EEK! #6 - AC Power, RMS, & VA vs W
You probably do this all the time, but you don't even know it.
I'm talking about AC power calculations with P = V x I.
Technically, it works. But when you think about it, it shouldn't. AC has constantly changing voltage and current over time - unlike DC.
So how on earth does it work?
Well, the short version is: RMS, or root mean square!
The long version involves a (simplified) explanation of AC power involving Watts, Volt-Amperes, and Power Factor.
But not to worry: At the end of the day, you can safely use P = V x I with AC, and you'll still end up with a result that's close enough for horseshoes!
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
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EEK! #5 - Breaker Panels aren't so scary after all
I usually see people freak out when they open the door of their circuit breaker panel. No more!
Note that I'm using European breakers and EU-type panel design as my example, so if you're in N. America or certain other countries, you're not gonna see the same thing. Still, the general principles are the same.
Also keep in mind that there are far more gizmos that you might find in your panel: combined GFCI/circuit breakers, timers, and even a nifty gizmo that turns off circuit B when circuit A is energized.
Having said all that, if you just need a basic intro to breaker panels of all types, this is a good place to start! Then follow up with a book or an internet search for your specific location, and Bob's your uncle.
Earlier vid explaining bimetallic strips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RAIh11kr2c
Power outlet tester:
FR: http://amzn.to/2xq16u0
UK: http://amzn.to/2xq7EsK
US: http://amzn.to/2x9SIzk
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
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EEK! #4 - What the heck is Power Factor?
Power factor is one of those things that sounds really complicated, but it's pretty simple when you boil it down. And every now and then, knowing a little something about power factor comes in handy.
In short, power factor is the ratio of the real power consumed by a gizmo to the apparent power needed to be generated and delivered by the power company.
The reason for this "extra power" from the power company is the inductance and capacitance in your gizmo that results in shifting the AC current sine wave away from being perfectly in sync with the voltage sine wave.
You don't really need to understand HOW all that works; just watch the vid to see why it matters!
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
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EEK! #3 - 3-phase Power
Why does AC electrical power come in 3 phases? What the heck is a "phase", anyway?
In this episode of the EEK! Series, you'll learn about 3-phase power and its advantages.
In short: fewer wires, more power, and the Earth itself is a conductor. In addition, 3-phase industrial motors are more efficient and don't require a starting capacitor since the 3 phases are "rotating" already.
Be sure to watch EEK! #1 and #2 first!
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
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EEK! #2 - DC vs The Magic of AC
In episode 2 of the EEK! series, we cover the basic difference between direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC). Why is your home powered by AC, and not DC?
Simply put, AC allows the use of transformers to step up the voltage, step down the current, and therefore bypass the little problem of too much current flowing over a thin wire.
DC cannot be easily converted in this way for efficient power transmission over long distances. There's more to say about AC, so look for a 3-phase video soon!
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
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EEK! #1 - Volts, Amps, and Watts: Who's in charge?
This first video in the EEK! series explains basic concepts of electricity in simple, practical terms. Learn about conductors, insulators, voltage, current, power, volts, amps, and watts. It's not as difficult to understand as it sounds. No crazy math or physics required!
More: https://scottiestech.info
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Nokia 2720 Flip + Why KaiOS dumbphones are truly smart
This one's a double header! First, I quickly review the new Nokia 2720 Flip 4G dumbphone. Then, I talk a bit more about exactly why dumbphones that run KaiOS are really NOT smartphones. Did I mention that the 2720's HUGE buttons are an absolute joy to use? Or that it's the first phone (of any kind) that I've had in years that actually fits in my pocket?
Videos mentioned:
- 4G Dumbphones: Get one with KaiOS!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C25cGPiruY
- A new type of app you're gonna LOVE!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6Qq4PDDtBs
Nokia 2720 Flip 4G on Amazon (affiliate link):
https://amzn.to/2Q7ND6C
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
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The Biggest threat to Privacy: Browser Fingerprints
A lot of people these days are talking about protecting their online privacy. We have hearings going on, threats of breaking up Facebook and other Big Tech companies, data leaks, and so on. Many people are going so far as to boycott Google (which is easier said than done). But so far, no one - except Mozilla - is talking about the biggest threat to online privacy: Browser Fingerprints. Browser fingerprinting is a technique where a simple chunk of JavaScript code embedded in any webpage can be used to generate a unique ID and track any user no matter what they do. None of the existing privacy protection tools available to us can stop these things. Not yet, anyway. Join me as I take a peak at browser fingerprints and explain what to do about them.
Panopticlick - Browser Fingerprint demo from the Electronic Frontier Foundation:
https://panopticlick.eff.org/
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
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No more WiFi, Part 4: Wire and test your house network
What happens if you want to set up a home network, but you already have existing Ethernet cabling and wall jacks? While it may seem simple, it turns out that you need to do some investigation first. In Part 1 of this video, I described the different types of patch panels you may find in your home, how they work, and how you will use them (or not). In this video, I'll show exactly how to connect everything. Finally, if you haven't seen the earlier vids in this series, start from the beginning:
My "No more Wifi" Series:
Part 1: https://rumble.com/vj5qhp-no-more-wifi-how-to-wire-your-house-for-internet.html
Part 2: https://rumble.com/vj8tgp-no-more-wifi-part-2-home-network-using-coax-or-powerlines.html
Part 3: https://rumble.com/vj8tk1-no-more-wifi-part-3-all-about-existing-house-wiring.html
Goodies in the video (affiliate links):
- Punch Down Tool: https://amzn.to/2OLsVYm
- 100 RJ-45 Ethernet pass-through connectors: https://amzn.to/3jqaxTe
- Ethernet crimping tool: https://amzn.to/3hkvpZX
- Network Cable Tester: https://amzn.to/3jrWKLB
- Open House H628 Ethernet Patch Panel: https://amzn.to/309A89T
- Open House H618 Telephone Patch Panel: https://amzn.to/32i6kuG
- Legrand AC1068 8-Port Cat 6 Ethernet Panel: https://amzn.to/2Ccyext
- D-Link 8-port Gigabit Switch: https://amzn.to/3ewt0cN
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
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GPS vs Smartphone: Which is better?
These days, everyone just uses their smartphone for GPS navigation. GPS is also present in most cars.
In the olden days, we had dedicated GPS gizmos for navigating. You can still grab a GPS-only device these days - and for fewer bucks than you might think.
But is it worth it to have a dedicated GPS?
It turns that yes, it is... For quite a few reasons, not the least of which is simple privacy.
Mentioned in the vid:
- Garmin Drive 51 LMT-S on Amazon.fr: https://amzn.to/2S7U1rQ
- Garmin Drive 50 LM USA on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/2TSrrN4
- Garmin nuvi 40 LM (USED) on Amazon.com:
https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-4-3-Inch-Portable-Navigator-Lifetime/dp/B0057ODG6Y/
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
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Another reason NOT to use WiFi
These days, WiFi is everywhere. Even your washing machine probably has it! ;)
I typically don't recommend using WiFi due to the huge amount of evidence indicating that it's probably not the best thing for your health.
But there's another reason to go back to cables:
WiFi is quite often WAAAY slower than most people think. In fact, it's very rare that you will get anywhere near the maximum speeds advertised when you buy a WiFi access point or router.
What to do, what to do?
Go wired:
- D-Link 8 Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch:
https://amzn.to/2WzJwQO
- Cat 6 Ethernet cable (various lengths):
https://amzn.to/2WFuyIZ
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
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Why is my light switch popping & sparking?
One day, you flip a light switch and notice a lovely popping sound. The pop might even be accompanied by a brief blue flash of light from within the switch.
What's going on here?
Well, it turns out that even if the current rating of the switch has NOT been exceeded, you may have a problem related to inrush current due to the use of fluorescent and especially LED light fixtures.
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
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How to clean out dust inside your computer
We all know what happens when your puter gets all dusty inside: it gets noisy!
Cooling fans start spinning like crazy. If things get bad enough, your CPU can even overheat, halting the system.
To avoid this mayhem, you should dust inside your computer twice a year.
But what to use? Dishwasher? Washing machine? Garden hose? Hydrochloric acid?
Just kidding! All you need is... air.
Goodies in the video:
- Endust Aerosol Duster, 2-Pack
https://amzn.to/2U449V3
- Metro Vacuum ED500P DataVac 500-Watt, 75-HP Electric Duster
https://amzn.to/2U8YY5W
- BOSTITCH BTFP02012-WPK 6-Gallon 150 PSI Oil-Free Compressor Kit
https://amzn.to/2rgr9Ti
- Antec TriCool 120mm Computer Case Fan
https://amzn.to/2rfyanB
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
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The real reason for Airplane Mode
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard CletusAir flight 353 with non-stop service to Mos Eisley."
"Please return your seatbacks and tray tables to their upright position, fasten your seatbelts, turn off and stow all portable electronic devices, or put them in airplane mode for the duration of the flight."
Eh... Why airplane mode?
Most of us think it's to prevent interference with the airplane's electronics.
It turns out that's not quite correct...
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
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2
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Off isn't really Off
In the olden days, our gizmos had electro-mechanical power buttons. When the thing was turned off, no power was sent to it.
Nowadays, things have changed with the advent of electronically-controlled everything - including things like washing machines.
You can even look at the specs of most gizmos these days, and you'll see two power ratings: Max Power, and "Sleep" power consumption.
Puters haven't been off-off for a long time now. Smartphones are also never really off in many cases, as are smart TVs.
In and of itself, that's not really a problem... Until certain agencies and groups and hackers decide to exploit these "features" to do evil things.
Mind you, this is nothing new. Smartphone hacks to turn phones on remotely and spy on their owners have been around for at LEAST ten years. Dumbphones are no different!
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
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Why oscillating multi-tools don't cut you
It's time for something completely different!
I've wondered for awhile why oscillating multi-tools don't cut skin.
I know there are many explanations out there, but it appears that many people were in the same boat: We kind of understand, but not really...
Well, that simply won't do!
Behold the two reasons why these power tools don't (easily) cut you!
Fein Multi-Tool: https://amzn.to/2Otw2Sm
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
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Ferrite: Those magic thingies at the end of your cables
You've probably noticed those strange cylinders at the end of your puter cables.
It looks a bit like the cable was a bit overzealous at dinnertime and swallowed something a bit too large...
As it happens, those strange meals are actually ferrite cores.
Ferrite is a totally magical material!
While there are many different types of ferrite used for things such as transformers, inductors, magnets in motors, and all kinds of other stuff, one of the most common uses is for ferrite chokes.
A choke is basically a filter - in this case a low-pass filter - that prevents high-frequency noise from passing along your data cable (or its shielding).
So there you have it!
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
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4G Dumbphones: Get one with KaiOS!
One year ago, I advised against getting a 4G dumbphone with KaiOS. I am officially reversing that recommendation!
After purchasing a Nokia 8110 4G and playing with it for 1 month, I'm actually pretty speechless, and that IS rare.
Despite Google's investment of $22 million in KaiOS over 1 year ago, Google's services remain "add-ons". IOW, KaiOS has NOT become Android Lite.
KaiOS is KaiOS, and there's some Googley stuff on the phone that you can either use, or not. Better yet, you can block the Google apps from doing much of anything.
Even better, KaiOS is basically what PWAs will become on normal smartphones: KaiOS apps are actually just HTML5 + CSS + Javascript, running on a Gecko-based browser engine tied tightly to a small linux kernel.
The end result is the perfect non-Android, Google-enabled dumbphone. You can do stuff like Facebook or WhatsApp if you want, but there are NOT Android-type apps.
Note that the KaiOS app store is totally separate from Google's Play store, and there are 130+ apps already available - and growing daily.
So, for your new dumbphone, give KaiOS a try!
Mentioned in vid:
Choosing a dumbphone ain't easy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JR2fM8oBas
Nokia 8110 4G: https://amzn.to/303wMZ6
Press release about upcoming Nokia Flip and Tough phones:
https://www.kaiostech.com/introducing-the-nokia-2720-flip-and-800-tough-powered-by-kaios/
Get my shirt:
https://teespring.com/wi-indeed?tsmac=store&tsmic=scotties-techinfo&pid=389&cid=100026&sid=front
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
107
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No more WiFi, Part 3: All about existing house wiring
What happens if you want to set up a home network, but you already have existing Ethernet cabling and wall jacks? While it may seem simple, it turns out that you need to do some investigation first. In this video, I describe the different types of patch panels you may find in your home, how they work, and how you will use them (or not). In Part 2 of this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxgUHxRazHc), I'll show exactly how to connect everything. It's worth noting that if you only have twisted-pair phone cabling (often called PTT-298), you CAN use that wiring for 100 Mbps Ethernet - but not for Gigabit+ speeds. Fortunately, most homes these days have Cat 5e or higher cabling, so that part shouldn't be a problem.
My "No more Wifi" Series:
Part 1: https://rumble.com/vj5qhp-no-more-wifi-how-to-wire-your-house-for-internet.html
Part 2: https://rumble.com/vj8tgp-no-more-wifi-part-2-home-network-using-coax-or-powerlines.html
Goodies in the video (affiliate links):
- Open House H628 Ethernet Patch Panel: https://amzn.to/309A89T
- Open House H618 Telephone Patch Panel: https://amzn.to/32i6kuG
- Legrand AC1068 8-Port Cat 6 Ethernet Panel: https://amzn.to/2Ccyext
- D-Link 8-port Gigabit Switch: https://amzn.to/3ewt0cN
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
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No more WiFi, Part 2: Home network using coax or powerlines
So you've read all the studies about our Wireless Wonderland, and you'd like to go wired. You've also watched my first video, No More WiFi: How to wire your home for internet (https://rumble.com/vj5qhp-no-more-wifi-how-to-wire-your-house-for-internet.html).
You're not big on drilling holes and running cables everywhere, so you decide to use powerline ethernet or ethernet over coax. Before you go that route, there are a few things you should know about these two home networking solutions.
Not only are they generally more expensive than ethernet cabling, but they're also usually not as fast or reliable...
Web pages mentioned in video:
- Netgear Powerline 2000 + Extra Outlet homepage: https://www.netgear.com/home/products/networking/powerline/PLP2000.aspx
Goodies mentioned (affiliate links):
- NETGEAR Powerline Adapter 2000: https://amzn.to/36FutKn
- NETGEAR Powerline Adapter 1000: https://amzn.to/36Ex33q
- MOTOROLA MOCA Adapter for Ethernet Over Coax: https://amzn.to/2PRsMmn
Video on WiFi vs Ethernet speeds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s3n1nKlb9U
Video on USB-Ethernet adapters for smartphones and tablets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3caLXPlsic
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
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Can aluminum foil protect you from your phone?
There are quite a few smartphone cases, Faraday bags, and other little gizmos out there that claim to protect you from the phone's RF waves. A common method that people use is to line one (or both) sides of their phone case with good old aluminum foil. So, the question is: Does foiling your phone really work? How much? And where exactly should you put the foil? Watch to find out! Note that while the foil will reflect some of the RF energy away from your body, it isn't 100% protection. Radio wave propagation is an entire science in and of itself. In short, it's complicated! Also note that you could increase the protection by using several layers of foil separated by packing tape or some other non-conductive material (like plastic). You could also use copper tape, which would perform a BIT better. But as always, the best protection is just TURN IT OFF when you're not using it!
- Cornet ED-88TPlus EMF/RF detector (100MHz - 8GHz):
https://amzn.to/30YWjQp (affiliate link)
- My Faraday Box vid:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NguyYHPjwnI
- My Microwave as Faraday cage vid:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox4CsbPIGlg
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
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The Power Problem with Electric Vehicles
These days, it's all about Going Green. And what could be more green than an electric car? Zero emissions, baby! Well, sort of... While the acceleration may be awesome, the range leaves something to be desired. And range is directly related to power - specifically, the available power from a battery pack. What's more, the power to charge the battery has to come from somewhere, and that "somewhere" is the electric grid. So what happens if all of a sudden, everyone gets an electric car? Well, in many places, it wouldn't be pretty. Some regions would need to DOUBLE their current grid capacity. And all that extra juice has to come from somewhere... and it ain't coming from solar or wind power!
World Energy Consumption graph in vid from:
https://yearbook.enerdata.net/total-energy/world-consumption-statistics.html
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
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3
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High Voltage DC is back!
We all know that AC won the war vs DC back in the day. But did you know high-voltage DC is still around? What's more, it's actually become quite useful! Some countries have recently installed million-volt DC power lines that span thousands of kilometers. While HVDC has various benefits over HVAC, naturally there are also a few drawbacks. Join me for another exciting episode of EEK!
Previous EEK! videos that explain current, voltage, AC, DC, 3-phase AC power, RMS, Power Factor, and other exciting topics:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrTCa4nP8TlFtXAegJomfLqiZ6DT_X_0s
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
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Invisible Rainbow: A history of EMFs and health
I finally managed to read Arthur Firstenberg's book, The Invisible Rainbow. The well-documented book chronicles the multitude of effects of everything from the first telegraph lines and electric lighting to modern day wireless systems. The data is plentiful and the effects are... well, not very good. But I found myself with more questions than answers. For example, why did 5 children get cancer at 1 school in Spain after the first digital cellular tower was turned on? What about the other schools or hospitals with antennae next to them? They were all over the world! At the same time, it's hard to discount the stories as just, "correlation does not equal causation". At this point, there's simply too much data out there to ignore it or try to explain it away. If you're looking for answers or solutions, this book doesn't have any. What it does have is a fascinating look at the LONG history of the negative effects of various types of EMFs on human, plant, and animal life - over literally hundreds of years. It should make us all pause for a moment and ask ourselves if things like 5G are really worth it without further testing - and what we can do to ensure that our modern tech is truly 100% safe for everyone.
- The book The Invisible Rainbow: https://amzn.to/3tmwyY6
- 'Dark Waters' movie: https://amzn.to/3czJpA2
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
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Will Windows 11 run on your PC? YES!!
Microsoft can't seem to get Windows 10 right, and maybe now we know the reason: because they just announced Windows 11! Coming sometime around the end of this year, Windows 11 promises to be everything Win 10 is not. There's only one problem: Everyone is claiming (including MS) that you'll need a super-modern puter to run it. In this vid, I take a look at Windows 11 and its system requirements. I also review past Windows releases, and how each time, the same thing happened. In short, YES, your computer will run Windows 11 just fine! Nothing to see here...
0:00 Intro
1:14 Windows 11 Intro
2:40 Android Apps
3:50 System Requirements
4:20 TPM 1.2 or 2.0?
5:50 PC Health Check App
6:50 So what is TPM?!
8:25 History of Windows ‘Requirements’
10:18 Enable TPM
13:30 Enable UEFI + Secure Boot
16:23 Do you actually WANT Windows 11?!
Links mentioned in the vid:
- Windows 11 Intro:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11
- Compatibility requirements for Win 11:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/windows-11/
- TPM fun:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/information-protection/tpm/tpm-recommendations
- My guide on how to, "Convert your Windows 10 boot drive from MBR to GPT":
https://scottiestech.info/2017/11/12/convert-your-windows-10-boot-drive-from-mbr-to-gpt/
More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
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