A Hakko FX-951 Clone: Teardown & Reverse-Engineering KainkaLabs 2026-09-19 | A Hakko FX-951 Clone: Teardown & Reverse-Engineering
A Sidereal Clock: Teardown, Analysis, Adjustment KainkaLabs 2022-04-30 | 02:33 Explanation of what a "Sidereal Clock" is used for11:50 Teardown & circuit analysis20:05 Checking the frequencies of the main crystal oscillator and the divider stages22:47 Adjusting the frequency24:12 Frequency variation with mains voltage25:20 Frequency variation with temperature & recovery
2 Wimshurst-Machines from AliExpress... KainkaLabs 2022-04-27 | ...one completely dysfunctional, the other one working unexpetedly after some repair and tweaking. Sparks start at 25:30Cardboard-Kit: astromediashop.co.uk/JTL-Shop/The-Wimshurst-Machine(also available in Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland...):https://astromedia.de/
Restoring Front Panels KainkaLabs 2022-04-05 | A mix of various tools, chemicals & proceduresRelated Videos: RetrObright: youtu.be/2eb6fGPoRlsCleaning Potentiometers & Variable Capacitors: youtu.be/ZHt4bzye_4kPlastiDip & Liquid Tape: youtu.be/MXq_HTl_xEQ
Cleaning Potentiometers and Variable Capacitors KainkaLabs 2022-03-31 | CAIG: caig.com"Kontakt-Chemie": http://www.kontaktchemie.com/KOC/KOCproductsV2.cspCRC Industries: crcindustries.com/productsAlthough the originally German company "Kontakt-Chemie" now belongs to US-company "CRC Industries", their products are apparently not distributed in the US (or anywhere outside of Europe?). That is very sad, because "Kontakt-Chemie" is the market-leader in Germany and probably also in Europe and they have a lot of interesting products for electronics. I use more than a dozen products from them.
Some Fake Chinese Semiconductors KainkaLabs 2022-03-25 | The Chinese sellers fake really every kind of semiconductor:Germanium diodes, small-signal FETs, radio-ICs, schottky-diodes...Fake Germanium Diodes: youtu.be/Lyos1D7_2OIFake XR2206 Function Generator: youtu.be/f_gnoU22Dj0
A universal Crystal Radio Set KainkaLabs 2022-03-23 | A hitherto unpublished video from a few years ago about an "advanced" crystal radio set for doing lots of experiments. There is until now no English translation of the manual in German.You can download it for free here:https://www.ak-modul-bus.de/stat/detektorempfaenger1_crystal_radio_set1.htmlAvailable in our shop: https://www.ak-modul-bus.de/stat/detektorempfaenger1_crystal_radio_set1.htmlTranslation and demonstration of the step-by-step experiments will be added to this channel in the next months.
De-Yellowing Plastic with Retrobright KainkaLabs 2022-03-23 | A demonstration how to reverse the yellowing of white plasticen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retr0bright
A cheap MAX038 function generator kit (Pt. 2) KainkaLabs 2022-03-21 | Waverform testing:00:00 power-supply noise02:00 amplitude control04:40 DC-offset control06:25 1 kHz square wave06:50 duty-cycle control07:35 sawtooth waverform07:50 sine wave08:15 jitter problem08:55 waveforms at 1...20 MHz
A cheap MAX038 function generator kit (Pt.1) KainkaLabs 2022-03-20 | Is the MAX038 from AliExpress/EBay really better than the similar XR2206-kit? And is the MAX038 a genuine MAxim chip?
A Neon Tube Tester KainkaLabs 2022-03-20 | What parts you can test with a high-voltage "Neon Tube Tester"Teardown & Reverse-Engineering by BigClive: youtu.be/xwCzqg3geIY"Dekatron-Spinner" video: youtu.be/twgDIcpgi1I"Plasma Ball" & "Plasma Disc" teardown: youtu.be/BgYoRUCqghgThe Plasma Disc mystery resolved": youtu.be/IOkoszzCXB8The Russian EL-displays in action: youtu.be/p6mNbgtnFK8
A Single-Tube Audion/Regenerative-Receiver for MW/SW KainkaLabs 2022-03-18 | The radio on EBay: https://www.ebay.de/itm/115300560243?hash=item1ad872ed73:g:X3cAAOSwIL5iNIwEEBay-Shop: https://www.ebay.de/sch/ho-rein2/m.html?item=115300560243&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2562Ask if he also sells worldwide.Original circuit (in German): https://www.b-kainka.de/bastel74.htmThere is an ambiguity between the meaning of "Audion" and "Regenerative Receiver" in German and English:German use "Audion": de.wikipedia.org/wiki/AudionEnglish use "Regenerative Receiver": en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regenerative_circuit#Regenerative_receiver
The BRAUN LECTRON AM Radio-Kit KainkaLabs 2022-03-11 | ...designed by Dieter Rams himself (?) around 1967.It is derived from the Egger/BRAUN LECTRON Eeectronics learning system:youtu.be/GEl2mGudGU4
Teardown of a cheap DAB+ Radio KainkaLabs 2022-03-10 | Support Roger on Patreon if you want more videos :-)patreon.com/kainkalabs
DT71 Mini-Tweezers: Problems, Repair,Teardown, Firmware-Update, KainkaLabs 2022-03-07 | The contender: Mastech MS8911 youtu.be/96XTelPZnfAProduct page from Mastech: mastech-group.com/na/en/MS8911Support Roger on Patereon: patreon.com/kainkalabs
Fake Chinese Air Quality Monitors KainkaLabs 2022-03-05 | Teardown and evaluation of 2 so-called "Air Quality Monitors"Support Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabs
NIMO-Clock Update#2 KainkaLabs 2020-10-01 | A short update with all 6 tubes and the clock circuit fully working. In the video I mention that the tubes are in the wrong order(hours-min-sec). In fact they are in the right order :-) The video was shot upside down and in editing was rotated 180°. So during testing and shooting the video I always saw the tubes upside down and thought hours-minutes-seconds are reversed.
A handful of ultra-rare NIMO Display-Tubes from an Ebay-Auction KainkaLabs 2020-09-16 | Unboxing a bunch of 10 NIMO-tubes + accessories. Also shown is the prototype clock circuit for a 6-digit NIMO-clock on perfboard.Ebay-auction: Here´s the direct link to the auction: ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=283936529832&_sacat=0&rt=nc&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1Fran Blanche´s video about a working NIMO tube: youtu.be/xmWg7CtN0AcIEE is still in business: ieeinc.comThe forum where all living experts on vintage display technology are:groups.google.com/g/neonixie-l?pli=1
121GW EEVBlog Multimeter Megohm Resistance Problem KainkaLabs 2020-09-15 | Does the accuracy of the 121GW drop between 5 Megohms and 10 Megohms?
RLC Box Standard and Deluxe Model Available! KainkaLabs 2020-09-15 | A basic description of the production models of the Standard and (new) the improved "Deluxe" version. English manual will be updated soon. German manual is already nearly complete.Buy Standard Version: https://www.ak-modul-bus.de/stat/rlc_box_standard,pd730!0,,RLC-BOX1.htmlBuy Deluxe Version: https://www.ak-modul-bus.de/stat/universelle_rlc_box_deluxe_rlc_box2,pd730!0,,RLC-Box2.htmlThere you also find the links for downloading all files, manuals, related videos etc.
Teardown of the Plasma-Disc & Plasma-Ball KainkaLabs 2019-04-12 | Support Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabs
The Plasma Disc Mystery Resolved KainkaLabs 2019-04-07 | The effect responsible for current flowing without an obvious return path comes into play at many different situations in electronics.Support Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabsVideo about the non-isolating isolation-transformer:youtu.be/YhDH7rOIuGg
RLC Box Filter-Topologies KainkaLabs 2019-04-05 | Now available for sale! Follow-up video with improvements in the "Deluxe model": youtu.be/jruCpnCeRUcDirect links for purchasing:Deluxe model: https://www.ak-modul-bus.de/stat/universelle_rlc_box_deluxe_rlc_box2.htmlStandard model: https://www.ak-modul-bus.de/stat/rlc_box_standard.htmlBefore you ask: The little dip you see in the frequency-response curves on the oscilloscope seems to be a resonance-effect from the used 100µH inductor in the prototype. You can see it vanish at the end of the video when I manually change the L and C values in the bandstop-filter.
Selecting a Better Multimeter Pt.5: Diodes, Zeners, Caps, Temp KainkaLabs 2019-04-03 | Again a strange behaviour of the EEVBlog 121GW (capacitance mode). 121GW firmware version in this video: V1.57Capacitor-Test Video: youtu.be/L6m23fnO2Ik
April Fools Day Mystery KainkaLabs 2019-03-31 | Try to resolve the mystery with a plasma disc!Last year´s mystery: youtu.be/Jvbkfg2MqSoSupport Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabs
Some other repair & restoration materials KainkaLabs 2019-03-29 | This is a follow-up video to this one: youtu.be/6cNdaOHbAooSupport Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabs
A Reference Capacitor Set KainkaLabs 2019-03-25 | A set (or switch-box) of 7 reference capacitors. Now available at our shop with 6 individually measured capacitors (1% accuracy) + a 100pF/1% supplied "loose" as a bonus: http://www.ak-modul-bus.de/stat/referenz_kondensatorn_reference_caps.htmlSupport Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabs
A Tube-Theremin (Kickstarter-Campaign!) KainkaLabs 2019-03-20 | For the 100th birthday of the Theremin next year we created a Tube-Theremin coming very near to the original (except for the size).You can get one on Kickstarter: kickstarter.com/projects/kainkalabs/a-tube-theremin
Selecting a Better Multimeter Pt.4 - Frequency, Duty-Cycle, Bargraph KainkaLabs 2019-03-17 | 121GW Firmware-Version in this video: V1.57Support Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabs
RLC-Box Kickstarter Campaign! KainkaLabs 2019-03-12 | Now available for sale! Follow-up video with improvements in the "Deluxe model": youtu.be/jruCpnCeRUcDirect links for purchasing:Deluxe model: https://www.ak-modul-bus.de/stat/universelle_rlc_box_deluxe_rlc_box2.htmlStandard model: https://www.ak-modul-bus.de/stat/rlc_box_standard.htmlkickstarter.com/projects/rogerleifert/a-versatile-rlc-box-for-the-electronics-lab?ref=project_build#Will be completely open source hardware after the project has finished!Get a versatile RLC-Box with 7...8 decades of resistance, capacitance and inductance.Connect the 3 components in series and/or parallel with only 2 switches and you have a multitude of passive combinations.High-Pass, Low-Pass, Band-Pass, Bans-Stop, RLC-Series Tank-Circuit, RLC-Parallel Tank-Circuit...
Should every maker have...[Pt.46]...Sugru, BluTack, Bondic, Kneadable Epoxy, Polymorph? KainkaLabs 2019-03-07 | What is your experience with maker-materials for repair-work?Do you alternative materials?Please comment!Support Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabsPlasti-Dip video: youtu.be/MXq_HTl_xEQSugru: sugru.comBondic: notaglue.comPattex: Repair-ExpressPolycaprol: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycaprolactone
121GW VA-Mode Problem & Solution KainkaLabs 2019-02-20 | The suggested connection of the 121GW in VA-mode ignores the burden-voltage and compromises the stated 1% accuracy.Watch to find out about the clever solution to get the full accuracy back without any further maths, additional components etc. :-)Firmware version in this video: V1.57EEVBlog-Forum Entry: http://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/eevblog-121gw-discussion-thread/1375Support Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabs
Every Maker Should Have...[Pt.45]...a PCBite-Kit KainkaLabs 2019-02-19 | An ingenious solution for probing even very small pin-pitch SMD-ICs/components. A bit expensive but exquisitely machined.Sensepeek Homepage: sensepeek.comEuropean price is 134 € incl. VAT here: https://www.elektor.de/pcbite-kit-incl-4-pcbite-probes-and-test-wiresSupport Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabsLinks to other EMSHO-parts shown in the video:SMD-RLC-Meter: youtu.be/96XTelPZnfAWeller PCB-Holder: youtu.be/oXX2rBZxdAMUltra-Sharp Probe-Tips: youtu.be/5qyOtfkD58UCeramic Solder Plate: youtu.be/BaXE5A9JCko
Selecting a Better Multimeter Pt.3 - Watts, VA, dBs, 4-20mA current loop KainkaLabs 2019-02-08 | 121GW firmware version in this video: V1.57Support Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabsLinks:dB-Tutorial: youtu.be/Tn97U1HVtpoVA vs. Watts-Tutorial: youtu.be/UGfLMHTpPCYEEVBlog 121GW Manual: eevblog.com/product/121gw/#tab-lumia-tab-documentationNewer Brymen/Extech Multimeter Datasheet: https://brymen.eu/wp-content/uploads/biall/102092/102092.KARTA_EN..2015-07-09.1.pdf
Every Maker should have... [Pt.44]...a Pokitmeter KainkaLabs 2019-02-01 | A multimeter, DSO and data-logger at your keychain!Impossible? Walk with Roger through a first tryout of the ingeniously engineered Pokitmeter. With all the stupid mistakes I made without consulting the manual first.pokitmeter.comSupport Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabs
Selecting a Better Multimeter Pt 2.: Volts, Amps, True-RMS, Continuity KainkaLabs 2019-01-30 | What you should know (and your multimter should have) in voltage & current-measurement, RMS vs. RMS AC+DC and continuity test.And again some special features of the 121GW and the MM570A.121GW firmware version in this video: V1.57Support Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabsVideo links: True RMS Pt.1: AC vs. AC+DC youtu.be/LZEie3nAo1EPt.2:Frequency range & Crest-Factor youtu.be/w32rTEt35UUPt.3: RMS-Power youtu.be/UGfLMHTpPCY
Selecting a Better Multimeter Pt.1: General & Safety Considerations KainkaLabs 2019-01-18 | Things to consider when upgrading to a 4.5 digit multimeter.Support Roger an Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabsLinks:CAT-Rating explanation: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Measurement_categoryHRC-Fuses: youtu.be/-cZjFO9E2hgMultimeter Protection: youtu.be/zUhnGp5vh60 and youtu.be/wYCGnYglRjYMultimeter High-Energy Explosion: youtu.be/M-FZP1U2dkMExtech MM570A Teardown: youtu.be/W5toEFqMZOY (modern input protection)Metex M4650B Teardown: youtu.be/iU4XTw_iIkQ (old-style input protection)Ultra-sharp Probe-Tips: youtu.be/5qyOtfkD58U (available in our shop)Silcone vs. PVC Test-Leads: youtu.be/F5AGX_x1Duo (available in our shop)
Vintage Display Technology Pt.11: Numitron & Minitron Displays KainkaLabs 2019-01-11 | Support Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabsLinks: Vintage Technology Association: http://www.decadecounter.com/vta/tubepage.php?item=10Industrial Alchemy Vintage Technology: http://www.industrialalchemy.org/tubepage.php?item=17&user=0Dieter Wächter: http://www.tube-tester.com/sites/nixie/trade09-numitron.htmJürgen Grau´s "NumiQueen" for sale: http://nixiekits.eu/product.php?key=numiqueen
Berlin-Uhr LED replacement KainkaLabs 2019-01-08 | Support Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabsRelated video: youtu.be/qcLF-2hg0a4Replacing a faded LED with a compatible one found with the datasheet of the original LED and the parametric search on Digi-Key.
A Transistor-Tester with hfe and Breakdown Measurement KainkaLabs 2019-01-04 | (The last 5 minutes of this video are erroneously only black screen. No easter-eggs and no more info hidden in that part)Support Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabsAnother Ebay find of one of the 7000-series test-and-measurement devices from ELV from the 1980s.It can measure the current-gain of NPNs and PNPs at 5 different base currents with collector currents up to 2 amps.And additionally the breakdown voltage and leakage current at voltages up to 200 volts.Link: https://www.elv.de/TT-7000-Dioden-und-Transistortestger%C3%A4t/x.aspx/cid_726/detail_33155
The Berlin Uhr or Mengenlehre-Uhr (Set-Theory Clock) KainkaLabs 2018-10-10 | A famous German "digital" clock originally placed at a prominent traffic-crossing at the Ku´-Damm. Can still be seen now at the Europa-Center in Berlin.2 models are presented, circuit-diagram discussed and torn apart.I later recognized a few errors I made in the video:1.) a worn-out 100µF cap for the -15V supply voltage was responsible for the clock not working correctly after some time (not the 1.000µF at the LM317)2.) you can see in the schematics the wire-bridge for changing the clock from 50Hz to 60Hz-mode (part of the key-matrix)3.) some of the workings of the Elektor-clocks is explained wrongly. Find out yourself :-)Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MengenlehreuhrShop where you can buy the model:https://www.asmetec-shop.de/Berlin-Uhr--Mengenlehre-Uhr/Support Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabs
ANENG AN8009 Test + Teardown KainkaLabs 2018-08-24 | The best low-cost pocket-multimeter I know of.In this video: Accessories, features, accuracy-check, teardownSupport Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabsSupplementary videos:True-RMS AC vs. AC+DC : youtu.be/LZEie3nAo1ETrue-RMS frequency-range+crest-factor: youtu.be/w32rTEt35UUHRC-Fuses: youtu.be/-cZjFO9E2hgSupport Roger on Patreon:patreon.com/kainkalabsYou can easily mod the Aneng for faster response/stabilization of the measured value:jackenhack.com/aneng-an8009-improve-accuracy-responseMy specimen doesn´t show the behaviour that Jack´s has. It snaps into the final value once autoranging is done.
A Model of the Rheinturm Uhr (Rhine-tower clock) KainkaLabs 2018-08-16 | A demo of a model of the (in Germany) famous "Rheinturm-Uhr" oder "Lichtpegelzeiger".It´s integrated in a telecom-tower in Dusseldord directly at the river Rhine and be seen and read from many kilometers away.Even in the Guiness Book of Records as the largest decimal/digital "time-scale" in the world (although it´s strictly speaking not "decimal")Original: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/LichtzeitpegelRheinturm (Rhine tower): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RheinturmSupport Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabs
Teardown of an Extech MM570A (=Brymen BM859) 5.5 Digit Multimeter KainkaLabs 2018-08-10 | Excellent built- and design-quality in this 4.5/5.5 digit multimeter with Brymen as the OEM.You can skip to 16:45 for the most interesting parts on the main PCB.Supplementary Videos:HRC-Fuses: youtu.be/-cZjFO9E2hgMultimeter Input Protection: youtu.be/zUhnGp5vh60Support Roger on Patreon:
What are HRC-fuses used for and how do they work? KainkaLabs 2018-08-06 | Don´t complain about some repetitions I didn´t edit out because of the safety subject this video is about.Supplementary videos:Multimeter Input Protection: youtu.be/zUhnGp5vh60The "Melting Integral" or "I2t-value": youtu.be/ucLLkhgVgO0AC- vs. DC-ratings in relays: youtu.be/6mGCAw8q85gSupport Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabs
My Version of Coyt Barringer´s Flip Clock KainkaLabs 2018-07-31 | Coyt has put the assembled PCB now for sale on both Tindie here: tindie.com/products/LizardSystems/electromechanical-flip-clock-assembled-pcb and on his personal website here: coytbarringer.com/product/flip-display-clock-assembled-pcbSupport Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabsCoyt´s original post and files: http://coytbarringer.com/flip-display-clockAdditional BOM, HEX-Files, fuse-setting etc. kainkalabs.com/upload/index.php?f=15b60eafb2c2c1Some additional remarks for self-assembly: you should be familiar with SMD-soldering (0604, 0402 size components) and component identification from the original PCB-files/schematic and tracing them out.Otherwise you will certainly fail.There are quite a lot of components to identify and solder onto the PCB (more than 100).
Teardown of a 4.5 Digit Metex M4650B DMM from ca. 1990 KainkaLabs 2018-07-27 | ...with all glitches, erratic guesses and meanders.Download-Link for circuit-diagram & manual: kainkalabs.com/upload/index.php?f=15b5a81d3244d5Additional info: EEVBlog#730 about thin-film resistor dividers: youtu.be/Rxy-VpSDPg4Support Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabs
Recommended Pocket-Calculators for Engineers KainkaLabs 2018-07-20 | Can´t get the Casio fx-61F? Then try one these vintage cheapies as an alternative.Support Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabsManual to the Casio Engineering series:http://www.decadecounter.com/vta/pdf/Casio%20Super-FX%20203c.pdfInside the Casio fx-115D:http://www.decadecounter.com/vta/articleview.php?item=1236
A quick test of the UT120C: Pocket-Multimer or Pokitmeter? KainkaLabs 2018-06-10 | A quick look at the Uni-T UT120C pocket multimeter in the $20 range. Support Roger on Patreon: patreon.com/kainkalabsPerhaps it´s better to wait for the revolutionary "Pokitmeter" instead of finding another halfway decent pocket-multimeter? www.pokitmeter.comResume: I am still waiting for the first device from Uni-T where I have nothing serious to complain about.
