EEVblog #722 - Mailbag

[mrkev]

Isopropyl alcohol works well at removing permie marker.

Not on rubber ESD mats it doesn't.

Isn't simple alcohol (ethanol) enough?

[Tomorokoshi]

That "velvety" coating is known as a "Soft Touch" coating. Here is an example of one:

http://www.bayercoatings.de/BMS/DB-RSC/BMS_RSC_CAS.nsf/id/COEN_1A5Softfeel

If the permanent marker uses xylene as the solvent, then xylene might get it off the mat.

Now the trouble is to get xylene.

[RupertGo]

Awww, you've made some Scousers very upset!

A native of Liverpool is called a Liverpudlian, or Scouser (from lobscouse, a kind of stew eaten by sailors. Lots of those in Liverpool). Half-inch = pinch = thieve. That's not a Royal Mail satchel, it's a pukka mailbag. A satchel is a bag with a shoulder strap

They can be quick to take offence, the Scousers. I'd watch those C5 hubcaps.

[edy]

Hi Dave,

Great mailbag as usual.  Just in case you didn't catch it... That GPS coordinate you got was in the middle of the Indian Ocean, but if you just look at the numbers...

12 34 567 89 01 123

Yes, it is just a series counting up by one. I don't think that part of the program was actually written or it is missing a GPS sensor. Perhaps the developer put it in as a "place marker" in the software, to get back to in the future when a GPS actually does get integrated into the device. For now just a dummy screen.

[dexters_lab]

Isopropyl alcohol works well at removing permie marker.

Not on rubber ESD mats it doesn't.

i use my Electrolube LFFR (flux remover) for cleaning all sorts of stuff, works better than IPA in most cases

[Wilksey]

Hi Dave,

Great mailbag as usual.  Just in case you didn't catch it... That GPS coordinate you got was in the middle of the Indian Ocean, but if you just look at the numbers...

12 34 567 89 01 123

Yes, it is just a series counting up by one. I don't think that part of the program was actually written or it is missing a GPS sensor. Perhaps the developer put it in as a "place marker" in the software, to get back to in the future when a GPS actually does get integrated into the device. For now just a dummy screen.

Huh, good spot! I don't know how many people noticed that, but I certainly didn't!

[Excavatoree]

Isopropyl alcohol works well at removing permie marker.

Not on rubber ESD mats it doesn't.

I've said it on the forum before, but you should try "Goop" brand hand cleaner.  The plain white cream stuff.  It will take permanent marker off of a yellow Fluke case, so it may work on your mat. Just glop some on, let it set a while, and wipe it and, hopefully, the marker off.  Sometimes it takes multiple applications.    I did a search, and I believe it is available in Australia, but I apologize in advance if I messed up and it is not.

[Fungus]

Isopropyl alcohol works well at removing permie marker.

Not on rubber ESD mats it doesn't.

Acetone will get it off. Ask she who must be obeyed to lend you some nail varnish remover.


(But try it on a corner of the mat first in case it does anything bad...)

[1xrtt]

I for one like the recycled envelopes. I hate separating the plastic bubble wrap from the paper part, so I can put it into paper & plastic recycling bins. 

+1 

[cow]

Hi Dave,

Great mailbag as usual.  Just in case you didn't catch it... That GPS coordinate you got was in the middle of the Indian Ocean, but if you just look at the numbers...

12 34 567 89 01 123

Yes, it is just a series counting up by one. I don't think that part of the program was actually written or it is missing a GPS sensor. Perhaps the developer put it in as a "place marker" in the software, to get back to in the future when a GPS actually does get integrated into the device. For now just a dummy screen.

Hi, this Michal from FemtoCow. It was showing just some dummy coordinates, normally you enter there a coordinates to the next stage. The device doesn't have GPS sensor, it doesn't need one. It calculates difference in altitude by measuring difference in air pressure. When the goal is met, it just display a message.
You can purchase the device here https://www.tindie.com/products/FemtoCow/arduino-based-altitude-geocache/

[cow]

Who do strain gauges work?

Also the link to the backlit calendar is missing.

You can buy the PCB calendar here https://www.tindie.com/products/FemtoCow/backlight-stand-for-pcb-calendar/ the new version has 12 LEDs for more even backlight.

[cow]

Hello Dave!
Zdravím všechny Cechy a Slováky! : -)

Caute ciciny,  tu je Michal z FemtoCow

[mrkva]

Hello Dave!
Zdravím všechny Cechy a Slováky! : -)

Caute ciciny,  tu je Michal z FemtoCow

cau cicina je nas tu viac!  O0

[Zbig]

That "velvety" coating is known as a "Soft Touch" coating. Here is an example of one:

http://www.bayercoatings.de/BMS/DB-RSC/BMS_RSC_CAS.nsf/id/COEN_1A5Softfeel

I personally had at least two cases of the damn thing decomposing in some way after few years, getting all "moldy", sticky and really unpleasant to touch or look at. In both cases, it virtually rendered the devices unusable as it got both very susceptible to scratches and hard to remove completely and cleanly at the same time. I really hope there are different, more chemically stable, variations of this material as I have a really nice USB audio interface I'd hate to be forced to throw away just because its surface turns into yucky mess in a year or a half! And before you ask: no, I'm not a smoker, I don't live in humid area and the things weren't subjected to any aggressive vapors or anything like that

[Fungus]

That "velvety" coating is known as a "Soft Touch" coating. Here is an example of one:

http://www.bayercoatings.de/BMS/DB-RSC/BMS_RSC_CAS.nsf/id/COEN_1A5Softfeel

I personally had at least two cases of the damn thing decomposing in some way after few years, getting all "moldy", sticky and really unpleasant to touch or look at. In both cases, it virtually rendered the devices unusable

Me too. It went really nasty/sticky and rubbed off on everything. Had to bin the device.

I really hope there are different, more chemically stable, variations of this material as I have a really nice USB audio interface I'd hate to be forced to throw away just because its surface turns into yucky mess in a year or a half! And before you ask: no, I'm not a smoker, I don't live in humid area and the things weren't subjected to any aggressive vapors or anything like that

I think it decomposes all by itself.

Mine was in a drawer. I remember pulling it out and thinking "WTF!" when it stuck to my hand.

[aargee]

All the "plastic suede" stuff of mine that eventually goes sticky gets the metho (methylated spirits) treatment. A rag soaked in said metho then rub the surface until the stickiness goes.
This is not always permanent and it sometimes requires a second treatment a couple of years later.

[hikariuk]

That "velvety" coating is known as a "Soft Touch" coating. Here is an example of one:

http://www.bayercoatings.de/BMS/DB-RSC/BMS_RSC_CAS.nsf/id/COEN_1A5Softfeel

I personally had at least two cases of the damn thing decomposing in some way after few years, getting all "moldy", sticky and really unpleasant to touch or look at. In both cases, it virtually rendered the devices unusable as it got both very susceptible to scratches and hard to remove completely and cleanly at the same time. I really hope there are different, more chemically stable, variations of this material as I have a really nice USB audio interface I'd hate to be forced to throw away just because its surface turns into yucky mess in a year or a half! And before you ask: no, I'm not a smoker, I don't live in humid area and the things weren't subjected to any aggressive vapors or anything like that

The top of my PC's case has a panel with that coating on it; it's done exactly what you said.  It's all sticky and icky now.  At some point I need to just scrape it all off.

[Fungus]

The top of my PC's case has a panel with that coating on it; it's done exactly what you said.  It's all sticky and icky now.  At some point I need to just scrape it all off.

Use a solvent. Normal alcohol worked last time I had to do it.

[delmadord]

Caute ciciny,  tu je Michal z FemtoCow

Nazdar! Bol by aj som zvedavý, ko?ko nás tu je z TUKE

[SNGLinks]

Don't worry about marks on your mat. It gives it character!

Look at mikeselectricstuff's mat!