555 Chip Explained - Bistable Circuit (1 & 2 button ON-OFF)DiodeGoneWild2026-09-18 | 555 Chip Explained - Bistable Circuit (1 & 2 button ON-OFF)Fnirsi FNB58 USB testerDiodeGoneWild2022-12-20 | Testing and exploring a USB fast charge tester FNB58 made by Fnirsi. Let's see what it can do and what's inside.
My Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykDIY webcam spectrometer - IR filter removal, spectra measurementsDiodeGoneWild2022-12-06 | Today, I removed the infrared filter from the camera in my webcam + CD based DIY spectrometer. I measure the visible and infrared spectra of daylight, laptop LCD monitor, tungsten lamp, fluorescent lamp, germicidal UVC lamp, sodium and mercury discharge lamp, neon lamp, nixie tube, remote control infrared LEDs and so on.
My Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykBuilding a DIY spectrometerDiodeGoneWild2022-12-03 | How to build a DIY spectrometer using just a black box with a slit, USB webcam and a CD or DVD disc (or a prism). The spectrum of the incoming light is analyzed and displayed on a computer using Theremino program, including a surprisingly good wavelength measurement.
Building my circadian LED lamp: youtu.be/mhbntwPr3wkSleep Ray LampDiodeGoneWild2022-11-28 | No worries, not a death ray. Just a sleep ray. Building yet another blue-free and cyan-free amber LED lamp that doesn't suppress your melatonin production and won't disturb your circadian rhythm when used during evenings. This might improve your sleep. This time a DIY 0.87W plug-in version that goes into a wall socket, with a switch and a tiny 0.002W indicator to find it in a dark room. The building process and the schematic.
The LEDs: Red: FYLS-2835PURC-0.2W or RF-OURI35TS-CH-N Yellow: FYLS-2835PUYC-0.2W or RF-YURI35TS-AF-N or OF-SMD2835Y Phosphor yellow: FYLS-2835UYY-0.5WLets blow some fuses!DiodeGoneWild2022-11-24 | Testing how much current is needed to blow 100mA 5x20mm glass fuses.
My Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykSmall DIY sleep LEDDiodeGoneWild2022-11-23 | Building another sleep lamp, this time a small one, including the schematic, with orange light (red + yellow LEDs). A homemade blue-free light source that doesn't suppress your melatonin production, won't disturb your circadian rhythm and improves the quality of your sleep (or at least it's supposed to).
The red LEDs: RF-OURI35TS-CH-N (or FYLS-2835PURC-0.2W) The phosphor yellow LEDs: FYLS-2835UYY-0.5WFuse Melting #shortsDiodeGoneWild2022-11-22 | Blowing a 100mA glass fuse.
My Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykBuilding a Sleep Lamp (blue-free circadian LED)DiodeGoneWild2022-11-20 | How to build your own DIY sleep LED lamp, including the schematic. A homemade blue-free and cyan-free light source that doesn't suppress your melatonin production and won't disturb your circadian rhythm. This can improve your sleep.
The red LEDs: FYLS-2835PURC-0.2W (or RF-OURI35TS-CH-N) The yellow LEDs: FYLS-2835PUYC-0.2W The phosphor yellow LEDs: FYLS-2835UYY-0.5W The yellow-green LEDs: RF-GSRA30TS-BC (or LTST-T680KGWT)Big dodgy LED from eBayDiodeGoneWild2022-11-15 | Exploring what's inside a big but dim LED lamp from eBay with no power rating, including a test and the schematic.
My Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykFNIRSI Wall Scanner - test and whats insideDiodeGoneWild2022-11-12 | Testing and opening a WD-01 wall scanner (wall detector) from Fnirsi. It can find live AC wires, metal objects and wooden beams (studs) inside walls. It has a depth indication and it can even locate the center and edges for wooden beams and tell magnetic metals from non-magnetic.
My Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykFNIRSI Radiation Detector - unboxing, test, teardownDiodeGoneWild2022-11-07 | Unboxing, testing and opening a GC-01 nuclear radiation detector from Fnirsi. It uses a Geiger counter tube. Showing how to use it, testing it using various mildly radioactive objects and exploring what's inside. The battery can last for about 11 hours.
My Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykDangerous USB phone chargers 14 (a 4-port 3A charger with a switch)DiodeGoneWild2022-10-28 | Analyzing a dubious 5V 3A USB charger with 4 ports, a switch and a mains plug on a cable. Let's see what surprises and dangers are hidden inside. Some power supplies and chargers may not comply with safety regulations. They cause an electric shock or fire. Their current rating may be fake, the output voltage may be wrong and they can cause electromagnetic interference (EMI) or damage your USB devices.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykFlat CRT experiments and waveformsDiodeGoneWild2022-10-25 | Powering the monitor from the video door-phone with a flat CRT tube. Some experiments with the adjustment potentiometers. Then showing some PAL video signal and deflection waveforms on my oscilloscopes. Also measuring the heater and grid voltages.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykFixing a Broken Laptop HingeDiodeGoneWild2022-10-19 | Repairing a broken hinge of a laptop. I'm absolutely no expert on laptops :). Quick fix botchwork, you can as well call it "how not to fix a laptop" if you prefer. Gluing back and reinforcing the brass inserts (with inner thread for screws) that came loose out of the plastic. Trying the super glue and baking soda method.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykVideo door-phone with flat CRT (pre-LCD tech)DiodeGoneWild2022-10-14 | What's inside a video doorbell intercom with a flat CRT screen from 2003. A flat display technology before LCD's. Warning: don't do what you see in this video. Risk of electric shock or injury.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykA charger that wont shock you?DiodeGoneWild2022-09-30 | Testing and opening a USB phone charger with two ports, 5V 2.1A in total, donated by a viewer from Australia. Let's see what's inside and how safe (or dangerous) it is.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykFruit Fly Trap #shortsDiodeGoneWild2022-09-22 | How to make a DIY fruit fly trap. A very simple but effective homemade trap to get rid of vinegar flies. You need just a bottle, a knife or scissors and some bait, like vinegar and a very sweet beverage. You can also try beer, mashed fruit or water with sugar.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykWhats inside a SYNCHROSCOPE and how does it workDiodeGoneWild2022-09-19 | Today I explore the mysterious mechanism of an old synchroscope that was used to synchronize a power plant AC generator with the power grid (mains).
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykV2 electromagnetic piston engine model from StirlingkitDiodeGoneWild2022-09-09 | Today, let's explore an electric model of a V2 engine donated by Stirlingkit.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykDangerous USB phone chargers 13 (BAD vs. GOOD)DiodeGoneWild2022-09-02 | Testing another pair of USB chargers, what's inside, checking the safety and build quality. Both are rated 5V 1A, one from eBay, one donated by a viewer. Let's see what surprises and dangers are hidden inside of them. Some chargers may not comply with safety regulations, cause an electric shock or fire. Their current rating may be fake, the output voltage may be wrong and they can cause electromagnetic interference (EMI) or damage your USB devices.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykDIY intercom (+ random thoughts on overcomplicated technologies) - uneditedDiodeGoneWild2022-08-23 | After a long time, one more crappy unedited shaky blurry video that makes everyone unsubscribe. Showing my old homemade intercom, explaining the schematic, some improvements and also some random thoughts on the downsides of too complex electronics.
This intercom on my website: https://danyk.cz/dom_tel_en.html
My Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykDIY digital thermometer with MIN/MAXDiodeGoneWild2022-08-20 | Building a portable LED digital thermometer with maximum and minimum memory. The second version has adjustable brightness of the display.
The 1st version with ATmega8A (ATmega8L): https://danyk.cz/avr_tep1_en.html
The 2nd version with ATmega88PA (ATmega88): https://danyk.cz/avr_tep1b_en.html
My Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykDIY transformer, inductor and capacitor in-circuit ring testerDiodeGoneWild2022-08-09 | Building a ring tester that can test transformers and inductors for short turns, even in a circuitboard. It can easily identify shorted windings, including just 1 short turn. Irreplaceable, especially when fixing switching power supplies and inverters, but also for vintage CRT television and monitor high voltage transformers and deflection coils. It's a simple ring tester, testing the winding based on the number of damped oscillations it can make with a resonant capacitor. An internal short will turn a high Q factor transformer or inductor into a very low Q one, resulting in way less damped oscillations (rings). The Q factor is affected by the internal short turns way more than the inductance is. This tester can also ring test capacitors to estimate their dissipation factor.
My Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykDIY SMD to DIP adapter #ShortsDiodeGoneWild2022-08-01 | How to make your own SMD to DIP adapter to get your SMT chip into a breadboard or THT prototyping circuit board.
Please support my channel on Patreon: patreon.com/DiodeGoneWildHomemade SMD to DIP adapterDiodeGoneWild2022-07-31 | How to make your own SMD to DIP adapter to get an SMD chip package into a through-hole (THT) prototyping board or breadboard. This time for SOT23-5, but this DIY trick also works for SOT23-6, SO8, SOIC8, SOP8...
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danyk4.7W insect zapper from Lidl - test, teardown, experimentsDiodeGoneWild2022-07-29 | What's inside an insect zapper from Lidl supermarket. It contains a 4W T5 UV fluorescent tube and it says it draws 4.7W in total. The schematic, how does it work, some measurements, oscilloscope waveforms, tests, dodgy experiments and dangerous modifications.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykDIY bench power supply with adjustable current limitDiodeGoneWild2022-07-25 | Finishing my small linear bench power supply with an adjustable current limit. The voltage regulation uses LM317, the current limiter uses an OpAmp (MC33171) for better accuracy. Its output voltage can be adjusted from 1.25V to 5.5V and the current from 0 to 200mA. I build it mostly to test logic circuits and microcontrollers, but also circuits sensitive to interference. Using an iron mains transformer and a linear regulator, this PSU produces no switching noise. The transformer was BVEI3048013, later I replaced it using a bit more powerful BVEI3068016. Showing the process of designing it, building it, the full schematic and how does it work.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykBuilding a linear bench power supplyDiodeGoneWild2022-07-17 | Let's design a small linear bench power supply with an adjustable (or fixed 5V) output voltage and a current limit. Some calculations, choosing the transformer, drawing the schematic and how does it work, some tests.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykSoviet radio restoration, explaining a superhet, ratio detector, AFC, IF, image frequencyDiodeGoneWild2022-07-08 | Fixing and restoring a soviet radio - Sokol 308 from about 1980, with MW, SW and OIRT FM bands. Explaining how a superheterodyne receiver (superhet) works, local oscillator, mixer, IF frequency, 10.7 MHz filters, ratio detector FM demodulator, AFC, AM detector, AVC / AGC, mirror image frequency reception. Diagnosing the failure, testing electrolytic capacitors, germanium transistors...
The repair of my car: youtu.be/TbDbxvttxbgESR meters and electrolytic capacitorsDiodeGoneWild2022-06-28 | Talking about electrolytic capacitors and their failure modes, their impedance - equivalent series resistance (ESR) and equivalent series inductance (ESL), comparing them to other types of capacitors (tantalum, film, ceramic). Showing how to use ESR meters (capacitor testers), how do they work and what's inside. Including the schematic of a simple DIY capacitor ESR meter I've built 20 years ago: https://danyk.cz/esr_en.html
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykApple 10W USB charger failure analysis and repairDiodeGoneWild2022-06-19 | Analyzing a faulty Apple 10W USB charger. Showing what's inside, finding the faulty component, fixing the charger, showing some oscilloscope waveforms and testing various components (capacitors, a diode, transistor, inductor, resistor...).
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykTransistor tester comparison, test and box assemblyDiodeGoneWild2022-06-17 | Comparing two component tester kits based on ATmega328P and showing how they identify and test various components. For fun, I also assemble the box that comes with one of them. The tester with a color display draws 30mA and the monochrome one draws 13mA in use. Both draw less than 0.1uA in standby.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykTransistor tester test and analysisDiodeGoneWild2022-06-13 | Testing the donated transistor tester (smart component tester) based on Atmel AVR ATmega328P microcontroller. It can auto-detect and test semiconductors - bipolar transistors (NPN, PNP), MOSFETs, thyristors (SCRs), triacs, diodes and double diodes including Schottky, LEDs and two-color LEDs, Zener diodes below 5V and even IGBT transistors with gate threshold voltage below 5V. It also tests and measures passive components - resistors, potentiometers, inductors (inductance and DC resistance), capacitors (capacitance, ESR, Vloss), and maybe more. It also has some extra functions like a voltmeter, frequency meter, signal generator and PWM generator.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykPower factor meters - how do they work, teardown, experimentsDiodeGoneWild2022-06-09 | Exploring the mysterious internals of analog power factor meters and explaining how do they work. They measure the power factor of linear loads (resistive, inductive or capacitive). The power factor is the cosine of the angle between the voltage and current. It's 1 when the angle is 0 degrees (the current is in phase with the voltage).
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykDIN rail electricity meter repair and whats insideDiodeGoneWild2022-05-31 | What's inside a small electricity meter (energy meter, kilowatt-hour meter) that fits on a DIN rail. Finding out it's faulty and fixing it.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykWhats inside a UPSDiodeGoneWild2022-05-28 | Exploring the inside of a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) and explaining how does it work. This one is Back-UPS CS 350 from APC, probably 350VA and peak 500VA. It's a simple type with an iron transformer and a modified sine wave output. It converts 12V from a sealed lead acid battery to mains voltage during power outages to back up the load, usually a computer.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykDodgy CFL-style LED in a funny boxDiodeGoneWild2022-05-17 | Testing and disassembling a questionable 12W LED lamp made of parts originally intended for a compact fluorescent lamp. Reading its entertaining description on its box. Reverse engineering the schematic, how does it work and some oscilloscope measurements.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykBuild your own LCD clock with date and thermometerDiodeGoneWild2022-05-12 | Showing my DIY LCD digital clock with a thermometer and date. You can build it too. It runs on batteries for years and it has a big LCD display. The schematic and the program is on my website. The date works with leap years and it has automatic summer time. The clock can be very accurate because the speed can be digitally adjusted from -99 ppm to +99 ppm in 1 ppm steps.
The clock on my website: https://danyk.cz/avr_lcd_tephod_en.html
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykWattmeters - whats inside, how do they workDiodeGoneWild2022-05-10 | Exploring the mysterious internals of analog wattmeters, explaining their purpose, how to use them and how do they work. What's a real AC power in Watts, apparent power in VA, reactive power (inductive and capacitive), power factor and current phase shift. Briefly talking about digital wattmeters and showing my DIY "digital" wattmeter, with schematic and how does it work.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykDIY alarm clock with date, timer, stopwatch and digital speed adjustmentDiodeGoneWild2022-05-02 | How to build a simple digital alarm clock with an LED display and a lot of useful functions. It has an alarm which can time out, a stopwatch, a countdown (kitchen timer), it shows the date and day of the week, it works with leap years and summer time (daylight saving time) and the speed can be digitally corrected from -120 to +120 ppm in 1ppm steps to make it very accurate. It runs on 5V and it uses ATmega16A Atmel AVR.
The clock on my website: https://danyk.cz/avr_hod3_en.html
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykA safe USB phone charger? Whats inside?DiodeGoneWild2022-04-24 | What's inside a better USB charger - Alza power double charger Q200C / Qualcomm quick charge 3.0 with one USB and one USB C port. I'm examining the internals, partially reverse engineering the schematic and explaining how does it work. Including the autopsy of the switching transformer, oscilloscope measurements and explaining a flyback switching power supply with a synchronous rectifier.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykSoviet digital clock analysis and restorationDiodeGoneWild2022-04-17 | Repairing and examining a soviet digital alarm clock Elektronika (Электроника) 6.15 from 1982 with a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) IVL1-7/5 (ИВЛ1-7/5). The schematic and how does it work. Old version with K176IE12 (К176ИЕ12), K176IE13 (К176ИЕ13), K176ID2 (К176ИД2) and two K161KN1 (К161КН1) chips. Comparing it to the newer version with K176IE18 (К176ИЕ18), K176IE13 (К176ИЕ13) and K176ID3 (К176ИД3). Attempted VFD display regeneration. Possible modification for nixie tubes using K561TM3 (К561ТМ3) and K155ID1 (К155ИД1) chips instead of K176ID3. Correction: K561TM3 contains 4 latches, not 6.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykDangerous USB phone chargers 12DiodeGoneWild2022-04-08 | Another pair of USB chargers - a test and what's inside. One is a "5-8V 1000mA" single port charger from eBay, the other has two USB ports and one micro USB port on a cable, claiming 5V 2.1A, donated by a viewer. Let's see what surprises and hazards are hidden inside. Including the schematic. Some chargers may not comply with safety regulations, they may cause an electric shock or fire. Their current rating may be fake, the output voltage may be wrong and they can cause electromagnetic interference or damage your devices.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykTektronix 314 storage oscilloscope repairDiodeGoneWild2022-04-06 | Fixing a vintage analog CRT storage oscilloscope - Tektronix 314 made in 1976. In the process, I'm exploring what's inside, how does it work and I'm trying to understand its schematic. A teardown and repair - problem in the blanking amplifier.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykFenix HM70R headlamp test + real Li-Ion capacity measuredDiodeGoneWild2022-04-03 | Reviewing a HM70R headlamp made by Fenix. Measuring its current draw in its 8 modes and calculating the maximum power. It uses a 21700 sized Li-ion battery (a bit bigger than 18650) which says 5000mAh 3.6V 18Wh (type ARB-L21-5000). I measured the real capacity and energy using my battery analyzer. I also measured the second battery (ARB-L21-5000U) which can be purchased separately and has a USB-C charging port built into it.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykBuilding my own Dubai LampsDiodeGoneWild2022-03-27 | How to build your own "Dubai Lamp" - an LED lamp that runs LEDs at a reduced current (lower power) to improve the efficiency and prolong its life. This was my first attempt to make LED lamps more efficient.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danykWhats inside this cheap insect zapperDiodeGoneWild2022-03-23 | A teardown of a cheap insect zapper from a supermarket. The type is LJ3W-010 (or LJ-3W010), made by Calter, imported by Rulyt. It uses an ultraviolet fluorescent tube, it runs on 220V AC 50Hz mains and it claims 3W power input, 600V zapper grid voltage. Let's see what's inside and how does it work, including the schematic and tube autopsy. Is this zapper any good? Is it safe?
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danyk12V 2A switching transformer autopsyDiodeGoneWild2022-03-20 | Disassembling the switching transformer of the 12V 2A flyback power supply from the previous episode. How it's constructed and isolated? Is it safe? Is there a risk of electric shock?
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danyk12V 2A power supply fix and analysisDiodeGoneWild2022-03-18 | Repairing a 12V 2A flyback switching power supply, what's inside, analyzing it, reverse engineering the schematic, explaining how does it work and showing some waveforms on my oscilloscope.
Instagram: instagram.com/savage_danyk100x High Voltage Oscilloscope Probe Test and Experiments (P4250)DiodeGoneWild2022-03-11 | Let's test a cheap high voltage oscilloscope probe from eBay, marked P4250, let's do some experiments and explain how does it work. It has a 100:1 division ratio (also called 100x or x100), 2kV voltage rating, 100MΩ input impedance and 250MHz bandwidth. There's also a P4100 version with 100MHz bandwidth.