Interlude #1: Mail Call! Cheap Stuff From China! | Learning Electronics In The Lab With Jay Jay

This post is part of my video blog and you can find more information about this video on this show’s homepage which is here.

You can support this channel on Patreon: patreon.com/JohnElliotV

Silly Job Title: Science Officer

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…

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!

Sudake SDK08 Test ClipsThis is an image of the product.notes

Let’s go shopping!

AliExpress sale

There is a sale on at AliExpress today. I picked up the following AU$881.75 worth of stuff for AU$225.03 (inc. tax and shipping).

Paid Price Item
$3.20 $18.51 100pcs 50pairs 6.3mm 16 14AWG Female Male Electrical Wiring Connector Insulated Crimp Terminal Spade Blue
$3.20 $18.67 100pcs Waterproof Solder Seal Heat Connector Shrink Butt Connectors Lug Terminals Electrical Wire Car Insulated Terminal
$3.20 $9.80 10pcs LED Male Female Adapter DC Connector 12V DC Power Plug 5.5X2.1mm For 5050 3528 LED Strip Light
$3.20 $16.42 2 Pin Connector Waterproof Connector Male and Female Way 20AWG Wire Suitable for Car Truck Boat Other Wire Connection 5 Pairs
$3.20 $10.79 230 Pcs XH2.54 2p 3p 4p 5pin 2.54mm Pitch Terminal Male And Female Housing Kit Pin Connector Terminal Connector Kit
$3.20 $15.63 120PIN Cable Dupont Line 10cm Male to Male Female to Female Male to FeMale Jumper Dupont Wire Cable For PCB DIY KIT
$3.20 $11.37 2.54mm JST Connector with 22AWG Pre-Crimped Wire, 2/3/4/5/6 Pin Housing JST Adapter Cable Connector 20cm Wire
$3.20 $17.35 50pcs 100pcs 200pcs Docking Terminal U Type Terminal Tab 0.3 To 1.5mm2 Terminal Block Connector Double Connector Terminal
$4.81 $15.55 Box Insulated Male Female Wire Connector 2.8/4.8/6.3mm Electrical Crimp Terminals Termin Spade Connectors Assorted Kit 270PCS
$3.20 $14.75 Glasses Screw Set Nose Support Lens Leg Nut Frameless Glasses Spacer Cap Accessories 18 Specification Screw Set Box
$3.20 $14.39 Aokin1PC 170 Universal Pliers DIY Electronic Diagonal Side Cutting Nippers Wire Cable Cutter 3D Printer Parts Hand Tools
$3.20 $13.14 Cable Heat-Shrinkable Tube High Temperature And Pressure-Resistant Insulation 2 Sets Of 5 Meters Wire Heat-Shrinkable Tube Black
$3.20 $14.36 10/5/1Pcs TYPE C USB 3.1 Type C Connector 16 Pin Test PCB Board Plate Adapter Socket For Data Line Wire Cable Transfer
$3.20 $17.22 1PC Digital Depth Gauge Caliper Tread Depth Gauge LCD Tire Tread Gauge For Car Tire 0-25mm Measurer Tool Caliper Repair Tools
$3.20 $22.36 4PCS 3D Printer Cooling Fan,4010 Blower 40X40 X 10mm Hydraulic Bearing Brushless DC 12v 24v Cooling Fans for 3D Printer
$3.20 $12.78 10Pcs DC Connectors 5.5×2.1mm 3.5×1.3mm DC Power Plug Male Female Jack Socket Nut Panel Mount DC Power Adapter Connector 5.5*2.1
$3.20 $13.68 Solder Suction Wire with Strong Suction and Strong Return Force for Repair Solder 2.5mm Width 1.5m Length Set
$3.20 $15.90 8pcs KCD1 On/Off 3-Pin 2-Position Snap 10A/125V, 6A/250V Red LED Round Boat Rocker Switch with LED For Househeld DIY Replacement
$3.20 $13.91 5pairs Female And Male DC Connectors 2.1×5.5mm Power Plug Adapter Jacks Sockets Connector For Signal Color LED Strip CCTV Camera
$3.20 $10.19 1m 41 Sealing Waterproofing AntiCorrosion Protection And Heat Shrink Tubing For WearResistant And Leak Proof MultiStrand Harness
$3.20 $13.73 30m Long Gold Finger High Temperature Resistant Tape Polyimide Tape Multi Size Pet Anti Static Lithium Battery Insulation Tape
$3.20 $17.29 10-50pcs 2 Pin Way Plug Waterproof Electrical Connector Car Wire Cable Automotive Electrical Connector Strip Terminal Connection
$3.20 $16.07 5 Pcs Add-a-Circuit Adapter APM Tap Mini Blade Micro 12V Car Fuse Box Holder Auto Motri Insurance ATM Adapter
$3.20 $14.84 2pcs 4010 Fan 3D Printer Fan DC 12V Mini Brushless Cooling Fan 40x40x10mm Hydraulic Bearing Fan with 2 Pin Terminal
$3.20 $13.04 10 Pairs 22 AWG JST Plug Connector 2 Pin Male Female Plug Connector Cable Wire for LED Lamp Strip RC Toys Battery Adapter 10cm
$3.20 $16.56 6Pcs Mini Rocker Switch 12 Volt ON Off Toggle Switch with Pre-Wired 6A/250V 10A/125V AC 12V DC Electrical Switches for DIY Apply
$5.63 $16.32 Hand Trimming Knife Deburring Scraper NB1100 Chamfer Trimming Removal Aluminum Alloy Plastic Waste Edge Tool Handle With Blade
$3.20 $17.61 300°C Heat-resistant Adhesive Tape PTFE Heat-resistant Insulation Tape, Thermal Insulation Adhesive Tape, Thickness 0.13mm,10M
$3.20 $12.04 2pc Ultra Thin Transparent Red Film Double Sided Tape With HighTemperature Resistance No Marks Waterproof Adhesion Strong Adhes
$3.20 $12.91 10Pcs SPST Snap-in ON-Off 2 Pin Round Snap Rocker Boat Switch Black AC 250V 6A 125V 10A for Household Appliances Replacement
$3.20 $13.15 Digital Voltmeter Ammeter DC 100V 10A Amp Voltage Current Meter Tester 0.28 Inch Dual LED Display Panel with Connect Wires
$3.20 $11.38 50pcs 25set T Type Terminal Blocks Wire and Cable Connection Clamps Quick and Non Stripping Plugs Cable Connectors Home
$3.20 $15.23 Copper Adhesive Tape,conductive Protective Tape,Copper Foil Tape,The Tape Heat-resistant,width:5mm,6mm,10mm,length:20M
$11.23 $33.64 240/480Sets Metal Double Cap Rivet Stud Round Nail Spike With Tool Kits For Leathercraft DIY Shoes Bag Belt Clothing Accessories
$6.41 $23.64 28pcs Pyrography Kit Copper Welding Soldering Tips Wood Pyrography Tool Set Woodburing Pen Nozzle Tool
$8.02 $25.38 10pcs Carbide Burr Set, Hard Alloy Tungsten Steel Double Cut Rotary File Milling Cutter Head, Woodworking Grinding Carvin
$6.41 $25.18 6pcs M3M10 Screw Tap Drill Bits Hss Tap Counter Sink Deburr Metric High Speed Steel 1/4 IN Quick Change Hex Tool For Woodworking
$4.81 $20.12 AIRAJ Multifunctional Universal Wire Stripping Pliers Professional Electrician Anti Slip Maintenance Durable Hardware Tool
$3.20 $13.13 Digital Voltmeter Ammeter DC 100V 10A Amp Voltage Current Meter Tester 0.28 Inch Dual LED Display Panel with Connect Wires
$4.81 $20.12 AIRAJ Wire Stripper Tools Multitool Plier Crimper Cable Cutter Multifunctional Stripping Tool Crimping Pliers Terminal
$3.20 $12.76 10Pcs DC Connectors 5.5×2.1mm 3.5×1.3mm DC Power Plug Male Female Jack Socket Nut Panel Mount DC Power Adapter Connector 5.5*2.1
$4.81 $20.01 Computer Desktop Switch 2m Colorful LED Lights PC Motherboard External Start Power On/Off Button Extension Cable for Home Office
$4.81 $20.94 Copper Washer Gasket Nut and Bolt Set Flat Ring Seal Assortment Kit with Box //M8/M10/M12/M14 for Sump Plugs
$3.20 $14.34 10/5/1Pcs TYPE C USB 3.1 Type C Connector 16 Pin Test PCB Board Plate Adapter Socket For Data Line Wire Cable Transfer
$6.41 $16.47 5pcs Type C PD2.0 PD3.0 Fast Charge Trigger Polling Detector USB Boost Power Supply Change Module Charger Board
$3.20 $12.76 10Pcs DC Connectors 5.5×2.1mm 3.5×1.3mm DC Power Plug Male Female Jack Socket Nut Panel Mount DC Power Adapter Connector 5.5*2.1
$3.20 $15.61 120PIN Cable Dupont Line 10cm Male to Male Female to Female Male to FeMale Jumper Dupont Wire Cable For PCB DIY KIT
$3.20 $9.79 10pcs LED Male Female Adapter DC Connector 12V DC Power Plug 5.5X2.1mm For 5050 3528 LED Strip Light
$3.20 $13.13 Digital Voltmeter Ammeter DC 100V 10A Amp Voltage Current Meter Tester 0.28 Inch Dual LED Display Panel with Connect Wires
$11.23 $42.43 Digital Display Inclination Box Precision Measurement with Backlight Magnetic Suction Protractor Inclinometer Angle Meter 1PC
$3.20 $13.89 5pairs Female And Male DC Connectors 2.1×5.5mm Power Plug Adapter Jacks Sockets Connector For Signal Color LED Strip CCTV Camera
$6.41 $12.35 WeAct ESP32 ESP-32 ESP32C3 ESP32-C3FH4 Development Board Wireless WiFi Bluetooth-compatible Module Micropython
$8.02 $16.77 WeAct STM32G431CBU6 STM32G431 STM32G4 STM32 Core Board Learning Board Development
$6.41 $12.35 WeAct ESP32 ESP-32 ESP32C3 ESP32-C3FH4 Development Board Wireless WiFi Bluetooth-compatible Module Micropython

AliExpress diodes

I ordered a bunch of SMD diodes from AliExpress (nine different types), and nine packages arrived, but they weren’t labeled. I tested everything to infer what I got, and they didn’t ship me what I ordered. My notes are here and the video of me doing all this is here.

I kept a note of the seller and will try to not order from them again. In the mean time I think I have filed the components that did arrive in the correct drawer.

Below are two happy snaps from this project. I guess on the bright side I got some practice doing SMD soldering and using my signal generator and my scope.

Oh, and I added a new item to my debugging notes, viz “is it plugged into the right socket?” (I had my output cable on the signal generator plugged into the wrong BNC connector on the device, that took some figuring out…)

John's test rig

John's test rig, labeled

Switching diodes and rectifying diodes

I had an envelope full of SMD diodes arrive today. Three different types in three different sizes, so nine bundles. Unlabeled!

I’m not sure what they were thinking at the shop. I got them from here.

I managed to figure out that the ones marked ‘S4’ were the Schottky diodes (1N5819WS). I think the ones labeled ‘T4’ are the switching diodes (1N4148WS) and the ones labeled ‘T7’ and ‘A7’ are the rectifying diodes (1N4007), but I’m not sure of that yet.

I asked ChatGPT for help and it explained how I can devise a test circuit, so that’s on my TODO list for tomorrow.

Unboxing #5: Unboxing of AliExpress TE-801 Third Hand With Magnifier | In The Lab With Jay Jay

This post is part of my video blog and you can find more information about this video on this show’s homepage which is here.

You can support this channel on Patreon: patreon.com/JohnElliotV

In this video I unbox two “different” helping hands (AKA “third hand”) only to discover they are the same TE-801 model.

I purchased these separately on AliExpress:

They are exactly the same product so if you’re planning to purchase might as well get the cheapest option. Note that the first link above also has a separate more expensive option which is actually a different product, I didn’t get one of those.

In addition to unboxing these third hands I also add some 4mm heat shrink to the alligator clips to take the bite out of the teeth.

Note: in this video I have the annoying habit of calling “heat shrink”, “shrink wrap”. The correct term is heat shrink, shrink wrap is a different type of thing.

In the video I use 4mm yellow heat shrink:

The hot air gun I use is a part of my Horusdy Soldering Station.

The batteries I use are Duracell AAA batteries.

My gloves are:

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!

ENGINEER PA-09 Crimping ToolThis is an image of the product.notes

Let’s go shopping!

Homework

This is a part of the homework feature of my blog, which is an ongoing conversation with my mate S.F.

I said I found a microscope cheaper on AliExpress than on Amazon, but actually I was wrong about that. In fact I found it cheaper on eBay ($333.29) than Amazon ($733.42). Nevertheless, my point stands. It pays to shop around!

I mentioned my video jj5 feels hardcore!. Let me know if that doesn’t play for you, I think I have the original kicking around somewhere… If this video doesn’t make you happy, nothing will… :)

You told me about Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends.

The I-can’t-believe-it’s-not-satire lawyer/jailer thing I mentioned is documented here: Um, America?

The academic accident I referred to was in The Hardware Lottery by Sara Hooker published in August 2020. In the essay the author says “risk adverse”. Of course the idiomatic expression she is aiming at is “risk averse” and she just got it horribly wrong. Not once, but twice. As I said, for a professional academic ignorance at this scale is… unbecoming.

My comment about academic whinging was: “There’s nothing more sleep inducing than a pompous academic having a whinge.” (If I could refer you to section three of the policy document, subsection five, article three A, there is a discrepancy regarding some thing I do not give a shit about…)

I mentioned How It Works (girls suck at math!)

The full quote is: “‘Why?’ is a stupid boring question to which all honest answers are a deception of the mind.” — John Elliot V

I mentioned Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin. I will bring you your copy next time I see you. :) In the mean time you might enjoy: Rick Rubin: Legendary Music Producer | Lex Fridman Podcast #275.

Don’t forget to send me the name of the Sony headphones you recommend.

The LCD Soundsystem you mentioned was You Wanted A Hit. Classic.

Let’s not forget: It doesn’t have to be a bad thing!

Also, let’s not forget: everything you do is indelibly wrought in space and time. (No pressure.)

Also: hope is not a strategy. (Although some do not agree)

What is the difference between hope and faith?

Hope:

  • To wish for a particular event that one considers possible.
  • To have confidence; trust.
  • To desire and consider possible: synonym: expect.

Faith:

  • The assent of the mind to the truth of a proposition or statement for which there is not complete evidence; belief in general.
  • Specifically Firm belief based upon confidence in the authority and veracity of another, rather than upon one’s own knowledge, reason, or judgment; earnest and trustful confidence: as, to have faith in the testimony of a witness; to have faith in a friend.
  • In a more restricted sense: In theology, spiritual perception of the invisible objects of religious veneration; a belief founded on such spiritual perception.

Serendipity and The Three Princes of Serendip.

I have a note about “deesterous”, but I have no idea what that means. What were we talking about? I think I wrote it down phonentically, but the search engine is telling me “dexterous”, but that is not it.

Also we were talking about “flapping around in affluence”. What was that all about? Lost to time?

We discussed the Spectacle. More reading may be required, particularly of Jean Baudrillard.

The string theory guy is Michio Kaku. I’m worried he might be a crank. Or maybe he is brilliant. Who could say. I watched a video of him recently: Michio Kaku | Quantum Supremacy | Talks at Google.

AI and the paperclip problem is described here. The problem is if you design an AI to make paperclips it might destroy civilization. Because, to begin with, it might sense that humans might try to turn it off, which would impede its ability to create paperclips, so it wipes out humanity and uses the atoms of our bodies to make paperclips… I mean, it is *very good* at making paperclips.

We mentioned Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star. Classic. On the web here.

The Chillout Sessions began back in 2001. They don’t make ’em like they used to.

The concept of enshittification is explained by Cory Doctorow in Tiktok’s enshittification.

I mentioned about Musk feigning thought in an interview I watched recently. Check this out. He totally pretends to think deeply about the question! It’s awful to watch, like bad acting!

I mentioned the video game Descent. I remember playing it back in the nineties, it was so cool! I think there is Descent, Descent II, and Decent 3. Apparently I can get them all on Steam. Gonna try that. Want to get myself a good joystick to go with them, maybe this Logitech G 4021846 H.O.T.A.S. RGB Throttle and Stick Controller X56.

You asked what brings me joy, it is this:

Love you brother. Can’t wait to see you again soon. <3