Category: Science & Technology
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I Have A Battery Backing Up My Cordless Phone
Introduction Cordless Phones have always been susceptible to power cuts, since they don’t generally come with a battery backing up the Base Unit. It’s expected that users provide a basic phone which can be plugged into the line in an emergency. In the past this phone would have been powered by the 50V exchange battery…
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My Broadband Hub & Phone Have A Backup Battery
To guard against power cuts this winter I have given my Broadband Hub and fibre to ethernet interface (ONT) a 3-hour Backup Battery.
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A Function Generator Built From A Kit Using An XR2206
Introduction This post covers some of the practicalities that have to be met when building a function generator (signal generator) using an XR2206CP Function Generator kit. I assume anyone building one of these kits has some electronic and soldering experience. The Kit Instructions I bought two of these kits and I could see immediately, when…
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XR2206 Function Generator Kit Improved Instructions
Introduction The XR2206 Function Generator Kit is available through various outlets at a selection of prices up to £13. I got one branded “ARCELI” via Amazon for £7.99. Having got one, I would advise getting the cheapest one you can. Just take into consideration the trustworthiness of the seller to be sure you get what…
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Microwave Inverter Repairs To The Door Button & Bezel
The large rectangular button used for opening the door began protruding at the righthand end by about five millimetres. Obviously it had broken.
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Radio Wave Power And How It Gets Reduced By Distance
Introduction Some people are very concerned that radio wave power coming from radio transmitters’ antennas will harm people. In particular people are troubled by mobile phone masts causing long term health problems when they are near to their homes. I just want to make it clear how much a transmitter’s power diminishes as it spreads…
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An Explanation of Direct And Inverse Proportion
Introduction At least one of my other posts How Distance Reduces The Power of Radio Waves requires an understanding of mathematical proportionality. In particular it requires an understanding of Inverse Proportion. So I have written this article to try and clarify it. It gives an explanation of the two types of proportion, otherwise known as…
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14 Pin & 15 Pin D Connectors on VGA Cables
Introduction I wanted to know what the difference is between VGA cables with 14 pin and 15 “D” connectors. I found the answer on the Instructables site/forum. The info I needed was contained in a reply to a query by onrust circa 2010.
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Extending The Door Bell In My Home
Post Description I’ve been extending the door bell in my home so it can be heard in the house extension and shed. It’s been done by incorporating wireless technology, while retaining my original 1980s “DING-DONG” door chime which had a great sound and an illuminated bell push.
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Converting A Bell Push Light To LEDs
Post Description How I replaced an incandescent bell push light with LEDs. The bell push operates a door chime powered by AC from a bell transformer.
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Cooling Fan Lubrication For An NVIDIA GeForce GTS240
Preface This post describes: My success at cooling fan lubrication on an NVIDIA GeForce GTS240 PC display adapter to silence it when it became noisy.
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I Found Windows 10 Fast Startup Caused Problems
Introduction The following post will describe how to turn Windows 10 Fast Startup OFF or ON. I usually turn it off on my PCs because I’ve had startup problems as described in the following sections.
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Is My Dualit Model DMF2 Milk Frother Corroding?
Introduction Unfortunately besides my Dualit Milk Frother requiring a repair (see How I Repaired A Dualit Milk Frother Model DMF2) another problem has developed. I have to ask, “Is my Dualit Milk Frother corroding?” If not what is happening to it. Is the brown mark I can see copper or rust?
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How I Repaired A Dualit Milk Frother Model DMF2
Introduction My wife pressed the start button on the Dualit Milk Frother (Model DMF2) one day in the summer of 2017 and it no longer worked. This persisted so we had to heat the milk in the microwave oven for a week or two until we got a new frother. Of course, me being me,…
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Windows 10 File History Used To Backup My PC
Introduction Since the introduction of Windows 10 version 1709, and acquiring a new backup drive, I have chosen to use Windows 10 File History to backup my PC. So far so good. I have used it to backup my data and to restore some.. I will describe how this tool is used from my point…
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Discussing Malicious Website URLs On Twitter
Introduction I have recently come across an issue where good people wish to convey information about malicious websites to everyone. They’re doing very good work tying to keep us all safe and informed by discussing malicious website URLs (Universal Resource Locators), particularly on Twitter. Unfortunately Twitter creates a link in the text to anything looking…
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Mains Safety Issues With Extension Cables & 13 Amp Plugs
Introduction There are three mains safety issues regarding extension cables and 13 amp plugs covered in this post which are: UK 13 amp plugs have mains safety issues where sockets can become dangerously exposed. I came across it by chance when I landed on the PlugSafe site. I’ve linked to their site in this post…
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Radio Controlled Wall Clock In My Shed
Introduction I have for some time wanted a reliable time piece outside my house. I don’t actually require an exact time outside anymore than I do elsewhere, but I do need to get the grass cut by teatime. So, I have acquired a Radio Controlled Wall Clock for my shed. I have had the difficulty of…
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Making A Condensation-free Bathroom Mirror
This post describes how to make a condensation-free bathroom mirror using an automatic mirror heater. Without a heater it would be impossible to use the mirror without first wiping it with a cloth. With an active mirror heater, it’s possible to get straight out of a bath or shower and use the mirror immediately.
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LastPass Password Phishing Exploit
The LastPass password phishing exploit could trick users into giving away their password. If you use LastPass check this exploit out at The Hacker Blog and IT Pro. It involves unscrupulous people phishing for LastPass passwords. Update for LastPass Password Phishing Exploit This issue is now fixed for all the latest versions of Lastpass on Chrome…
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Using A Digital Signature With Outlook
Introduction This article covers some of the issues involved when using a Digital Signature. Each Digital Signature is generated from a Digital Certificate (otherwise known as a Digital ID) issued by a certifying authority. All examples given are created using Microsoft Outlook 2010 on a PC using Microsoft Windows 10, but the principles apply to other versions of…
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Lighting Charts – Which Lamp Do I Need?
Introduction We are all trying to reduce energy costs and CO2 emissions by choosing modern alternatives to incandescent lamps. Here are some lighting charts to help you select the best lamp for your situation. Since the decline of incandescent lamps there have been many alternatives made available based on fluorescent tubes bent in many ways to…
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WordPress Fatal Error Out of Memory
How I Resolved ‘Fatal Error Out of Memory’ For A Single Post After much editing of my WordPress post entitled ‘How A Toilet Silent Fill Valve Works’, since I wrote it in May 2014, (there must have been at least 150 edits, and I changed it from a page to a post too) I suddenly had this ‘Fatal…
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Bionic Prosthetic Hand For The 21st Century
Introduction I listened to the BBC Radio 2 Jeremy Vine show on 23rd June and heard a great article about a young woman who had been given a bionic prosthetic hand. A 21st century creation. Her name is Nicky Ashwell and here she is in the following video tweet being interviewed by Jeremy Vine who…
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Magnetic Levitation Using A Superconductor
Introduction Before demonstrating magnetic levitation this video shows a small magnet being cooled to a superconducting temperature using liquid nitrogen. Once cooled the superconducting magnet is shown levitating above a section of magnetic track as seen in the featured image. Further in the video the magnet is kept longer at superconducting temperatures by building a container of …
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Mira Shower Thermal Switch Replacement
Introduction This article advises how I have replaced a Mira Shower thermal switch in a MIRA Sport 9kW Thermostatic Shower on several occasions. Originally I installed a MIRA Sport 9kW Thermostatic Shower as part of a new bathroom and had it tested and certified by a qualified electrician on 1st May 2007. I was very pleased with it…
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Dishwasher Rinse Aid Dispenser Catch Repair
Introduction It must be nearly two years ago that I first had a problem with my Dishwasher Rinse Aid Dispenser Catch. The tab that has to be pushed towards the top of the door to open the rinse aid dispenser, so that more rinse aid can be added, had somehow broken and disappeared. I found I could continue…
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Browser Choice In Microsoft Windows Ends
Browser Choice – What’s That About In December 2009 the European Union obliged Microsoft to offer a choice of browsers to their European customers when they installed new versions of Windows. This browser choice was also delivered in updates to Windows and so the Browser Choice screen was born and has been with us ever since.…
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Cleaning A Nespresso Aeroccino Milk Frother
Introduction I’ve had a Nespresso Pixie since June 2012 and at the same time I acquired a Nespresso Aeroccino milk frother (Aeroccino 3 to be precise). These devices are very nice to have and work well even after 2½ years continual use. The coffee is very nice too. NOTE: The Nespresso Aeroccino 3 has been…
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Robot Controlled Chemical Evolution
Robot Controlled Chemical Evolution, “It’s life, Jim, but not as we know it.” Glasgow scientists studying Robot Controlled Chemical Evolution have created a robotic system where chemicals can evolve. I read about this in Gizmag, but followed it up with a quick read from the horses mouth at Nature magazine. The featured image is a picture looking…
