Welcome to ElectroKev.com
Welcome to ElectroKev. Established December 2019: this is the home of ElectroKev’s electronic projects, repairs and creations. Home built electronic gadgetry wonderland.
Of particular interest is the extensive workings and fine tuning of the so called Joule Thief, the timeless love of LED technology and other easy to build circuits.
Here you will find articles, photos, and investigations in to anything electrical. Most projects involve an LED somewhere! Some are in detail, showing the inner workings of each project and others are simply for reference, with a few photos and comments. Many projects exist simply to demonstrate a technique, principle or a specific component use.
Gaggia Classic Boiler Replacement
This article documents the replacement of a boiler from a Gaggia Classic. It is a 2005 model, and whilst it has generally been serviced well over the years, the boiler has, over the past year become unserviceable. This is mostly in part due to corrosion from the aluminium dispersion plate that has become welded to […]
Mazzer Super Jolly Refurb
Following 7 years of using a Carimali G1 grinder I bought two Mazzer Super Jolly grinders to refurb and modify to doseless versions. One SJ came from a Café in Corby that had upgraded to digital dosed grinders, whilst the other one was from a home user on Facebook Marketplace. Both Grinders had a few […]
The Great Expobar Grinder Refurb
This page documents the complete refurbishment of a Cunill (Expobar) commercial coffee bean grinder. Purchased from Facebook Marketplace for £80 the machine is in reasonable condition and appears to be working. I don’t believe it has seen much maintenance through its life, and there is evidence of enormous build up of coffee oils and grinds […]
Brought back from the Dead! The Gaggia Baby Dose MAJOR repair
A friend recently bought a ‘new’ coffee machine from eBay for 35 pound. This was a Gaggia Baby Dose which typically, when working sell for between 120-250 pound. When purchased, the seller advertised it as ‘tripping the electrics’ when switched on. This is often caused by a water leak sending current away; so he took […]
Everlasting ‘Flashing!’ Light
A light that will shine from the moment you are born until you are 18? One single AA battery? Not possible? The Everlasting light is powerered using the circuit commonly known as the JouleThief. The Joule Thief came to fruition in 1999 when an article by Z. Kapernik was published in the November edition of […]
The 1 Chip Challenge
The 1 Chip Challenge! Here we have the legendary Peter and I attempting the 1 chip challenge. What you don’t see is Peter immediately running to the kitchen to vomit after the 2 minute were up. Pretty bitter, pretty hot! Its a painful watch. Enjoy Watch Video 1 Chip Challenge The King of Poker
Jacobs Ladder
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REPRODUCE ANYTHING IN THIS ARTICLE. DANGER OF DEATH. HIGHLY DANGEROUS PROJECT. Project of the month: Build a high voltage device that will arc bolts of electrical discharge from one electrode to another. This arc should rise up to the top of the device and dissipate before another generates itself at the […]
Microwave Body Sensor
The microwave body sensor has been well documented on the internet and tested multiple times. How it works remains a mystery to many, but the set up of this device is very simple. the tiny circuit board has a regulated output, a ground, and a switched live. When the microwave sensor detects a body within […]
Door Lock Combination Device
The purpose of this project was to put the 4017 to a use other than driving LEDs. The IC counts and outputs logic high signals to any number up to 10. In this project the outputs would send 4 outputs from 4017s to a 4 input AND gate. The 4017 would be advanced manually with […]
A short word on Safety: Electricity is Dangerous. It will easily KILL you.
The projects on this site use everyday low voltage batteries and are generally considered safe. Any electrical product, project or component has the capability to cause fire or injury in both normal and fault conditions. Some of the projects seen on this site involve high voltage and are carried out with careful planning by experienced individuals. NEVER reproduce or attempt these projects.
If you continue to use this website you AGREE to take ALL responsibility for your actions and their consequences at your own risk. ElectroKev and any associated body cannot be held liable for any injury, harm or damage; be it direct, indirect or consequential, however caused, that may occur as a result of using this site, the products sold or the information contained herein.