I attend the local #repaircafe to fix #electronic stuff for some time now. Until now, I brought a big pile of boxes with a collection of test equipment I took from my #lab. But: it takes time to set up the desk, the stuff is heavy and bulky, there is limited space and it always ends in a mess of wires and tools. So I got a nice alumnium suitcase used by #Siemens #servicetechniker back in 1997, some #MeanWell power supplies (48V and 24v and 12V), a mains power meter, a DJ gooseneck LED light, a #dps5005 , an electronic load module, a USB C PD and USB A QC truck outlet (24V) with power measurement and a mains outlet. And a circuit breaker. So basically the suitcase will house all power supply and measurements needs, a TS100 soldering iron, portable scope, Multimeter, mini Laptop, quicktest, ESD mat, ... I hope this will make the whole experience less messy and way simpler.

The attached pic shows all the electrical stuff in a "dry test".

#ElectronicsRepair #diy

Some progress.. Its past 2 AM now and this thing consumed ~2 days of planning and work.

The "DC" part is wired up and working, the AC part for the power supplies is wired up as well.

The top half houses all the front panel stuff. The bottom half that used to hold a laptop contains all the power supplies (12V for LED, 19V for soldering iron, 24V for usb output and electronic load, 48V for lab power supply). The top is covered in sheet metal to make it magnetic. PCBite and other magnetic tools work here. The ifixit magnetic project mat can be stored upside down, used on this surface or move to the side.

#portableelectronics #ToolHacks #diy

The suitcase is usable now.

It contains:
- switched AC outlet with fuse and power meter
- DC output 50V 5A and various test leads and adapters
- Electronic load 30V 3A
- USB (A & C) outlet with power meter
- multimeter (true rms + capacitor tester)
- soldering iron, solder, flux, solder wick, solder sucker, tweezers, scalpel, fiberglass erazor, heatshrink tubing, lighter, flush-cutter
- oscilloscope with probes
- light
- various screwdrivers, opening tools, ...
- mini laptop (x86/Linux)
- magnetic surface to hold magnetic stuff in place
- ifixit magnetic mat / screw organizer
- pen, paper

I'll add:
- IR camera + old smartphone
- component tester
- logic analyzer (Saleae clone)
- bluetooth audio receiver with isolated output (to be used with smartphone/signal generator app)
- shoulder strap

Maybe I'll add an OpenWRT router with exposed eth and USB to be used as wireless USB port or to provide an ethernet/wifi bridge.

#repaircafe #electronic #lab #ElectronicsRepair #diy

@stereo4x4 amazing work 👌