Batteries and Power
104 episodes · Page 2 of 5
#5263: Why Micro USB Ports Break and How to Fix Them
Micro USB ports fail mechanically, not electrically. Here's why they break, how to diagnose it, and whether a USB-C swap is worth it.
#5204: Why Your First Power Tool Is Really a Battery Decision
The drill is a consumable. The battery is the platform. Here's how to pick a voltage tier and brand you won't regret in year two.
#5160: Bluetooth Peripherals on One Android Phone
How many Bluetooth devices can one Android phone juggle? The seven-device limit is a stack artifact — profiles matter more.
#5132: Why Japan Still Hoards Optical Media
Japan builds bullet trains but still buys Blu-rays. The surprising logic behind the world's most advanced tech holdout.
Also available in:日本語
#5125: Why Your Cordless Tool Dies While Plugged In
Power path management explained — why your Dremel can't charge and run at the same time, and what it would take to fix it.
#5071: Power Stations vs UPS: What Actually Runs Your Tools
Why a power station beats a UPS for running tools anywhere — and the simple math to size one right.
#5057: Solar Self-Consumption: Is the Grid-Free Model Real?
Can solar power your home directly, skipping the grid round trip? Yes — but it requires a hybrid inverter and a battery, plus a regulatory reality ...
#5047: Balcony Solar in Jerusalem: What's Actually Possible?
Can a rented balcony in one of the sunniest cities on Earth power your gadgets? The physics says yes. The law says maybe.
#5024: Voltage Tiers: What Your Drill Battery Really Means
Why 12V tools can't do sustained work, what 18V really buys you, and how battery platforms—not tools—are the real commitment.
#4931: Building a DIY Barcode Inventory Cart
Old laptop, USB scanner, and Linux kiosk mode for a dedicated home inventory terminal.
#4675: Solar Garden Gimmicks: Glowing Frogs & Rotating Beacons
Why solar-powered garden gadgets are the ultimate gimmick — and how to combine them for maximum driveway spectacle.
#4503: How to Build an Invisible Everyday Carry Belt System
A practical, ADHD-friendly belt system for phone, wallet, meds, and more — without looking tactical.
#4489: Fixing Your Monitor's Death Whine
Can an amateur fix a failing monitor? The surprising answer is yes—with the right parts and safety know-how.
#4413: Bluetooth Tape Measures: What Actually Works
Can you pair a laser measure to your phone and skip manual typing? The compatibility landscape is messy.
#4385: USB-C Charging Station for Your Tool Belt
Can you build a custom charging station for your tool belt? We break down the electrical engineering behind USB-C Power Delivery.
#4362: Batteries vs. Wired: Smart Home Security for Renters
Coin cell batteries die silently. Here’s how to wire Zigbee sensors to mains power in a rental apartment.
#4360: How Long Will Your ESP32 Sensor Actually Run on a Single 18650?
Walk through the real math behind ESP32 battery life — from sleep current to LoRa retransmissions in concrete garages.
#4353: GPIO Pins: Your SBC's Hidden Superpower
What GPIO pins actually do, where the power limits are, and which sensors work on each side of the divide.
#4293: Vacuum Secrets: The Industrial Machine Under $500
Why a $500 industrial vacuum can outlast three premium consumer models and save you thousands.
#4291: Car Battery Lifespan, Dash Cams & Jump Starters
Realistic battery life, why dash cams drain them fast, and whether portable jump starters actually work.
#4285: The Middle-Voltage DC Field Guide
When to use 24V vs 48V DC, how to distribute it, and what hardware you'll need.
#4284: Kill the Wall-Warts: Centralized DC Power for Your Rack
Ditch the brick sprawl. One power supply, one distribution panel, and a huge efficiency gain for your homelab.
#4273: UPS vs Generator: Where's the Line Now?
Lithium batteries are making home UPSs bigger and cheaper. But when does a generator still win?
#4183: Stacking Three Devices Into One Superphone
What if the best phone isn't a phone at all? Stacking a modem, battery, and handset into one brick.