What did you do today? (2013)

[Chris HeapyParticipant @chrisheapy71135]

Ah. Anticipation… of making a b***s up with one and still having the other to work with Should both survive the entire process I will sell it or dispose of it some other way. Half the work is in setting up the machines for the cuts so it's not much more work to make two than it is for one – and far easier than starting again from scratch.

[Chris HeapyParticipant @chrisheapy71135]

Ah. Anticipation… of making a b***s up with one and still having the other to work with Should both survive the entire process I will sell it or dispose of it some other way. Half the work is in setting up the machines for the cuts so it's not much more work to make two than it is for one – and far easier than starting again from scratch.

[Chris HeapyParticipant @chrisheapy71135]

Ah. Anticipation… of making a b***s up with one and still having the other to work with Should both survive the entire process I will sell it or dispose of it some other way. Half the work is in setting up the machines for the cuts so it's not much more work to make two than it is for one – and far easier than starting again from scratch.

[Mark P.Participant @markp]

Made a superheater for a 31/2'' brit.

Mark P.

[Mark P.Participant @markp]

Made a superheater for a 31/2'' brit.

Mark P.

[Mark P.Participant @markp]

Made a superheater for a 31/2'' brit.

Mark P.

[Peter G. ShawParticipant @peterg-shaw75338]

Never got round to making the D bit, but did continue on SWMBO's garden lights. What a mess! Corrosion all over the place.

Wrote one off whilst dismantling the solar cell part to see how the wires were connected. Still can't see how they are connected, but now know not to dismantle that part. Anyway, the fancy multi-coloured slowly flashing LED and other bits MCI. (Might come in). Discovered they consist of single AA NiMH cell, solar cell, diode (turned out to be a Schottky diode), resistor type thing which turned out to be an inductor, small ceramic capacitor, this fancy LED, and a black oblong thing with 4 legs on it, bit like an ic on it's side. Started wondering how it worked because LED's required rather more oomph than a 1.2V cell can give. Back to t'internet.

Examined/tested the rest:

One had corroded away legs on the 4-leg device. Obviously a scrapper. Two or three others had badly corroded battery terminals. Three of the LED's had one of the legs corroded away halfway inside a plastic leg guide (strange that). Some of the connecting wires came off in my fingers.

So it's now a case of seeing how many I can actually get up and running by cannibalisation. So far, out of 7, I've managed 2 with a third well on the way except that it's LED won't show green. Shows Red & Blue ok, but not green. So this is an internal failure and is the first component failure I've found, all the rest being due to corrosion or my cackhandedness. It does seem that two or three may have duff solar cells or duff connecting leads but I daren't pull them apart 'cos that is very definitely terminal.

Carry on Tomorrow. (Now why didn't the Carry on team ever produce such a film?)

Regards,

Peter G. Shaw

[Peter G. ShawParticipant @peterg-shaw75338]

Never got round to making the D bit, but did continue on SWMBO's garden lights. What a mess! Corrosion all over the place.

Wrote one off whilst dismantling the solar cell part to see how the wires were connected. Still can't see how they are connected, but now know not to dismantle that part. Anyway, the fancy multi-coloured slowly flashing LED and other bits MCI. (Might come in). Discovered they consist of single AA NiMH cell, solar cell, diode (turned out to be a Schottky diode), resistor type thing which turned out to be an inductor, small ceramic capacitor, this fancy LED, and a black oblong thing with 4 legs on it, bit like an ic on it's side. Started wondering how it worked because LED's required rather more oomph than a 1.2V cell can give. Back to t'internet.

Examined/tested the rest:

One had corroded away legs on the 4-leg device. Obviously a scrapper. Two or three others had badly corroded battery terminals. Three of the LED's had one of the legs corroded away halfway inside a plastic leg guide (strange that). Some of the connecting wires came off in my fingers.

So it's now a case of seeing how many I can actually get up and running by cannibalisation. So far, out of 7, I've managed 2 with a third well on the way except that it's LED won't show green. Shows Red & Blue ok, but not green. So this is an internal failure and is the first component failure I've found, all the rest being due to corrosion or my cackhandedness. It does seem that two or three may have duff solar cells or duff connecting leads but I daren't pull them apart 'cos that is very definitely terminal.

Carry on Tomorrow. (Now why didn't the Carry on team ever produce such a film?)

Regards,

Peter G. Shaw

[Peter G. ShawParticipant @peterg-shaw75338]

Never got round to making the D bit, but did continue on SWMBO's garden lights. What a mess! Corrosion all over the place.

Wrote one off whilst dismantling the solar cell part to see how the wires were connected. Still can't see how they are connected, but now know not to dismantle that part. Anyway, the fancy multi-coloured slowly flashing LED and other bits MCI. (Might come in). Discovered they consist of single AA NiMH cell, solar cell, diode (turned out to be a Schottky diode), resistor type thing which turned out to be an inductor, small ceramic capacitor, this fancy LED, and a black oblong thing with 4 legs on it, bit like an ic on it's side. Started wondering how it worked because LED's required rather more oomph than a 1.2V cell can give. Back to t'internet.

Examined/tested the rest:

One had corroded away legs on the 4-leg device. Obviously a scrapper. Two or three others had badly corroded battery terminals. Three of the LED's had one of the legs corroded away halfway inside a plastic leg guide (strange that). Some of the connecting wires came off in my fingers.

So it's now a case of seeing how many I can actually get up and running by cannibalisation. So far, out of 7, I've managed 2 with a third well on the way except that it's LED won't show green. Shows Red & Blue ok, but not green. So this is an internal failure and is the first component failure I've found, all the rest being due to corrosion or my cackhandedness. It does seem that two or three may have duff solar cells or duff connecting leads but I daren't pull them apart 'cos that is very definitely terminal.

Carry on Tomorrow. (Now why didn't the Carry on team ever produce such a film?)

Regards,

Peter G. Shaw

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Hi Peter,

They work with a buck circuit, a bit like a spark coil. Tiny current in inductor, break circuit, current keeps flowing, voltage builds and then discharges though LED. Like a miniature spark coil, except at low voltage. Google LED boost circuit. Great way to get the very last out of a cell for long life, low current uProcessor applications.

Neil

Just for the record I'm confused by the charge pump in MEW – I thought they were a way of increasing voltage using capacitors.

Edited By Stub Mandrel on 08/05/2013 21:07:42

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Hi Peter,

They work with a buck circuit, a bit like a spark coil. Tiny current in inductor, break circuit, current keeps flowing, voltage builds and then discharges though LED. Like a miniature spark coil, except at low voltage. Google LED boost circuit. Great way to get the very last out of a cell for long life, low current uProcessor applications.

Neil

Just for the record I'm confused by the charge pump in MEW – I thought they were a way of increasing voltage using capacitors.

Edited By Stub Mandrel on 08/05/2013 21:07:42

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Hi Peter,

They work with a buck circuit, a bit like a spark coil. Tiny current in inductor, break circuit, current keeps flowing, voltage builds and then discharges though LED. Like a miniature spark coil, except at low voltage. Google LED boost circuit. Great way to get the very last out of a cell for long life, low current uProcessor applications.

Neil

Just for the record I'm confused by the charge pump in MEW – I thought they were a way of increasing voltage using capacitors.

Edited By Stub Mandrel on 08/05/2013 21:07:42

[Chris HeapyParticipant @chrisheapy71135]

A rather miserable evening weather-wise, so still tucked up in the workshop. Made a tool holder – which was an interesting machining exercise. I know – it didn't have to be this shape to be purely functional, but I wanted it that shape because it was more fun to make. Locks up firmly with just one screw.

[Chris HeapyParticipant @chrisheapy71135]

A rather miserable evening weather-wise, so still tucked up in the workshop. Made a tool holder – which was an interesting machining exercise. I know – it didn't have to be this shape to be purely functional, but I wanted it that shape because it was more fun to make. Locks up firmly with just one screw.

[Chris HeapyParticipant @chrisheapy71135]

A rather miserable evening weather-wise, so still tucked up in the workshop. Made a tool holder – which was an interesting machining exercise. I know – it didn't have to be this shape to be purely functional, but I wanted it that shape because it was more fun to make. Locks up firmly with just one screw.

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

made a carburretor float from balsa. 5/16" diameter by 3/8" long with a bit of sewing needle through the middle (tip ground off). Gave it a first coat of 15 year old fuel proofer.

I have no idea if this will work, but I might as well try!

Started work on No. 4 cylinder head.

Do you ever think that some parts are cursed?

This time I'm taking it slow and steady.

Drilled the holes for the head studs from the bottom. Not sure why I drilled any of them from the top before? After drilling the paper template with drilled holes (made from the cylinder block) looks like a perfect fit, hopefully won't need to ease any of the holes this time.

Recess over the piston 1mm deep with 11mm slot drill, then with a 3/4" dovetail cutter (dont ask, it works) then another mm larger with the boring head.

Over each valve a 3/8" ball end mill in 0.165" – an extra 5 thou over last time to get a slightly larger cavity.

Tomorrow blend the three cavities together with the ball ended mill, then set the block up to make the fins and mill the seats for the cylinder nuts/glow plug.

Neil

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

made a carburretor float from balsa. 5/16" diameter by 3/8" long with a bit of sewing needle through the middle (tip ground off). Gave it a first coat of 15 year old fuel proofer.

I have no idea if this will work, but I might as well try!

Started work on No. 4 cylinder head.

Do you ever think that some parts are cursed?

This time I'm taking it slow and steady.

Drilled the holes for the head studs from the bottom. Not sure why I drilled any of them from the top before? After drilling the paper template with drilled holes (made from the cylinder block) looks like a perfect fit, hopefully won't need to ease any of the holes this time.

Recess over the piston 1mm deep with 11mm slot drill, then with a 3/4" dovetail cutter (dont ask, it works) then another mm larger with the boring head.

Over each valve a 3/8" ball end mill in 0.165" – an extra 5 thou over last time to get a slightly larger cavity.

Tomorrow blend the three cavities together with the ball ended mill, then set the block up to make the fins and mill the seats for the cylinder nuts/glow plug.

Neil

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

made a carburretor float from balsa. 5/16" diameter by 3/8" long with a bit of sewing needle through the middle (tip ground off). Gave it a first coat of 15 year old fuel proofer.

I have no idea if this will work, but I might as well try!

Started work on No. 4 cylinder head.

Do you ever think that some parts are cursed?

This time I'm taking it slow and steady.

Drilled the holes for the head studs from the bottom. Not sure why I drilled any of them from the top before? After drilling the paper template with drilled holes (made from the cylinder block) looks like a perfect fit, hopefully won't need to ease any of the holes this time.

Recess over the piston 1mm deep with 11mm slot drill, then with a 3/4" dovetail cutter (dont ask, it works) then another mm larger with the boring head.

Over each valve a 3/8" ball end mill in 0.165" – an extra 5 thou over last time to get a slightly larger cavity.

Tomorrow blend the three cavities together with the ball ended mill, then set the block up to make the fins and mill the seats for the cylinder nuts/glow plug.

Neil

[SpringbokParticipant @springbok]

Well took delivery of castings etc for my B1 tender guess what 5 wheels not 6 what was that silly old song "5 wheels on my wagon"!!! No invoice, no paperwork, will not mention the company but Fri afternoon wacky backy comes to mind. There are items in the parcel that have no relation to a B1 tender. or a B1 loco come to that.

Bob

[SpringbokParticipant @springbok]

Well took delivery of castings etc for my B1 tender guess what 5 wheels not 6 what was that silly old song "5 wheels on my wagon"!!! No invoice, no paperwork, will not mention the company but Fri afternoon wacky backy comes to mind. There are items in the parcel that have no relation to a B1 tender. or a B1 loco come to that.

Bob

[SpringbokParticipant @springbok]

Well took delivery of castings etc for my B1 tender guess what 5 wheels not 6 what was that silly old song "5 wheels on my wagon"!!! No invoice, no paperwork, will not mention the company but Fri afternoon wacky backy comes to mind. There are items in the parcel that have no relation to a B1 tender. or a B1 loco come to that.

Bob

[Peter G. ShawParticipant @peterg-shaw75338]

Stub/Neil

Google actually came up with a circuit for the 4-leg device used in these things (52521H) which was almost exactly the same as mine. Difference was a ½wave rectifier & smoothing capacitor for the LED. Found an explanation elsewhere which said it was an oscillator, confirmed with oscilloscope. Actually got 8V across the capacitor before I found that one of the LED legs was corroded away. Normal voltage a lot less.

Anyway, I've now got the third working: the remaining two look as if the solar cells have given up as there is no output even when disconnected.

Discovered this am that SWMBO bought them for about 50p each. Not only that but she has another box of them. Think I've probably spent more in lighting/soldering/oscilloscope power/heating than these things are worth. I suppose the best I can say is that a) I've found out how they work; and b) I've proved that the 40 year old skills haven't yet left me.

Regards,

Peter

[Peter G. ShawParticipant @peterg-shaw75338]

Stub/Neil

Google actually came up with a circuit for the 4-leg device used in these things (52521H) which was almost exactly the same as mine. Difference was a ½wave rectifier & smoothing capacitor for the LED. Found an explanation elsewhere which said it was an oscillator, confirmed with oscilloscope. Actually got 8V across the capacitor before I found that one of the LED legs was corroded away. Normal voltage a lot less.

Anyway, I've now got the third working: the remaining two look as if the solar cells have given up as there is no output even when disconnected.

Discovered this am that SWMBO bought them for about 50p each. Not only that but she has another box of them. Think I've probably spent more in lighting/soldering/oscilloscope power/heating than these things are worth. I suppose the best I can say is that a) I've found out how they work; and b) I've proved that the 40 year old skills haven't yet left me.

Regards,

Peter

[Peter G. ShawParticipant @peterg-shaw75338]

Stub/Neil

Google actually came up with a circuit for the 4-leg device used in these things (52521H) which was almost exactly the same as mine. Difference was a ½wave rectifier & smoothing capacitor for the LED. Found an explanation elsewhere which said it was an oscillator, confirmed with oscilloscope. Actually got 8V across the capacitor before I found that one of the LED legs was corroded away. Normal voltage a lot less.

Anyway, I've now got the third working: the remaining two look as if the solar cells have given up as there is no output even when disconnected.

Discovered this am that SWMBO bought them for about 50p each. Not only that but she has another box of them. Think I've probably spent more in lighting/soldering/oscilloscope power/heating than these things are worth. I suppose the best I can say is that a) I've found out how they work; and b) I've proved that the 40 year old skills haven't yet left me.

Regards,

Peter

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Peter

I recall that you are another ex-BT man so you should know that, when faced with a serious problem, you should always alert higher management – I guess, in your case, she also performs the role of logistics support – so, when things go wrong, blame the storekeeper!

Your story of a little venture into the world of electronics brought back a few happy memories- from a lifetime ago. I still think fondly of BT – but I'm glad I'm not there now!

Regards

Norman

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