ElectronFun.comIn this video I'm building a breadboard prototype of an automatic soldering fume extractor. This project is based on a fume extractor that I built a couple of episodes back, see here: http://youtu.be/bYY9OtI2dTc. The new version is supposed to turn on the fans, when an MQ-2 gas sensor detects fumes and turn the fans off, when the air is clean again.
How to build an automatic fume extractor #2 of 3ElectronFun.com2015-05-02 | In this video I'm building a breadboard prototype of an automatic soldering fume extractor. This project is based on a fume extractor that I built a couple of episodes back, see here: http://youtu.be/bYY9OtI2dTc. The new version is supposed to turn on the fans, when an MQ-2 gas sensor detects fumes and turn the fans off, when the air is clean again.
Music by Chris Zabriskie - CGI Snake http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/DividerHow to start using Raspberry Pi || Raspberry Pi tutorialElectronFun.com2017-07-15 | This is the first video in my new series of Raspberry Pi tutorials. I'm demonstrating how to prepare your Raspberry Pi by going through the following steps: downloading Raspbian (the default operating system), formatting your Micro SD card with SD Card Formatter, installing the operating system on the SD card with Etcher, connecting a monitor, keyboard, mouse and power supply to the Raspberry Pi board, booting Raspbian for the first time, setting up the most important options on Raspbian.
Video, edit, voice by Chris LorkowskiWill LM7805 exceed its specs? || electronics experimentElectronFun.com2017-03-23 | In this experiment I'm pushing an LM7805 linear voltage regulator to its limits. According to the datasheet it is rated for maximum 1.5A loads. I'm trying to check if the regulator can exceed its specs and deliver 2A or maybe even more. I'm using power resistors to simulate a relatively constant load.
WARNING This is just an experiment. Never exceed voltage and current values provided in the datasheet. This may damage your component, shorten its life span or even cause fire.
Video, edit, voice by Chris LorkowskiHow to use 16x2 LCD with Arduino || Arduino tutorialElectronFun.com2016-12-11 | In this video I'm demonstrating how to start using a 16x2 LCD with an Arduino. The first example displays a static text message and number of seconds since Arduino reset. The next one covers modification of my Arduino ohmmeter project to display data on the 16x2 Hitachi HD44780 LCD. It is a step by step tutorial, which will walk you through wiring the alphanumeric (text) LCD to work with Arduino Uno. You will also learn how to write a sketch (program), which lets you control the liquid-crystal display with the Arduino.
Video, edit, voice by Chris LorkowskiHow to fix your favorite headphones (mini jack replacement) || How-to-fix tutorialElectronFun.com2016-08-09 | In this video I'm demonstrating how to fix your favorite headphones by replacing the mini jack. When one of the channels or both start to interrupt, click or pop it usually means the wire is broken. In most cases it wears out somewhere near the jack.
Sounds from http://soundbible.com Record Player Static - recorded by Mike Koenig Blop Sound - recorded by Mark DiAngeloHow to solder header pins to 2x16 LCDElectronFun.com2016-06-28 | In this super quick video I'm demonstrating how to solder header pins to a 2x16 LCD and make them perfectly straight. The alphanumeric liquid-crystal display used in this tutorial is a Hitachi HD44780.
Music by RataxesUK - So Sleepy [No Vocal Edit] soundcloud.com/rataxesuk/rataxes-so-sleepy-no-vocal-editHow to calibrate an MQ-2 gas sensor || Arduino tutorialElectronFun.com2016-03-29 | In this short tutorial I'm demonstrating how to calibrate an MQ-2 gas sensor and get your readings in ppm units. I'm assuming you don't want to spend hundreds of dollars for a calibration kit. The method shown in this video is based on a piece of Arduino code created and shared for free by a company called Sandbox Electronics.
Music by RataxesUK - Everything [No Samples Edit] soundcloud.com/rataxesuk/rataxes-everything-no-samplesHow to install an SSD in a laptop | computer tutorialElectronFun.com2015-10-02 | In this video I'm demonstrating how to replace your old hard drive with a new SSD (solid state drive) in a laptop. I'm also showing how you can use your old hard drive as additional storage space. Using an SSD as a system drive will greatly improve your computer's performance.
Music by RataxesUK - So Sleepy [No Vocal Edit] soundcloud.com/rataxesuk/rataxes-so-sleepy-no-vocal-editHow to install an SSD in a stationary PC | computer tutorialElectronFun.com2015-07-20 | In this video I'm demonstrating how to install an SSD (solid state drive) in a stationary PC. I'm using the SSD as a system drive and leaving the HDD (hard disk drive) as a storage drive. This upgrade will significantly speed up your computer. The operating system will start much faster and it will be much more responsive.
Music by RataxesUK - So Sleepy [No Vocal Edit] soundcloud.com/rataxesuk/rataxes-so-sleepy-no-vocal-editSSD vs. HDD - practical comparison | computer tutorialElectronFun.com2015-07-05 | I bet you have already heard about an SSD or solid state drive and how fantastic it seems to be. Is it really worth the price? This project is a practical comparison of an SSD (solid state drive) and 3.5" HDD (hard disk drive). Even though most SSDs are in the 2.5" format I didn't take into consideration 2.5" HDDs, mainly because their capacity is lower and they are a lot slower than 3.5" hard disk drives.
Disks under test: SSD - OCZ Vertex 4 128GB HDD - WD Black 1TB
Test PC specs: CPU: AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 5400+ 2.80GHz Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-M56S-S3 RAM: Aeneon DDR2-800 CL4 4GB GPU: Asus Radeon R7 250 PSU: CHIEFTEC 450W
Project page - you can download the Arduino code here: http://ElectronFun.com/project_6.php
Video, edit, voice by Chris LorkowskiHow to auto adjust LED brightnessElectronFun.com2015-03-14 | In this short video I'm demonstrating how to adjust LED brightness automatically so it won't blind you in the dark and you will be able to see if it's on or off in direct sunlight. I'm not using any microcontroller, just a simple photocell.
Music by Chris Zabriskie - CGI Snake http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/DividerHow to make a simple Arduino ohmmeter || Arduino tutorialElectronFun.com2015-02-15 | In this episode I'm building a very simple, but quite accurate Arduino ohmmeter. This project requires only few components: an Arduino, a breadboard, 3 jumper wires and a few resistors. It is based on a voltage divider.
Project page - you can download the Arduino code here: http://ElectronFun.com/project_4.php
Music composed and performed by Bensound - The Lounge http://www.bensound.comBuck converter vs. linear voltage regulator - practical comparisonElectronFun.com2015-01-20 | In this video I'm comparing in practice a buck converter with LM7805 linear voltage regulator. Two driver boards from old hard drives are used as a dummy load to check efficiency and temperature of the buck converter and linear voltage regulator. I'm presenting pros and cons of both devices. There are 2 mistakes in my calculations: 1. 5:02 - 5:08 - correct calculations should be: (12V - 5V) x 0.42A = 2.94W 2. 5:17 - 5:23 - correct calculations should be: (12V - 5V) x 0.22A = 1.54W I double checked everything, but I should have triple checked. I'm sorry for my mistake.
Music composed and performed by Bensound - The Lounge http://www.bensound.comHow to make a blinking PVC Christmas treeElectronFun.com2014-12-04 | Since Christmas is coming soon, I'm demonstrating in this video how to make a battery powered, PVC Christmas tree with blinking ping pong baubles. I used low density PVC foam, but foam board should work too.
Project page - you can download Christmas tree template here: http://ElectronFun.com/project_3.php
Music: "Jingle Bells" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0How to unbrick a TP-Link TL-WR1043ND router (re-uploaded) || How-to-fix tutorialElectronFun.com2014-10-11 | In this video I'm demonstrating how to unbrick (recover) a TP-Link TL-WR1043ND router after an unsuccessful firmware upgrade. I'm showing the whole process from opening the case to installing firmware files through the serial console. The whole story happened a few weeks ago when I decided to download and install the latest firmware for my TP-Link TL-WR1043ND router. Theoretically everything went fine, the installation finished and I got the 'Rebooting' message. Unfortunately the router was rebooting over and over again. I realized something went wrong and my TP-Link became an expensive brick with blinking LEDs on it. I tried every non-invasive method I could find to reset the device and bring it back to life. Nothing worked for me, so I had to open the case, solder a gold pin connector and hook it up to my computer. Then I could manually upload a new firmware image to the router and install it.
DISCLAIMER: If you decide to follow any procedure shown in this tutorial, you're doing it at your own risk. This may void your warranty and/or in rare cases damage your device.
Music by Jason Shaw - Medium Rock, Pilots Of Stone, Real Bad Girl http://www.audionautix.comHow to use Atmel ATtiny85 with Arduino || Arduino tutorialElectronFun.com2014-09-10 | In this video I'm demonstrating how to program and use Atmel ATtiny85 with Arduino code. If you have a small Arduino project and need only few input and output pins, you can substitute the 28-pin Atmega8/168/328 microcontroller with the small, 8-pin ATtiny85 chip. You'll save some space, simplify your project and decrease power consumption. The ATtiny85 microcontroller offers digital, analog and Pulse Width Modulation pins. By default Arduino IDE doesn't support the ATtiny chips, but High-Low Tech Group at MIT Media Lab created their own libraries and shared them publicly. You can download them free of charge here: github.com/damellis/attiny/archive/master.zip
Sound effects Recorded by Mark DiAngelo - Blop http://soundbible.comHow to use gas sensors with Arduino || Arduino tutorialElectronFun.com2014-07-21 | In this tutorial I'm demonstrating how to use MQ-2/MQ-5 gas sensors with Arduino. These little devices may be used in gas leakage detectors. The MQ-2 is suitable for detecting LPG, i-butane, propane, methane, hydrogen and even smoke. The MQ-5 detects LPG, natural gas and town gas.
Many other gas sensors can be used in exactly the same way, e.g. MQ-3, MQ-6 or MQ-135. Just read the datasheet, use the appropriate load resistor and experiment with the "sensorValue" in my Arduino code.
Project page - you can download Arduino code and see schematic used in this video here: http://ElectronFun.com/project_2.php
Sound effects recorded by Mark DiAngelo - Blop http://soundbible.comHow to build a fume extractor #1 of 3ElectronFun.com2014-05-27 | In this video I'm demonstrating how to build a DIY soldering fume extractor out of old computer fans. Inhaling flux fumes is not a pleasure and it may be bad for your health. In extreme cases it can cause asthma. Build your own soldering fume extractor and stop inhaling flux fumes.
Music: "Cold Funk" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0How to use an Arduino as a USB to TTL converter || Arduino tutorialElectronFun.com2014-04-17 | This short video is a tutorial on how to use an Arduino as a USB to TTL (also known as COM or RS-232) converter. I was using a dedicated converter bought from eBay in my previous video: youtube.com/watch?v=IHNrnLnLakE. If you have an Arduino lying around, it will easily substitute a USB to TTL converter.
Music by Jason Shaw - Keep It Real http://www.audionautix.comHow to program an Arduino on a breadboard (without USB) || Arduino tutorialElectronFun.com2014-02-15 | In this video I'm demonstrating how to program an Arduino on a breadboard. I'm using an Arduino Uno as an ISP programmer to burn Arduino bootloader and program the Atmega chip. I'm also showing how to omit the bootloader and burn your sketches directly to the Atmega microcontroller. You can gain the full program space of the chip, because the bootloader does not take any memory.
Music by Jason Shaw - Rhastafarian http://www.audionautix.comHow to build a simple Arduino on a breadboard || Arduino tutorialElectronFun.com2013-12-29 | In this video I'm demonstrating how to build a simple Arduino on a breadboard, based on Atmel Atmega8/168/328 microcontroller. When I build my Arduino projects usually I don't need the whole Arduino board and all of it's functionality. In many cases I use only basic input and output pins and that's why I assemble a simplified version of Arduino.
When connecting your Arduino to a power supply or a battery make sure that you connect the red jumper wire to the positive terminal and the blue one to the GND. There is no protection against reversed polarity and you may blow something up.
Music by Jason Shaw - Rhastafarian http://www.audionautix.comHow to see infrared lightElectronFun.com2013-10-26 | I came across an interesting phenomenon related to infrared light (IR) while I was making my previous video and thought I could share it with you. I was recording the video and wanted to stop, so I took my camera remote control and pressed the "Stop" button. I noticed blinking on the camera screen, which turned out to be infrared light. I checked all other remotes I had at home and all cameras I could put my hands on - it worked in all cases.
If you understand this phenomenon and can explain it, please leave a comment below.
I used my smartphone on a tripod to record this video. If you're curious how I mounted it on a tripod, go to my previous video: youtube.com/watch?v=TVGzS46wAm8
Music by Jason Shaw - Clattertrap http://www.audionautix.comHow to make a smartphone tripod mountElectronFun.com2013-10-13 | I wanted to use my smartphone as a video camera, but couldn't mount it on a tripod because it didn't have a tripod socket. I decided to make a smartphone tripod mount out of ABS plastic. I know it's not pretty, but it works a treat.
Music by Jason Shaw - Think Tank http://www.audionautix.comHow to clean a computer fanElectronFun.com2013-09-07 | In this video I'm demonstrating how to clean a noisy computer fan. If you decide to spend a few minutes you won't have to buy a new fan, you'll save some money and you'll contribute (at least a bit) to saving the environment. Computer fans can be salvaged from old PCs and used in electronics projects (after cleaning of course). See how I used 4 computer fans to build a soldering fume extractor: youtube.com/watch?v=bYY9OtI2dTc