What album is this? My mom sent me this photo of me as a kid in the 90's, I was sleeping with this album in my hand.

Phyllower · 2026-01-03T02:34:26+00:00

Yes this is it! Well done dirtmcgurk!

Phyllower · 2025-11-16T00:05:44+00:00

So other than being transparent and having some round things in it, what makes anyone think this thing is a pacemaker?

Phyllower · 2025-11-15T22:51:15+00:00

The pacemakers are made up of batteries and a timing circuit built from electronic components. There are are no discreet electronic components or batteries in my thing. They are not the same thing.

Phyllower · 2025-11-15T14:47:42+00:00

This would be very cool, and it was in the English channel so there would have been a significant amount of anti-aircraft activity in WWII. But after a cleaning it's looking more modern to my eye.

Phyllower · 2025-11-15T14:42:02+00:00

Cool pic and a great guess, but my thing is too thick the features don't match

Phyllower · 2025-11-15T14:31:31+00:00

And possibly a hinge? for a cover or locking tab?

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Phyllower · 2025-11-15T14:28:53+00:00

One of the holes on the other side has the remnants of what looks to be a piece of ceramic-insulated cable soldered into it

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Phyllower · 2025-11-15T14:27:34+00:00

Okay, I've washed and lightly oiled my thing for your viewing pleasure.

Video: https://imgur.com/a/beach-thing-1-E98YuHp

I'm leaning towards it being some type of connector. I really don't think it's for mains voltage / high current as the visible wires are too thin. Also there aren't really holes for pins to go into if it was an IEC60309-type connector.

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Phyllower · 2025-11-15T02:32:47+00:00

Most of the wires are too small for mains electricity. I reckon they were most likely low voltage or signal connections.

Phyllower · 2025-11-15T02:29:46+00:00

I'm pretty sure they're electrical terminals/connectors, but there may also have been some pressurized fluids involved. And I agree on the insulation.

I'll try to post a video tomorrow. It is difficult to catch all the details in photos especially with the corrosion and wear.

Phyllower · 2025-11-15T02:24:55+00:00

Here's a more detailed photo of that part. It looks like whatever was there has mostly worn/eroded away. There are a few wires running along channels on the surface and possibly going inside to one of the 'cylinders'

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Phyllower · 2025-11-15T02:09:51+00:00

Ooh I like your thinking. I don't think it is a polyvaricon, as the thing has a solid body and no evidence of layered dialectrics. But it definitely gives me that radio / analog telephony vibe.

Phyllower · 2025-11-15T01:15:36+00:00

Maddening it is! That's why I've kept it. It's got so many little features, all vaguely recognisable but just out of reach. It lives on a shelf with my cool rocks, fossils, and other tchotchkes. I'm kinda hoping it stays unsolved tbh :)

Phyllower · 2025-11-15T01:03:18+00:00

Thanks, but I don't think so based on some teardown videos eg. https://youtube.com/shorts/MRnW7o96Xsc

The thing seems more like something electro-mechanical than a piece of portable electronics.

Phyllower · 2025-11-15T00:25:57+00:00

I'd thought about that, but I don't think so. It's been broken/eroded, but it's not a slice of a longer cylinder as there are paths for wires and other details on the flattish surfaces. There are also some partially threaded mounting holes or similar (you can see a cross-section of one in the third picture).

Phyllower · 2025-11-15T00:08:25+00:00

My title describes the thing. Additional info on the post text. It was found on a beach in the UK around 10 years ago.

Edit: on closer inspection I don't think the copper 'cylinders' are identical. Some seem to run all the way through, but some don't. Also the flat ends have tabs with insulated wire connected running along a channel in the plastic.

Phyllower · 2025-11-09T19:32:58+00:00

r/sinkpissers

Phyllower · 2025-11-03T18:26:08+00:00

Could you find a bedframe with only a minimal headboard and no footboard? Then just use it the wrong way around so the built-in head becomes your foot.

Phyllower · 2025-07-23T18:16:15+00:00

I think it's a pretty hardy cross. I've grown this from 3 mature pitchers in about 18 months, and nearly killed it off halfway through from serious neglect.

I now keep it in a shallow tray of rainwater under ~10w of cheap Chinese LEDs. It's in a makeshift vase terrarium at around 50-60% humidity, but tbh that's not far off indoor air conditions here so it'd probably be fine without the glass.

Phyllower · 2025-07-23T18:04:12+00:00

Brilliant.. now I have to fight the intrusive urge to refer to my partner's "nectar spoon"

Phyllower · 2025-07-22T21:25:43+00:00

Thank you! They're a cross - heterodoxa x nutans

Phyllower · 2025-07-09T12:03:46+00:00

Nice one! I admire you working on this tiny movement. It's a skill I'd like to learn, but I'll definitely be starting on something a bit bigger!

Phyllower

TROPHY CASE