So I'm not sure what the right community for this is but I'm hoping yall can help. I'm a refrigeration service tech and recently I was tasked with replacing a sensor in a room used to store ethanol drums. Due to the nature of the room every device in it had to be rated explosion proof and I couldn't use any tools that could pose any risk of ignition (no heat gun, basically nothing with an electric motor, and definitely no open flames) while working in there. Normally when I splice wires I use heatshrink to cover the splice simply because it looks far more professional than electrical tape and it holds up better over time. However in this case I could not figure out any way of shrinking said heatshrink without posing a potential ignition hazard so I was stuck just wrapping the splice in tape. We do a lot of work for this company so I'm hoping to find a better solution for the next time I am in a similar situation.

So do any of you know any way to shrink heatshrink without posing an ign

Hi all! I'm a firmware developer with little knowledge in analog electronics.. I deal with firmware for IOT projects all the time.

I had to make a breakout board with an off the shelf RF module with self contained PCB antenna. Now I'm intrigued in the hardware side. I'm inclined to design them from scratch myself. (Obviously ignoring the EMI and FCC certifications for the time being).

What concepts should I be familiar with to achieve this? Starting on I figured to brush up on circuit theory and signals. Where do I go from here? What materials would you recommend? Hopefully I don't need to get into hardcore RF theory to design these PCBs (I know kicad already has these premade antenna blocks).

Thank you.

I'd like to build a small light that i can use to cast a shadow to a wall.

It needs a single led that's really small and bright and that can be recharged. Also I want to put it in a special casing.

However I don't really know how to build one myself. So I had the I bright idea to take apart a flashlight that is rechargeable, but I'm not sure which one can be dismantled.

Do you have any idea what flashlight I could use or what parts I would need?

Why do you like it? Why did you choose it? Would you recommend it?

I'm looking for a recommendation on a high quality 2 or 3 meter USB-C /Thunderbolt cable used for data transfer and charging.

After yet another replacement Anker cable usb-c cable I’d really like to get cables that can last a few hundred cycles and I need a recommendation.

Are there any companies that make higher durability cables?

--Edit-- So far recommendations I have gotten are

• Samsung
• LCom
• cable matters
• Braided jackets
• Power delivery of 25w or greater
• Use magnetic disconnects

I have an UPS with two 12v 7ah lead batteries. If I want to change the batteries I would typically go with lead batteries but here's my question, can I use some portable mobile power banks to use it?

Because I have a 20000mah "INUI" lithium power bank that is rated for 12v at 1.5A, is it a good practice to buy several of these (since they are about 20 bucks) disassemble them and use them as ups batteries?

EDIT : clarifications

So, i'm thinking of a story and i need some tech info.

How risky is to de-solder an usb plug if the flash-drive contains important files? It would be relatively safe for someone capable, or the heat is way too risky for the chip/content?

Also there's any (MacGyver like) way to quickly access the file or reconnect the plug without a solder while only having access to office supplies?

I have a pet project I've been working on to modernize an electric organ console, and one of the final things needed are toggle switches. On a modern organ these are able to be manually toggled, or they can be flipped up/down programmatically using electromagnets (video). The ones purpose built for this are obscenely expensive but I can't find anything even remotely similar. Am I crazy for thinking this kind of switch are used in more things than just organs?

Hi all,

Do you have some recommendations for a soldering station that would meet my needs?

I've been into hobby electronics for a few years, doing mostly analog audio projects but recently got into repairing and repurposing broken electronics (Bluetooth earbuds, speakers, USB cables and such).

I've been using a cheap Parkside(LIDL)-rebranded "generic Chinese product" (I came across the exact same model on AliExpress, in different colors); which has served me well until now but has a few flaws that I can't be bothered with anymore. Mainly: -it takes ages to get hot. -the cable going from the station to the iron is super thick and stiff, which is annoying as hell...

I would like it to be the least expensive possible, while being good enough I'd be happy with it for the foreseeable future.

I have been looking at these:

Old tech, cheap tips (<1€)

[Newer tech, "expensive" tips (8-10€

I've got a used riello ups recently and it was not working since the beginning. The UPS was switching to batteries most of the time, but sometimes it just don't switch to batteries and makes a continuous beep (riello manual tells that it's a UPS fault anything except an overload).

I left it 2 weeks without using it. But know it won't start at all. Don't have the materials to test components for now but what are your ideas? (Even when plugged in the wall it wouldn't start)

Maybe batteries or faulty ups

Thx

I haven't really been able to find much on this. I recognize the totem-pole and what that's for. Would love help understanding:

• What's the triangle?
• What's the rectangle immediately after?
• Why are there two outputs instead of one? A lecture I watched claimed this is common.

I've got a few projects on the list which will be battery powered. I'm thinking of using 18650s just because of how ubiquitous they are, but I know there's other options out there. Are they worth it?

• E-ink calendar
• Solder fume extractor
• Lora station
• Portable "trail camera"
• Home assistant remote controls Etc etc etc