What's new in fairy tech?

RE: What's new in fairy tech?

beacon_dave — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 18:36:21 GMT

Looks like you are all set for some bokeh photography now [emoticon:c4563cd7d5574777a71c318021cbbcc8]

https://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/a/tips-and-techniques/bokeh-for-beginners.html

I let Xmas cheer get the better of me last year and ended up with some USB powered light strings.

RE: What's new in fairy tech?

scottiebabe — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 14:13:07 GMT

Other Fairy Tech

An IC specifically designed for Fairy Lights [emoticon:ffdd7b0ed07d454ba259894f328bbdc6]

https://www.shiningic.com/zh/productdetail.aspx?detailid=281&classid1=0101&classid2=010111

I bought a set of solar powered fairy lights in the spring and found that IC inside.

Hasn't given up the ghost yet...

RE: What's new in fairy tech?

electronicbiker — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 13:54:28 GMT

I bought one of these a few years ago. A simple device, no electronics (apart from the LEDs), just an on/off switch. The lights were quite Christmassy. The main problem was that the springs used for the battery contacts were far too strong. This resulted in the eventual bending-backwards of the end of the case furthest from the switch end, which took about three weeks. Upon close examination, there was a crack in both corners where the back panel meets the sides of the main body at almost 90 degrees. Verdict - Poor mechanical design of the case.

As I don't work in The Repair Shop I bodged it with an elastic band and some Sellotape, which does not stretch as much as PVC tape. Scottiebabe might do better with only the one cell trying to push the case apart. I did think of replacing both cells using rechargeable 2/3rds AA's with solder tags, arranged so that the cells have to be disconnected while charging. One of those little jumpers would do, like the ones scattered about on PC mother-boards etc, in series with a solder tag. But then I decided that as these lights would only be used for a few days of the year and that not many visitors would be interested in the contents of the battery box, I'd stick with the Sellotape and the rubber band.

RE: What's new in fairy tech?

dougw — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 02:31:00 GMT

So what does the original PCB do? Modulate the power to prevent LED over-current and extend battery life?