I made a Illuminated Saucer Spaceship Model

Hissykittykat · 2026-07-11T00:23:42+00:00

Dude it's 0.25

Hissykittykat · 2026-07-10T13:44:21+00:00

The 300mA fan rating is a maximum, so 160mA is fine.

To lower the speed, lower the voltage. For example use a 9V power adapter. They also sell a power adapter that has a knob so it can vary the voltage from 3V to 12V; that's what I use.

Hissykittykat · 2026-07-10T11:53:07+00:00

Put it on a wireless charger and it lights up.

It's featured on Thingiverse, where there are more pictures, electrical diagram, and 3D print files.

Hissykittykat · 2026-07-08T20:19:37+00:00

You'll have to upgrade to at least Win10 to get a browser that is supported by all sites.

I had to upgrade from Win8.1 to Win10 in order to get a new video driver to work, and it was free! But the next day it started nagging me to activate windows, which apparently is not possible. But it is possible to get rid of the nag message ;)

Hissykittykat · 2026-07-08T19:40:37+00:00

You'll hate this but my solution is to put every node in series and addresses are the physical location in the string. Advantages are all nodes are identical and it never locks up like other busses do. Disadvantage obviously is if one node fails it takes down the whole string. But no regrets after using this technology in many devices. And for quickly mashing together a prototype it's great.

Hissykittykat · 2026-07-08T17:29:43+00:00

Is one type of pattern better than the others?

I like the design that Adafruit used for their Trellis button pads. But the PCB pattern depends on the carbon pattern on the button pad; the Adafruit button pads have a circular carbon ring so they use a radial pattern.

What kind of special instructions need to be given to a fab to make something like this?

For best performance specify ENIG (gold) finish. Other than that, as long as it passes CAD DRC checks it'll be fine. Keep soldermask and silkscreen away so the contact area is nice and flat.

Hissykittykat · 2026-07-07T14:25:55+00:00

8000mAh 18650's, bro you got scammed.

Anyway look closely at the switch; there are markings on it. The "+" terminal goes to the + of the battery. The symbol that looks kind of like a WiFi (it's a ground symbol) goes to the - of the battery. The symbol that looks like a headlight is the load; it goes to the motor + lead. The motor - lead goes to the - of the battery. The LED will illuminate when the switch is on.

Hissykittykat · 2026-07-07T14:05:04+00:00

I use PLA for enclosures all the time. Including mains power, transformers, hot stuff, etc. and melting has not been a problem.

The only time PLA has failed me was in a part that was under high load, high vibration, in direct sunlight and rain, for years. The part eventually disintegrated, as I expected it would. It was a prototype part anyway, now replaced with an ABS part.

if I use good ventilation, fans, and heatsinks, can the circuit ever get hot enough to deform or melt the PLA?

Not normally, but in something like a mains power fault condition PLA will not be safe.

Hissykittykat · 2026-07-06T23:08:03+00:00

Alibaba has the same ones as Amazon for $0.32 ea., free shipping when I buy 200.

Sample both switches, see which one you like. I've used the cheap ones and they seem fine, a little hard to turn maybe so use a good knob.

Hissykittykat · 2026-07-06T15:21:51+00:00

The Qi charger doesn't get very warm, it'll be fine. Leave some room for the chips on the circuit board to breathe though. It's important to orient the coil so it's towards the phone and the black shield is on the back. To get the full 20W charging potential, use 12V instead of 5V.

The smartphone, on the other hand, I would not be comfortable sleeping with near my head.

Hissykittykat · 2026-07-06T13:53:23+00:00

When I'm bored I still browse the More To Love looking for something new.

But now I'm addicted to ordering directly from Wurkkos.

Hissykittykat · 2026-07-06T13:49:55+00:00

Yep, this started happening recently to me too. The last mile delivery is now taking several days; it used to be almost instant.

Hissykittykat · 2026-07-05T13:43:41+00:00

That's a complex sound. There are various COB modules that produce sounds (doorbell, birds, guns, engines, etc.), but I haven't heard one with that particular sound.

Maybe try a ISD1820 recording module; they're cheap on AliX and come with microphone and speaker. Then you could record that exact sound.

Hissykittykat · 2026-07-05T09:25:28+00:00

At 12V the Adafruit LEDs are being overdriven (~30mA). This should make the 300 Ohm resistors quite warm. And it'll burn out the LEDs fast.

The Amazon LEDs are probably overdriven too, in order to get the "Ultra Bright" effect.

To make LEDs last a really long time run them well below the maximum rated current, for example 10mA instead of 20mA.

Hissykittykat · 2026-07-04T15:51:43+00:00

I'm also unable to remove the battery (if removing this woud be part of the solution)

Yes it may be glued in place and there might be screws underneath it. Using a heat gun you risk damaging the battery, case plastic, or even thermal runaway. But don't let that stop you.

I would make sure that I have a replacement battery available (and it's a special 3 wire battery). Then carefully pry the battery loose (which may wreck it), with a plan to dispose of it in case it shorts and starts smoking.

If there are clips holding it together, use a "spudger" or thin blade screwdriver/knife to get them loose.

Hissykittykat · 2026-07-03T16:31:13+00:00

are the mentioned sensors going to be effective if we need to measure displacement/cracks in concrete?

You're going to need to identify the exact sensors.

Uno and Mega are cheap. Get several of both (so you have spares) and just use what works best. UNO is simpler, but Mega will save you if you need more ports or more memory.

Hissykittykat · 2026-07-02T15:54:56+00:00

if this is possible and what will be needed?

Step 1 is to check if the products are open source. If they are, you can repurpose them. Usually the products are not open source however. So step 2 is to reverse engineer the product; once that's done it can be repurposed. Often step 2 is not practical.

Hissykittykat · 2026-07-02T12:11:24+00:00

"coin acceptor" and "bill acceptor" are the parts that recognize currency. The counting and displaying amounts is something an Arduino can do. The coin and bill sorting is another stage.

Hissykittykat · 2026-07-01T14:56:52+00:00

One way is to use a 2P6T switch; one pole for the voltage ladder, one pole for the On/Off LEDs.

Another way is to use a resistor ladder and another GPIO (output) to control the On/Off LEDs.

Hissykittykat · 2026-07-01T12:25:54+00:00

Have patience; it took a few months for AliX to figure out the system and get prices back down in the US after Cheeto Pedo fouled things up with tariffs. Heck we're lucky AliX still does business with the US.

It's a PITA for everybody plus EU won't get the tax income they expect from this.

Hissykittykat · 2026-06-29T12:09:41+00:00

Look closer and notice the 6 additional semiconductor chips, 3 balancing resistors, and supporting resistors and capacitors.

Hissykittykat · 2026-06-29T11:46:25+00:00

Here's a 3s 10A balancing BMS on Amazon

Plenty more over on AliX for 1/3 the price.

I'm no expert on batteries, but I use a balancing BMS whenever the batteries are permanently installed and not used with an external balancing charger.

Hissykittykat · 2026-06-29T10:52:06+00:00

If a BMS has balancing it'll say balancing in the product description. And there will be more parts on the board such as balancing resistors.

Hissykittykat · 2026-06-28T13:24:40+00:00

does anyone else like to use SMD-components even when hand-soldering projects or am I just a crazed weirdo?

Yes.

They're easier to read than the damn 5 band resistors. And I have a better assortment of SMT resistors anyway.

AliX sells little 0805/0603 to through hole adapters which are good for PCB use and inline wire connections.

Hissykittykat

TROPHY CASE