I Made This for Under $10. You Can Too - Handy Tech Under $100

This video builds on Linus Tech Tips' Handy Tech Under 100 concept, presenting three affordable projects that are designed to improve how we use, protect, and manage small electronics. The first segment centers on the Charge-O-Matic, a budget controller that automates charging cycles for battery powered devices and tools, effectively extending battery life and reducing manual upkeep. The host walks through practical use cases, such as safeguarding emergency battery banks and protecting devices stored in power bars, while noting the device’s limitations and how it operates like a basic timer with adjustable on and off durations. He then pivots to the Deej volume mixer, an open source hardware solution that provides independent control over master volume, voice chat, and game audio for Windows and Linux, and demonstrates a hands-on build using an Arduino Pro Micro, potentiometers, and a compact enclosure. The final tech highlight, the USB valve, acts as a portable USB port monitor that reports what a connected device is doing, from harmless power draws to potential security risks like HID devices, and is shown in action by plugging a USB drive to reveal how it interacts with the host computer. The video also touches on a GPU-friendly and budget-conscious ethos, encouraging viewers to explore open source forks and community projects, while showcasing the broader ecosystem around small, accessible hardware hacks. Throughout, the presenters emphasize affordability, the value of DIY, and practical, real-world use cases that help mitigate common tech annoyances and improve everyday setups. The closing portions recap the value of these tools for personal projects and small businesses, tease additional open source options, and remind viewers of the ongoing Handy Tech Under 100 series, inviting continued exploration of economical tech hacks and community-driven builds.

Topics · technology · diy · open_source · hardware_hacking · gadgets