Everyone Needs This and it’s Under $10 - Handy Tech Under $100
TLDRThis video script introduces a variety of handy tech gadgets and DIY projects aimed at enhancing the user experience with electronic devices. It discusses the Charge-o-Matic, a device designed to prolong battery life by controlling charging time, and a custom volume control knob for PCs. The script also highlights the USB Valve, a security tool to monitor USB ports, and a USB rechargeable air duster for cleaning purposes. The video promotes affordability and practicality, with a focus on DIY solutions and sponsorship by Rocket Money, a service to help manage and cancel unwanted subscriptions.
Takeaways
- 🔋 The $30 Charge-o-Matic is a device that helps prolong the life of battery-powered tools and USB-charged devices by controlling the charging time.
- 🔌 Portable electronics should not be plugged in all the time as it can harm the batteries; however, many modern devices no longer have removable batteries.
- 🔋 The Charge-o-Matic offers smart charging with a timer that lets you set the power on duration from 1 to 99 hours and the days off from 1 to 99 days.
- 💡 The Dej is an open-source hardware volume control for Windows and Linux PCs, allowing independent control over the PC's master volume, voice chat, and game volume.
- 🔧 Building your own Dej volume control is simple and requires an Arduino, potentiometers, wires, and an enclosure, without needing soldering skills.
- 🎮 The Dej project provides a pre-written Arduino sketch file, but you need to tweak it based on the number of pots and the pins they're connected to.
- 🔄 The USB Valve is a monitoring device that helps you check if a USB port or device is safe to use by showing data output on a small screen.
- 🛠️ The USB Valve can also monitor untrusted USB peripherals, alerting you if they try to write data to your device.
- 💨 The USB rechargeable air duster is a handy tool for cleaning, offering three speed settings, various tips, and a carrying bag for under $50.
- 🚀 The video features several products sent by their inventors for review, and the creators have personally purchased and use these products in their warehouse.
- 💰 The video also includes a sponsorship for Rocket Money, a service that helps users cancel unwanted subscriptions and save money.
Q & A
What is the main issue with portable electronics plugged in all the time?
-The main issue is that leaving portable electronics plugged in all the time can be hard on the batteries, causing them to die, bulge, or even light on fire.
What is the Charge-O-Matic and how does it help with battery life?
-The Charge-O-Matic is a device that helps protect battery-powered tools, prolong the life of USB charged devices, and top up generator batteries. It allows users to set a timer for how long the power stays on, reducing the risk of battery damage.
How can the Charge-O-Matic be used for emergency battery banks?
-The Charge-O-Matic can be used to keep emergency battery banks ready to go at a moment's notice by setting the timer for the appropriate charging duration and intervals, ensuring the batteries are maintained without overcharging.
What are the key features of the UgGreen NeXe x65 wall charger?
-The UgGreen NeXe x65 wall charger is small, light, and powerful, featuring two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, allowing for charging up to three devices simultaneously with a maximum output of 65 Watts.
How does the Dej open-source hardware volume control work?
-The Dej open-source hardware volume control is a device that provides independent control over a PC's master volume, voice chat, and game volume. It uses an Arduino or similar microcontroller, potentiometers, wires, and an enclosure to create a physical knob that can adjust the volume levels.
What is the purpose of the USB valve and how does it function?
-The USB valve is a monitoring device that outputs everything happening over a USB port on a small screen. It helps users determine if a USB port or device is safe to use by showing expected or unexpected activity, such as reading or writing data.
What are the benefits of building a DIY version of the USB valve with USB pass-through?
-Building a DIY version of the USB valve with USB pass-through allows users to also monitor untrusted USB peripherals. It can recognize and display suspicious behavior, such as automatic keyboard typing from a malicious device, providing an extra layer of security.
What is included in the USB rechargeable air duster and how can it save money?
-The USB rechargeable air duster includes a 3-speed handheld blower, alternate tips for directing air flow, and a carrying bag. It can save money by eliminating the need for purchasing canned air, which can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars over time.
How does RocketMoney help with subscription management and savings?
-RocketMoney simplifies the process of canceling unwanted subscriptions by allowing users to manage and cancel services through their platform. Additionally, RocketMoney can assist with negotiating overpaid bills and setting up a smart savings system for automatic deposits into the user's account.
What is the significance of the custom PCB for the USB valve?
-The custom PCB for the USB valve allows for a more polished and professional-looking build. It also simplifies the construction process, making it easier for users to assemble and use the device without needing extensive electronics knowledge.
How does the Dej project support community tool creators?
-The Dej project supports community tool creators by providing open-source hardware designs and detailed instructions for building custom volume controls. This encourages grassroots innovation and allows enthusiasts to contribute to the development of new and improved devices.
Outlines
🔋 Battery Care and Charging Solutions
This paragraph discusses the importance of proper battery care for portable electronics and introduces the $30 Charge-o-matic, a device designed to protect batteries from damage due to overcharging. It highlights the device's smart charging features and its versatility in prolonging the life of USB charged devices and generator batteries. The segment also presents creative ideas for using the device, such as maintaining emergency battery banks and protecting numerous battery-powered devices in storage. However, it notes that the Charge-o-matic lacks advanced smart features and operates essentially as a timer with additional steps, allowing users to set power on duration and days off to prevent overcharging.
🔊 Custom PC Volume Control with Dej
This segment introduces an open-source hardware volume control called Dej, which allows for independent volume adjustment of the PC's master volume, voice chat, and game audio. It explains the simplicity of building one's own Dej device using an Arduino microcontroller, potentiometers, wires, and an enclosure. The process involves wiring the potentiometers to the controller, uploading the provided Arduino sketch, and configuring the settings using a YAML file. The segment also addresses a minor issue with the master volume control on certain setups and suggests a solution. The Dej project provides extensive documentation and community support, with various builds to inspire DIY enthusiasts.
🚫 USB Port Safety with the USB Valve
The paragraph introduces the USB Valve, a device designed to monitor and display activity on USB ports, ensuring the safety of connected devices. It functions as a regular USB storage device but monitors data transfer, displaying any unexpected activity on a small screen. The USB Valve can identify harmful attempts to write data to the connected device and even emulate a virtual keyboard to display what's being typed. The segment also discusses the DIY process for creating a USB Valve, including the components needed and the option to use a Pico watch platform. The USB Valve offers an affordable and effective solution for users concerned about the security of public USB ports.
🌬️ Cleaning Electronics with USB Air Dusters
This part of the script focuses on the benefits of using USB rechargeable air dusters for cleaning electronics. It describes a particular 3-speed, handheld blower with various tips and a carrying bag that is both cost-effective and practical. The air duster is highlighted as a valuable tool for maintaining cleanliness in work areas, potentially saving significant amounts of money that would otherwise be spent on canned air. The segment concludes with a disclosure about the selection and acquisition of the featured products, emphasizing the genuine use and endorsement of the items by the team.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡USB device hacking
💡Charge-O-Matic
💡Dej
💡USB valve
💡DIY projects
💡Battery management
💡Volume control
💡Arduino
💡Potentiometer
💡USB rechargeable air duster
💡Community support
Highlights
The importance of maintaining device batteries to prolong their life is discussed, emphasizing the risks of leaving portable electronics plugged in for extended periods.
The $30 Charge-O-Matic device is introduced as a solution to protect battery-powered tools and USB charged devices, as well as to top up generator batteries.
The Charge-O-Matic allows users to set the duration the power stays on, from 1 to 99 hours, and the days off, also from 1 to 99 days, making it a convenient tool for battery maintenance.
The video presents an alternative to purchasing the Charge-O-Matic by suggesting a DIY approach for less than $10, promoting self-sufficiency and cost-effectiveness.
The Dej, an open-source hardware volume control, is introduced as a way to independently control PC's master volume, voice chat, and game volume, enhancing user experience.
Building one's own Dej volume control is made accessible through a simple guide, Arduino microcontroller, potentiometers, wires, and an enclosure, without the need for soldering skills.
The video showcases a custom 3D-printed enclosure for the Dej volume control, demonstrating the potential for personalization and creativity in DIY projects.
The USB Valve is introduced as a security device, monitoring USB ports to prevent unexpected data transfer or potential hacking attempts.
The USB Valve functions by outputting all activity over a USB port on a small screen, allowing users to identify and prevent malicious actions.
A DIY version of the USB Valve is presented, using affordable microcontroller, screen components, and the option for a custom PCB or generic breadboard.
The USB rechargeable air duster is featured as a cost-effective and practical tool for cleaning, potentially saving users money by reducing the need for canned air.
The video provides a disclosure about the products and projects featured, emphasizing transparency about how they were selected and the potential relationships with the creators.
Rocket Money is introduced as a sponsor, offering a service to help users cancel unwanted subscriptions and save money, as well as negotiate bills and set up a smart savings system.
The video concludes by encouraging viewers to explore the playlist of Handy Tech videos for more innovative and practical solutions.