A good while ago I stumbled across the 'SMD challenge': A PCB kit to test your SMD soldering skills all the way down from 1206 to 0201 parts. It took me a good while to source the parts (why does barely anyone stock LEDs in SMD 0201 form factor?), but now the time had finally come to assemble it.
#Hardware
A good while ago I had ordered a bunch of PMEG3050EP SMD Schottky diodes. When the parts eventually arrived from China, however, they weren't marked 'A7' on the case but 'B88'. The part still looked like a diode, but I couldn't find any data sheet or specs. So I decided to run a few measurements.
#Hardware
I purchased an Ersa i-CON PICO soldering station just three months ago. Now it sporadically started to show the 'Err 8' screen. After each restart, everything was back to normal, though. Here's how I solved it (at least for now) by cleaning all relevant contacts.
#Hardware
Every so often I'm in need of a temporary directory. May it be to clone some git repo in order to copy a bunch of files, or to compile some modified source code without impacting my main build. Here's a little bash script I frequently use to create such a directory and wipe it after its (one-time) use.
#Software
I've already had to return a PMT801 DAB+/Bluetooth receiver once because the USB receptacle has come off the PCB. Last time the device was still covered by warranty. This time it wasn't. So let's crack open the case and see if this can be fixed.
#Hardware
The AVM FRITZ!DECT 200 is a smart plug that measures power draw, can switch the attached load remotely and features a built-in temperature sensor that can be coupled to smart thermostats. It's a really useful device, weren't it for the fact that its LEDs are way too bright to meaningfully use it in a bedroom. Here's how to reduce their brightness.
#Hardware