In The Lab With Jay Jay – November 30, 2023 – Teardown of Homemade Continuity Tester

This post is part of my video blog: In The Lab With Jay Jay.

Silly Job Title: Grounding Genius

Old Book: Industrial Electronics Reference Book by Electronics Engineers of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation published 1948 with 680 pages.

Support this channel on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JohnElliotV

Today we teardown a homemade continuity tester which I put together for use before I had a multimeter, so that was in the early days of my new lab, circa August 2021.

While I was preparing the links for this blog post I discovered that the plastic case I used for the continuity tester was the HB5610 Black Hand-held Electronic Enclosure from Jaycar. I purchased one of these for AU$9.95 back in August 2021, which was around the time that I made this continuity tester.

I subsequently purchased a ten pack of similar plastic cases from AliExpress for AU$64.55 (inc shipping) in March 2022. I went to find the AliExpress listing so I could link you to it, but it’s an old listing and has been taken down. I did search for an equivalent product but didn’t find what I was looking for. The dimensions are roughly 70mm x 135mm x 24mm and there is a facility for 2x AA batteries built in.

The multimeters I use/mention in this video are:

The multimeter I mention I want to get is this one: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter.

What I say in the video about active vs passive piezoelectric buzzers is correct. The active buzzer will do the buzzing for you, all you need to do is supply some power. The passive buzzer will need an input signal in addition to power, so some sort of oscillator if you want to generate a tone.

I knocked up a schematic for this continuity tester, something like this:

Continuity tester schematic

I’m gonna try getting some PCBs made for this circuit from PCBWay, because I’m still trying to learn everything I can about that process!

Here is a table of products I use which may appear in my video with affiliate links to vendors if you would like to buy. The link given here won’t necessarily have the best price so please do shop around to see if you can find a better deal. If you have thoughts or questions please feel free to let me know. Let’s go shopping!

Equipment Affiliate Link Notes

Rigol MSO5074 Mixed Signal Oscilloscope
MSO5074 70MHz 4 Channel MIXED SIGNAL OSCILLOSCOPES notes

OWON XDM1041 Bench Multimeter
Owon XDM1041/XDM1241 Digital Multimeter 55000 Counts High Accuracy Desktop Multimeters AC/DC Tester True RMS USB Multimeter notes

ANENG AN-999S Bench Multimeter
ANENG AN-999S Desktop Voice Multimeter Digital 19999 Counts Professional Bluetooth Tester True RMS AC/DC Voltmeter Current Tools notes

DigiTech QM1323 Multimeter
DigiTech QM1323 Multimeter – Grey/Yellow notes

DT830B Digital Multimeter
DT830B AC/DC LCD Digital Multimeter 750/1000V Voltmeter Ammeter Ohm Tester High Safety Handheld Meter Digital Multimeter notes

Brother P-Touch D210 Label Maker
Brother P-Touch D210 Handheld Label Maker TZe 3.5mm 6mm 9mm 12mm with Free Tape notes

‎OUSFANAM Capactior Discharge Pen
Portable Capacitor Discharge Pen Fast Discharging Tool Digital Sparkpen Discharger 1000V For Industrial Sparkpen Battery Capacitor Fast Discharge 1000V Repair Tool Discharger For Safety notes

ALKOY Capactior Discharge Pen
1000V Portable Capacitor Discharge Pen High Voltage Quick Discharging Tool Constant Discharge Pen Electronic Repairs Discharge Pen ALKOY notes

Kaisi Repair Mat
Kaisi Heat Insulation Silicone Repair Mat with Scale Ruler and Screw Position for Soldering Iron, Phone and Computer Repair Size:17.7 x 11.8 Inches notes

MMOBIEL Helping Hands
LED Light Helping Hand Magnifier Station for Soldering, Assembly, Repair,Modeling, Hobbies and Crafts – 2.5X /4X LED Light – Hands-Free Magnifying Glass Stand – Incl. Clamp and Alligator Clips notes

QWORK Helping Hands
QWORK Glass Stand notes

Legion Tools Mini Screwdriver Set
Precision Mini Screwdriver Set 11pc Jeweller Laptop Phone Watch Repair Tool notes

Sudake SDK07 test clips
10X Universal Chip clamp micro IC clamp SOP SOIC TSOP MSOP SSOP SMD IC Test Clip pin Socket Adpter Programmer for logic analyzer notes

Sudake SDK08 test clips
10pcs x Universal Chip IC clamp SOP SOIC TSOP MSOP SSOP SMD IC Test Clip Socket Adpter Programmer for logic analyzer notes

Victorinox Swiss Champ Red Swiss Army Knife
VICTORINOX SWISS CHAMP RED – SWISS ARMY POCKET KNIFE – LENGTH: 91 MM – 33 TOOLS notes

Scotch Titanium Scissors
3M Scotch Precision Ultra Edge Titanium 8″ Scissors Stay Sharp Smooth Cutting notes

In The Lab With Jay Jay – November 21, 2023 – Mail Call! Cheap Stuff From China!

This post is part of my video blog: In The Lab With Jay Jay.

Silly Job Title: Science Officer

Support this channel on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JohnElliotV

Today we’re gonna take a look at what arrived recently from AliExpress. They were having a sale so I purchased some natty tools and a few consumables. Details below. I made some notes at the time of purchase if you’re interested in what I paid for this stuff.

In the video I refer to the workstation I am planning to buy for the studio. When I get this new computer I should be able to improve the quality of my YouTube videos. If you’re interested in the details the new computer I’m planning is ‘victory‘. In the video I say this new computer will cost me AUD$6,000, but it’s looking like it will cost more like AUD$7,500 (roughly USD$5,000), so I will have to save my pennies! The Dell OptiPlex computer that I am presently using is ‘wonder‘.

In the video I refer to “box openers”. If you know what these things are actually called, please do let me know!

The spider who popped up on my bench during the recording of this video was found later. He, um, didn’t make it…

Following are some links to where you can buy any of the equipment seen in this video. These are not affiliate links because AliExpress doesn’t support affiliate links for this merchandise. So you get these links for free and from the bottom of my heart. :)

Equipment Link

Digital meter
Digital Voltmeter Ammeter DC 100V 10A Amp Voltage Current Meter Tester 0.28 Inch Dual LED Display Panel with Connect Wires

Heat Shrink Wire Connectors
100pcs Heat Shrink Wire Connectors Red Heat Shrink AWG 22 To 18 Butt Electrical Connectors Tinned Solder Sealed Terminals

Heat Shrink Wire Connectors
300pcs Box Solder Sealed Wire Connectors Heat Shrink Solder Butt Connectors Solder Connector Kit Automotive Marine Insulation

JST XH2.54 Connector Kit
230 Pcs XH2.54 2p 3p 4p 5pin 2.54mm Pitch Terminal Male And Female Housing Kit Pin Connector Terminal Connector Kit

Crowbar
Car Audio Disassembly Tool Stainless Steel PryClip Rocker Crowbar Bar Door Panel Disassembly Pry Panel Interior

Drill extension
3PC Hexagonal Quick Release Self-locking Extension Rod Electric Drill Driver Quick Transfer Rod Screwdriver Extension Rod Tool

Telescopic magnet
1pc 8lb Orange Red Handle Magnetic Pickup Stainless Steel Antenna Retractable Suction Iron Rod Strong Magnetic Suction Rod Tools

Dismantling tools
22 In 1 Multifunctional Disassembly Tool Mobile Phone iPad Laptop Screwdriver Maintenance Kit Repair Tools Opening Set For Hand

Telescopic Magnetic Pickup w/ Light
Telescopic Pickup Magnetic Iron Rod Household Automotive Repair And Inspection Tool Strong Magnetic Metal Screw Suction Rod

Knife blades
100/50pcs Knife DIY Wood Carving Fruit Food Scalpel Craft Sculpture Cutting Tool Metal Engraving Blades Knifes Wood Carving Disc

Heat Shrink Wire Connectors
100pcs Waterproof Solder Seal Heat Connector Shrink Butt Connectors Lug Terminals Electrical Wire Car Insulated Terminal

JST XH2.54 Pre-crimped Connector Kit
2.54mm XH Connector Socket + Pre-crimped Cable Wire 2/3/4/5/6/7 Pin Housing JST Adapter Cable Male Female for JST-XH Connector

Multifunction Hooks
4Pcs 160mm Car Auto Vehicle Oil Seal Screwdrivers Set O Ring Gasket Puller Remover Pick Hooks Multifunction Tools

Stainless Steel Tray
1PC Stainless Steel Cosmetic Storage Tray Tattoo Equipment Tray Doctor Surgery Dental Tray Fake Nail Tray Tool

Spudger set
5PCs Car Audio Trim Removal Tool Kit Anti-Scratch Pry Applicable Car Door Panel and Audio Dashboard

IC Chip Pickup Tool
IC Chip Pickup Tools Pen Extractor Electronic Parts Gripper Electronic Repair Tools

JST XH2.54 6pin pre-crimped
2.54mm JST Connector with 22AWG Pre-Crimped Wire, 2/3/4/5/6 Pin Housing JST Adapter Cable Connector 20cm Wire

Metal spudgers
6PCS Metal Crowbar with Two Ends Universal Mobile Phone Digital Home Appliance Product Dismantling Stick Shell Opening Tool

Large Language Models and The End of Programming – CS50 Tech Talk with Dr. Matt Welsh

Here’s an interesting talk about how we won’t need programmers very soon: Large Language Models and The End of Programming – CS50 Tech Talk with Dr. Matt Welsh.

If refers to the following books:

Joe Armstrong – Keynote: The Forgotten Ideas in Computer Science – Code BEAM SF 2018

I watched Joe Armstrong – Keynote: The Forgotten Ideas in Computer Science – Code BEAM SF 2018. I made the mistake of starting my notes as I went along with the video. If I had have watched the video first I probably wouldn’t have made the notes. Anyway. Sunk cost. Here ’tis.

Two papers to read:

  1. A Plea for Lean Software by Niklaus Wirth
  2. The emperor’s old clothes by Tony Hoare

Four old tools to learn:

  1. emacs (vi)
  2. bash
  3. make
  4. shell

Four really bad things:

  1. Lack of privacy
  2. Attempts to manipulate us through social media
  3. Vendor lock-in
  4. Terms and conditions

Three great books to read:

  1. Algorithms + Data Structures = Programs by Niklaus Wirth (PDF)
  2. The Mythical Man-Month by Fred Brooks (PDF)
  3. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie (PDF)

Seven reasons why software is difficult now:

  1. Fast machines
  2. Huge memory
  3. Hundreds of PLs
  4. Distributed
  5. Huge programs
  6. No specifications
  7. Reuse

One fun programming exercise:

  1. META II a syntax-oriented compiler writing language (PDF)

8 great machines from the past:

  1. Baby SSEM
  2. PDP11
  3. Vax 11/750
  4. Cray 1
  5. IBM PC
  6. Raspberry Pi
  7. iPhone/iPad
  8. Nvidia Tesla P100

3 performance improvements:

  1. Better algorithms (x6) (Interpreter -> Compiler)
  2. Better programming language (x50) (Prolog -> C)
  3. Better hardware (x1000 per 10 years)

5 YouTube videos to watch:

  1. Alan Kay at OOPSLA 1997 – The computer revolution hasnt happened yet
  2. Ted Nelson — Computers for Cynics [full version]
  3. Free is a Lie
  4. How a handful of tech companies control billions of minds every day | Tristan Harris
  5. Matt Might – Winning the War on Error Solving the Halting Problem and Curing Cancer

6 things not to do:

  1. Backdoors
  2. Violate privacy
  3. Put microphones in everybody’s houses
  4. Hijack our attention system
  5. Hijack our social systems
  6. Sell crap that we don’t want or need

5 sins:

  1. Crap documentation
  2. Crap website
  3. Crap dependencies
  4. Crap build instructions
  5. Group think

4 languages to learn:

  1. C
  2. Prolog
  3. Erlang
  4. Javascript

4 great forgotten ideas:

  1. Linda Tuple Spaces – David Gelernter and Nicholas Carriero
  2. Flow based programming – John Paul Morrison
  3. Xanadu – Ted Nelson
  4. Unix pipes

6 areas to research:

  1. Robotics
  2. AI
  3. Programmer productivity
  4. Energy efficiency
  5. Precision medicine
  6. Security

2 dangers:

  1. Group think
  2. Bubble think

4 ideas that are obvious now but strange at first:

  1. Indentation
  2. Versioning
  3. Hypertext across machine boundaries
  4. Pipes

2 fantastic programs to try:

  1. TiddlyWiki
  2. Sonic Pi

7 distractions:

  1. Open plan offices
  2. The latest stuff
  3. Twitter/Facebook (social media)
  4. Notifications (turn ’em off)
  5. Links (don’t click on them)
  6. Ban Scrum etc
  7. We can only do one thing at a time; our brains are terribly bad at context switching

3 general laws:

  1. Software complexity grows with time (because we build on old stuff)
  2. Bad code crowds out good (Gresham’s law)
  3. Bad code contaminates good code

3 laws of physics:

  1. A computation can only take place when the data and the program are at the same point in spacetime -=> get all the data + program to the same place (can be client or server or someplace in-between) (problem – easy to move data – difficult to move programs) This is why PHP is good :-)
  2. Causality – Effect follows cause. We don’t know how stuff is we know how it was (the last time it told us)
  3. 2nd law of thermodynamics – Entropy (disorder) always increases

6 common problems:

  1. Does not know how to delete files – when the system runs out of space they buy a new computer
  2. No idea of what MBytes, Mbits, Bits/sec, quad cores, etc means
  3. If the app doesn’t work immediately gives up
  4. Does not search for fixes – or does and does not understand the answers
  5. Does not want to try the latest things
  6. Uses a method that works (not the best) – e.g. to copy a file open it and then save it with a new name

5 more problems:

  1. The UI changes
  2. Passwords
  3. Stuff doesn’t work
  4. Terms & Conditions
  5. non-reproducible errors

Things can be small:

  1. Forth OS 24KB
  2. Forth compiler 12KB
  3. IBM PC DOS < 640KB
  4. USCD Pascal
  5. Turbo Pascal
  6. Turbo C

The old truths:

  1. Keep it simple
  2. Make it small
  3. Make it correct
  4. Fight complexity

Web is broken:

  1. It’s not symmetric; users read data but write very little
  2. Can every page be changed?
  3. Can I make new data by combining fragments from other data in a flexible manner? No.
  4. The Web is dominated by a small number of companies (Amazon, Apple, Google, Facebook) using huge data centers, it should be controlled from the edge network.
  5. The original vision was a Web controlled by “citizen programmers” (Search for Ted Nelson talks)

HTML and HTTP have several problems:

  1. Non symmetric
  2. Easy to read/difficult to write
  3. Pages get lost (disappear)
  4. Links are wrong (404-problem)
  5. Re-use, attribution, IP rights, payments is a mess
  6. Controlled by a very small number of companies

The Divided Brain

Here is a presentation of the work of Iain McGilchrist: The Divided Brain.

McGilchrist has written a number of books, including:

In The Lab With Jay Jay – November 4, 2023 – Uboxing of Sudake SDK07 and SKD08 IC Clip SMD Gripper Test Probe

This post is part of my video blog: In The Lab With Jay Jay.

Silly Job Title: Hack In Residence

Support this channel on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JohnElliotV

Today: another unboxing video! This time we’re taking a look at the Sudake SDK07 and SKD08 IC clips / SMD grippers / test probes.

Originally I was going to demo these things in this video too, but the test circuit took like two hours to make, and then when I turned it on it didn’t even work, so I cancelled that and now this is just an unboxing video and not a demo. Stay tuned for the demo which I will do, just when I can find some more time.

These test clips are really great, they let you attach a probe to the foot of an integrated circuit or a surface mount device.

Be warned: there’s a bit of swearing and bad language in this video. What can I say? I’m just a passionate individual, ya know? :P

Here are some affiliate links to where you can buy these test clips if you’re interested:

Equipment Affiliate Link Notes

Sudake SDK07 test clips
10X Universal Chip clamp micro IC clamp SOP SOIC TSOP MSOP SSOP SMD IC Test Clip pin Socket Adpter Programmer for logic analyzer notes

Sudake SDK08 test clips
10pcs x Universal Chip IC clamp SOP SOIC TSOP MSOP SSOP SMD IC Test Clip Socket Adpter Programmer for logic analyzer notes

And here is a table of products I use which may appear in my video with affiliate links to vendors if you would like to buy. The link given here won’t necessarily have the best price so please do shop around to see if you can find a better deal. If you have thoughts or questions please feel free to let me know. Let’s go shopping!

Equipment Affiliate Link Notes

Rigol MSO5074 Mixed Signal Oscilloscope
MSO5074 70MHz 4 Channel MIXED SIGNAL OSCILLOSCOPES notes

Rigol PLA2216 Logic Probe
RIGOL PLA2216 logic probe suitable for MSO5000 series oscilloscopes, including cable leads and grab clips notes

FILCO Majestouch 2SS 87-key mechanical keyboard
Tenkeyless 87-key: FILCO Majestouch 2SS Edition Tenkeyless English Layout Cherry MX Speed Silver Axis with 3 Red Key Locks, Black FKBN87MSS/ECSP2B-RKL notes

UNI-T UTi260B Thermal Imager
UNI-T UTi260B Infrared Thermal Imager 256 x192 Industrial Handheld Testing Thermometer For Repair Floor Heating Thermal Camera notes

Leadstar 12″ LCD TV
Prechen 11.6 Inch Small HDMI Monitor 1366×768 Small PC Monitor TFT LCD Monitor Built-in Speaker with HDMI VGA AV BNC USB Input Mini HD Color Screen Display notes

UPERFECT 15.6″ HDMI LCD
UPERFECT Portable Monitor 15.6″ Computer Display (100% sRGB High Color Gamut) 1920×1080 USB C Monitor FHD Eye Care Gaming Screen IPS Mini HDMI Type C OTG Dual Speaker VESA, Included Smart Cover Stand notes

TOMLOV DM602 Pro Digital Microscope
TOMLOV DM602 Pro 10.1″ HDMI Digital Microscope 2000x, Pro Boom Arm Stand, LCD Soldering Microscope with 3 Lens, Adults Microscope for Electronics Repair, Coin Microscope Ring Light,PC Compatible, 64G notes

Riden RD6006 Bench Power Supply
RD6018 RD6018W USB WiFi Digital Control Power Supply DC to DC Voltage Step Down Module Buck Converter Voltmeter 60V 18A notes

Pro’sKit SS-331H Desoldering Pump
Pro’sKit Electric Solder Suction Gun SS-331 SS-331H ESD LCD Digital BGA Tin Pump Suction Absorb Soldering Iron Hot Desoldering Station notes

Yizhan Microscope
48MP 4K 1080P HDMI USB Industrial Video Microscope Camera 1X-150X Zoom C Mount Lens Remote Control For Digital Image Acquisition notes

Hakko CHP 3C-SA Precision Tweezers
Hakko CHP 3C-SA Stainless Steel Non-Magnetic Precision Tweezers with Very Fine Point Tips for Microelectronics Applications, 4-1/4″ Length (5 Pack) notes

Horusdy Soldering Station
Horusdy 2in1 Soldering Station Solder Iron Rework Hot Air Blower Digital SMD Display + 11 Tips, 4 Nozzles & Tweezer Set notes

Third Hand
Vendor 1: 3 Hand Soldering Iron Stand Welding Tool With Magnifying Glass Illuminated LED Alligator Clip Holder Clamp Helping Repair notes
Vendor 2: Desktop Soldering Holder Welding Equipment Auxiliary Tool Third Hand Helping Repair Tool Magnifier LED Lighting Soldering Stand notes

nmsafety Gloves
24Pieces/12 Pairs Work Gloves For PU Palm Coating Safety Protective Glove Nitrile Professional Safety Suppliers

Color: PU1350NV -DMF

notes

Kaisi Repair Mat
Kaisi Heat Insulation Silicone Repair Mat with Scale Ruler and Screw Position for Soldering Iron, Phone and Computer Repair Size:17.7 x 11.8 Inches notes

MMOBIEL Helping Hands
LED Light Helping Hand Magnifier Station for Soldering, Assembly, Repair,Modeling, Hobbies and Crafts – 2.5X /4X LED Light – Hands-Free Magnifying Glass Stand – Incl. Clamp and Alligator Clips notes

QWORK Helping Hands
QWORK Glass Stand notes

Kaisi Soldering Tools w/ Desoldering Pump
Kaisi Professional Solder Auxiliary Tool 6 piece double-sided repair tool with Desoldering Wick & Desoldering Pump notes

Craft Knife Set
Precision Craft Knife Set 52pcs Professional Razor Sharp Knives for Art, Hobby notes

Magnetic/Claw Pickup Tool
Magnetic Pick Up Tool LED Light Magnet 4 Claw Flexible Telescopic Grabber 62cm notes

‎SWANLAKE Telescopic Magnetic Pick Up Tool
Telescopic Magnetic Pick Up & Swivel Inspection Mirror Set Round, Round Mirror Pen Style Magnet Auto Hand Tools notes