this post was submitted on 26 Jun 2023
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Technology

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In a video by @Techconnectify@mas.to, Alec goes into a deep dive into the simplicity of his particular model, its shortcomings and variety of data logging tests in an attempt to fix them.

TL,DW: Very simple, cheap and ingenious design, with one compressor loop between the fridge and freezer in series. However, its temperature sensor is wonky and so the fridge is more affected by how long the compressor operates than the actual temperature itself. There is a signficant temperature differential between the top and bottom, fans on the exterior or interior could help but with the faulty sensor only made matters worse. With the controller replaced with a proper temp control unit the fridge functioned much better.

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[–] SilentStorms@lemmy.fmhy.ml 110 points 1 year ago (33 children)

I've loved Technology Connections ever since I saw his riveting hour long video on dishwashing detergent. I don't even have a dishwasher.

[–] Awesomejt@kbin.social 34 points 1 year ago (6 children)

I used to think dishwashers were kinda rubbish before I watched his video and learned how they actually work and the best way to use them. I recommend that video to lots of people now. Great channel.

[–] Da_Boom@iusearchlinux.fyi 16 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I'm still a bit annoyed on how my parents reject dishwashers as a result of the last one being kind of shit.

It didn't help that they decided to replace the rinse aid with vinegar because "it's cheaper and works just as well as regular rinse aid" no. It did not. It was terrible.

They never went for dishwashing tablets or name brand detergents because of the price either. But they failed to understand what the pre-wash section means, telling me off if I tried to use it, or explain why it makes sense to use it.

I love my parents, but they can be frustrating to deal with when it comes to tech. Dad knows just enough to be dangerous, (as a result he's first port of call for tech support) with mum, if you get frustrated when trying to help or to correct a mistake she's about to make she'll tell you to stop acting like a know it all, despite the fact you're getting frustrated because she's not listening to you properly.

God forbid if they find out that I learned something from someone on the internet because "you can't trust it" and then they'll be even more frustratingly non compliant - a YouTube video, even a well sourced one (in the case of the dishwasher, a primary sourced one) they can still find flaws - "he cut a window in there, and it's a different model therefore it's not going to perform the same, so I don't trust it"

I understand it's necessary to question anything, but why when it comes to tech are they more cynical than me - someone who uses tech for a living? They trust me completely for information regarding buying, building and repairing computers, and software/ software alternatives, letting me do research for them, but that's about it - despite the fact that I do all that research on the internet. And they're also constantly amazed at all the weird bits of trivia and fact I know, again from the internet.

But the moment its got something to do with what they're doing, the internet isn't trustworthy enough. It's fucking stupid. I get that I don't know everything, but I understand how to navigate the internet enough to find the information thats needed, and usually it is reliable.

Yeah, there's my rant for the day.

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[–] eltimablo@kbin.social 14 points 1 year ago

He became one of my favorites after he got me to enjoy a half-hour video on storm lanterns. Dude has some serious charisma and really good investigative skills.

[–] jernej__s@infosec.exchange 11 points 1 year ago (2 children)

@Awesomejt @TechConnectify @Rentlar @SilentStorms A few years ago there was a thread on Twitter that basically came down to: either you have a Bosch dishwasher, or you need to study how to properly fill it if you want clean dishes.

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[–] Taijk@feddit.nl 17 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yes, No way i knew that i needed to know all that info on detergent :P

[–] Kichae@kbin.social 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It changed the way I wash my dishes

[–] JDPoZ@kbin.social 13 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Same. Love this guy. His video about how those roll-around "portable" HVAC units being hot garbage made me both upset I had ever used one, and also excited about the future of heat pumps... then he started doing more videos on heat pumps!

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[–] MeowdyPardner@kbin.social 15 points 1 year ago

That video has become required watching material / hazing ritual for new roommates. Mostly for the detailed explanation on the importance of pre-wash soap, but also for the tips on preheating the water.

[–] jiji@kbin.social 11 points 1 year ago

I watched that video (twice) before ever owning a dishwasher. I bought a house this year which has one, and if I hadn’t watched his video I would have continued hand washing, believing it to be better! I live by myself so it does feel silly having to wait days before I have enough of a load, but he’s right even that days-old stuff comes off fine.

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[–] gabuwu 84 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

His videos are always so random but somehow so entertaining and peaceful no matter what completely random thing he decides to talk about. My man could explain the mechanical differences between industrial farming equipment or something and I’d eat that shit up 100% without any questions.

[–] kevinmirsky@infosec.pub 23 points 1 year ago (3 children)

My favorite is when he releases videos around weekends so I can spend my saturday/sunday morning watching it with a nice cup of coffee.

[–] gabuwu 13 points 1 year ago

His videos honestly give off the same vibes as mythbusters and other of those random science tv shows of the mid to late 2000s. I feel like if mythbusters still aired new episodes he would fit right in as a regular guest.

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[–] Zamboniman@lemmy.ca 82 points 1 year ago (2 children)

WTF, I ain't watching an hour long video on a stupid fridge! I'll just watch the first few minutes and see what's up.....

........

.....

One hour later.....

Okay, that was really interesting. I really love this channel.

[–] potpie 23 points 1 year ago

Me at 11pm: why on earth would I watch a long video deep diving into obsolete incandescent headlights?

Me at 7am: hey did you know that headlights used to be so standard you could just drop in a generic replacement and.........

[–] reric88 21 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I love his videos, especially the video about his toaster. I've actually spent time trying to find that exact toaster at yard sales

[–] macrocephalic@lemmy.fmhy.ml 12 points 1 year ago

I know more than I ever need to about American drip coffee machines, and yet I don't want one and wouldn't know where to buy one here in Australia eveb if I did want one.

[–] cowleggies@xcore.social 55 points 1 year ago (2 children)

There's not a Technology Connections video I won't watch. Always makes the seemingly mundane absolutely fascinating.

[–] abir_vandergriff 14 points 1 year ago

I'm certain he could make me watch an hour long video on almost anything, he's such a talented writer.

[–] boonhet@lemm.ee 13 points 1 year ago

It often turns out that the mundane IS fascinating, it just needs a good storyteller.

[–] DrM@feddit.de 27 points 1 year ago (3 children)

As a European his videos are sometimes so funny :)

Here in europe we have two kind of fridges: American Style and the showed one (but with the freezer at the bottom). American style is this big bulky fridge that breaks quickly and costs a ton of money, most people use this style. It's just the norm and they work reliable for decades, while also being more energy efficient.

It's also important to note that food doesn't get bad at 8°C (which Alec states in his video), storing food at 8°C is also the norm here in Europe. And I guess using this style of fridge more often in America would also make a lot of sense for most people.

I can see one simple reason why the american fridge with it's self-defrosting feature makes a lot of sense in some American regions: Climate. In humid regions like Florida, the showed style of fridge would just need to be constantly defrosted. Which would be a huge pain in the ass obviously. And in all other southern-american regions where it never really gets cold it's also a pain in the ass to manually defrost a fridge. For all regions where the temperature goes close to freezing temperatures, defrosting is not a big deal. You just need to put your refrigerated or frozen stuff outside for a few hours, defrost the fridge and put everything back inside. The frozen stuff doesn't even get remotely thawn and doing it once a year is more than enough.

[–] interolivary 15 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I don't think that ~8°C thing is a universal "European" thing. I'm Finnish and I've always kept my fridge around 5°C, and the food safety authority here recommends 2 – 6°C

[–] ButterBiscuits 14 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

8C is about 46F.

Right from the USDA

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/refrigeration#2

Bacteria grows more rapidly in food starting at about 40F.

I think I'll trust the food safety agency over some random pretentious guy on Lemmy thanks very much.

[–] DrM@feddit.de 14 points 1 year ago (6 children)

Sorry for only telling how it is in europe. Here in Germany the desired fridge temperature according to state guidelines should be 7-8°C and that's what I'm commenting. Just pointing out that the differences are stunning and funny.

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[–] someguy3@lemmy.ca 22 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

"So I bought five of these things" lol.

Oh this guy is my inner spirit nerd.

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[–] arirr@social.fossware.space 21 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I still lecture people on the correct detergent to use and to do a prewash because on him. 😂

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[–] experbia@kbin.social 21 points 1 year ago

I love this guy, one of my few favorite YouTube channels and subscriptions. Anything he fixates on is suddenly interesting.

[–] infinitevalence@discuss.online 20 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Hour long of TC talking about a fridge, you had me at Fridge.

[–] MentalEdge@sopuli.xyz 18 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

TBH "hour long of technology connections..." is probably sufficient.

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[–] nfld0001 19 points 1 year ago

I love Tech Connections. Unnecessarily long deep dives, but that’s the kind of content I absolutely appreciate. His stuff is a treat that helps to highlight the rabbit holes that can be found in the mundane.

[–] MudMan@kbin.social 19 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Honestly, the best part about this channel is watching the guy be extremely American.

His fascination at an absolutely run of the mill entry level fridge that everybody outside Muricaland has owned at least once is delightful.

Oh, also, he's on Mastodon here @TechConnectify in case you guys didn't know that.

[–] abir_vandergriff 13 points 1 year ago (20 children)

No, this is an absolutely bog standard low-end fridge here. He's just interested in clever engineering, no matter how mundane it is. His toaster videos are an excellent example of this.

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[–] s0phia 18 points 1 year ago

Oh how I love Technology Connections. He makes the perfect kind of content for me.

[–] alectrocute@lemmy.ml 18 points 1 year ago

These videos are so meditative for me.

[–] Neato@kbin.social 14 points 1 year ago (3 children)

An hour long video on a fridge, huh

Opening line. Okaaaaay. I'll check it out. Not like I don't need another video-essayist to add to my collection of Hbomberguy, Folding Ideas, etc.

[–] roman 12 points 1 year ago

his maddening descent into obtaining the perfect christmas tree bulbs is great.

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[–] thatgal@lemmy.ml 14 points 1 year ago

I watched that wayyyy longer than I thought I would, like most other people here lol

But it was still disappointing that he just hand-waved the two good fridges already having cold stuff (that's when I stopped watching). Anyone from somewhere with constant hurricanes knows that thermal mass is important when keeping a fridge at temp

[–] MentalEdge@sopuli.xyz 12 points 1 year ago

Ah. Fantastic.

[–] ColaEuphoria 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This guy's videos are getting longer and longer.

(Not that I'm complaining (maybe))

[–] oyenyaaow@lemmy.zip 14 points 1 year ago

He resets on No Effort November. Good for him, would hate to see burnout.

[–] Lennard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 points 1 year ago

Really made me understand why my own fridge (and especially the freezer part) is this bad. Bless this channel

[–] bg10k@lemmy.fmhy.ml 9 points 1 year ago

I could listen to an hour of him telling me how terrible I am and I'd still love it

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