Posts by Unixbigot@aus.social
(DIR) Post #B5rqT2CDPf6NblC1Ls by Unixbigot@aus.social
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Portable 12v 3/n: Power tool batteriesI have a number of tools that run on triangular 3S battery packs¹ . These packs can be charged in a "base station" or by just attaching a barrel plug. You might already have these with a tool, you can buy the pack made up, you can get a case kit with no cells, or you can buy just the circuit board and 3D print a base.I also have a lot of "XFinity" brand power tool batteries² from Aldi supermarket. I've designed a clip which attaches to these to give me access to the raw (21v) power.¹ Commission link: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3XKDRer no-track link: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008928629636.html. Pros: compact and flexible charging options. Cons: might have to 3d print your own "output" connector² Get the batteries from "Aldi" special buy aisle. Get the 3D files here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4255494ETA: If you already own power tools, probably look at whether there's a commercial or DIY "backpack" available for your brand. Some high end brands have fucking DRM on their chargers.
(DIR) Post #B5rqT2SsPiQgRQzKK0 by Unixbigot@aus.social
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Portable 12v 4/n: Build your ownThe very simplest things you need for your own power pack is 1️⃣ cells and 2️⃣ a protection circuit.Left: this 12v-in-12v-out circuit¹ also charges, balances and protects batteries. 2nd from left: This is the DIY version² of the 12v power tool battery3rd from left: We have a protection and balance board¹ , plus a USB-C charger board. Right: as shown upthread, the inside of an off the shelf UPS is also a combination of protection board and charging board.Not pictured: this board⁴ holds 2 18650 cells and makes 12v with a voltage converter. I've evaluated these and they work.¹ https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008051293682.html pros: extremely simple. Cons: you'll need to add your own plugs and if you want status a 2-color LED.² https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003913006888.html pros: compact cons: shape might not be suitable for you³ https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007148533865.html these balance boards come in different current ratings. A 5A version is fine for AV use with three cells (3s1p). If you had way more cells (say 3s4p or 3s10p) you might want a higher current capacity, in which case the corresponding board looks the same but is larger.You can use a USB-C charger like this https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005010528229717.html which requires the USB-C supply to support 12-20v output, or get a 5v USB-A (slower!) one like this which has a boost circuit inside the plug https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004504372687.html⁴ https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006860598580.html pros: nothing to add except an output plug. Cons: always-on power LED
(DIR) Post #B5rqT2jtOS2ZICwuqO by Unixbigot@aus.social
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Portable 12v 5/n: More Power, Scotty! If three cells is not enough, you can use banks of parallel cells. For example if you make parallel banks of four cells each, then place three of those banks in series, you have a 12v battery that is described as "3S4P". Adding more cells in parallel gives you more capacity and current, while keeping the voltage the same.Typically you use a "battery management system" circuit board, which is a more sophisticated charger/protector module which can handle the higher capacity and currents.First picture is a 3s4p battery that I made with 3D printed cell holders, and an off the shelf BMS circuit¹ . I added a second circuit board which allows the power level to be monitored from a Raspberry Pi.The second picture has a 3-cell holder which is 3D printed with the addition of spring clips² which can be bought by the bagful. You can use just 3 cells or stack more holders to get 2p, 3p, etc.¹ https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002900136722.html hit me up if you want the 3d printing files. You can also buy clip-together cell holders by the bagful https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008166006248.html² https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007394265670.html LOL til some sellers call these "battery shrapnel". HMU for the 3D files, I forget whether I have published these. EDIT: now published https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7344593
(DIR) Post #B5rqT31cKYDcBBF4TI by Unixbigot@aus.social
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Portable 12v 6/6: Give me LUDICROUS POWER.The top of the line on DIY batteries is to use Big Ass Cells¹ and a smart battery management system² . Here I have used 50Ah prismatic lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO₄) cells in a 4s1p arrangement, which gives the same voltage as a lead acid battery but for 1/3 the weight and half the size. I also made one with 100AH cells. You can get individual cells up over 300AH if you want.The battery management circuit that I chose has bluetooth radio, so I can use an app to monitor its status and level of charge, and even turn it off and on.¹ https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008561347183.htmlhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006385416774.html² https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002897035148.html
(DIR) Post #B5rqTAHpKgLOhTscD2 by Unixbigot@aus.social
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Portable 12v 7/6: Maybe Just Don't.If I was wanting to run a bunch of "dumb" DC appliances (like studio lights, portable monitors, cameras etc) today I would standardise on USB Power Delivery, and convert my devices to eat USB.Options here area) Buy a fat power bank with multiple outputsb) Build a fat power bank by combining this thread with THIS OTHER THREAD https://aus.social/@Unixbigot/116135210085486382c) get a bunch of laptop chargers from teh thrift store or elsewhered) make a bunch of modest USB-pd powerbanksFor each device a "power delivery decoy" board can be inserted either into a cable or inside the battery box. These things are TINY.RT: https://aus.social/users/Unixbigot/statuses/116135210085486382
(DIR) Post #B5rqUyuKbtgzzKkwm8 by Unixbigot@aus.social
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Tips for avoiding bad products on AliExpress1. Buy your (say) Gonkulators from "Shangdong Gonkulators and Frammistats Inc." not "Shop1234123412 Store" or "Beautiful Life Homewares"2. Test, and demand refund if specs are not met3. Avoid product descriptions with obvious lies (impossible energy ratings) or which show that the seller does not understand what the product does.4. Look at what the seller sells. Do they appear to have an area of speciality. Do they have a reputation to protect? Do they show factory provenance or mention quality testing? Maybe glance at the reviews.
(DIR) Post #B5vtSBtAxyOZsKPsNU by Unixbigot@aus.social
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This is my next handbag. There are many like it, but this one is mine. #StraightOuttaShenzenhttps://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mN6FDqn
(DIR) Post #B649g0Mlkzu8ivXy08 by Unixbigot@aus.social
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The fact that only google chrome fully supports web serial and web bluetooth is becoming increasingly stressful to me.Two questions:* What browser would you recommend when you want to do use the web {serial,ble} APIs (eg for flashing or interacting with iot devices) * How do we get Mozilla and/or Apple to support these APIs properly?
(DIR) Post #B6NDgmFJpepV2YvMx6 by Unixbigot@aus.social
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“STOP! Were you just gonna paste that command you got from Interdimensional Relay Chat into your Subspace Command Line?”“Uh, yeah”“Let me see that!”“C’mon, It makes your planet form chocolate sauce volcanoes! What’s not to like?”“Uh, no, it opens a backdoor to the cthonic realm in your upper mantle. I’m revoking your sudo rights.”#Tootfic #MicroFiction #PowerOnStoryToot
(DIR) Post #B6lcwOBigcoX4OZRYm by Unixbigot@aus.social
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@alina I should do a recommendation thread on options to construct your own Power Tank - i’ve evaluated a bunch of suitable components.EDIT: Power Tank thread here https://aus.social/@Unixbigot/116655304233531816
(DIR) Post #B6m6NorkVJdGIcf4q0 by Unixbigot@aus.social
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All Right, Thudes, today on #KittingEdgeEngineering we're going to make a Power Tank. It's too big to fail. You might have a 2500mAh usb "Power Bank" in your handbag. You might sneak your "30,000" mmAh (marketing milli-amp hours, i.e. lies) monster bank onto the plane. Here's my 50 actual honest-to-Gaga Amp-Hour POWER TANK, that you can make from parts without even needing to solder. You will need these items (links later in the thread):1️⃣ Four "prismatic Lithium-Iron-Phosphate" cells. (Prismatic just means square, round ones work too). I used 50Ah cells for this project, and 100Ah cells for another one (not pictured). The seller should provide you the plates and nuts needed to connect them together.2️⃣ A Battery management system, I used one from Daly which has bluetooth built in. 3️⃣ A USB power delivery board that has switch-adjustable voltage settings .4️⃣ (Optional) one or more multi-channel USB power delivery boards5️⃣ (Optional) a solar power regulator if you want solar charging
(DIR) Post #B6m6Np9pQ65tCh7W1A by Unixbigot@aus.social
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PowerTank part 2:Your normal-sized power bank is probably made from Lithium-Polymer pouch cells, or Lithium Ion cylindrical cells like the ubiquitous 18650. These require soldering or spot-welding to assemble. Surprisingly, if you go "up scale", things get easier and safer.LiFePO₄ cells (Lithium Iron Phosphate) are not quite as energy-dense as Lithium Ion, but quite a bit safer, and the big ones have screw terminals which make assembling multiple cells far more straightforward.I'm not going to link to the exact 50A cells I used because the seller stung me with a low price and then a customs processing fee on delivery. Here's the same product from the store where I got the 100Ah cells for another battery I made: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005033329819.htmlIf you buy a lot of four you should get all the nuts and bolts along with them.
(DIR) Post #B6m6NpScIF7g8xuWIq by Unixbigot@aus.social
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PowerTank part 3:Now that you have a battery you need a Battery Management System, this is the circuit board which makes sure that the cells do not get overcharged, overdischarged, overheated or short circuited. I chose one that had built in bluetooth, which means I can monitor and control the battery from an app on my phone.See image alt text for description.Affiliate link that earns me $3: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c45FvHs9Direct link: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002897035148.html
(DIR) Post #B6m6NpjzFf190q2ONU by Unixbigot@aus.social
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Power Tank part 4: At this point you could be done if you just want to power 12v equipment (say your studio lights on location). If you work with USB, let's add a USB power delivery module which can also charge the battery from USB.There are many options here but I like this one because it can be adjusted via little switches for anywhere from 2-6 cells, and supports several different kinds of battery. No soldering is needed to adust it. Affiliate link that earns me $1ish: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3GScj7bDirect link: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008401680912.htmlThis is a bidirectional board, it can deliver power from the battery, or accept power over USB to charge the battery.
(DIR) Post #B6m6NpyAOwMNiofiTo by Unixbigot@aus.social
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Power Tank part five. If you just want to charge your laptop, you are done. If you want to charge a LOT of things, lets add a multi-port charging option.You can buy a whole raft of multi-port USB power supplies. I've tested many of them. Then almost all FUCKING LIE AN INCREDIBLE LOT.Here are two boards that I have torture tested to confirm they tell truth. I have a whole other thread about these. Four channel. USB-C: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006578600241.htmlFour channel USB-A: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4C2qEkt or https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007060327728.htmlIf you need more ports you can wire up one or more of either or both of these. I made this little unit which has 8 ports and can be powered from battery or mains-brick. Hit me up if you want the 3d files.
(DIR) Post #B6m6NqFXMMFqagnaYS by Unixbigot@aus.social
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Power tank part six: If you charge at home, you're done. If you're going camping with this, maybe you want solar charging?Solar panels are tricky, you need to be careful not to suck too much power from them or they lose efficiency. The magic phrase is "maximum power point tracking". Here's a charging regulator that supports MPPT for solar charging. You can also use this regulator to step-up charge your 12v powertank battery from your car. It has a low-voltage cut off, which you can set such that it will charge when your car is running but cuts off when stopped (so you don't flatten your starter battery).Affiliate link, earns me 75c: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3cGHPIpDirect link: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007067500466.html[thread ends]
(DIR) Post #B7ny89IKiovoC1axyS by Unixbigot@aus.social
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@ariadne ppp or slattach on that serial port? If there isn’t a getty that switches to IP after a seeing a magic string, i really wanna make one. Hmmn i guess adding a user whose shell is ppp could work
(DIR) Post #B8uO0Q50MLPFcquYpU by Unixbigot@aus.social
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@ariadne @sillyCoelophysis you could be on to something there: https://aus.social/@Unixbigot/117016839344931003
(DIR) Post #BA35T82JfJchONNMPY by Unixbigot@aus.social
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@mntmn @castaway large leak, very dangerous <3
(DIR) Post #BAeUBgtrYtXxGogWIK by Unixbigot@aus.social
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@davidrevoy @lyceris <3 ur sketch made my morning