Another seasonal look at the classic 120/240V strings of LED lights that have zero safety standards.

These strings of lights have the following issues:-

Ultra thin single insulated wire.
No proper strain relief.
A controller with a pop-off cover that exposes live connections.
Under-rated resistors that can be overloaded if the static mode is selected.
Often described as suitable for outdoor use, but they absolutely are NOT!

The best way to describe these mains voltage strings of lights is as dangerous and disposable.
They pose a significant shock risk, especially to kids and pets that might play with them.

And the worst thing is that they are often sold at a similar price to the completely safe low voltage ones from local supermarkets like ASDA and Walmart.

No link to buy these sets. Instead look for USB, battery or other low voltage sets.
And keep in mind that most strings with the heatshrink sleeves and standard LEDs will fail quickly if used in a wet outdoor environment, as the moisture wicks in and causes corrosion.




If you enjoy my videos and would like to support me with a dollar or two for coffee, cookies and gadgets to take apart, you can do so by supporting me on Patreon. I release videos without adverts for critique and feedback on Patreon as soon as they have been made. I also release Patreon-only backstage videos when I'm working on shows.

https://www.patreon.com/bigclive

Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:-
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive


#ElectronicsCreators
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXMxi84vLJo

This torch/flashlight is the sort that you'd probably find on eBay listed as 1 billion candlepower.
It works, and the circuitry is what you might expect in a product like this.

It does have one oddity. A charge control chip in a classic SOT23-6 package, but with the ability to drive a four LED charge status bar graph with a little help from the microcontroller.

I've not seen a charge control chip like this, but a quick search for suitable keywords did not pull up a datasheet. Trying to work out how it controls the LEDs is an amusing mental challenge.

The light itself is actually usable if you can forgive having to mince through other modes to turn the light off, but aside from its functionality it also has the useful aluminium core LED panel, a rectangular LED COB array and the little charge and control PCB.

Here's a link to the item on AliExpress (not a sponsor).
This is an affiliate link, but that will not affect the price you pay.
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4mW3CxP




If you enjoy my videos and would like to support me with a dollar or two for coffee, cookies and gadgets to take apart, you can do so by supporting me on Patreon. I release videos without adverts for critique and feedback on Patreon as soon as they have been made. I also release Patreon-only backstage videos when I'm working on shows.

https://www.patreon.com/bigclive

Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:-
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive


#ElectronicsCreators
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVMYdgZIN1U

This module works by communicating with suitably capable PD USB-C chargers to trigger various output voltage levels. The five levels are 5V, 9V, 12V, 15V and 20V. But not all chargers will supply all the voltages, even if they claim they do.

It's based on a dedicated chip with three digital inputs for selecting the voltage as a binary value. Other options can allow setting the same voltages with a resistor.

Here's how the DIP switches are set for this specific module:-

5V - All switches OFF.
9V - All switches ON.
12V - SW1-ON / SW2-ON / SW3-OFF
15V - SW1-ON / SW2-OFF / SW3-OFF
20V - SW1-ON / SW2-OFF / SW3-ON

All other combinations reverted to 5V when I tested them.

Check the output voltage after changing the switches. It's probably better to change the switch positions while the unit is unpowered.

The modern USB-C PD (Power Delivery) chargers should state which voltages they can supply, but some of the cheap clones may not be truthful about the available voltages because they don't expect people like us to actually test them.

This unit claims to be able to handle power up to 100W, but that would be 5A at 20V and I'm not sure I trust USB cables and connectors for much above 2A.

Here's a link to the item on AliExpress (not a sponsor).
This is an affiliate link, but that will not affect the price you pay.
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c43LDUEH
Cost should be around £1 each reducing with multiples.



If you enjoy my videos and would like to support me with a dollar or two for coffee, cookies and gadgets to take apart, you can do so by supporting me on Patreon. I release videos without adverts for critique and feedback on Patreon as soon as they have been made. I also release Patreon-only backstage videos when I'm working on shows.

https://www.patreon.com/bigclive

Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:-
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive


#ElectronicsCreators
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez126tpAPjQ

Another joyous bag of random things I bought from AliExpress.

Here are some links to the items on AliExpress (not a sponsor).
These are affiliate links, but that will not affect the price you pay.
Keep in mind that these products may not meet your country's standards.

The miracle mosquito attracting light. It actually has quite useful USB to 400V circuitry:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4KHuXjb

Sets of lego compatible street lights and park bench kit:-
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005444673334.html

"GPS" tracker (probably just a bug) with unknown network compatibility (possibly 2G):-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3IHluTX

The controller that is for driving fibre optics that respond to hand movement on a table:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2IYYIgp

Cheap pink retro USB chargeable flashlight.
Don't buy one other than as a novelty, because there is no proper charging control:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3qLFx7L

Lego compatible colourful strips. They need a matching backplate to mount them on:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2IgodCV

Vehicle plastic trim-rivet set with optional removal tool:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4UsnvlX

100 pack of the vehicle trim-rivets with the screw release:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4eOAZ2D

Chunky handheld flashlight/torch (it's very cheap and light):-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3TkyA9L

Ridiculous plastic (very cheap) 11-LED headtorch. It was much brighter after I charged it:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3TUoSHL

Android smart tag:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3j9Vcq9

Multi-section ceiling light, available in 120V and 240V versions:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3B7f1RL

Miracle Tesla heater:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3BguLdJ

Candle flame effect humidifier:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3XacneD




If you enjoy my videos and would like to support me with a dollar or two for coffee, cookies and gadgets to take apart, you can do so by supporting me on Patreon. I release videos without adverts for critique and feedback on Patreon as soon as they have been made. I also release Patreon-only backstage videos when I'm working on shows.

https://www.patreon.com/bigclive

Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:-
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive


#ElectronicsCreators
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjPZHcIa-Yk

Originally when I bought this I thought it was an ioniser variant as it uses the same case, but it turns out to be one of the common ultrasonic insect and rodent repelling devices which normally make at least some effort to create ultrasonic noise that is supposed to deter bugs.

In reality, there's no strong evidence that these things have any effect on bugs/rodents, and the ones that do generate ultrasonic noise may cause distress to some pets who will hear it as a loud electronic siren noise like an alarm going off continuously.

This one is bizarre as it has all the circuitry that COULD produce some ultrasonic sound, but the microcontroller does not actually put a signal out to the transistor that switches the sounder.

Effectively this unit is just a box with an LED that toggles on and off with a button.

Maybe the reason they've specifically described this as a bed/dust mite device is because they are microscopically small and therefore the units operation is hard to disprove.

The meter I used to try and probe the output actually has a frequency range up to 100MHz.

On a plus note, some may find the case quite useful for their own projects.
Here's a non-affiliate link to AliExpress (not a sponsor):-
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009619658768.html
Don't pay more than £3.



If you enjoy my videos and would like to support me with a dollar or two for coffee, cookies and gadgets to take apart, you can do so by supporting me on Patreon. I release videos without adverts for critique and feedback on Patreon as soon as they have been made. I also release Patreon-only backstage videos when I'm working on shows.

https://www.patreon.com/bigclive

Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:-
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive


#ElectronicsCreators
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ept3tq2CSw

Some hair dryers have an ioniser option which puts a slight negative electrostatic charge onto the air as it flows through the unit. But a question for the hair professionals. Does it actually do anything useful?
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5RMpNyf9JI

So frustrating! Some decent circuitry, but silly penny pinching and corner cutting has turned what could have been a premium product into a liability.

Let's start with the case. It's clipped together so solidly with a reinforcement lip that I had to break it to open it. It's solid.

Then comes the circuitry, and they started by omitting all the noise filtering, then used a fairly solid control chip with a chunky little transformer. But then they ruined everything by skimping on the class Y safety capacitor and the way the windings were put on the transformer. If they had kept the secondary windings away from the edge this could have been a safe transformer. But by running the secondary winding hard up against the primary winding they have created a possible insulation breakdown risk.

In use this plug would probably work. But if the insulation broke down then there is a risk that the devices plugged into it would keep working, but become referenced to the mains supply. In some instances that could result in a shock or equipment damage.

I didn't test the stated voltage and current due to the lack of something suitable to act as a 48V load.

I'll provide a link to this item, but it is purely for use as a reference in safety education. I don't recommend it for actual use:-
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006479735381.html

It's a non-affiliate link. I don't want to earn gadget-credit from a dangerous product like this.



If you enjoy my videos and would like to support me with a dollar or two for coffee, cookies and gadgets to take apart, you can do so by supporting me on Patreon. I release videos without adverts for critique and feedback on Patreon as soon as they have been made. I also release Patreon-only backstage videos when I'm working on shows.

https://www.patreon.com/bigclive

Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:-
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive


#ElectronicsCreators
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWDD1CJl1f8

Another huge and greatly appreciated Christmas tractor run around the island by the Isle of Man Young Farmers.

Every year, this tractor run supports charities via collections along the route and via JustGiving:-
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/iom-youngfarmers

All advertising revenue from this video will be rounded up and donated to their fund.

And for those who will inevitably ask - the lights in the rotating tyres are battery powered - no slip rings.

Sorry for the less than perfect video quality, the movement and contrast gives the camera a rough time.
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh7tnjpX9Bw

Another batch of electronic stuff I bought from AliExpress. As requested, I'll itemise the items with links below.

Note that these links may already be sold out or not work in some countries. But they may be a good starting point. They are affiliate links, but that will not affect the normal price. If you buy something I get a few cents towards buying more gadgets for us to explore.

Beanie/baseball hybrid Brooklyn cap:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c421HJRd

Camouflage tie tape bandana:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4aQ27hh

Silicone/caulk saver set:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c45ExRej

Yellow LED flame effect module:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4qYVoqP

LED filaments:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4LwJTbz

Blue LED flame effect module:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3is1lQx

Round inline router rebooter:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c402UXWL

First USB ultrasonic humidifier module:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2zJrRgr

Second USB ultrasonic humidifier module with yellow inductor:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2IjbkkL

Third USB ultrasonic humidifier module with what I thought might be a flyback diode (which doesn't make sense in the application). It's not - it's part of the supply decoupling and this unit has a flaw in that it does not have a capacitor between the microcontroller and MOSFET gate, which means it can self destruct if the processor crashes.
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4DBmrPl

Mini lock-pick set:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4C5s203

Aroma oil atomiser (oil bottle needed, and bought separately):-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3DMTO6R

Fourth USB ultrasonic humidifier module with water level sensing wire:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4kHfucx

Foam draught sealing strip with other uses:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c42NJRNh

Door edge brush strip. This is so squished in postage that it might be difficult to apply to a door properly. I think locally bought rigid brush strips would be better:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4r8RB4f

Silicone self-fusing repair tape:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3LYw1ZZ

Rectangular in-line timed router reset module:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4M23TE7

Mite eliminator - I've subsequently tested this and it is bizarrely fake. The microcontroller was not running the ultrasonic circuitry.
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3mDQ2aX

Solar deck and handrail edge lights:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2ytzNa3

Neon flicker flame lamp. Will work on 120V but with less neon flicker:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c43ZJsAf




If you enjoy my videos and would like to buy me coffee and cookies, you can do so by supporting me on Patreon. I release videos without adverts for critique and feedback on Patreon as soon as they have been made. I also release Patreon-only backstage videos when I'm working on shows.

https://www.patreon.com/bigclive

Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:-
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive


#ElectronicsCreators
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5tLu-XjspQ

When I saw this product listed on AliExpress I thought it was going to have a pair of genuine UVC LEDs in it for the toilet bowl sanitising that the Japanese seem to love. But it's fake, and doesn't emit any significant UV at all.

I get the feeling that people assume that purple is symbolic of ultraviolet and that all ultraviolet can be used to sterilise stuff. But for extra bright "UV" they have chosen to use vivid pink LEDs to make the toilet bowl visually pop with a brighter effect than real UVA LEDs could achieve.

Even if the device had used near-UV or UVA LEDs, then I've still not found convincing evidence that it has a significant effect on bacteria. There has been research done that indicated that it "might" have a low level effect, but all the studies I looked at reported vague results and referred to sunlight levels of UVA.

The circuitry is pretty acceptable for its actual functionality. It could actually be repurposed into a product requiring the fixed timing it uses.

Or maybe you just want a very futuristic looking toilet to impress your guests. You could even replace the pink LEDs with green ones and tell people it's a radium toilet.

If you want to buy one of these as a novelty or for the PCB and 14500 lithium cell (tested as 500mAh), then here's an affiliate link to it on AliExpress (not a sponsor):-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3CkCNrh
The price tends to yo-yo up and down. Aim for around £3.




If you enjoy my videos and would like to support me with a dollar or two for coffee, cookies and gadgets to take apart, you can do so by supporting me on Patreon. I release videos without adverts for critique and feedback on Patreon as soon as they have been made. I also release Patreon-only backstage videos when I'm working on shows.

https://www.patreon.com/bigclive

Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:-
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive


#ElectronicsCreators
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQm_Jzm1MY0