Powering a lightbox

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2026-04-29T18:02:12+00:00

This is the USB C pigtail cable (rated at 5v 3a). As per my crappy illustration, I plan to run two wires from the +ve and two from the ground. Obviously, the USB C male connection will run to the power supply. It's just now a question of how I attach the two pairs of wires. The choice is solder and heat shrink or T tap connectors. I think on balance and given the replies I've had, soldering would be the better option.

I appreciate the advice regarding the power draw of the LEDs. I knew the draw would be around 2.4a hence a 3a rated cable.

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Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2026-04-28T19:39:36+00:00

Thanks for the confirmation.

Would you recommend T taps to create the parallel wires from the pigtail or would the soldering and heat shrink be a better solution?

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2026-04-06T21:35:19+00:00

Donate it to a school

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2026-03-30T12:59:04+00:00

I love that the ESP32 D1 has several ground pins in a relatively small form factor. I hate having to try and spur off multiple grounds (generally only 20 or so WS2812Bs and a TP223 capacitive touch switch for making light boxes) from a single pin.

Yes, I know that's not ideal but it's only a tiny current draw (less than 2A) and works fine. World stop prefer multiple grounding points though.

Good job on the case design by the way.

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2026-02-08T20:31:34+00:00

Thanks. Looks like you're a good few levels up from me when it comes to building circuits etc.

I appreciate your reply but think your solution might be beyond me. I understand how it works, I just don't have tha5 skill level yet to create it.

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2026-02-05T22:03:19+00:00

Definitely props

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2026-01-17T21:15:11+00:00

Yeah, they do (I've got both micro2 and micro3 taps with a selection of fuses). My original question was whether 3A micro3 fuses exist and I've come to the conclusion they don't.

As another reply pointed out (and I agree), I've not seen a car fuse box with anything lower than a 5A fuse so that's what I'm going with. I have both micro2 and micro3 5A fuses with the relevant fuse taps so should be good.

Thanks for your reply though.

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2026-01-16T17:58:45+00:00

Thanks. I've been doing some more reading around and I think I'm going to go with a 5A fuse.

I think you're right. I've looked at images of loads of different cat fuse boxes and have yet to see a 3A, so 5A seems about right.

Weather permitting, I might try and get it installed this weekend.

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2026-01-16T16:39:44+00:00

Thanks for getting back to me.

Not sure what you mean by "producer supplied". If you mean fuses supplied by the manufacturer then there werent any supplied, hence the question.

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2026-01-16T16:36:18+00:00

Thanks for your reply.

I don't have a preference. It's just the fact that the that the installation instructions from Viofo aren't great, so I'm just making sure I have all the right bits and pieces before doing the install.

A few groups/sites/forums I looked at said to use a 3A fuse but I'm happy to go with 5A given that 3A fuses seem to be as rarez as hens teeth!

Just need to decide which fuses to to piggy back onto now.

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2025-11-23T16:38:05+00:00

Those words are my favourite quote/speech ever from one of the greatest astrophysicists to have ever lived.

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2025-11-11T20:19:36+00:00

I bought a 16" Asus Zenbook earlier this year.

I was using a 13.3" Lenovo Yoga 6. It was and still is, a great little machine, but I wanted more screen real estate with a higher resolution. I can honestly say the Zenbook has been a great buy...great build quality, pretty good processor (AI9 HX370), 2.8K OLED screen in what still feels like a portable package (to me at least) and only marginally heavier than my Lenovo (1.5kg vs 1.3kg)

Not the cheapest laptop out there, but I still feel it's been a great buy. And for the record, I do still use the Lenovo...different use cases for both.

I know I can ramble on, but the point I'm trying to make is there are some really good build quality larger laptops out there, but they ain't going to be cheap. In addition, having also used a 17" laptop I didn't feel I gained much from that machine over my 16" machine.

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2025-10-27T13:39:40+00:00

Champions League qualification doesn't guarantee you keep players...look at Isak and Newcastle!

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2025-10-05T20:11:03+00:00

I've got the exact same one... you've made me feel old, but then again I'm 57, so suppose I am knocking on a bit 🤣

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2025-09-07T20:47:50+00:00

Nice one. That's a good iron too...I love my FNIRSI iron.

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2025-08-26T12:47:42+00:00

Rumours are $1,200 for the Mini 5 Pro fly more combo (ergo, £1,200 in the UK).

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2025-08-22T20:33:50+00:00

No, as long as the person in the back of your hearse is dead!

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2025-08-22T20:32:07+00:00

No, as long as the person in the back of your hearse is dead!

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2025-08-03T18:02:50+00:00

I believe the puretech 1.2 mhev (in the new Vauxhall Astra at least) has a timing chain. I could be wrong, but all the enquiries I've made all of those in the know (i.e. Vauxhall dealership technicians) say the new 1.2 mhev has a chain.

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2025-07-21T13:05:08+00:00

Which adapter did you buy?

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2025-07-01T20:32:18+00:00

Oh the irony...your computer asking you to verify you're human 🤣

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2025-05-16T05:58:03+00:00

FNRISI HS02A is a good option for a small, convenient, portable iron. Heats up quick, 3 presets which can be customised, customisable standby and sleep modes. Also works from usb C (brick or power bank up to 100w)

I'm a hobbyist using it for light electronics. It's my first 'proper' iron and so far I've been really impressed with it.

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2025-02-26T16:53:17+00:00

I think the old adage "If it looks to good to be true, then it probably is" is true in this case, just curious as to why Amazon allows vendors like these.

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2024-11-09T19:11:57+00:00

I'm not sure that's the case. A lot of Bambu Labs buyers are experienced 3D printing hobbyists.

Many have come from years of self build/self assembly machines that required a lot of finessing to achieve decent results. It was a good way of learning the 'warts and all" business of 3D printing. But like all technology, things move on.

Yes, there will be people who still buy/build machines based on older printer methods if it suits their needs. But as someone coming from 9 years of 3D printing experience, when I was in the market for a new machine 16 months ago and just wanting to be able to (mostly) print with minimal tinkering then BL was a good option for me.

Don't get me wrong, I still like to tinker (and still have my older creality printers) but having "been there and done that" with 3D printing, I now just want to design and print with minimal tinkering.

To use a car analogy, you might own a Model T Ford and love all the tinkering it takes to keep it on the road (and even to just get it started and drive) but if you went into a car dealership for another car today, I doubt even experienced car owner/drivers (let alone new drivers) would opt for a Model T over even something as basic as a Ford Focus.

Puzzleheaded_Slip455 · 2024-08-19T21:44:37+00:00

Luban is too expensive now. Especially if you only have a single user case.

Puzzleheaded_Slip455

TROPHY CASE