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Monthly Archives: June 2025
New Book Teardown #7: Electricity and Magnetism 3rd Edition (2013) | In The Lab With Jay Jay
This post is part of my video blog and you can find more information about this video over here.
You can support this channel on Patreon: patreon.com/JohnElliotV
Silly Job Title: Prime Hack.
In this video we tear down Electricity and Magnetism 3rd Edition written by Edward Purcell and David Morin and published in 2013.
Electricity and Magnetism is one of the books I am taking notes for as a part of my Learning the Art of Electronics project. These notes are a perk for people who support me on Patreon, so what are you waiting for!? :)
There is a website for the book maintained by the publisher, but regrettably there’s not much there, just some material available to instructors only: https://www.cambridge.org/Purcell-Morin
I mention two xkcd comic in the video, those are these: Farads and Nerd Sniping.
The “esu” is prounounced as “eee-ess-you” and is also known as the Statcoulomb.
I mention the Franck–Hertz experiment which happens to be something I wrote a Hackaday article about: A DIY Version Of The Franck-Hertz Experiment.
The first edition of Electricity and Magnetism was volume two in a five volume course: Berkeley Physics Course.
The books mentioned in Chapter 1 include The Flying Circus of Physics and How Things Work.
The websites mentioned in Chapter 1 are:
The Feynman (1977) reference is to The Feynman Lectures on Physics which is also available here: www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu
The symbol: ∇ (“nabla”, an upside down Δ “delta”) is the vector differential operator and its key uses are:
- ∇f → gradient of scalar
- ∇·F → divergence of vector field
- ∇×F → curl of vector field
- ∇² → Laplacian
The Big Clive video that I mentioned was this one: How a stungun creates 20kV from a 9V battery.
I also mention the show’s wiki, the ITL Wiki, which is on the web over here: https://www.inthelabwithjayjay.com/wiki/
Thanks very much for watching! And please remember to hit like and subscribe! :)
Following is a product I use picked at random from my collection which may appear in my videos. Clicking through on this to find and click on the green affiliate links before purchasing from eBay or AliExpress is a great way to support the channel at no cost to you. Thanks!
AIRAJ 3-Pcs 7-inch Locking Pliers notes |
Let’s go shopping!
New hard drives
Yesterday I was talking to my friends on IRC about how I should use a proper RDBMS for ad hoc data analysis more often. Then I found myself a job.
The hard disks I use for my offsite backups are ready to be replaced. They are good reliable drives (Western Digital Ultrastar 8TB) but they have been in service for five years and the warranty is just about to expire.
So I wanted to get some new drives which will do me for the next five years. I needed to know: what are good reliable drives to buy?
It turns out Backblaze maintains Hard Drive Data and Stats.
I downloaded their data for Q1 2025 and wrote a few scripts to process it. The output was this report:
The first drive listed in the above report is an SSD, but I want an ordinary spinning rust HDD. The second drive listed is ST12000NM000J which is Seagate Exos X18 12 TB. I found them on Amazon for AU$499 and on eBay for AU$280. So I purchased three drives from eBay.
Time well spent. Thanks d0nk`! <3
Making GameCube Keyboard Controller Work With Animal Crossing
I have a new post on Hackaday: Making GameCube Keyboard Controller Work With Animal Crossing.
The Greeks
I use old iPhone 6 smartphones in my lab as computers with small screens. I use them to display notes while I’m working. Recently I added some notes about the Greek letters:
How To Make A Beautiful Floral Keycap Using Resin
I have a new post on Hackaday: How To Make A Beautiful Floral Keycap Using Resin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07K_nX6TEoE
Mail Call #33: Wrench Set, Allen Key Set, Sandpaper, USB Power, Scraper, and More | In The Lab
This post is part of my video blog and you can find more information about this video over here.
You can support this channel on Patreon: patreon.com/JohnElliotV
Silly Job Title: Chief Fuse Blower.
In this video we take a look at what has arrived in the mail from AliExpress:
- New Upgrade Wrench Socket Set Hardware Car Boat Motorcycle Bicycle Repairing Tool
- DELIXI ELECTRIC Allen Key Set，Allen Hex Wrench Screwdriver Set With Sleev Universal Torque Long Metric,for Motorcycles, Bicycles (JP-1086 hei)
- Sandpaper Roll Emery Cloth Sanding Abrasive Sheets 80 120 180 240 600 800Grit Sand Paper Sanding Abrasive Sheets (80 Grit, 150 Grit, 240 Grit)
- Australian USB Fast Charger AU Plug Quick Charger Mobile Phone Charger 3.1A Multiple 4 Ports USB Travel Adapter Wall Charger (AU Plug Black)
- 1/5PCS Lamp Sockets Converter B22 To E27 LED Bulb Converter Lamp Base Holder Screw Light Socket Adapter Anti-burning Bulb Holder (5PCS, B22 To E27)
- Stainless Steel Scraper Set Ultra Sharp Scrapers Remove Residue from Steel Aluminum and More Ends Offer Extra Leverage (A)
- 1/2/5/10PCS Self-Adhesive Desktop Socket Fixer Hanging Power Strip Cable Organizer Wall Holder Fixator Removable Wall-Mounted (10PCS)
Thanks very much for watching! And please remember to hit like and subscribe! :)
Following is a product I use picked at random from my collection which may appear in my videos. Clicking through on this to find and click on the green affiliate links before purchasing from eBay or AliExpress is a great way to support the channel at no cost to you. Thanks!
Yum Cha Multifunction Hook Tools |
Let’s go shopping!
Electronics Project #13: Sanyo AM/FM Digital Clock Radio RM6018 Teardown Part 1 | In The Lab
This post is part of my video blog and you can find more information about this video over here.
You can support this channel on Patreon: patreon.com/JohnElliotV
Silly Job Title: Note Taker.
In this video we teardown an old Sanyo RM6018 clock radio which I found on the street when I was walking home the other day. A search for LM8560 datasheet turns up a lot of interesting info. The LM8560 is what implements the clock part of the circuit. The radio is separate. We’re looking at the clock first, might have a look at the radio some other time. I have ordered some parts from AliExpress so that I can do part 2 of this video, so stand by for that.
We use the METCAL PS-900 Soldering Station for some spot soldering.
We use the Pro’sKit SS-331H Desoldering Pump to to remove some wires.
We use the Fluke 17B+ Digital Multimeter to test the battery.
We use the Riden RD6006 Bench Power Supply to deliver power for testing.
We use the Bosch IXO VI Electric Screwdriver to remove the screws from the case.
Shout out to my mate @nanofix who I mention in this video. If you’re interested in reballing he has a lot to teach you! Check out his Ultimate Microsoldering Tool Guide, particularly for hints about cleaning supplies.
Thanks very much for watching! And please remember to hit like and subscribe! :)
Following is a product I use picked at random from my collection which may appear in my videos. Clicking through on this to find and click on the green affiliate links before purchasing from eBay or AliExpress is a great way to support the channel at no cost to you. Thanks!
Damotk 5pcs Crevice Cleaning Brush notes |
Let’s go shopping!
The Tao of Programming
Every now and again I find myself reading this: The Tao of Programming.
Retrotechtacular: 1970s Radio
Over on Hackaday: Retrotechtacular: 1970s Radio.