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once again I'm buying too much crap on #Aliexpress here is an affiliate link; if you're new at it you get some stuff and I get some stuff... https://a.aliexpress.com/_dXYNcpK
Grrr.. Aliexpress DOES love their gimmickry.. Here's the TLDR version of the referral:
New users get coupons off, once you reg up, find the silly game on the phone app, get some more. Sale starts in a day...
Retail Therapy.. https://a.aliexpress.com/_d8Kan32
New users get coupons off, once you reg up, find the silly game on the phone app, get some more. Sale starts in a day...
Retail Therapy.. https://a.aliexpress.com/_d8Kan32
So, stuck indoors... for maybe months? Project(s) time. There is an old Imac with a wonky PSU and the part is $15 cheaper on Ali than anywhere else.. with the sale and silly coupons, I might get the total cost down to $26..
Or not.. Best to check the NVRAM battery first
Or not.. Best to check the NVRAM battery first
But since the USA has gone into "innovative decline" all the neat tat is in China. Lookie at this $2(CA) Led module. 3-4VDC, betcha it would fit those maglite knockoffs I paid too much for 20yrs ago; the ones with the now-pathetic 5 itty bitty leds in them
Oooohhh I just LURV (not) the crap-metal body that is impossible to solder anything to. Wish I had a tack welder. Fine, old-school solution:
Stick it all back together, seal up the lens, ooops, pushed too hard, add glue...
and...
and...
Whoaaaa! Painfully bright wide-beam on 3 D cells. The other one is waiting on the $2 knockoff Cree-T6 module. Built-in high/low/flash. Ya can't drive over to Radio Shack any more and get crap like this.
Hours of fun!
Hours of fun!
Still a few problems with SOME #Aliexpress sellers:
Some will put stuff on sale and then freak out when you buy and they realise they miscalculated the shipping or something. Then they will pester you to "please cancel the sale for -other reasons-".
Some will put stuff on sale and then freak out when you buy and they realise they miscalculated the shipping or something. Then they will pester you to "please cancel the sale for -other reasons-".
I'm guessing that an #Aliexpess seller who cancels or times out an order gets a strike against them. SO they make shit up. Ya just gotta ignore them. After a while, most will eventually ship.
Meanwhile, listing is still up...
Meanwhile, listing is still up...
Cont. Thread: More #Aliexpress fun projects!
but first an aside:
If I seem to spend too much time on refurbing old flashlights -- it's a coping mechanism, and the covid19 stuff has brought back all my 2003 SARS memories.
but first an aside:
If I seem to spend too much time on refurbing old flashlights -- it's a coping mechanism, and the covid19 stuff has brought back all my 2003 SARS memories.
April 2003, I got in an accident and was laid up in hospital for 10 days, just as the SARS lockdowns hit. No visitors, guy in the ward next to me crying that he was facing back surgery and his wife couldn't visit to encourage him.
2003: Land lines, no wifi smartphones.
2003: Land lines, no wifi smartphones.
Later I faced a difficult rehab, it was getting better slowly when the 2003 August power blackout hit. No power in my town for 4 1/2 days. Hot. Open the fridge strategically, cool/ prep what you remove.
There was a run on ICE at local suppliers..
There was a run on ICE at local suppliers..
So, in the next few years, I like so many others picked up "emergency light" thingies. Usually a solar cell flashlight with a radio and a pathetic crank generator.
These sucked. Incandescent bulb, pathetic cordless phone nicad battery.
AM/FM radio
These sucked. Incandescent bulb, pathetic cordless phone nicad battery.
AM/FM radio
Stick it on the window-sill and check it 1 year later: no charge worth mentioning and "backup" regular batteries beginning to corrode.
Screw that! What if it had a beefy ex-laptop Li-po battery and a honkin big LED
cob?
Anyway, need to take it apart...
Screw that! What if it had a beefy ex-laptop Li-po battery and a honkin big LED
cob?
Anyway, need to take it apart...
'cause something is messed up with the crank generator and I paid too much for this POS 15 yrs ago and goddammit, this fucker is gonna be ready for the next pandemic-plus-epic-5-day-blackout!
3-4v DC LED COD modules: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32932958315.html
3-4v DC LED COD modules: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32932958315.html
Replaced useless teeny incandescent flashlight bulb
Yup, kitchen sink surgery...
Oh Yeahh...
3000ma Lipo battery (tested for slow self-discharge) replaces old 300ma nicad pack.
Ordered in a few more LED COB modules...
3000ma Lipo battery (tested for slow self-discharge) replaces old 300ma nicad pack.
Ordered in a few more LED COB modules...
And now for a plug: New to Ali? sign up using my link we both get a little extra: https://a.aliexpress.com/_dXQJGga
And, per thread.. yup.. reluctant seller did ship the thing, after I ignored his bullsh**&t and the deadline neared. eBay has it's own drawbacks too, so whatever.. fun of mailorder.
NOTE WELL, LED COB seller is legit and I rec them and their product big time!
NOTE WELL, LED COB seller is legit and I rec them and their product big time!
ANOTHER NEAT THING: Very fine leather work gloves, the bargoon version:
Last year ordered in their 320 glove here, soft, tough leather on a classic "trucker's glove".
Then find they sell their seconds/ mild defect ones really cheap.
OH YEAH!
Get some; https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000404717724.html
Last year ordered in their 320 glove here, soft, tough leather on a classic "trucker's glove".
Then find they sell their seconds/ mild defect ones really cheap.
OH YEAH!
Get some; https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000404717724.html
Sad to say, I DO NOT recommend trying to buy any face masks, etc on ALi right now. Too much churn and shady weirdness. Stick to good, wholesome DIY project materials.
I also recommend THESE MODULES.
If you are going to be messing around retrofitting Li-po batteries into old gear, replace the overcharge protection circuits or you will toast your Lithium-Ion battery and it might go incendiary on you.
50 cent solution: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33013554579.html
If you are going to be messing around retrofitting Li-po batteries into old gear, replace the overcharge protection circuits or you will toast your Lithium-Ion battery and it might go incendiary on you.
50 cent solution: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33013554579.html
Ok, enough for today. Will add to this thread if I find moar neato DIY materials.