What did you buy today? Post your latest purchase!

[unknownparticle]

Very handy for case screws on electronic stuff, it has variable speed and soft start so stripped screw heads are less likely.

[Calambres]

A set of four ceramic screwdrivers:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003944841422.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.48fe1802ZxC2nB

[Martin72]

A flexible pcb holder and headlight with interchangeable magnifierglasses..
Both surprisingly good.

[Ed.Kloonk]

A flexible pcb holder and headlight with interchangeable magnifierglasses..
Both surprisingly good.

Want.

pcb holder looks nifty.

Does the magnifier interfere with your wearing glasses?

[Martin72]

No problems with it...
Unlike other models it´s with an adjustable headband that works really good, no pressure on the head.
The pcb holder is coming with a solid metal base plate and the arms are flexible in every way.
It´s so stable that two arms would be enough to hold a small pcb.
Links (amazon germany):

pcb holder

Magnifying glasses headlight

[Martin72]

Wera Zyklop Mini bitset...
It´s soo tiny and rocksolid...

[McBryce]

Wera Zyklop Mini bitset...
It´s soo tiny and rocksolid...

Stop showing me things that I'll end up buying!!

McBryce.

[Peter_O]

No problems with it...
Unlike other models it´s with an adjustable headband that works really good, no pressure on the head.
The pcb holder is coming with a solid metal base plate and the arms are flexible in every way.
It´s so stable that two arms would be enough to hold a small pcb.
Links (amazon germany):

pcb holder

Magnifying glasses headlight

thx for the links, Martin
Have kind of that pcb holder for a long time already, but have magnifier glasses on my shortlist, not shure what to buy. Will try these ones.

[exe]

My first "boat anchor" (not really). It's a university lab isolation transformer. Got it from a flea market. There is no signs of model indication or anything. There's only an inventory sticker on the back saying it's from University of Twente.

I long wanted an isolation transformer. Could have made one myself, but I spared the effort. Didn't really want to buy it. I just talked with the seller, hoping he would put an unreasonable price tag (Dutch people like this  :'( ), but he said I could have it for 10 euros. Couldn't resist that.

The unit is well built and preserved. The only thing I don't understand is the purpose of the diode. I opened the enclosure, everything looks nice and tidy except one screw connecting the indicator lamp on front panel. It was loose, that might explain why the first time I powered it it didn't lit up. The tranny seems to be 48VA, made by AMROH (Holland), part number 36.251 . There are additional taps of 2V and 4V which are not connected to the front panel. The box could've made smaller. But, I guess, bench space was no problem "back then". Though I don't really know how old the device is, can't see any date codes.

[TomKatt]

The only thing I don't understand is the purpose of the diode.

When I think of 'isolation transformer' I tend to think of 1:1 mains isolation, but certainly that isn't a requirement.

Is this device possibly some kind of power supply?  Wouldn't the diode provide 1/2 wave rectification from the various voltage taps?

[exe]

Is this device possibly some kind of power supply?  Wouldn't the diode provide 1/2 wave rectification from the various voltage taps?

Yeah, I think it's kind of lab power supply. About rectification, wouldn't 1/2 rectification create a DC bias, which is bad for the tranny (and mains)?

[Kim Christensen]

Yeah, I think it's kind of lab power supply. About rectification, wouldn't 1/2 rectification create a DC bias, which is bad for the tranny (and mains)?

Not exactly "bad"... But more ripple, poor power factor, and not as much useable power as a fullwave rectifier would give you.

[tautech]

My first "boat anchor" (not really). It's a university lab isolation transformer.

That it is not !

Instead it's a plain and ordinary 24V multi tapped mains transformer as easily seen from the labeling on the transformer secondary side taps configured for use as a multi voltage lab AC PSU.
48VA suggests it's 2A rated at 24V which is just enough if bridge rectified, smoothed and passed via a linear regulator to provide a 30VDC output.

[AVGresponding]

Even more puzzling is the fact that the red binding post isn't connected internally, and the diode is configured as a reverse polarity crowbar. Some kind of student project?

[tautech]

Even more puzzling is the fact that the red binding post isn't connected internally, and the diode is configured as a reverse polarity crowbar. Some kind of student project?

Maybe the test was to find how many mains cycles a 1A diode could survive into high loads as it seems it was deliberately configured as easy to replace. 

A Prof I know got students to see if they could get 20A through a 1N4148 and succeeded at some microsecond  frequency I cannot now remember. 
Duty cycle is everything. 

[w.v.s.]

Wera Zyklop Mini bitset...
It´s soo tiny and rocksolid...

Could not resist and copied that one 

[PlainName]

... and headlight with interchangeable magnifierglasses..
Both surprisingly good.

I was tempted by this since I already have one with similar lenses but it's difficult to wear glasses with. Martin72's one isn't available on Amazon UK (or anywhere else I looked) but Amazon kindly shipped it for a very reasonable fee. A bit expensive overall,  but I'm happy to say it is jolly good and actually usable so worth the outlay if you need something like this.

[Ed.Kloonk]

... and headlight with interchangeable magnifierglasses..
Both surprisingly good.

I was tempted by this since I already have one with similar lenses but it's difficult to wear glasses with. Martin72's one isn't available on Amazon UK (or anywhere else I looked) but Amazon kindly shipped it for a very reasonable fee. A bit expensive overall,  but I'm happy to say it is jolly good and actually usable so worth the outlay if you need something like this.

Couldn't buy it here, either.

[PlainName]

I can ship one to you for a very unreasonable fee

[johnh]

i bought something similar from Aliexpress a few  years back. SWMBO borrowed    it.

Quick search    Adjustable 5 Lens Loupe LED Light Headband Magnifier

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32947920225.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.7.4a2e33646BlLGT&algo_pvid=71ec0550-e044-4437-9790-0f1395fe466f&algo_exp_id=71ec0550-e044-4437-9790-0f1395fe466f-3&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2266319396320%22%7D&pdp_npi=3%40dis%21AUD%2120.45%215.02%21%21%21%21%21%40211bf49716781695111644085d0720%2166319396320%21sea%21AU%210&curPageLogUid=Omn4iPcGWoJ3

[eti]

A nice tasty bag of chips.

[RAPo]

The postman came with a late order delivery containing two multimeters from Phillips. The SMT111 is the oldest one, but it measures more precise than the PM2505

[old-jo]

A portable rework station: Yihua 8858-I.

[paulca]

Far, far too much!

330W solar panel.
EPever 4210A 40A charge controller.
4 105Ah LifePO4 cells.
Another 4 105Ah LifePO4 cells.
A dozen different electronics component kits of ali.
Heavy duty crimper for battery terminals and 10AWG wire.
Rachetting crimper for normal blue,yellow,read,grey crimp terminals.

Too many small projects, especially the ones requiring drop of £100-200 per item.

I have a list for the next month too.  Likely won't be saving much this or next month.  Hopefully I can at least start to make a few quid back (from the solar).  It's already looking like a theoretical pay back of "up to" (brilliant marketing term) £100 a year, or 5 years ROI.  Reality is more like 50.

[tautech]

330W solar panel.

Hopefully I can at least start to make a few quid back (from the solar). 

Just one panel ? 

3 we installed to power a remote data transfer installation are already past 1.5 MW after just a couple years. 
Your charge controller can handle 4 at a pinch but 3 panels would be more conservative/safer.