Simplest dusk sensor yet, with nice case for projects

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  • Опубликовано: 25 авг 2024
  • While placing an order for a PIR sensor from a prominent UK supplier I added this dusk sensor in because it looked very "eBay".
    It turns out that it may not be ideal for its intended application, but it would make an excellent case for mounting outdoor electronics. Light, temperature and humidity sensors come to mind, but it could also house a USB WiFi dongle or other active antenna for connections between buildings.
    An interesting possibility would be to 3D print custom base inserts for specific applications.
    I have a few reservations about its original purpose. The relay switching is not a precise digital event, so it depends on the relay maintaining contact pressure with falling coil current, until it drops out. It may be that it does decisively break the circuit when used like that. Something that is important with inductive loads to minimise arcing.
    The other oddity is its use of single insulated cores with no obvious way to cover them. In the case of general maintenance operatives there's a risk that if they get handed something like this to install they will just assume that exposed wires are OK and fit it. That would pose the risk of accelerated UV degradation in addition to the lack of the double insulation required for cables outwith an enclosure.
    One scenario this might find use is where it's mounted within a clear fronted electrical enclosure with something like an LED power supply, but that would affect its light detecting ability, and clear front enclosures generally cost more than standard ones, meaning it could be cheaper to use a proper external sensor with a plain enclosure.
    The use inside a clear lid enclosure could have advantages in a factory assembled box with everything pre-wired inside though.
    I'd say this product is more valuable for its case than its circuitry. Let me know what you think in the comments area.
    If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
    www.bigclive.co...
    This also keeps the channel independent of RUclips's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.

Комментарии • 424

  • @NvTwist
    @NvTwist 3 года назад +117

    “Watch your eyes, the light is coming back” 😌 Considers others at all times, quality person & content.

    • @mikebarrett2621
      @mikebarrett2621 3 года назад +2

      Does not vote Conservative (Republican in US)?

    • @NvTwist
      @NvTwist 3 года назад +15

      @@mikebarrett2621 A truly egotistic observation to steer attention to ones self, did my comment showing praise & appreciation for another person trigger waves inside your shallow mind.

    • @Dust76tr
      @Dust76tr 3 года назад +2

      And he zooms in for those of us watching on mobile so we stand a chance of being able to see it too

    • @NvTwist
      @NvTwist 3 года назад

      @@Dust76tr 💯

    • @erikhendrych190
      @erikhendrych190 3 года назад

      Instructions unclear. Eyballs twisted into torroids.

  • @CollectiveSoftware
    @CollectiveSoftware 3 года назад +147

    LDR, transistor, and cap for time delay... this is right out of a classic era kids' electronics kit

    • @vychan3708
      @vychan3708 3 года назад +5

      Precisely!

    • @user-gx6jb6wc5g
      @user-gx6jb6wc5g  3 года назад +23

      It did make me think of a beginner magazine project.

    • @user-gx6jb6wc5g
      @user-gx6jb6wc5g  3 года назад +25

      Maybe I'll stick a thermistor in and turn it into a matching thermostat.

    • @ThePiGuy24
      @ThePiGuy24 3 года назад +18

      @@user-gx6jb6wc5g Or just stick a few resistors across the output and turn it into a dusk activated party popper :p

    • @zindi1138
      @zindi1138 3 года назад

      Hence the price

  • @mattelder1971
    @mattelder1971 3 года назад +81

    The 8 second delay is probably to keep things like headlights from passing traffic from accidentally triggering it.

    • @WarpRadio
      @WarpRadio 3 года назад +19

      You almost guessed it.. its actually cause of LIGHTENING FLASHES -don't want lightening to cause the lights to flicker on and off esp HID fixtures! :)

    • @mattelder1971
      @mattelder1971 3 года назад +10

      @@WarpRadio Well, I did say "things like". I'm sure there are several possible sources of random lights, and that delay would counteract most of them.

    • @WarpRadio
      @WarpRadio 3 года назад +2

      @@mattelder1971 oh yeah! to be sure.. though usually, those things are mounted up high away from other (usual) sources of light.. AND, I have seen lightening STILL trigger them just the same.. thanks for the reply! :)

    • @MrDaniyalAh
      @MrDaniyalAh 3 года назад +3

      It is there to act as hesterisis. When the light level is just equal to the threshold value then it migh switch between the two states rapidly which we don't want

    • @alunjones3860
      @alunjones3860 3 года назад +3

      @@MrDaniyalAh The capacitor and resistor won't provide any hysteresis. The relay will do that. The voltage threshold to turn a relay on is always higher, than that when it turns off.

  • @tottaka
    @tottaka 3 года назад +71

    the thumbnail looks like a Styrofoam cup with some wires glued on it lol

    • @drasco61084
      @drasco61084 3 года назад +2

      I thought this too. Thought it was going to be an electronic cup on a string telephone contraption.

  • @raymondmucklow3793
    @raymondmucklow3793 3 года назад +18

    Start days tomorrow, I get to watch Clive before bed, good way to unwind relax. Cheers.

  • @Karreth
    @Karreth 3 года назад +24

    I particularly like how it's marked as being double insulated.

    • @Mattja1
      @Mattja1 3 года назад

      It's pretty hilarious what those marks are found on sometimes.

    • @pear7777
      @pear7777 3 года назад +2

      But it is, both the wires are insulated

    • @bradgardam1343
      @bradgardam1343 3 года назад +1

      Double insulated means it doesn't need to be earthed

  • @asrcav8r
    @asrcav8r 3 года назад +13

    I had the Radio Shack 200 project electronics kit and I remember the light sensor experiments.
    Great, now I feel old...

    • @cornwallonline
      @cornwallonline 3 года назад +3

      I had the Philips Electronics kit for Christmas when I was a kid, with an 'Automatic Night Light' circuit (my fav circuit - it even came with a green cover for the 6V bulb!) ..imagine how old I feel, that was around 1971 🤣

    • @erikdenhouter
      @erikdenhouter 3 года назад

      @@cornwallonline I had the same sort of EE kit, but I remember that there was no relay involved. A relay needs to switch fast enough to avoid burning in of the contacts, and that is a weak floor in the above design.

    • @stevenverhaegen8729
      @stevenverhaegen8729 3 года назад

      @@cornwallonline my favourite was the superregenerative receiver, that made a fine air band receiver 😁

  • @simoncee9011
    @simoncee9011 3 года назад +17

    Thank you Clive, interesting as ever.

  • @HighestRank
    @HighestRank 3 года назад +5

    “Qualified electrician installer”: ‘handing off the liability buck’.

  • @eebaker699
    @eebaker699 3 года назад +6

    Great video as always. I just noticed the Hopi doesn't strobe with the lights out. 😁

  • @ATMAtim
    @ATMAtim 3 года назад

    I too would have put my money on there being a 555 driving the relay.
    This configuration is nearly more simple than a 555 circuit.
    Very interesting piece of hardware.
    Thanks for taking it apart.

  • @r1273m
    @r1273m 3 года назад +7

    That would be OK in my loft to provide an external warning of when I leave the lights on up there.

  • @BritishBoy1971
    @BritishBoy1971 3 года назад

    I know very little about electronics Clive, but your calming voice and method of description in all aspects of your videos, especially your reverse engineering, is superb (even for a novice like me to grasp, to understand and get the gist of what's going on).
    *Your videos are a great stress reliever, believe me, thank you!
    🙂👍

  • @Subgunman
    @Subgunman 3 года назад

    Bought the same item in Greece for 2.60€. I mounted this on a piece of PVC pipe that I sealed with a cap on the bottom. The top of the pipe needed a few turns of cheap electrical tape to get a tight fit. Its been working now for five years with no issues.

  • @michaelmiguelsanchez
    @michaelmiguelsanchez 3 года назад +17

    I initially read the title as 'Simplest duck sensor yet...'

    • @HeimoVN
      @HeimoVN 3 года назад +1

      I read dust instead of dusk

    • @deedeekay1642
      @deedeekay1642 3 года назад

      @@HeimoVN still at 7 mins. into the video, i thought it was DUST! untill I seen your comment!

  • @TheEPROM9
    @TheEPROM9 3 года назад +3

    Use to find LDR's in everything back in the day. Photo diodes & transistors were just of fancy electronics.

    • @peterjameson321
      @peterjameson321 3 года назад +1

      Quite right, TheEPROM9. The nice thing about CdS LDRs is that they're not only as tuff as old boots but they're bidirectional too and can be used on AC. In fact, when I was a boy (I couldn't resist saying that!) all this type of unit contained was an LDR and an hot-wire relay. There were no semiconductors at all. The hot-wire relay provided a bit of hysteresis.

  • @NeverMetTheGuy
    @NeverMetTheGuy 3 года назад +1

    This is incredibly interesting. Does anyone else ever wonder what's happened along our life's journeys to make us so interested in this stuff?

    • @ZAPATTUBE
      @ZAPATTUBE 3 года назад

      A thirst for knowledge.

  • @spagamoto
    @spagamoto 3 года назад

    That Hopi in the darkened room has some pleasing Apollo DSKY vibes.

  • @keithmaddox1469
    @keithmaddox1469 3 года назад

    Hi Clive :) Another fun video. Hope you have a great holiday. Don't shock yourself too much :)

  • @kradlyn
    @kradlyn 3 года назад +37

    I read the title as Duck sensor and was confused...

  • @AutoUnder
    @AutoUnder 3 года назад

    Reminds me a bit of the mini photocells that are usually mounted within street light fittings with single core wires coming off it and the actual sensor itself is screwed into a hole on the light fitting

  • @robt2151
    @robt2151 3 года назад

    I have a Turkey-sourced one with a virtually identical instruction leaflet, but with a more rectangular 'dome'. I built it into a waterproof junction box, with a suitably sealed orifice, along with a 12v transformer and the combined unit now powers my 12v patio lights.
    BTW, have you noticed that, before the EU, electricians had to be 'experienced', now they only have to be 'qualified'.

  • @oblitum
    @oblitum 3 года назад +1

    this weekend i bought a similar one by amazon for a 24v solar street light project. great!

  • @28YorkshireRose12
    @28YorkshireRose12 3 года назад

    You have me thinking now, Clive. I have a "Zodion" style, and I emphasize the word 'style' which I bought on-line, and which failed about six months later. It came in box labelled up as "Newlec". I naively took it at face value, and installed it, and was duly disappointed when it failed. On attempting to remove it from the Zodion socket, the opaque dome fell off in my hand! Once down from the ladder, it was clear that this thing was a fake, and a poor fake at that! Under the lid, there was the capacitive dropper, a very sick looking resistor, what appeared to be an LDR, one small electrolytic capacitor and a three legged silicon device. I saw precious little else, though there must have been a rectifier of some sort, somewhere, and I'd guess there was a relay. Granted, this was about seven years or more ago. I may still have it somewhere! When you described yours as the simplest you've ever seen, I swear, you could have counted the components in this fake, on the fingers of one hand!
    if I were to find it, would you like to cast an eye over it?

  • @irish-medi-weed-grower5240
    @irish-medi-weed-grower5240 3 года назад

    I remember a time in my distant youth when (3:58) ' fingering about ' , had totally different connotations .

  • @thecorbies
    @thecorbies 3 года назад

    Hi BigClive. A quick search of 'tutorial' on your back catalogue revealed nowt, but just so that you know, (you almost certainly already do), you have an amazing voice to listen to. Perfect for online tutorials.
    Now there's an idea! Have you ever though about doing online tutorials for beginners?
    I suppose it might be a bit tedious for you, but I for one would enrol on one of your courses I'm sure.
    I'm an electro-mechanical engineer, but somehow I always felt like I missed out on the whole semi-conductor age. Would love , love LOVE to know more than I do especially if you're doing the tutoring.
    Regards Mark in the UK

  • @westinthewest
    @westinthewest 3 года назад

    BS7671 requires a sheath over the insulation. The cable doesn't need another layer of insulation. The sheath could be another layer of PVC, but we could also choose to use copper (MICC), Lead (PILC) or steel (conduit).

  • @InssiAjaton
    @InssiAjaton 3 года назад

    A 24 V DC relay pulls in (like they all do) at 80% which equals 18 V. The drop out is less standardized, but has to be before the voltage disappears completely. My findings have been anywhere from 2 V to 8 V. Anyway, with exponential charge and discharge, you can usually see different time delays in the two directions. This in addition to what the other component values and ratios cause.

  • @smallengine
    @smallengine 3 года назад +1

    “1, 2, 3, 4, 5. It took about 6 seconds.” lol added a second there

  • @stevenbeaumont1698
    @stevenbeaumont1698 3 года назад +4

    Built some thing like that when i did Physics at School at 13 (1983).

  • @johnmurrell3175
    @johnmurrell3175 3 года назад

    It would be interesting to see the CE mark approval paperwork. Since it will have to be recertified to CUK and or CNI next year as we leave Europe the approval paperwork may be more accessible.

  • @BradTech.
    @BradTech. 3 года назад +2

    0:50 I was like, "oh wow he's diving right into its insides"

  • @erikdenhouter
    @erikdenhouter 3 года назад

    That switch design with LDR is mainly the first design you could find after the transistor came to market at the end of the '50. And it would have been shot down immediately for the gradual raising of the voltage on that relays, and for that sparking contacts. We miss a thyristor as a clamping mechanism; using that under its clamp current you wouldn't even need to reset the thyristor.

    • @erikdenhouter
      @erikdenhouter 3 года назад

      That cap 100 µF 35 V is also to suppress noise. Without it it would make the relays vibrate on any 50Hz leftover.

  • @electrogrim
    @electrogrim 3 года назад

    As an aside, it was interesting to compare the Hopi display with the light on and off.

    • @Jakek200
      @Jakek200 3 года назад

      That's all thanks to the camera slowing the shutter down in the dark which gets rid of the flicker on the recording.

  • @kimasim1
    @kimasim1 3 года назад

    Thanks for your intelligent yet humorous opening

  • @osjakie
    @osjakie 3 года назад +1

    Neat little thing, thanks for that.

  • @bigjd2k
    @bigjd2k 3 года назад +1

    The simplest light sensors are the thermal types, with a big LDR and a resistor in series across the mains. The resistor is thermally coupled to a temperature compensated microswitch mechanism. Simple, reliable, and for some reason replaced with relatively complex electronic solutions nowadays.

  • @jimthesoundman8641
    @jimthesoundman8641 3 года назад +1

    2:03 I would cut a short piece of extension cord, remove the inner conductors so I only had a jacket. Then I would squirt a bunch of caulk into that sleeve and run the conductors through it, thus making it both waterproof and jacketed. Then run that short cord through a gland and into a junction box.

  • @robt2151
    @robt2151 3 года назад

    I'm guessing that our host did not read the instruction leaflet - it explains that the black bag is for testing the sensor without having to pray for a convenient eclipse.

  • @bostedtap8399
    @bostedtap8399 3 года назад

    eBay; providing material for RUclips vloggers since 1999.
    Great reverse engineering and optimistic use.
    Thanks for sharing.

    • @user-gx6jb6wc5g
      @user-gx6jb6wc5g  3 года назад

      Except that this was from a prominent British supplier.

    • @bostedtap8399
      @bostedtap8399 3 года назад

      @@user-gx6jb6wc5g Agreed, for a reputable UK supplier this is inexcusable; pretty sure these will be on there soon.
      May I wish you a Merry Christmas and and blooming better 2021.

  • @martinwinfield2935
    @martinwinfield2935 3 года назад +1

    Thanks great tear down as usual.

  • @ronaldroberts7221
    @ronaldroberts7221 3 года назад

    If these stop working after a year or so, first check to see if it's covered with bird manure. I recommend any outdoors installation have a clear cover over it that can be thrown away when needed, like half a clear plastic soda bottle.

  • @twocvbloke
    @twocvbloke 3 года назад +6

    It's perfectly safe to use outdoors, so long as no electricity is used... :P

    • @stuc.6592
      @stuc.6592 3 года назад

      It's like a cheap waterproof coat. 100% waterproof so long as you don't wear it in the rain.

  • @erdosydani
    @erdosydani 3 года назад +12

    I read the title as "dust sensor", and at the half of the video I didn't get what hell is going on here. :D

    • @supercables251
      @supercables251 3 года назад

      I thought it was "duct sensor" :D

    • @doogle2822
      @doogle2822 3 года назад +1

      Fit one to your hoover

  • @cheeseschrist2303
    @cheeseschrist2303 3 года назад +41

    Could be used as-is inside a glasshouse or conservatory.

    • @TDOBrandano
      @TDOBrandano 3 года назад +5

      Or inside a window to control stairwell and corridor lighting in a building, in parallel with a timer

    • @dfpguitar
      @dfpguitar 3 года назад +8

      the UV would kill the insulation in a glass House and glass houses are also incredibly humid. Meaning there is likely to be condensation inside it.

    • @TDOBrandano
      @TDOBrandano 3 года назад +6

      @@dfpguitar Very fair point for the condensation and temperature, but regular glass and many transparent plastics do block most UV light, which is why you need crystal tubes for UV sources.

    • @westinthewest
      @westinthewest 3 года назад +11

      You can't have un-sheathed wiring whether it's indoors or outdoors. The flex on your TV or kettle cannot show exposed brown and blue cables, and neither can cables for fixed wiring such as this. The sheath must be continuous from the appliance to the plug or wiring enclosure.

    • @dfpguitar
      @dfpguitar 3 года назад

      @@TDOBrandano not disputing that glass blocks some UV, but it is clearly not all , because if it was. All the plants in every glasshouse and polytunnel in the world would die.
      Also, there would be no need for UV coatings on spectacles or even welding masks.

  • @anoimo9013
    @anoimo9013 3 года назад +2

    it seems to need some hysteresis to keep it from oscillating when the light level is in between

  • @Uncle-Duncan-Shack
    @Uncle-Duncan-Shack 3 года назад

    Nice one Clive, it's a simple and classic design.
    At 1600 ohms as per the datasheet for the relay, that transistor is going to have an easy life, 22VX22V/1600 ohms = 0.3025 Watts.
    Magnetic hysteresis with some help from that diode to ensure the gate current goes away completely during the day.
    it's clever, thanks for tip on how to design an enclosure for my temp, humidity and barometric pressure sensor, the traditional designs are a lot of work and the tolerance to driving rain is an issue unless a lot of attention is given to the louvers.
    So I am going to make it look like that, with holes in the base for air to in and out past the sensor.
    Take care, regards from South Africa.

    • @eDoc2020
      @eDoc2020 3 года назад

      I can't imagine those tiny surface mount transistors can handle 300mW. Isn't that the limit for the much larger TO-92 packages?

    • @Uncle-Duncan-Shack
      @Uncle-Duncan-Shack 3 года назад

      @@eDoc2020 Yes SOT23 packages are like 200mW
      At partial conduction with 11V across the transistor it will dissipate 75 mW.
      The current through the relay will produce the highest losses when fully energized, during the night.
      During the day no current flows through the transistor and then there's a brief period of partial conduction at dusk and dawn.
      The zener diode is going to steam a bit during the day with no load on the dc side.
      That might get to between 300 and 400 mW.
      With the copper around it being minimal I would expect that area to turn brown over time.
      They work, it's a cheap item after all, so it's the level of engineering one gets for the price.

  • @andrewradford6267
    @andrewradford6267 3 года назад

    Ahh it's not a tiny plant pot. Damn was hoping you'd started doing gardening videos. ;)

  • @robertwillis4061
    @robertwillis4061 3 года назад

    Possible reason for the loose wires is that, in would need to use 4 core flex. It is rare to get 3 core in anything other than positive (brown), negative (blue), earth(green&yellow). It would be very stupid to use the earth wire as the output. So that means going to 4 core with an white or grey additional wire. That would be an additional cost and a redundant earth wire

  • @richardeblack
    @richardeblack 3 года назад +7

    Thank you. Another interesting video. Just made one of these ldr circuits for the lights for the tree outside our village pub. I was thinking of adding a capacitor to 'damp out' sudden light flashes from passing cars and wasn't sure how to. Would that work?
    I love your videos, they are so informative for an old beginner with a very limited knowledge of electronics. I've learned so much. Thank you.

    • @user-gx6jb6wc5g
      @user-gx6jb6wc5g  3 года назад +5

      You probably couldn't make a dusk controller for less than buying a complete one from a company like CPC.

  • @richardkaz2336
    @richardkaz2336 3 года назад

    You can sleeve the bundle of wires between a JBox with appropriatle rated flexible conduit. The units would be positioned well out of the reach of anyone accessing it, requiring a ladder and you would isolate the cct before attempting to access the light fitting or JBox.
    Zeena warrior princess diode.

  • @danielm2142
    @danielm2142 3 года назад +5

    EDIT: Nevermind, it was in your "Random stuff on my bench." video, at least I'm not crazy... Oh, who am I kidding?
    I'm getting deja vu, didn't you already make a video on this exact same unit, where you also mentioned that it'd have to be in an enclosure if used by business owners in case a customer/employee grabs the wires? I'm probably dreaming of Bears with dusk switches again.

  • @skywing959
    @skywing959 3 года назад +8

    I used one of these a few years ago for lights in my chicken coop, it was a 12 volt version though but had the same design. The way I dealt with the single insulated cores was to put heat shrink around all three together. Eventually it stopped working, so I replaced it with a new one which still didn't work, and yet the lights worked if I bypassed it. Very odd since the first sensor worked perfectly for a couple of years. In the end I just got rid of it altogether and used a timer to control the lights instead.

    • @TheFool2cool
      @TheFool2cool 3 года назад +3

      You didnt need to worry about single insulated cables if it was a 12v system?

    • @davidelsbury2917
      @davidelsbury2917 3 года назад +3

      @@TheFool2cool good practice and all that

    • @bradgardam1343
      @bradgardam1343 3 года назад

      Double insulated has nothing to do with the insulation on the wires, it means that it doesn't need to be earthed.

  • @nicholasboyarko1680
    @nicholasboyarko1680 3 года назад

    It's unfortunate they didn't just put some uvb or another type of outdoor sheathed wire on there. Also a gasket between the case and cover to make it usable outdoors.
    Alternatively even a larger bezzle so it could mount on a standard light fixture box.
    So many possibilities, so few acted upon.

  • @6F6G
    @6F6G 3 года назад

    The single insulated wires could be made quasi-compliant if they were covered in heatshrink and the top sealed with a blob of silicone.

  • @aterack833
    @aterack833 3 года назад

    I love that you cut the big print out, I don’t know if I’ve noticed that before but I guess most boards you show are square

  • @BjornV78
    @BjornV78 3 года назад

    I think this type of dusk sensor is used indoor, like factories, offices etc.....where there is a skylight used, if the light from the skylight is below the treshold, the electric lights come on. I worked at a place, that used this system to save on electric costs of light, but it was very annoying on cloudy days where the lights are switched on and off multiple times within few minutes.

  • @yoyofargo
    @yoyofargo 3 года назад

    I read the title as "Dusk" sensor and was so confused.
    I didn't know what a dusk sensor was when I clicked. >_>

  • @johnnyvvlog
    @johnnyvvlog 3 года назад

    Given how it's designed it would be very easy to replace those wires with a piece of cable. All you need is a Philips screwdriver and a soldering iron.

  • @rimmersbryggeri
    @rimmersbryggeri 3 года назад

    I think this cout be used to great effect for patio lightin and such applications that ta dry to "damp" but covered. Could make a simular unit but replace the ldr with a RTD and use it for the infra red patio heater. Would probably need a 24hr timer for that in the colder months though.

  • @andyash5675
    @andyash5675 3 года назад +1

    It's a good job they put the sun in the sky all that time ago. If they hadn't that thing would have filled up with water. :-D

  • @Mark1024MAK
    @Mark1024MAK 3 года назад

    With such a simple circuit design, that has no hysteresis or schmitt trigger arrangement, I wonder what it’s performance is like when the light level is very near the switching point. Especially if even a bit of light from the controlled lighting finds its way to the sensor...

  • @Leroys_Stuff
    @Leroys_Stuff 3 года назад

    You got me Big Clive I thought the watermark was the ldr for a second and was how the hell does that work lol

  • @Nathan1975Liggy
    @Nathan1975Liggy 3 года назад

    Looks like it should be mounted on some sort of pole so the cables go down inside the pole or directly on top above an outside conduit with its bracket slid behind the conduit and attached to the wall. It looks to me to be some sort of conduit sensor with those wires

  • @NickNorton
    @NickNorton 3 года назад

    Need to start giving names to the Impact/Skid Marks on Clive's Desk. Problem is the 1920*1080 XY Origin may keep changing depending on exact Phone position.
    Might have to resort to using the somewhat stable BigCliveDotCom as a reference 😁

  • @theoldbigmoose
    @theoldbigmoose 3 года назад

    Every time I look at the EU power line colours... I think how easy to remember it would have been if brown was for earth brown return a earth potential, and blue was for blue sky hot ... where the lightning comes from. I'm OK with the earth green/yellow.

  • @eaburtolemiliox
    @eaburtolemiliox 3 года назад

    Could be the different ratings in the condensers due to the timing delay needing to be more or less consistent between different devices, so greater "precision" condensers were sourced to that effect? Given that electrolitics have a wide tolerance in capacity generally

  • @fenceup07944931177
    @fenceup07944931177 3 года назад +4

    I'm getting Déjà vu! I'm sure I have seen this video before?🤔

    • @user-gx6jb6wc5g
      @user-gx6jb6wc5g  3 года назад +4

      I showed the outside of the sensor in another video and have taken apart a more complicated box shaped version.

  • @LariFariYoutube
    @LariFariYoutube 3 года назад

    Heatshrink over the leads would make it somewhat double insulated.... And it would helf against UV light. (insualtion gets brittle over time)... Thats a very simple circuit, which in some form or the other, i have used a lot in the past.

    • @westinthewest
      @westinthewest 3 года назад +1

      The cable doesn't need another layer of insulation. BS7671 only requires one layer of insulation, but it must be covered by a sheath. Double insulation relates to appliances.
      It sounds like a tedious point of terminology, but a cable's second layer doesn't have to have insulating properties. It is there for mechanical protection.

    • @mernok2001
      @mernok2001 3 года назад

      @@westinthewest In some contries its required that cable sheats must resist 1500V.

  • @JoshuaFawcett
    @JoshuaFawcett 3 года назад

    Pro-Elec branded items all tend to be Chinese stuff with their brand stuck on it and then just stick in a bit of their own paperwork. I think its pretty much a CPC exclusive or in-house brand.

  • @australianstig
    @australianstig 3 года назад +1

    Almost an identical design to one I built in TAFE around 25 years ago

  • @fd1150
    @fd1150 3 года назад

    Bit of a faff but you could use a bit of Bundy10 and blob of resin on the base, then a gland at the end I suppose.

  • @instrumenttech4220
    @instrumenttech4220 3 года назад

    Nice one maybe ask curious hvac guy to send you a Honeywell burner control would love to hear your take on it

  • @corycash2006
    @corycash2006 3 года назад

    The Hopi is only flickery with the lights on.

  • @IGendel369
    @IGendel369 3 года назад

    Did you notice that the HOPI doesn't flicker when the lights are off? I guess the flickering has to do with the type of light used in the room plus the camera. That is cool though that without the lights on there is no flickering.

  • @cfinlay6428
    @cfinlay6428 3 года назад

    Oh my word!! I really need to get myself to Specsavers for an updated prescription because I read the intro as a DUST detector and didn't cotton on until you switched off the light. I kept wondering where are the vent holes to let in dust laden air and why on earth would you enclose it in a plastic housing???

  • @Taffaz
    @Taffaz 3 года назад

    Misread the title as Duck sensor and wondered why you wanted to sense ducks

  • @a.garland5003
    @a.garland5003 3 года назад

    The famous white box company 😆

  • @piconano
    @piconano 3 года назад +1

    ...and I made one with only a TL431 setup as a comparator.
    Didn't think it could get simpler! I was wrong :(

  • @shaunclarke94
    @shaunclarke94 3 года назад

    That explains why the power consumption didn't seem to change with the relay on or off.

    • @AttilaAsztalos
      @AttilaAsztalos 3 года назад

      You can almost hear the Zener go "Oh, THANK you!" whenever the relay clicks on... ;)

  • @Wanton110
    @Wanton110 3 года назад

    CPC is awesome, they supply BT most of their sundry items

    • @westinthewest
      @westinthewest 3 года назад

      Their customer service needs improvement. They told me that they are exempt from the Consumer Contracts Regulations because they are a Distributor and not a Retailer.

    • @Wanton110
      @Wanton110 3 года назад

      @@westinthewest Their website would suggest otherwise, so I would badger them about it if I were you.
      I've been buying stuff from them for over a decade as a random civilian rather than a business

    • @westinthewest
      @westinthewest 3 года назад

      @@Wanton110 I did tell the nice lady that the Consumer Contracts Regulations state that an attempt to mis-inform a consumer is a criminal offence, but she continued by saying that an LED product (e.g. integrated downlight or floodlight) was classed as a consumable item similar to batteries incandescent bulbs. This was another reason why a return could not be authorised. I had a half-hour conversation that wasn't very inspiring.
      Edit:
      I opened my account with them in 1989 when they were the local electronics shop in Leeds. I still order stuff from them, but with caution.

  • @donaldasayers
    @donaldasayers 3 года назад +4

    Sorry, I read that as "Duck sensor" was really interested for a moment.

    • @ClickItYT
      @ClickItYT 3 года назад

      Donald and "Duck", What a coincidence!

  • @dlayman101
    @dlayman101 3 года назад

    please do a video on the simplest way to wire a snubber to a bidirectional DC motor, including the methodology of determining appropriate diode(s)

  • @ThebigFlanc
    @ThebigFlanc 3 года назад

    Man I thought this was a dust sensor for the first 5 minutes

  • @11Eighty8productions
    @11Eighty8productions 3 года назад

    Nice

  • @tommiller1315
    @tommiller1315 3 года назад

    Used a 12V version with a transformer, and made my own in a clear plastic peanut butter jar (with a cable gland) 2015. :-)

  • @brianjonesg8aso403
    @brianjonesg8aso403 3 года назад +2

    Got one of these from Banggood so it is Chinese. As you say CPC should not be handling it unless it was a 12V version.

  • @nigeljohnson9820
    @nigeljohnson9820 3 года назад +2

    It rather poor that it does not use a Schmitt trigger to drive the relay. Is there magnet or mechanical hysteresis in the relay contacts.
    Without this feature, what stops an arc developing across the contacts as they open?
    I suspect that hiding the LDR between the other component might have been intentional, as it would limit the source of light to that coming from above, reducing the chance of triggering from say car headlights

    • @user-gx6jb6wc5g
      @user-gx6jb6wc5g  3 года назад +1

      The relay tends to open and close fairly decisively.

    • @nigeljohnson9820
      @nigeljohnson9820 3 года назад

      @@user-gx6jb6wc5g I assume this is the result of the gain in the system, however testing with an on/off light source, like a torch, might produce different results to that of a slow sun rise.

  • @r3tr0nic
    @r3tr0nic 3 года назад

    Simple design, reminds me of my first learning with one of those Science Fair kits. I agree on the 1M resistor. I personally like through hole. They should of used multicore flex, but then again this is not something I'd buy to actually use. As with most ebay chinese specials, its good for spares and modifying ;)

  •  3 года назад

    If you cover the wires with shrink wrap tubing it will then be double insulated.

    • @westinthewest
      @westinthewest 3 года назад +1

      Cables only need one layer of insulation.

  • @printxii
    @printxii 3 года назад

    If you mount it under the light you'll have 100% unity. Light will turn on the sensor that will turn on you light 🤔.

  • @davidfalconer8913
    @davidfalconer8913 Год назад

    This LDR is tiny ( ? ) ... the US street lamps from the 1960's use a [ BIG BOY ] LDR ( about 1 inch diameter ! ) in a fully sealed glass / metal case ( I have one ! ) great for student demonstrations , because they can dissipate ½ Watt ( ! ) ... DAVE™ ........

  • @stevenbirch
    @stevenbirch 3 года назад

    Something seems a bit odd with the schematic. When the LDR is illuminated, the adjacent diode will block it from discharging the timing capacitor. So the capacitor can only discharge via the 47k into the base of the transistor. Which is fine I suppose to make the delay, however the slightest leakage current in the transistor will tend to make it turn on since there is nothing to actively bias it off.

    • @petehiggins33
      @petehiggins33 3 года назад

      Transistors have a parameter called Iceo which is the collector to emitter leakage current with the base open circuit. Provided this is less than the operating current of the relay then there's no problem. Or am I being naive to assume that Chinese circuit designers read data sheets.

    • @Mark1024MAK
      @Mark1024MAK 3 года назад

      With a bipolar transistor, there has to be enough current flowing through the base multiplied by the gain to allow enough current to flow via the collector to energise the relay. The capacitor will soak up any stray electromagnetic fields, and at 22V, I would not expect any significant leakage from the collector to the base. So it’s fine.

  • @mysock351C
    @mysock351C 3 года назад +3

    Circuit looks like what I used to see in some old electronics project books for dusk sensors. Yet again the Chinese seem to be giving these circuits a new lease on life.

  • @dancoulson6579
    @dancoulson6579 3 года назад +1

    You say the inrush resistor is 100R, but itn't it 10R?
    There is another white band after the gold, so the gold is considered a 0.1 multiplyer.
    101x0.1 = 10.1R.
    Never seen a _white_ tolerance band before though. Maybe I'm mistaken somewhere. Would appreciate any feedback.

    • @Mark1024MAK
      @Mark1024MAK 3 года назад

      I suspect that the gold is the tolerance and that the white band means something else. Primarily because 10Ω or 100Ω resistors are going to be far more available (and hence cheaper) than 10.1Ω resistors... Also a 10.1Ω resistor would be a close tolerance part (better than 2%) , and would cost more than a 5% tolerance part. Can’t say that I’ve seen a white band like that in that position before though.

  • @czarnohumorasty
    @czarnohumorasty 3 года назад +1

    Looks like something my dad would use, he never cares about safety regulations

    • @user-gx6jb6wc5g
      @user-gx6jb6wc5g  3 года назад +1

      I'm sure many of these are in use with exposed single insulated wires.

    • @eDoc2020
      @eDoc2020 3 года назад

      We just inherited some of my grandfather's things. So many cut-off ground pins (US plugs) and all the halogen lamps were missing their safety glass.
      Then again I've built a light bulb box. Three bulbs hot glued in place and all the wiring is exposed, you could easily get shocked using it.

  • @dataphool
    @dataphool 3 года назад

    It would be simple to add a length of 14/3 * waterproof line from the guts of the gizmo as long as you needed. That would make the box pass Clive's stringent requirements. I think the gadget would be suitable for North America's 120 V standard as it sits, of course, my understanding of code is a half century old by now. The circuit might supply 22 V even from 120 V.

    • @johnpossum556
      @johnpossum556 3 года назад +2

      "Clive's stringent requirements" ?? They're not stringent at all, in fact they're very practical. I believe the code for outside is that it must be housed behind plastic or metal and be waterproof. The only exception I know to this is the double insulated romex made for direct underground installation. Squirrels & rodents will pretty much tear off insulation when given a chance which is only one of a myriad of reasons it's smart to have physical protection for outdoor wires, especially permanently installed ones.

    • @Mark1024MAK
      @Mark1024MAK 3 года назад

      The U.K. requirement is that any mains voltage item/equipment/appliance etc. must have any exposed PVC or rubber cable (meaning any cable outside of the case of an item/equipment/appliance etc.) made of insulated conductor with an outer sheath of a different colour. The line (live/hot) conductor should have a brown colour insulation, the neutral conductor should have a blue colour insulation. Alternatively cables can be run in suitable conduit. If used where there may be exposed to water, then suitable waterproof/weather proofing arrangements should be done, such as rubber seals.

    • @johnpossum556
      @johnpossum556 3 года назад

      @@Mark1024MAK mmmm. I meant US codes. It's not even allowed indoors anymore, either, because I was told by an electrician my laundry receptable is not up to current code even though it doesn't have a scratch on the cable and no signs of wear. But it does come out of the hard metal conduit and hang down about a foot and half. I don't agree with that but obviously I can appreciate the thinking behind it.

  • @nigelanscombe8658
    @nigelanscombe8658 3 года назад

    I wonder if this is a similar circuit to the detachable parking lights you could get for cars in the 1960s?
    It was used to turn a red “parking light” on after dusk.

  • @col8981
    @col8981 3 года назад

    1:29 That's what the Chinese made choc block for

  • @Cornz38
    @Cornz38 3 года назад +1

    Bet you as a kid you used to strip the old yellow road lamps down for the batteries and flash circuit, didn't you Clive???

    • @Mark1024MAK
      @Mark1024MAK 3 года назад +1

      I’m saying nothing....