elektroda.com

Cardboard boxes or boxes for electronics? Transparent containers for slightly larger items

p.kaczmarek2 — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 09:04:09 +0200

How do you store your parts? Anyone who dabbles even a little in electronics knows that the number of components and ‘bits and bobs’ in most electronics enthusiasts’ collections is growing exponentially, whilst the actual usefulness of these collections decreases in inverse proportion to how difficult it is to find them. What’s the point of having a large stock if you can’t then work out where the display module you’re looking for is? We’ve already discussed this issue on the forum, presenting... Read more

DS-1021 mechanical light switch with Zigbee connectivity, no neutral wire required

p.kaczmarek2 — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:03:56 +0200

Touch-sensitive light switches are flooding the market; the most popular ones fall into the ‘smart’ category, i.e. devices with additional control via Wi-Fi or Zigbee. However, not everyone likes this control method, as it does not provide a ‘mechanical response’ to pressure. For this reason, I will be showcasing a mechanical light switch compliant with the Zigbee standard: the DS-1021 model, which is Tuya-compatible but also works with Home Assistant. In addition, it has a second extremely important feature – it does not require a... Read more

The inner workings and repair of the DeWalt DCR019 radio: a device for which spare parts are availab

p.kaczmarek2 — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 09:01:40 +0200

This time, I’ve got my hands on a DeWalt DCR019 rugged radio, which is presenting a rather interesting fault – the display works, but there’s no sound. In this post, I’ll walk you through a brief diagnosis of the problem, share a few photos of the interior, and highlight what sets this radio apart from typical mass-produced Chinese models: the availability of spare parts. This radio offers versatile power options (230V mains or DeWalt XR Li-Ion 10.8V, 14.4V, 18V), FM/AM reception with the ability to store 10 FM and 5 AM... Read more

AI language model running on an ESP32-S3 – 28.9 million parameters

p.kaczmarek2 — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 11:33:45 +0200

slvDev has presented an interesting project on GitHub – a port of a text-generating AI model to the ESP32-S3 microcontroller, all on a single chip with 512KB SRAM, 8MB PSRAM and 16MB flash. The model weighs in at 14.9MB, with 25 million parameters stored in flash. It achieves 9.88 tokens per second. The whole thing is based on the Per-Layer Embeddings technique (from Google’s Gemma 3n model). During generation, only around 450 bytes are fetched on the fly from flash memory for each token.How was this achieved? The author has... Read more

Inside the Sicher OCH-C 275/40 surge arrester: what lies within this three-phase protection device

p.kaczmarek2 — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 08:50:42 +0200

Today, something completely different – a few photos of the inside of a Class B+C surge arrester (protector). The focus of this post is the three-phase OCH-B+C 275/60 model from Sicher Electric. Its main function is to protect low-voltage installations against the effects of partial, direct and indirect lightning strikes. According to the markings on the housing, this device has a continuous operating voltage of Uc = 275 V AC, a rated discharge current of In = 30 kA and a maximum current of Imax = 60 kA. Voltage protection level Up... Read more

We are modifying the relay controller so that it works without a microcontroller – ESP8266 Relay V2.

p.kaczmarek2 — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 11:19:14 +0200

I’d like to present a modification to the LC Technology ESP8266 Relay V2.3 controller, designed to work locally with the Tasmota firmware. This will be a rather unusual modification, as, for some inexplicable reason, the manufacturer decided to use an additional microcontroller to control the relay. Is the ESP8266 capable of driving the relay without an additional microcontroller? Let’s find out! The device discussed here was sent in by a reader; it is exactly the same unit as the one featured in the Tasmota... Read more

Will the new Arduino support a camera and detect objects? Arduino UNO Q vs AI vision models

p.kaczmarek2 — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 09:43:39 +0200

Is the new Arduino clever enough to tell the difference between a bottle and a mouse, and a mouse and a mobile phone? Today we’re testing a single-board computer from Arduino, equipped with a Qualcomm Dragonwing QRB2210 processor, an STM32U585 microcontroller, 4 GB of LPDDR4 RAM and 32 GB of eMMC storage. Here, I’ll be checking whether and how quickly YOLOv4-tiny runs on it – a lightweight computer vision model that allows for the real-time classification of many different objects from a camera... Read more

Mini-review: Stazer 14-inch HDR 60 Hz IPS LCD monitor (1920x1200), power consumption test

p.kaczmarek2 — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 08:39:36 +0200

A tiny HDMI monitor for a Raspberry Pi or as an extra screen for a laptop – how much does it cost? How much power does it draw from USB? Today I’m testing a 14-inch STAZER model (PM1402) bought for 250 zł, which offers good viewing angles thanks to its IPS panel with a resolution of 1920x1200 (16:10 aspect ratio). The monitor offers a 60 Hz refresh rate, 300 cd/m² brightness, 100% sRGB colour coverage, and support for HDR and... Read more

An additional display for phone navigation: Android Auto – how do you pair it? Tests and impressions

p.kaczmarek2 — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 08:39:03 +0200

What is Android Auto and how do you pair it with your phone? Android Auto is an app and standard developed by Google that allows you to transfer key smartphone functions (such as GPS navigation, music player, messaging apps and voice assistant) directly to your car’s screen. This makes using your phone whilst driving much easier and safer. In this particular case, the demonstration will be based on an Android Auto-compatible auxiliary display kit, purchased for just over 100 zł with free delivery from... Read more

Disco lighting from the pre-DMX era – what lies inside the analogue Trix BrokenSwing 501?

p.kaczmarek2 — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 08:13:31 +0200

The programme descriptions indicate the presence of two motors... Read more

Retro features: the Polish UCY74xx series from CEMI – an overview of sample logic gates

p.kaczmarek2 — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 09:09:03 +0200

Here’s a brief, practical overview of the popular logic gates from the Polish UCY74xx series. I’ve focused here on providing a practical illustration of how each circuit works. Below you’ll find a discussion of the classic chips that implement NAND, NOR, NOT and AND functions. I have described each gate using the relevant Boolean equation and truth table, and I have combined theory with practice using video recordings in which I demonstrate how these circuits respond to logic states triggered by buttons. The original 7400... Read more

Getting started with programming the RTL8196C from a router – flashing, blink, UART

p.kaczmarek2 — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 09:40:59 +0200

In the previous post, I showed the inside of the Cyfrowy Polsat LT-6408n router. I established that it is based on the RTL8196C chip, whose bootloader offers a simple command line along with the ability to load any machine code into RAM. Here, I’ll try to make use of this – I’ll start by loading simple instructions written by hand in hexadecimal notation, and then I’ll run a compiler and develop my own ‘flasher’, turning the old router into a sort of Arduino. Previous post in the series:... Read more

[Thermal imaging] Internal view and test of the YSDS-60-5 4.5 A 22.5 W 5 V DIN rail power supply

p.kaczmarek2 — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 11:53:21 +0200

Join me for a look inside and a practical test, including a thermal imaging analysis, of the Sunny YSDS-60-5 power supply, designed for DIN-rail mounting. The unit supplies 5 VDC at a maximum current output of 4.5 A and a power output of 22.5 W, operating with an input voltage of 90–264 VAC and a frequency of 47–63 Hz. The manufacturer specifies an efficiency exceeding 85 per cent, ripple of 80 mVp-p, a full suite of overload and overvoltage protection features, and operation at temperatures ranging from -20 to +70°C, all housed in... Read more

[Sponsored] How will the role of an engineer change in the age of AI? Take part in the Mind of the Engineer 2026

gulson — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 21:31:02 +0200

Artificial intelligence is increasingly reshaping the way electronics are designed, software is developed and manufacturing processes are managed. Does it make engineers more productive? What skills will they need in the coming years? And could AI lead to job losses, or will it create entirely new opportunities? The people best placed to answer these questions are those who design, test and implement new technologies on a daily basis. That is why we are encouraging electronics engineers to take part in the international ‘Mind... Read more

How the Enigma electromechanical encryption machine worked – a description for electronics engineers

TechEkspert — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 20:48:25 +0200

Do have a look at this article if you’d like to find out how the German encryption machine worked Enigma or if you’d like to contribute to the content of this article with your comments. The Enigma can be described as a hardware-based, electromechanical cipher machine, which was also used during the Second World War. The operator would type the plaintext on the keyboard shown in the photograph below (the lower part of the Enigma, which resembles a typewriter). For each successive... Read more

The DTSU666 bidirectional, three-phase electricity meter and data retrieval via Modbus on the ESP32

p.kaczmarek2 — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:39:56 +0200

The DTSU666 is an electronic, three-phase energy meter designed for mounting on a DIN rail within a switchboard. Thanks to its built-in RS485 interface and support for the Modbus RTU protocol, this meter is well suited to reading real-time data on voltages, currents and power, allowing for easy integration into your own projects. This is exactly what I’ll be demonstrating here, using a ready-made ESP32... Read more

Retro unboxing – K950-type television test signal generator – 1985, interior, schematic diagram

p.kaczmarek2 — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 09:57:17 +0200

Join me on a journey back in time to 1985, where I’ll be presenting a complete set of the MeraTronik K950 TV service generator, complete with full documentation and the original warranty. A TV service generator is a device used to generate test signals for black-and-white and colour television sets. These signals allow for the convenient testing and tuning of the television’s entire signal path – from the channel selector, through the IF and video amplifiers, right up to the synchronisation, deflection and high-voltage... Read more

Remote control for a light bulb – TYWI-BL-E27 E27 adapter with Wi-Fi – firmware update

p.kaczmarek2 — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:49:22 +0200

The adapter shown here is fitted between the lamp holder and the bulb’s thread; it allows you to control the light via Wi-Fi and is built around a relay. It normally works with the Tuya app, but I’m going to flash its firmware, which will allow me to connect it to Home Assistant. You can buy this type of product in Poland for around 40 zł, although if you import it from abroad, you can sometimes pay as little as half that price.Let’s start with the markings on the packaging. The product model is TYWI-BL-E27. ... Read more

UPS for a router with PoE – 30 Ah – capacity and current output test

p.kaczmarek2 — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 14:30:18 +0200

A giant screen from days gone by – the interior of a 29-inch Sony Trinitron KV-29X5K CRT television

p.kaczmarek2 — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 10:41:21 +0200

The KV-29X5K has a power consumption of 108 W and is based on a Super Trinitron picture tube with a visible diagonal of approx. 68 cm (the... Read more

Gaiaray Power Station (LiFePO4, 153.6 Wh)

piotr_go — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 18:28:28 +0200

Gaiaray 200W Power Station from AliExpress.Price: ~160 zł Weight: 1,777 gDimensions: 180 x 130 x 185.5 mmBatteries: LiFePO4, 153.6 Wh Torch: 2 brightness levels + flashing modeUSB-A output: 5V 2.4AUSB-C output: 5V/9V/12V 20W2 DC5521 outputs: 12V 3A AC output: 220V 200WI bought it out of curiosity to see if you could get something useful for 160 zł. Power Station: ... Read more

Industrial module with Wi-Fi, LAN, PoE, RS485, inputs and relays – ESP32-S3-POE-ETH-8DI-8RO – t

p.kaczmarek2 — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 13:15:24 +0200

Here, I will present the versatile ESP32-S3-POE-ETH-8DI-8RO module, which offers a wide range of communication and control capabilities. The device combines Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, digital inputs and relay outputs, making it suitable for various projects in the fields of automation and IoT. Furthermore, PoE support simplifies installation and power supply in hard-to-reach locations. The whole thing is easy to programme using Visual Code and PlatformIO, which I will also demonstrate here – my examples will cover the device’s... Read more

Internal components and firmware update for the GBDQA 63VA 16A DIN-rail relay/energy meter

p.kaczmarek2 — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 08:51:31 +0200

Today I’m taking a look at a device that arrived from Slovenia – a reader sent it to me, along with a few other gadgets. The GBDQA is a Wi-Fi-controlled, Tuya-compatible module offering programmable protection against over- or undervoltage, over- or under-current, or excessive power, as well as a built-in bistable relay. Here, I’ll show you its innards and modify it so that it works without the cloud, 100% locally, and can be connected to Home... Read more

433 MHz radio-controlled and Wi-Fi-controlled relay module – how do I pair the remote control? Firmw

p.kaczmarek2 — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 10:18:49 +0200

Which relay controller should I use for a 5 V safety voltage supply, with a USB connector as well? How do I pair the RF remote control with the relay module? Here I’ll be presenting a voltage-free module from eWeLink, which stands out thanks to its three terminals – a common contact, a normally open contact and a normally closed contact. I’ll show you its internal components and how to update the firmware so that it can be connected to Home... Read more

The interior of the RTx-132 electronic timer, Made in Poland (MCY74645?)

p.kaczmarek2 — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 10:49:37 +0200

Today we’re taking a look inside another Polish product – this time an electronic timer, a device used to switch a circuit on or off after a set period of time has elapsed. The RTx-132 model shown here offers analogue time setting, is available in eight time settings (from 0.01 s to 120 hours) and in versions for various voltages (12 V DC, 24–48, 60–100, 110/127, 220/230 V AC/DC). It features a single 5 A output relay with two delayed changeover contacts and two LEDs indicating the presence of supply voltage (Un) and the status of... Read more