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This review is a sort of continuation of my look at compact modular power supplies, which began with a review of a similar model from Hi-Link. This time, though, I got my hands on a unit from a less well-known company, with a different output voltage but the same 3 W power rating.

The second electronic load from ZKEtech, bought quite recently, and the third device in my collection of measuring instruments. Though in this case, calling it a measuring instrument is a bit of a stretch, and it doesn't quite fit the definition of an “electronic load” either, since it's also partly a battery tester. Anyway, today I'm reviewing the 20 A version.

This isn’t my first review of various thermal interface materials, and today I’m going to try another thermal paste and another thermal pad. They’re useful things for electronics hobbyists, computer enthusiasts, and others, so I decided to test them out of curiosity. There’s also a bonus in this review: a test of three types of thermal adhesive and one more thermal paste.

A very brief review in which I’ll show you a useful accessory that expands the functionality of the electronic load I reviewed recently.

A little over three years ago, I reviewed the ZKE EBC-A10 electronic load. It quickly became one of my main instruments for battery testing, and you’ve probably seen both the load itself and the graphs I included in my battery reviews. The instrument turned out to be genuinely useful. As far as I know, my review was either the first or one of the first, but it’s time for an upgrade. Today, I’ll be taking a look at the new version of this electronic load.

A review of another converter, this time designed for a single port, but with QC support. I’ve already reviewed a similar board, but this one is cheaper and smaller.

I decided to order a few different inexpensive converter boards to try out, and today I’m reviewing the first one. There’s nothing unusual about it: just a standard converter, without even QC, but with an output power of up to 40 W.

Today I have a somewhat unusual review for me. There won’t be any teardown or special tests—mostly just a description, a look around, and my subjective impressions. The subject is an electronic cigarette with a design I’m not used to.

Continuing my reviews of all sorts of interesting things from Tao, I decided to write about something I ordered simply "for fun"—partly out of curiosity, and partly because I really like VFD displays. And let's not forget that every beginner electronics hobbyist is supposed to build a clock of their own :) These aren't my first clocks, of course, but whenever I build something like this, I remember my first ones, based on the KR145IK1901. So today's review is more of a nostalgic look back at clocks.

I’ve already tested a TV box based on Amlogic’s new S905X2 SoC, and wasn’t entirely satisfied. Although it offered good performance and ran cool, it had a lot of software issues. Now I’ve finally got my hands on another model from the well-known Mecool brand, and today I’ll take a look at what it’s like and whether anything has changed. As always, I’ll inspect it, take it apart, run some tests, share my conclusions, and wrap up with a summary table.

A few more useful little things from Tao, and voltage converters again—but not ordinary ones: these have bipolar outputs.

After my review of a Chinese clone of the VTC6 battery, one of the readers asked me to test another battery. This time, though, it was sold under the Liitokala brand and listed as the HG2—a name and appearance similar to those of another very well-known battery, the LG HG2. In the end, he ordered a single battery and had it sent to my address as a sample (many thanks to him for that). I received it and ran a few tests, which I hope will help us figure out what kind of battery this is.

Not long ago, I reviewed a thermally conductive adhesive for attaching all sorts of heatsinks to all sorts of electronic components, and one of my readers asked me to test a few more similar compounds. So today I’m reviewing—or, more precisely, testing—three types of adhesive and one thermal paste. And at the end of the review, there’ll be a table and a graph bringing together all the thermally conductive (and not so conductive) compounds and materials I’ve tested.

Another isolated converter, this time stepping down 36–75 V to 12 V. It’s relatively low-power at just 15 W, but I still think it’s useful. A look inside, a little information from the datasheet, tests, and conclusions.

Continuing my series on components, I decided to post a review of current-sense shunts from the well-known company Isabellenhütte. I also needed these shunts for the power stage of an electronic load, and since I was ordering from one seller, I decided to get a variety and ended up ordering 6 values. I'll say right away: these are interesting shunts, but as always, more details in the review.

Not long ago, I posted a review of a QC 3.0 charger. It was very inexpensive when I bought it, but turned out to be not fully functional. In fact, the QC feature itself didn't work. To fix it, I found the right chip on Taobao, ordered it, repaired the charger, and decided to report back in case it might help someone.

Not long ago, I came across an interesting kit on Taobao—or, more accurately, not a kit but a converter control board, since it’s also sold separately. Curiosity got the better of me, so I decided to order one and give it a try. There was also a useful story involving the seller. Anyway, it’s best to read about it in the review.

This story began quite a while ago, around the middle of August, when I was writing a review of the Cubot Power phone. After publishing the review, I put the phone aside for a while, and a few days later I needed it to test how well it could scan barcodes. But then I suddenly discovered that the camera's autofocus had completely stopped working. That's what can happen sometimes when you take something apart. More after the jump.