive frequency range, perfect for hobbyists and tinkerers.

For those in need of cable management solutions, the video covers keyrings, USB cables (including right-angle and USB Type-B variants), and silicone-insulated cables designed for soldering applications. Fiberglass cable insulation rated for high temperatures is also highlighted, catering to projects involving hot environments.

The mailbag also unveils a hidden GPS tracking device with 4G support and an upgraded USB-to-CAN adapter for CAN bus interfacing. Specialized tools like a BNC T-split connector and ceramic heating plates are also explored, offering potential applications in electronics and temperature control projects.

Finally, the episode touches on a radar sensor module and a waterproof temperature/humidity sensor, both useful for home automation and outdoor sensing applications.

InTheMail | Voltlog #439

Happy New Year, fellow electronics enthusiasts! Kicking off 2023 with a bang, we have an exciting InTheMail video packed with intriguing finds from the realms of Aliexpress. While the holiday season allowed for some well-deserved family time, the shopping spree continued unabated, and the latest haul promises to delight and inspire.

Among the highlights is the Merry Pet BLE Cat Toy, a smart, motorized ball that connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth, allowing you to control its movements and drive your feline friends into a frenzy of playful chaos. For those seeking to keep tabs on their belongings, the Apple AirTag Holder Keychain offers a discreet solution, while the Multimeter Magnetic Strap and Long Head Marker cater to the needs of professionals in the field.

Continuing the theme of practicality, the Fizz Utility Knife and Arduino Nano Clones (LGT8F328 and LGT8F328P) provide reliable tools for various projects. The Soft Cloth Bag ensures your delicate instruments remain dust-free, while the array of Radar Sensors (HLK-LD2410m, HLK-LD1115H, HLK-LD1125H-24G, HLK-LD303, HLK-LD116-24G, and HLK-LD116S) open up exciting possibilities for experimentation.

For those venturing into the world of long-range wireless communication, the Lora Module SX1262 RA-01 and the LUATOS AIR32F103 Dev Board offer intriguing options. The USB-C Silicone Charging Cable, Plastic Organizer, and EVA Storage Case for Soldering Iron round out the haul, ensuring your workspace remains tidy and your tools well-protected.

InTheMail | Voltlog #437

Welcome to a new edition of InTheMail, where we unbox and explore the latest additions to my ever-growing collection of electronics gadgets and tools. This time around, we’ve got a diverse array of items, from smart home devices to specialized tools for electronics enthusiasts. First up, we have the Aqara Magic Cube, a nifty little Zigbee switch that can be programmed to trigger various actions in your home automation setup.

With its built-in accelerometer, you can simply flip, rotate, or shake the cube to adjust things like lighting or appliances. I’m excited to integrate this into my smart home system and ditch those pesky wall switches. Next, we’ve got a fingerprint lock that I plan to install on a cabinet or drawer. While not meant for high-security applications, it’s a convenient way to keep certain items private without the need for a physical key.

The build quality seems decent, and the external power port is a handy feature. For my electronics workbench, I’ve acquired a silicone mat, clean room wipes, and various cleaning brushes. The mat will provide a nice, non-slip surface for my new digital microscope, while the wipes and brushes will help keep my workspace spotless.

Speaking of microscopes, I’ve also picked up a set of AWG32 stranded wires in various colors. These ultra-thin wires will come in handy for intricate repairs, modifications, and bodges on PCBs. One item that caught my eye is an ingenious Apple AirTag mount designed to fit seamlessly into a bicycle’s water bottle cage.

This clever hiding spot should deter thieves from spotting the AirTag, making it an effective anti-theft solution for my bike. For my electronics tinkering needs, I’ve acquired a set of RFM95W LoRa modules and a DSLogic Plus logic analyzer. The LoRa modules will be useful for wireless projects, while the logic analyzer will allow me to analyze and debug complex digital circuits with its impressive 400MHz sampling rate and 16-channel capability.

Last but not least, I’ve got a unique ESP32-based WiFi display unit that pulls data like weather and time from the internet. While primarily a demo unit, it’s a cool hardware platform that could be repurposed for various smart sensor network applications.

InTheMail | Voltlog #435

Welcome to another exciting edition of InTheMail, where we unbox and explore the latest arrivals in the world of electronics! This time around, we’ve got a diverse array of gadgets and components that are sure to pique your interest. Kicking things off is a compact and versatile COB pocket flashlight that caught our attention with its sleek design and multifunctional features.

Boasting a rechargeable battery, USB-C charging, and a magnetic carabiner attachment, this little powerhouse is perfect for outdoor adventures or everyday use. Next up, we dive into the world of workbench organization with a tool holder rack. While the execution left something to be desired, the concept itself is a game-changer for keeping your tools neatly arranged and within reach.

For all your wire stripping needs, we’ve got the BEST brand BST-5021 tool, which promises to handle a wide range of wire gauges with ease. Pair it with its companion, the BST-5023, and you’ll be fully equipped for any wiring job that comes your way. Switching gears, we explore the realm of sewing with a set of extra-strong nylon upholstery threads, perfect for tackling outdoor projects or heavy-duty materials.

And for those adventurous kitesurf enthusiasts, we’ve got a waterproof pouch to keep your valuables safe and dry while you’re out on the water. Continuing our exploration, we showcase a multimeter belt clip that proved invaluable during a recent field job, ensuring your hands are free to work while your tools remain securely within reach.

We also delve into the world of magnetic field visualization with a tiny film that, while underwhelming in size, still sparks curiosity. Rounding out our mailbag are an array of exciting components, including paper insulating washers, waterproof panel indicator lights, a 433MHz wireless communication module, and compact mono amplifiers perfect for audio projects.

We even venture into the realm of mmWave radar sensors and a four-quadrant photodiode array, opening up new possibilities for experimentation and innovation. Last but not least, we unveil a set of copper pads designed for PCB repair, a must-have for any electronics enthusiast or professional tackling delicate soldering work.

InTheMail | Voltlog #432

Welcome back to another exciting episode of “InTheMail,” the series that quenches your thirst for all things electronics while gently nudging your bank account. This time around, we’ve got an assortment of intriguing items that are sure to pique your interest. First up, we have a fresh batch of cleanroom wipers – those trusty lint-free companions that make cleaning flux residue from PCBs a breeze.

While the old Relife brand wipers have become elusive, these new ones promise to deliver the same quality at a similar cost. Next, we dive into the world of DC barrel jack extension leads, which will come in handy for an upcoming power distribution unit project. Imagine the convenience of powering your microscope setup with a single source, eliminating the need for multiple power adapters.

Speaking of convenience, we can’t overlook the classical DC jack adapters, which allow you to test various pieces of gear with ease. And for those embracing the USB Type-C revolution, we have a nifty adapter that converts USB Type-C input to a DC jack, complete with a PD trigger for voltage selection.

Continuing our USB Type-C exploration, we have a short extension lead that bridges the gap between USB Type-A and Type-C devices, ensuring compatibility in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. And for those in need of a robust cable capable of handling 4K video and 100W Power Delivery, we’ve got you covered with a beefy USB Type-C cable that’s up for the task.

Moving on, we delve into the realm of cable management with Y-split insulation tubes, perfect for creating neat split connections in your wiring projects. And for those CAT6 enthusiasts out there, we have a high-quality termination plug that makes working with those thicker internal wires a breeze. But that’s not all!

We also have a unique plastic holder designed specifically for the Google Nest Mini speaker, allowing for a tidy wall-mounted setup. And for those who like to keep things organized, we’ve got a set of 20ml plastic containers – perfect for storing smaller quantities of flux, solder paste, or any other essentials.

Feeling adventurous? Why not try your hand at building a pre-amp for the large diaphragm condenser mic we have on offer? Who knows, you might just discover your talent for voice-over work or find a new appreciation for crystal-clear audio during conference calls. And for those looking to breathe new life into existing hardware, we have an ESP8266 module that can help you convert smart gadgets to ESPHome or Tasmota, giving you greater control and integration with your smart home ecosystem.

Last but not least, we have a trio of sensors – the MH-Z19D CO2 sensor, the SenseAir S8 CO2 sensor, and the PMS5003/G5 PM2.5 sensor – perfect for building your very own smart sensing platform. Imagine the possibilities of monitoring air quality and environmental conditions with precision! So, there you have it, folks – a veritable treasure trove of electronics goodness, all wrapped up in one exciting mailbag.

Stay tuned for more adventures in the world of InTheMail!

InTheMail | Voltlog #430

Welcome to a new InTheMail, the most popular segment hosted here on the channel. Not a lot of time has passed since our previous InTheMail but I have received a bunch of stuff that I would like to start using so I need to do this video.

I’m gonna start with a series of cabling products and the first ones are these higher quality braided USB Type B to various terminations. These two are USB Type-A to USB Type-B printer style cables but in two different lengths, braided finish, higher overall quality and I tend to use these for stuff like an older AVR MKII programmer, for my label printer, for my monitors which have a built-in USB hub, stuff like that.

Then because of modern devices which tend to include less USB Type-A ports but for guys like us who still use a bunch of peripherals, we still need to connect some USB Type-B peripherals to the new USB Type-C ports and it’s nicer when you don’t have to use adapters or USB hubs for that. So I got these USB Type-B to USB Type-C cables for plugging directly into USB Type-C ports, also braided style.

And this guy is just a short, braided style, USB Type-A to USB Type-C which lately I use a lot of these guys because all of the pcb’s that I’m building feature USB Type-C ports and I typically need to connect them to a USB HUB which sits right on my desk so I need a short USB cable. I typically get these from Baseus but this time I tried another company and I quite like what I’m seeing. Nice construction here, lots of room to grab on this connector when inserting into a socket. Same as always there will be links in the description below to all of the items shown in this video.

Also in the cabling department I needed some of this thicker 18AWG UL1015 wire for various wiring jobs working on prototypes on my electronics workbench. Now for 20AWG or 22AWG I typically recycle those out of old ATX power supplies wiring, I feel like I’m doing the planet a service when doing that by preventing them from going to a landfill but for the thicker 18AWG, those are typically not present on an ATX PSU so I ordered a lot of these, 5m per each individual color so these should last me a good while.

This is your standard 2.5×5.5mm dc jack connector with 2m of white cable which has markings that say 2×0.5sq mm which would make it okay up to 3A but just to stay on the safe side I would probably use it only up to 2A in practice. Something like this would be very useful if you are a power adapter with the wrong plug, instead of just replacing the plug you could replace the whole cable if the power adapter can be easily disassembled. And that’s exactly why I got this, to replace the wiring on a 12V power adapter.

InTheMail | Voltlog #428

Welcome to a new InTheMail, the most popular segment hosted here on the channel. Lots of interesting good and equally bad products have been piling up in my special mailbag bin so let’s take a look at them.

I’m gonna start with an absolute garbage product, this smartphone telephoto lens which I thought is going to be great for attaching to my iPhone and shooting videos at let’s say a meter away from the subject but be really zoomed in, like when soldering on a PCB, I don’t want the tripod and the phone to be in my way. I got the 8X variant, because there is also a 12X I believe, I paid like $5 shipped for this and this was probably the worst spent $5 in recent times, this is absolute garbage. All I can get is a blurry image, I’ve tried removing the protective case on my phone thinking this might not be the correct focal length because of that but nope it doesn’t make any difference. Other users report similar things in the product review.. So please don’t order this crap.

I seriously don’t understand what were they thinking? Why did they make this and package it?

Next up I got one of the newer GPS modules from China, this is the ATGM336H which presumably is the part number for the original module Zhongke Micro electronics, but this particular one is rebranded as AiThinker GP-02. Comes with a ceramic GPS antenna so it’s good to go. The SoC used inside this module is the AT6558 and it supports a variety of satellite navigation systems, including China’s BDS (Beidou Satellite) GPS in the US, GLONASS in Russia, GALILEO in the EU, QZSS in Japan and I think their main target is to replace ublox max series with something that is the same size, possibly same package but lower cost. I thought I’d give this module a try, keep it in my GPS modules bag waiting to be used in a GPS project. One mention though is that it doesn’t necessarily mean this particular module that I got from Aliexpress supports all of the functions.. This depends on the variant of the chip used inside the module because as the datasheets shows in this table it can have different config levels. A link for this will be provided in the description of the video.

Next up I have a few different types of insulating washers. These red ones are M3 and M4 size paper type insulating washers, while the black ones are just plastic nylon insulating washers. Both of these can be great when you want to achieve some level of mechanical and electrical insulation when you have screws holding down a pcb and you might have some PCB tracks going too close to the screw hole for example. If possible such a thing should be avoided from the PCB layout stage as mounting hole footprints should have keepout areas corresponding to the size of screw to be used but if you end up with tracks in that space, a small insulating washer like this will save the day.

Next up I got one more set of these Adhesive cable tie mounts, I’ve shown these before, they have some adhesive backing and then they are theoretically reusable because you can clip and unclip this plastic belt. Because of that they can be really handy for cable management. Not sure if this adhesive backing is really 3M, it might not be and the effect of that is that these might come off at some point. Not that 3M is bulletproof, I’ve had genuine 3M cable management mounts that come off after a couple of months so it really depends on the surface type, how clean the surface was and the actual strength of the adhesive.

InTheMail | Voltlog #424

Welcome to a new InTheMail, the most popular segment hosted here on the channel. Lots of interesting gadgets have been piling up in my special bin so let’s take a look at them.

I’m gonna start the video with this small silicone mat, I’m sure you are familiar with these. I just wanted a smaller one that I could fit on the work surface of my microscope. This is my trinocular microscope, if you are a subscriber of the channel you’ve probably seen it before, I reviewed it in Voltlog #282 and I did a few upgrades since then on its video camera system. I sometimes do soldering right here, on this work surface so it would be nice to have a small silicone mat to help with that and I found this model on Aliexpress, it’s a good size for this purpose, just a little too thin for my taste, I expect this to bulge immediately under the action of the hot air gun but other than that, I think it should do the job and it was very inexpensive to purchase. Same as always you will find links for all of the items shown in this video in the description below.

Next up I have a couple of interesting display modules that caught my attention while casually browsing through the recommended products list. This one is a 1.69inch TFT display with 240×280 pixels resolution so it’s a fairly densely packed panel, based on the st7789v2 controller IC. You can get this as a panel or as a breakout module like I have here. I opted for the breakout panel so that I could easily test this and hook it up to a dev board. It seems like it’s wired for a SPI interface on this breakout board and I guess the main features of this display panel are its thin bezels left, right and top, you ofcourse need a little thicker bezel for the side where the flat flex is located, because there you have the driver IC, the backlight plus the bonding of the flat flex.

As you can see in this quick demo I prepared, it looks very nice, much better than your typical aliexpress 2 inch tft panel so I think we’ll be seeing more projects using these popping up on the internet.

The next display comes from the same company making these breakout boards, and it’s a 2.13 inch 122×250 pixels resolution, TFT white and black display based on the st7302 controller IC. They say it’s targeted for low power applications. I don’t think there is any backlight on this one so it’s a reflective type display. Interface is once again SPI and you can get this as a bare lcd panel or as a breakout board like I have here. I thought the format of this display is pretty interesting and once again I think we’ll be seeing some more projects using these popping up on the internet.

Next up I got myself another one of these cheap, compact side cutters, I’ve been using these for a while for various jobs, I recently gave one to a friend so I needed a replacement. They’re not the best quality but they’re decent enough and I like the form factor a lot. Useful for cutting off through hole component terminals but also for the small size wires and other miscellaneous stuff. Do yourself a favor and order 2 of these.

Next I got one of these which is like a rust cleaning fiber pen, the way this works is you spin this cap which pushes some fiber bundle through the tip of the pen, those are pretty abrasive and so you can use it to rub off superficial rust of small items like jewlery, watches, but what I thought this could be useful for is ofcourse electronics, PCBs, where you need to clean some burn marks or something like that. I’m not sure how long those fibers are, or how long this is going to last but I thought it would be a nice addition to my set of cleaning tools. Links for this are in the description below the video so check them out.

InTheMail | Voltlog #421

Welcome to a new InTheMail, the most popular segment hosted here on the channel. It’s been quite a while since the last InTheMail so a lot of interesting stuff has been gathering in my special bin.

I’m gonna start the video with these EVA hard shell cases in a rather small format, as you may be aware these come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, they’re inexpensive and personally I like to use them to store various bits of gear, test instruments in the lab but also to transport small PCBs, projects that I’m working on in my backpack without find out out at the destination that all of the through hole parts have been squished in the process. It just provides a nice solution for storing and carrying various items.

Next up I have a couple of GOPRO Accessories and I’m gonna start with these tether lines and they can really be multipurpose, that’s why I’m showing them in this mailbag, they’re made of steel, they come in different lengths and colors and they can even be used for minimal security by looping them around things and closing with some sort of lock, they feel pretty strong but you know it’s only going to work for honest people.

So I think I’ve mentioned this before, that I recently started kitesurfing and I wanted to get one of these kite line gopro mount because of the nice viewing angle that this provides on video, however, there is a big drawback with this, because it can potentially tangle the lines and as a beginner that’s something that I do not want to deal with, because it can put me in some dangerous situations so I’m likely not going to be using this until I have gained some experience on the water

And because I am using my gopro mostly on the water I got myself one of these gopro floating cases, it’s just made from foam, goes around your gopro, it’s bright orange and if you drop it in the water it will helpfully keep it floating while you search for it. This is an inexpensive accessory but one that could save your more expensive camera. As usual links for all of these items will be provided in the description below.

Next up, another item for my summer activities, I got these plastic tent stakes which I plan to use with this smaller UV and wind protection shelter that I got for beach days. The tent/shelter was delivered with those slim mounting pins which slide right out of the sand but these plastic ones which I recently got really work so much nicer. I’ve taken 3 out of the package and tested them this past weekend and you have to work a little bit to get them into the sand by this screwing action but they provide much better grip into the sand. I mean you can still pull them out if you wanted but it will require some force so I think they do the job just nice and on top of that they were really cheap.

InTheMail | Voltlog #418

Welcome to a new InTheMail, the most popular segment hosted here on the channel. It’s been quite a while since the last InTheMail so a lot of interesting stuff has been gathering in my special bin.

I’m gonna start the video with this lithium ion battery charger. If you remember this cheap cordless drill which I reviewed in voltlog 285, maybe you can remember that it had a pretty low cost battery charger which I sent to the DiodeGoneWild youtube channel for a teardown. So ever since then I’ve been charging this on one of my bench power supply units which is not very convenient because I can’t take it with me everywhere I go. So I’ve started searching on Aliexpress for a little more quality in one of these adapters and after many tries, I’ve found this model which doesn’t have any indication of being higher quality other than being different and slightly more expensive than other listings so I said why not give it a try, do a quick teardown to see how it’s built, maybe I can find something better that can also work as a recommendation for other people looking for something similar.

My next item is yet another Power supply unit, this time, it’s one that has all of the regulatory approvals and it should be of higher quality coming from meanwell. This is a 12V 2A, so 24W total, model number is HDR-30-12 and the main feature of this is that it’s DIN rail compatible and I plan to use this at some point to further expand my home automation project with some solenoid valve control. I’ve bought mainly to evaluate the quality. I haven’t yet decided if I should use 12V or 24V, also depending on the type of valves that I will be using but generally speaking 24V would be nicer because it could transfer energy more efficiently over the wires that I’ll be using. This is DC output so again, depending on the type of solenoid valve, those might require AC power so I might need a different power supply for that but when I bought this I was really thinking of using it with my servo project which needs DC power. Either way it’s going to be a useful power supply to keep around.