Tag: USB-C

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!).

Infiray P2 PRO Good Yet Affordable Thermal Camera | Voltlog #442

Thermal imaging has become an indispensable tool for electronics enthusiasts and professionals alike, allowing for detailed inspection and analysis of printed circuit boards (PCBs) and electronic components. In this review, we take a closer look at the Infiray P2 PRO, a compact and affordable thermal camera that promises to deliver impressive performance for PCB inspection tasks.

Designed specifically for PCB work, the Infiray P2 PRO stands out with its high-resolution 256×192 pixel sensor and a blistering 25Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth and detailed thermal imaging. With a temperature range spanning from -20°C to a scorching 550°C, this camera is well-equipped to handle even the most demanding applications.

One of the key highlights of the P2 PRO is its optional macro lens, which allows for incredibly close-up inspections of PCBs and individual components. With a working distance of approximately 30mm, you can easily identify hotspots and thermal anomalies on silicon dies, IC packages, and even tiny 0402 resistors – a capability unmatched by many competing products in this price range.

The camera’s compact size and included USB-C extension cable make it highly versatile, allowing you to easily maneuver it into tight spaces and enclosures for thorough inspections. The intuitive Android app offers a wealth of features, including multiple color palettes, emissivity and ambient temperature adjustments, and advanced measurement tools like spot, line, and area measurements.

While the P2 PRO doesn’t offer image merging capabilities found in higher-end thermal cameras, it does provide a picture-in-picture mode for general orientation. Additionally, the ability to record video and audio simultaneously proves invaluable for documenting your findings and observations. Compared to alternatives like the UNI-T UTI260B, which lacks a dedicated macro lens out of the box, the Infiray P2 PRO shines in its out-of-the-box readiness for PCB inspection tasks.

Its combination of high resolution, macro capabilities, and user-friendly software make it a compelling choice for hobbyists, repair technicians, and electronics professionals on a budget.

Voltlog #243 – TS80 VS KSGER T12 Soldering Iron Comparison

Welcome to a new Voltlog, yet another soldering iron comparison video and today it’s between the TS80 and the KSGER T12 station. Everyone knows the TS80, is quite a popular portable soldering iron, works with USB type C input, it needs a quick charge compatible adapter to reach full power and it’s quite a capable soldering iron. The drawback is the cost of the tips, it uses this proprietary type of tip and the cost is about $20 a piece.

On the other hand we have the KSGER soldering station which I reviewed in Voltlog #232. This station has a built in power supply and uses the well known T12 tips which are widely available on aliexpress, for example you can get KSGER T12 branded tips for about $3 a piece. I think that’s important, because I have 2-3 different tip shapes that I use regularly and maybe another 2 or 3 that I use occasionally for odd jobs. You can’t just rely on a single tip shape and purchasing the same number of tips for the TS80, is not going to be cheap.

Voltlog #236 – InTheMail

Welcome to a new InTheMail, the series that will touch both your passion for electronics and your bank account at the same time.