elektroda.com

What was the Tuya Wi-Fi module doing inside the computer? Updating the PC Power Switch Remote firmwa

p.kaczmarek2 — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 09:20:09 +0200

The PCIe card shown here allows remote control of two buttons on a desktop computer – power and reset. It is available in two versions, Wi-Fi and Zigbee; here we will present the former. The original buttons are completely bypassed, and the module offers two inputs and outputs isolated by optocouplers. This means it can provide a child lock function – preventing the computer from being switched on from the case. All of this is also available in the RF version, but we’ve opted for the Wi-Fi-only version – for just over... Read more

Inside the SG1008 eight-port gigabit switch, power measurements, comparison with an old router

p.kaczmarek2 — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 10:14:40 +0200

Is it worth using an old router as a switch, or would it be better to buy a brand-new, factory-made product? I’ll try to find out here. First, I’ll show you the inside of the SG1008 eight-port Gigabit switch, take a look at its build, and then compare its power consumption to my makeshift solution built using an old four-port TP-Link WR841N. Which solution will come out on top? Let’s find out!Previous post in the series: [url=https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic3994096.html] An old router as a switch – how to connect more... Read more

Teardown and How to recover ATMT BK7231N CB2S smart socket with BL0937 - no button response

vklimk — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 13:48:05 +0200

This topic describes how to recover broken tuya-based smart socket (BKN7231N, CB2S, BL0937) and then to flash it to OpenBeken. I purchased a smart socket a couple years ago and use it to automatically switch off my Electric Unicycle charger when power consumption is very small for specific period of time. Just for safety reason – if charger consumes less than 7 Watts during the recent 15 minutes then I suppose than my EUC is charged and I want to cut power, just in case. The smart socket works with Yandex Smart Home. It was a cheap socket with “ATMT” brand and no model code on it. The only information is the... Read more

ESP32 board with Wi-Fi, wired Ethernet and PoE power supply – ESP32-PoE2 Olimex

p.kaczmarek2 — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 08:30:16 +0200

The ESP32-PoE2 is an open-source... Read more

Can even light bulbs be programmed these days? Updating the firmware on the TY-A60-18W-220V

p.kaczmarek2 — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 12:13:12 +0200

Today I’ll be showing you the build and modification of a Tuya RGBCW remote-controlled LED lamp, model TY-A60-18W-220V C3009, which I bought for just under 10 zlotys in a special offer with free delivery. The device shown normally works with the Tuya app and can be controlled via the internet, but here I’ll try to replace the firmware inside with my own solution, so that this light can be connected to Home Assistant and customised as desired, without having to worry about the manufacturer’s cloud... Read more

Is it worth buying a more expensive power bank? We test the high-end UGREEN PB726 20 Ah with PD

p.kaczmarek2 — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:10:50 +0200

Let’s start... Read more

Bluetooth One Click Translate – will it come in handy when travelling?

p.kaczmarek2 — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 08:49:19 +0200

Today I’m testing an unassuming gadget imported from China for just under 80 zlotys. It’s advertised as a universal translator that pairs with your phone – you select the languages in the app, then hold down the button and speak into the microphone. When you release the button, the device translates what you’ve said from the source language into the target language. This could be very useful when travelling, but will it really be as good as the seller describes? Let’s find... Read more

We're reviewing the Hot Air for 80 zł – STHOR 79371 – which heat gun is best for simple motherboard

p.kaczmarek2 — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 09:24:39 +0200

Today I’m putting the STHOR 79371 hot-air soldering station, a cheap model I bought for just under 80 PLN from a friend from university, through its paces. I’ll be testing how it performs in practice, taking measurements of the actual temperature recorded by a thermocouple at settings of 100°C, 350°C and 450°C, and finally I’ll take a look inside and show you its construction. Unfortunately, I don’t have any unboxing photos this time, as the owner had already unpacked the station and thrown the box away. So let’s start with the... Read more

DVB-T2 HEVC H.265 Full HD terrestrial TV tuner and set-top box – internal components, firmware

p.kaczmarek2 — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 08:16:32 +0200

The product presented today stands out thanks to the clearly visible Polish flag on the packaging and is adorned with the caption "designed in Poland". I wonder what was actually designed here in our country – the logo? Nevertheless, there’s nothing to complain about; the price is low, just 60 zł, and it allows you to breathe new life into an old TV that’s incompatible with the modern aerial signal standard. The set is complete; it even includes an HDMI cable and batteries for the remote control. It also has SCART and RCA outputs,... Read more

How do I interface with the SPS30 PM1.0/PM2.5/PM4/PM10 dust/air quality sensor via UART using an ESP

p.kaczmarek2 — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:37:55 +0200

The SPS30 is an advanced particulate matter (PM) sensor from Sensirion that uses laser scattering technology to precisely measure PM1.0, PM2.5, PM4.0 and PM10. Unlike cheaper alternatives, such as the PMS5003 or SDS011, the SPS30 offers exceptional longevity (over 10 years of continuous operation) thanks to its integrated fan self-cleaning function and sealed, dirt-resistant optical design. It provides detailed data on both mass concentration (in μg/m³) and particle number concentration (in particles per cm³), as well as an... Read more

The inside of an old ISDN/DSL DI-304 router. Recalling the Internet of the 2000s

p.kaczmarek2 — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 08:45:22 +0200

I'd like to invite you to a presentation of the inside of another old network equipment. Today we're taking a look inside the DI-304, an ISDN router designed for home networks and small offices from the early 2000s. The device combines the function of a router, ISDN terminal and four-port Ethernet switch, allowing several computers to share a single Internet connection. For ISDN, there are two channels of 64 kbps each, which can be combined for a maximum of around 128 kbps. For the local network, on the other hand, the device... Read more

Kapsch OBU-4041, how the transport toll system works

p.kaczmarek2 — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 09:06:07 +0200

Today we are taking a look inside another automotive device, more specifically the Kapsch OBU-4041 (On-Board Unit). At first glance, it is an inconspicuous box with a single button, mounted on the windscreen of a truck. Its purpose is to interface with electronic toll collection systems. On the front, there is a single button which, when pressed for a long time, is used to select the number of axles; a short press shows the current setting. The separate numbers 2, 3 and 4 are illuminated by LEDs. Correct selection is the... Read more

Minitest: S10/G10 520 in 1 portable console/gamepad, interior presentation

p.kaczmarek2 — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 09:15:33 +0200

How does an electromagnetic (flip-flop) display work? Presentation, working principle and riddle

p.kaczmarek2 — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:09:28 +0200

LCSC GigaDevice GD32VW553 Datasheet - WiFi 6+BLE 5.2, 4 MB, 160Mhz MCU - OpenGD32 Firmware

divadiow — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 20:44:23 +0200

The GD32VW553 is a GigaDevice Combo Wireless MCU family based on a 32-bit RISC-V core running at up to 160 MHz. GigaDevice announced the official launch on 6 November 2023, with samples and evaluation boards available for request at that time and mass production/delivery scheduled from December 2023. GigaDevice positions the series for wireless application scenarios including smart home appliances, smart home systems, industrial... Read more

Zigbee controlled light switch with mechanical push buttons - SR-ZS

p.kaczmarek2 — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 07:57:31 +0200

Are you annoyed by the ubiquitous touch buttons? If so, this is the product for you. This light switch offers a combination of Zigbee connectivity with classic, clickable buttons, and what's more, the whole thing can be easily paired with the Home Assistant! The price of the product is unfortunately a little higher than the Wi-Fi version, I paid PLN 90 for this one in our... Read more

Tiny touchscreen monitor 8quot; for Raspberry and beyond - tests, energy efficiency

p.kaczmarek2 — Sun, 31 May 2026 08:29:39 +0200

Shown here will be the... Read more

Industrial ESP32-S3 module with 16 MB Flash, 8 MB RAM, RS485 and CAN buses

p.kaczmarek2 — Wed, 27 May 2026 08:47:37 +0200

... Read more

External IP55 surface-mounted socket controlled by Wi-Fi - Sanico TM-WP-04

p.kaczmarek2 — Tue, 26 May 2026 09:36:27 +0200

Every now and then I look for IoT products still based on the ESP8266. This gives us a wider choice of firmware that can be loaded inside - even Tasmota and Supla will work on the old ESP, whereas the newer Tuya products from Beken won't work anymore. For this reason, here I will show another small find which is still based on the ESP8266 - an external surface-mounted socket, advertised by the importer as "hermetically... Read more

Interior of three-level touch dimmer for bedside lamp - TT6061

p.kaczmarek2 — Mon, 25 May 2026 08:08:42 +0200

Today, another curiosity from online shops - a touch dimmer controller module for a bedside lamp. The whole thing works with classic incandescent bulbs and with LEDs designed for dimmers. The principle of operation is simple - one of the wires is connected to the metal housing of the lamp and it fulfils the role of a touch button, whose separate presses switch successive brightness levels - low, medium, high, and the lamp's off state. I have shown a similar gadget... Read more

Test of 10 Ah powerbanks - JR-L005, JR-PBF17 and JR-PBF19. What to choose for a short trip?

p.kaczmarek2 — Sat, 23 May 2026 12:53:59 +0200

Today we will look at choosing a lightweight and handy powerbank for a short trip. All the models tested have the same capacity - 10 Ah - but differ in other features such as maximum charging power, the number and type of connectors available or the presence of built-in cables. We will also compare their prices. Finally, I will check the actual capacity of each device to see if it corresponds to the value declared by the manufacturer. Let's start with the JR-L005 12W from the Jelly mini series, distinguished by its rather... Read more

Where does the myth of silver-plated and gold-plated audio cables come from, does it make sense?

andreyatakum — Thu, 21 May 2026 03:25:00 +0200

There is an opinion among some lovers, or rather fanatics, of audio equipment that the wires in circuits should not be made of oxygen-free copper alone, but preferably of silver-plated copper. Some audiophiles go even further and even recommend gold-plated cables. Where did this opinion come from and to what extent is it correct? I am already explaining it to you. At first glance, the myth about silver's positive effect on sound is due to the fact that silver has lower resistivity than copper. This is true, but the difference between the resistivity of copper and silver is only about 6% (1.72×10-⁸ Ω-m for copper and 1.59×10-⁸ Ω-m for silver). From this it can be concluded that it would... Read more

Is it worth buying a USB C soldering iron? We are testing the Yato YT-82490 65 W compatible T12

p.kaczmarek2 — Wed, 20 May 2026 09:20:16 +0200

USB-C connectors, along with the QC/PD higher voltage negotiation standard, have made their way into our homes for good - but should they also make their way into soldering irons? I invite you to test the Yato YT-82490, a soldering iron compatible with the popular T12 soldering tips, bought for just 130 PLN in a Polish mail order shop. Was it worth it? How will it cope with lead and lead-free solder and a massive motherboard? Let's find out! ... Read more

Chinese wonders - ESP32S3 + RLCD 4.2quot;

dktr — Tue, 19 May 2026 21:21:24 +0200

An interesting PCB with a 400x300 RLCD display, ESP32S3 with PSRAM, ES8311 audio codec, speaker, two i2s microphones and li-ion charging circuit and 18650 cage can be purchased on a well-known Chinese portal and more. https://docs.waveshare.com/ESP32-S3-RLCD-4.2 You can do many different projects on this. The first thing I did was an audio stream player from the internet - commonly referred to as an 'internet radio'. Programming this device is great fun and allows you to learn a lot. So, quickly - the device, when switched on,... Read more

The interior of the Bosch IVS SLIM module, i.e. telemetry and fender detection in Car Sharing vehicl

p.kaczmarek2 — Mon, 18 May 2026 10:48:57 +0200

According to the official... Read more