Category: Electrical/Electronic
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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
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 out…
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head Maintenance
Introduction This article advises how to perform Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head Maintenance. This can involve removing the Brushbars to remove items that have got wrapped around them and removing the Soleplate for access so dirt can be cleaned out. In extreme cases the Motor Housing can be opened so that dirt can be sucked out of…
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Dyson Slim DC18 Filter Cleaning
Introduction This article describes the Dyson Slim DC18 Filter Cleaning process for the Pre-filter and the HEPA (Highly Efficient Particle Arrester) Post-filter. Many devices in this world which pump air have air filters. They’re installed to stop dirt harming mechanisms, bearings, etc.. Without filters that dirt would ultimately make them perform badly or fail. The air filters clog up…
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ABCON® PostShip® Parcel Scales Review
Preface This post describes: The design, usage and benefits of ABCON® PostShip® parcel scales.
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Teapot Cleaning Methods
Should you practice teapot cleaning or not? Some people think teapot cleaning is unnecessary and that it spoils the flavour of the tea. If they have traditional brown earthenware teapots they probably don’t see all the tannin stains on the inside. With a stainless steel teapot you see them all and they start to form very…
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Automotive Air Compressor RAC900 by RING
Introduction This post is about the RING Automotive Air Compressor RAC900 which is an excellent pump for inflating anything with a Schrader valve, (e.g. car tyres, bicycle tyres, etc.) or balls, airbeds, etc. (3 Inflation Adapters are supplied). It has to be powered by a 12 volt (30 amp peak) supply such as a car battery (not provided).
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My Casio Databank Watch is DEAD
My Old Casio Databank Watch I bought this Casio Databank Watch (LEFT) in 1995 and although it has had several batteries and replacement straps it has lasted 18 years until this week when I noticed the digits had all gone off. A week before I noticed it had reset to a date in 1990. I…
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Tin Whiskers in a Wireless Thermostat Receiver
Introduction Tin Whiskers are a crystalline growth made of the element tin. They are in the form of a very thin straight hair with one end attached to the tin from which they are formed. They often form on lead free solder used to fix components to circuit boards now that lead is banned.
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Morse Code
History Morse Code was devised by Samuel Finley Breese Morse, an American artist and inventor, in the 19th century. It is made up of a series of dots and dashes when written down. Speaking Morse Code When spoken a dot is pronounced “dit” if it is the final element of a character, else it’s pronounced “di”, and…
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Dyson Slim DC18 Upright – Undercarriage Repair
Introduction This post gives a detailed description, with photos and reference to a Parts Diagram, of how to replace a Dyson Slim DC18 Undercarriage. The Undercarriage would require changing if part of it broke since parts cannot be obtained individually. I changed mine when the Air Input Changeover Valve Actuator broke. “Since I first published…
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How Many Parts Make A Shower Head?
How Many Parts? You may be surprised to learn that the shower head that came with my Mira Sport Thermostatic Shower is made from 22 separate parts. If you count them in the featured image above you will see 21 but take note that the main body of the shower head, on the right, is made…
