Tag: Aliexpress

InTheMail | Voltlog #488

In the latest edition of InTheMail, I unbox and review a treasure trove of electronics tools and gadgets from AliExpress and Amazon. From high-quality pliers to versatile USB-C connectors and even a unique IR pre-heater, this video is packed with valuable insights and recommendations for hobbyists of all levels.

Kicking things off, I share my honest thoughts on a set of pliers that failed to meet expectations, followed by a handy pair of scissor-type cutters perfect for trimming heat shrink and enamel wire. Next up, a carbon fiber spudger adds an anti-static and ESD-safe option to my toolkit. The video also showcases the compact and open-source olmBoard modules, featuring impressive specs like a wide input voltage range and low power consumption.

USB-C connectors, a magnetic rotary position sensor breakout, and a digital speaker amp board are also highlighted. For those working with DC motors, I review breakout boards for the DRV8871 H-bridge driver, offering overcurrent and over-temperature protection. Practical accessories like a tactical shoulder strap, corkscrew bottle opener, and wetsuit hanger are also covered.

One standout item is the IR pre-heater, which has revolutionized my soldering and desoldering workflow. By pre-heating PCBs, I can minimize stress on surrounding components and achieve better results, especially for double-sided or heavily populated boards. Finally, I explore the potential of syringe filters for cleaning and reusing ultrasonic cleaner liquids more effectively.

InTheMail | Voltlog #476

Gear up, electronics enthusiasts! In this installment of InTheMail, we’re diving deep into a treasure trove of tech goodies that are sure to elevate your workshop game. From cutting-edge ESP32-C3 development boards to sleek braided heat shrink tubing, we’ve got you covered. First up, we’re exploring the world of the ESP32-C3, a powerful microcontroller based on the RISC-V architecture.

We’ve got not one, but three dev boards to showcase, each with its unique features and form factors. Whether you need a compact solution or a board packed with extras like USB-C ports and status LEDs, we’ve got you covered. But that’s not all! We’re also taking a closer look at braided heat shrink cable sleeving, a professional-grade solution for your wiring projects.

While it comes with a few caveats, like a higher price tag and stiffer finish, the braided look is undeniably sleek and polished. Continuing our exploration, we stumble upon a rather intriguing (and slightly concerning) product – a pet positioning GPS locator with a built-in microphone. While its tracking capabilities are questionable, the ability to listen in on conversations raises some ethical concerns.

We’ll leave it up to you to decide how to utilize this technology responsibly. Moving on to more practical solutions, we’ve got our hands on a nifty hand wave sensor and a touch sensor designed for furniture integration. These clever devices allow you to control lighting and other low-voltage DC applications with a simple wave or touch, adding a touch of convenience and modernity to your projects.

And speaking of lighting, we’re diving into the world of LED tape controllers, specifically one powered by an ESP8266 module. While it may not be the ideal choice for driving analog LED tapes due to potential flickering issues, it’s a fantastic option for digital LED tapes, offering seamless integration with popular open-source firmware platforms like Tasmota, WLED, and ESPHome.

But wait, there’s more! We’re also exploring a budget-friendly Apple Watch charger clone and a unique stainless steel scrub cleaner for those who value a sparkling workshop (and cast iron pans!).

InTheMail | Voltlog #468

Welcome back to another exciting mailbag video! In this edition, we’ve got a fantastic selection of electronics modules, tools, and accessories that are sure to pique the interest of any hobbyist or tech enthusiast. From practical storage solutions to unique bargraph displays and rapid prototyping boards, this video is packed with gems that might just inspire your next project.

Kicking things off, we have a pair of EVA storage cases that are perfect for safely storing and transporting small devices like logic analyzers or firmware debug tools. These compact and affordable cases are a must-have for anyone who values organization and protection for their electronics. Next up, we have a fascinating LED bargraph module that caught my eye.

This round, 31-segment display is a true eye-catcher and can be used in various projects, such as level indicators or visual displays. With options for different colors like green, red, and yellow, these modules offer versatility and a touch of retro charm. For those who frequently work with ESP32 or compatible modules, the prototyping PCBs featured in this video are a game-changer.

These boards allow for rapid prototyping and easy access to all pins, making them invaluable tools for any maker or developer. But that’s not all! We also explore a range of other exciting products, including a bicycle pump valve replacement, pneumatic fittings, high-quality cigarette lighter connectors (with a rant about delivery restrictions), connector adapters, USB Power Delivery decoy modules, and even an EMI filter module for power supply noise suppression.

InTheMail | Voltlog #461

As the 11.11 festival approaches, bringing with it a wave of tantalizing discounts, it’s the perfect time to explore some exciting new electronics and tools. This latest InTheMail video showcases a diverse range of products that cater to both the passionate hobbyist and the professional technician. One standout item is the smart UV curing lamp, a game-changer for PCB repairs.

Designed specifically for curing UV-curable solder masks, this lamp offers convenience and efficiency. No more tedious aiming of a UV flashlight – simply place your PCB under the lamp, set the timer, and let it work its magic. The raised corners ensure compatibility with various PCB sizes, making this a must-have tool for any electronics enthusiast.

For those seeking a lithium-ion battery solution, the featured battery pack case is an intriguing option. Designed to mimic the form factor of a standard 12V lead-acid battery, it offers the ability to create custom lithium-ion packs using 18650 cells. While the charging capabilities of the included BMS board raise some questions, this product opens up exciting possibilities for upgrading devices with improved capacity and discharge rates.

Cable management is a recurring theme, with the introduction of screw-hole cable ties and cable combs. The former offers a neat solution for routing wires and cables, while the latter promises to bring order and organization to even the most chaotic cable installations. Safety is also a priority, with the inclusion of a face protection mask.

While its intended use in the kitchen may be questionable, it could prove invaluable for tasks like Dremel work or polishing, shielding your face from airborne debris.

Voltlog #296 – Microscope Camera Focus Issue Fixed!

Welcome to a new Voltlog, as you may remember in Voltlog #282 I got a new trinocular microscope and then in Voltlog #292 I got a new camera because the one shipped with the microscope had issues. Banggood till this day did not replace the camera which I believe is defective, they kept asking me to try these various settings in the camera menu to improve the brightness but none worked.

Now to get a good image and have both the camera in focus and the eyepieces you will need some kind of reduction, an optical adapter between the camera and the microscope port. So first I got this SZMCTV 0.3X adapter, after reading some reviews who were claiming this will give the best field of view.

After installing this adapter I noticed the field of view was almost the same as through the eyepiece which is great but I couldn’t get it in perfect focus with the limited adjustment available on the adapter and I was getting this tunnel vision which I couldn’t quite explain but it was obviously not what you want to see.

And so I got this newer wide body 0.5 adapter and installed it on my microscope and the problem was solved I could now get my camera into focus at the same time with the eye pieces but with a loss in the field of view due to the 0.5x adapter. Getting the SZMCTV 0.5X adapter would probably also work, that’s a bit cheaper, but I went with the recommendation of getting the newer type of adapter with better optics.

Voltlog #293 – Buying From Banggood and Ebay Tips & Tricks

Welcome to a new Voltlog, this is a continuation of Voltlog #291 where I shared some tips and tricks about buying from Aliexpress, if you haven’t seen that video, I will link it on screen right now. Today I’m gonna share my experience with buying from Banggood or Ebay. These are my secondary buying channels, some of the stuff you see in my mailbag videos comes from Banggood or Ebay.

Voltlog #291 – Buying From Aliexpress Tips & Tricks

Welcome to a new Voltlog, today I’m gonna share with you some tips and tricks about buying from Aliexpress and I might follow up with another video about Ebay and Banggood. I received requests for doing such a video several times as the subject was brought up and I think I can share a few useful things with you because as you may know, some of my most popular videos are my InTheMail videos where I show you the stuff I purchase from China and I get a lot of stuff which allowed me to learn a few tricks over the years. 

Voltlog #288 – New BLTouch 3DTouch Plastic Pin Sensor Upgrade

Back in 2018 I installed a Bltouch sensor on my Creality CR10 3d printer and I showed the process in Voltlog #177, that video is one of the most popular videos on the channel and now after using the printer with the upgrade for a couple of years I can clearly say it’s probably one of the best upgrades you can do to your 3d printer and it’s pretty cheap. I won’t go into too much detail about what the sensor does and how to install it because that is discussed in Voltlog #177.

However I did experience a downside after this upgrade, some users are reporting the same problem while others don’t face this issue. It’s important to note I am using a BLtouch clone called 3D touch, purchased from Aliexpress. It’s the type that has a metal push rod through the middle. The issue I’m having is a vibration noise coming from that metal pin vibrating inside the sensor when the printer moves on the Y axis. This issue might or might not be present on a genuine sensor or just another unit which might have tighter tolerances.

Voltlog #286 – How Is The Coronavirus Affecting PCB Production?

Welcome to a new Voltlog, I have a couple of projects in the pipeline right now that require PCBs and as usual I will be getting them from JLCPCB who have been sponsoring my videos for a while now and even if they weren’t I would still be ordering from them because I like how their service runs. But the problem right now as you may know is the Coronavirus infection. In order to contain the spread of the virus, companies in China have moved to a work from home scenario with only minimal required personnel present  on site. 

This coupled with the extended holiday which was issued after the spring festival means decreased manufacturing capacity which leads to long lead times as customers line up to get their PCBs manufactured.

So this video is more an update on the current situation because I am in contact with JLCPCB and I want to give you some info on the expected delays for pcb orders. Right now they offer production of 2 layer pcbs as well as smt assembly service and stencil production service but 4 layer, 6 layer and ENIG coated pcb manufacturing has been suspended until further notice.

Can The Coronavirus Travel With Packages Delivered From China?

Welcome to a new Voltlog and yes we are talking about the Coronavirus on this channel and you might think it’s completely unrelated but there is a connection as I will explain in a moment. You know I host a popular type of videos on my channel, that is the mailbag videos with electronic items that I get from China. I am ordering this stuff from Aliexpress, Ebay, Bangood but it doesn’t really matter which website we’re talking about, even on Amazon there are a bunch of shops that ship directly from China to the US or UK or whatever. 

Some of you might be asking is there a safety risk with the Coronavirus infection happening in China, is there a chance of that virus traveling with these products and infecting us the recipients of the packages? Well let’s look at the facts first.