I’ve spent a few days trying to track down a garbage collection problem in some code I’ve been working on. I finally figured it out. Along the way, I’ve learned more about .NET garbage collection than I ever wanted to know, and discovered a useful tool to help with these kinds of problems.
The external power supply on my Mackie Control Universal failed. No power.
All the forums say ordering replacements from Mackie is over-priced and very slow. But it’s just a generic 7.5V 4A regulated switching supply. I ordered this part from Jameco Electronics, and received it shortly after.
Jameco Part #206528
Meanwell P40A-11P2JU-R
US$32.95
The connector on the end is not compatible with the MCU, but it’s a simple matter to swap its connector for the original one from the Mackie supply, being careful to get the polarity right. My MCU is working fine again.
I wrote previously about the extortionate “brokerage” fees charged by UPS and FedEx for imports into Canada. That post has attracted a huge volume of response from other enraged people. I have learned more since then, including an interesting response direct from the Canada Border Services Agency.
Continue reading ‘Avoiding UPS/FedEx brokerage fees’
I’ve had growing problems the last couple years with one of the control cables on my Sears snowblower. One of those cables like a bicycle brake cable, with the inextensible inner wire, and the incompressible outer sheath. I’m sure there’s a technical name for cables like that, but I don’t know what it is. (Update: They’re called Bowden cables.)
It’s the cable that directs the discharge chute up or down. It became very sticky, so that I could pull the lever to lower the chute, but when I pushed the lever to raise the chute, it wouldn’t go back up by itself.
After successful testing of my prototype pneumatic pinch valve with a 3/8″ bore, I proceeded to design an improved version with a full 1/2″ bore. This version uses silicone tubing instead of latex, which I believe will not contribute any off-flavours, and will not break down eventually as latex tubing is prone to do. In addition, it also has pipe-thread connections for inlet and outlet so it can be plumbed into a system easily, but can be removed if necessary.
See my page here on how it was constructed.
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