This guy has gone full mad scientist:
Category Archives: Hardware
Electronics Project #14: AC Power Supply from Sanyo RM6018 Clock Radio | 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: Current Connoisseur.
In this video we take the transformer from the power system of the Sanyo RM-6018 AM/FM Digital Clock Radio which we’ve been tearing down and put it safely in a project box complete with banana plug sockets, illuminated power switch, and power cable.
This is the project box we use: Project Junction Box for Electrical Cable Outdoor DIY Sealed IP67 Enclosure Wire Box 115x90x55mm Waterproof Electronic Cases (158x90x75mm).
This is the power switch we use: 5/20Pcs KCD4 Switch DPST 4/6Pin ON OFF Rocker Switch Toggle Switch with Led Light 16A 250V AC 25x31mm (Red 4PIN).
These are the banana plug sockets we use: 50Pcs/lot 4mm Binding Post Banana Test Connector 4mm Banana Female Socket Plug Terminals DIY Adapter Red Black Green Yellow Blue.
These are the lugs we use for the mains power wiring: 280pcs/set Cable Lugs Assortment Kit Wire Flat Female and Male Insulated Electric Wire Cable Connectors Crimp Terminals Set Kit (we use the yellow ones which are the largest).
This is the wire we use for output power wiring: 20 22 24 26awg ( 5 colors Mix Solid core Wire Kit ) Tinned Copper Electrical line Cable wires PCB Wire DIY (22 AWG).
These are the lugs we use for the output power wiring: 100Pcs 2.8mm 4.8mm 6.3mm Plug Spring Female Male Spade Cold Crimp Terminals Connector Car Speaker Electrical Wire Connectors Set (2.8mm, Gold-Male, Gold-Female, Sheath).
These are the M2 nuts and bolts we use for securing the transformer to the base: Total 400/650/1140/2100X M1.6 M2 M2.5 M3 M4 M5 304 Stainless Steel Hexagon Hex Socket Cap Head Screw Bolt Nut Set Assortment Kit (Set D 2100pcs).
We use the METCAL PS-900 Soldering Station for soldering.
We use the Fluke 17B+ Digital Multimeter to test the AC power output.
We use the Horusdy Soldering Station with Hot Air Gun to shrink our heat shrink.
We use the Bosch IXO VI Electric Screwdriver to install our screws.
We use the Brother P-Touch D210 Label Maker to make labels for our project box.
We use the Scotch Titanium Scissors to cut open various baggies.
We use the Carpenter Mechanical Pencil to mark out where we will cut or drill.
We use the Hakko CHP 3C-SA Precision Tweezers to work with our small M2 nuts and bolts and other things.
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!
Tenma 72-10505 Bench Power Supply notes |
Let’s go shopping!
Introduction to Wire Wrap
While searching for a tutorial on how to use wire wrap I found this ten year old Hackaday video from Bil Herd.
SMD Capacitor Doubles As Cheap SD Card Latch
I have a new post on Hackaday: SMD Capacitor Doubles As Cheap SD Card Latch
Mail Call #35: Audio Sockets and Jacks, Electret Microphones, Project Kits, 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: Cable Commander.
In this video we see what has arrived lately from AliExpress and Amazon:
- Bostik Blu Stik 35 g (Tray of 10)
- 1/5Pcs 2.5mm 3.5mm Mono Stereo Audio Cable Male Female Plug Jack Connector 2/3/4Pin Extension Wire DIY Earphone Mic Repair Cable (3.5mm Female 2P, 5Pcs)
- 1/5Pcs 2.5mm 3.5mm Mono Stereo Audio Cable Male Female Plug Jack Connector 2/3/4Pin Extension Wire DIY Earphone Mic Repair Cable (3.5mm Female 3P, 5Pcs)
- 1/5Pcs 2.5mm 3.5mm Mono Stereo Audio Cable Male Female Plug Jack Connector 2/3/4Pin Extension Wire DIY Earphone Mic Repair Cable (3.5mm Female 4P, 5Pcs)
- 1/5Pcs 2.5mm 3.5mm Mono Stereo Audio Cable Male Female Plug Jack Connector 2/3/4Pin Extension Wire DIY Earphone Mic Repair Cable (3.5mm Male 2P, 5Pcs)
- 1/5Pcs 2.5mm 3.5mm Mono Stereo Audio Cable Male Female Plug Jack Connector 2/3/4Pin Extension Wire DIY Earphone Mic Repair Cable (3.5mm Male 3P, 5Pcs)
- 1/5Pcs 2.5mm 3.5mm Mono Stereo Audio Cable Male Female Plug Jack Connector 2/3/4Pin Extension Wire DIY Earphone Mic Repair Cable (3.5mm Male 4P, 5Pcs)
- 10Pcs 4015 Microphone High Sensitivity Electre 3DB Anti-Interference 1.25MM Plug 4*1.5MM Condenser (10pcs)
- 10PCS Condenser pick-up Microphone 9x7mm 9767 9×4.5mm 9745 6x5mm 6050 6×2.2mm 6022 4.5×2.2mm 4522 4×1.5mm 4015 MP3 Accessories (4×1.5MM)
- CD4017 Colorful Voice Control Rotating LED Light Kit Electronic Manufacturing DIY Kit Spare Parts Student Laboratory
- IEC 320 IEC320 IEC Figure 8 C8 Male to 3X Female C7 plug Splitter Power Adapter connector for Power Supply 1 in 3 out
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 Mini Magnetic Precision Screwdriver Set notes |
Let’s go shopping!
Are Service Loops A Good Idea?
I have a new post on Hackaday: Are Service Loops A Good Idea?
Building The Marauder LowRacer From Bike Parts
I have a new post on Hackaday: Building The Marauder LowRacer From Bike Parts.
Mail Call #34: Project Boxes, Power Adapters and Power Switches from AliExpress | 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: Electricity Guardian.
In this video we take a look at what has arrived in the mail from AliExpress.
I mention about a project I’m working on: Electronics Project #13: Sanyo AM/FM Digital Clock Radio RM6018 Teardown Part 1.
Here is a list of the stuff that arrived:
- 90x65x36mm
- 108x56x40mm
- 82x52x35mm
- NEWEST 1pcs Figure 8 IEC 320 IEC320 iec C7 to C8 90 Degree Left & Right Angled AC Power Adapter Male Female Extension connector
- 5Pcs Honyone MR-6B 15x21mm 4Pin ON-OFF DPST Mini Rocker Switch 12A/125VAC 10A/250VAC
- 5/20Pcs KCD4 Switch DPST 4/6Pin ON OFF Rocker Switch Toggle Switch with Led Light 16A 250V AC 25x31mm (Red 4PIN, 5PCS)
- 5/20Pcs KCD4 Switch DPST 4/6Pin ON OFF Rocker Switch Toggle Switch with Led Light 16A 250V AC 25x31mm (Red 6PIN, 5PCS)
- Red Mushroom Cap 1NO 1NC DPST Emergency Stop Push Button Switch AC 660V 10A Switch Equipment Lift Elevator Latching Self Lock (5pcs)
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 Mini High-Precision Electronic Scale notes |
Let’s go shopping!
Destroying single disk ZFS zpool
This is a note for Future John. I followed the instructions from ChatGPT. They looked reasonable enough. Now I have a spare 2TB SATA drive that has no purpose in life. I am always sad when things have no purpose in life. Who knows. Maybe one day…
-------------------
Tue Jul 01 03:33:54 [bash:5.2.15 jobs:0 error:0 time:0]
root@charisma:/home/jj5
# zpool status sata
pool: sata
state: ONLINE
config:
NAME STATE READ WRITE CKSUM
sata ONLINE 0 0 0
ata-ST2000DM008-2UB102_ZFL7BGR8 ONLINE 0 0 0
errors: No known data errors
-------------------
Tue Jul 01 03:34:00 [bash:5.2.15 jobs:0 error:0 time:6]
root@charisma:/home/jj5
# zpool destroy sata
-------------------
Tue Jul 01 03:34:08 [bash:5.2.15 jobs:0 error:0 time:14]
root@charisma:/home/jj5
# cat /proc/partitions
major minor #blocks name
...snip...
8 48 1953514584 sdd
8 49 1953505280 sdd1
...snip...
-------------------
Tue Jul 01 03:34:23 [bash:5.2.15 jobs:0 error:0 time:29]
root@charisma:/home/jj5
# wipefs -a /dev/sdd
/dev/sdd: 8 bytes were erased at offset 0x00000200 (gpt): 45 46 49 20 50 41 52 54
/dev/sdd: 8 bytes were erased at offset 0x1d1c1115e00 (gpt): 45 46 49 20 50 41 52 54
/dev/sdd: 2 bytes were erased at offset 0x000001fe (PMBR): 55 aa
/dev/sdd: calling ioctl to re-read partition table: Success
-------------------
Tue Jul 01 03:34:58 [bash:5.2.15 jobs:0 error:0 time:64]
root@charisma:/home/jj5
# sgdisk --zap-all /dev/sdd
Creating new GPT entries in memory.
GPT data structures destroyed! You may now partition the disk using fdisk or
other utilities.
-------------------
Tue Jul 01 03:35:28 [bash:5.2.15 jobs:0 error:0 time:94]
root@charisma:/home/jj5
# parted /dev/sdd --script mklabel gpt
-------------------
Tue Jul 01 03:35:50 [bash:5.2.15 jobs:0 error:0 time:116]
root@charisma:/home/jj5
# wipefs /dev/sdd
DEVICE OFFSET TYPE UUID LABEL
sdd 0x200 gpt
sdd 0x1d1c1115e00 gpt
sdd 0x1fe PMBR
-------------------
Tue Jul 01 03:36:02 [bash:5.2.15 jobs:0 error:0 time:128]
root@charisma:/home/jj5
# lsblk /dev/sdd
NAME MAJ:MIN RM SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINTS
sdd 8:48 0 1.8T 0 disk
-------------------
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



