This is the eighth thread with this name I have indexed the first 2 in my personal index, Wendy's Index . To keep it from being closed prematurely, I am setting the following rules:

1. Do not comment just for the sake of posting. Only posts containing a trick or tip will be allowed. This thread will be heavily moderated, anything posted here that do not meet this criteria in the opinion of the moderators will be deleted. If you have a question start your own thread. If you really like the idea use the "like" tag (button).

2. Any repeats of someone else's ideas from this or the previous tricks and tips threads will also be deleted.

3. At the end of this year This thread will be locked and a new one started next year.

Be aware of my comment about being heavily moderated. This thread is not meant to be a dumping ground as has happened in the past.

Electronic Tricks and Tips Y2008
Electronic Tricks and Tips Y2012
Electronic Tricks and Tips Y2022
Electronic Tricks and tips Y2023
Electronic Tricks and tips Y2024
Electronic Tricks and Tips Y2025

 

Hello,

I saw an idea for probing very small parts in the blogs by @Artbyrobot :
https://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/...-sewing-needles-as-my-multimeter-probes.1942/
In stead of the regular sewing needles, you can also using needles from a sewing maching.
Those have a thicker shaft to hold.

Bertus

 

My brother has been using a large rectifying diode in line on one 10watt LED fixture (1 of 4 in parallel) to reduce it's draw and output. After 6 months it has never over heated, and just runs at about 1/2 lumens (which is what he wanted). There is NO notable blinking running on 1/2 phase. Of course the load voltage shows about 57vac. The similar fixtures in the same room, in parallel & circuit breaker ran exactly as they always did. After 18 months, the altered fixture is still running smoothing at 57vac, but 1 of the 4 have died, and the last 2 are fading. I know OEM LED fixtures are "over driven", and not economical. Seems safe, but are there other simple ways to prolong LED life & reduce power usage with slightly better lumens?

 

My brother has been using a large rectifying diode in line on one 10watt LED fixture (1 of 4 in parallel) to reduce it's draw and output. After 6 months it has never over heated, and just runs at about 1/2 lumens (which is what he wanted). There is NO notable blinking running on 1/2 phase. Of course the load voltage shows about 57vac. The similar fixtures in the same room, in parallel & circuit breaker ran exactly as they always did. After 18 months, the altered fixture is still running smoothing at 57vac, but 1 of the 4 have died, and the last 2 are fading. I know OEM LED fixtures are "over driven", and not economical. Seems safe, but are there other simple ways to prolong LED life & reduce power usage with slightly better lumens?

If you want a certain amount of lumens out, then you have to put a certain amount of power in. How much depends on the efficiency of the LED, so your first step is to find the most efficient LEDs you can.

 

Remember, if it is not a T&T it will be deleted, this post will be deleted in one day.