Arachnid Labs

1,213 orders since Jan 06, 2013

London, Greater London, United Kingdom

Ships from United Kingdom.

Custom Work Available

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Overall Rating:

Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

Product: (4.59)

Documentation: (4.14)

Shipping: (4.50)

Communication: (4.32)

All Reviews

Susan | Dec. 17, 2015

Surprisingly educational

For Circuit Patterns Trading Cards - full deck

I like to look at these when riding on the back of my husband'd motorcycle since books flap around too much and I can hold these with one hand. The first time I looked I could hardly understand them, but as I learn more about electronics I'm delighted to find that I understand more and more.

I like to try to take two random cards and then build a project that uses them both. It's fun and I learn a ton. Of course I do the soldering at home, not on the back of the motorcycle.

Scott | Aug. 29, 2015

Fun little display unit

For Minishift 9-pack

This product has a simple but elegant design and everyone that sees it just loves it. I've hooked it up to a WiFi enabled Arduino board so that I can use it as a remote status display for my IoT devices and home automation system and it looks great.

Dean | Aug. 25, 2015

Top Product

For Circuit Patterns Trading Cards - full deck

Top Product Good Simple Guide which I enjoyed purchasing and supporting an interdependent supplier ....

Ludvig | June 10, 2015

Great product!

For Re:load 2

The load works fine, i bought two so now i can load my dual power supplies both voltages at the same time.
I also added possibility to modulate the load with squarewave or sine, works great!

William P N | May 18, 2015

Great little kit, just what I was looking for!

For Minishift 9-pack

I've been thinking of splicing a bunch of displays together to make a programmable clock, but the project was always just out of my comfort zone, and would have take a lot of design and implementation energy, so it never happened.

This kit was the perfect solution! It probably took me a couple of minutes to solder each of the displays together, and few more minutes to put the case parts together.

Getting the Raspberry Pi software set up and writing my first clock program took a while, but it's been working fine since, so now I need to get started on the more complicated code.

Arachnid is pretty responsive, and I've bought their Re:Load Pro, which is a nice box, so I'd definitely recommend the company.

I may even buy some more modules or another kit to extend the display and add an external power supply, but that's a future optimization. Overall I'm very happy with the product!

Issues:

Not all the modules were shipped with the initial order (fulfillment company has some issues) but they shipped them right out when I notified them of the problem.

The display is hard to read in a well-lit room, but I've got some colored plexiglass on order to increase the contrast.

Matthew | May 5, 2015

Great device! Super fast shipping.

For Re:load 2

Using this load to test switching PSU's, works a treat! Shipping was super fast. Would buy from again.

Christian | April 30, 2015

Simple and intuitive.

For Re:load Pro

I use the re:load in my metrology lab, where I calibrate measurement devices to customer specification.
The load makes my life easier as I am not loading power into resistors at the risk of burning my fingers.
I had some trouble getting it to work in the first place, but that was due to my USB outlet not behaving to spec. Nick's assistance was second only to his patience with my slow replies to his excellent help.
I may never need another load, but I am considering the tsunami..

David | April 15, 2015

A simple idea that works very well

For Re:load 2

I bought this item as I had some systems to stress test. This involved loading both the online and offline power supplies to the rated limits for 24 hours. This test was followed by overload testing to see just how far we could push the system.

We built the Re:load2 into a metal box with an inline digital ammeter. We also have output to a logging system. The heaksink was coupled to the box side to improve thermal coupling although we were not overloading the unit - just good practice we think.

S.R. | April 3, 2015

Excellent block. Works as promised.

For PCB Tooling Block - Full grid

The block is of excellent quality. All holes did need to be punched once each to get rid of excess drilling spills. The holes themselves are precision-drilled. It might be worth mentioning that it is pure aluminium, not anodised. The accompanying pegs are not all of equal length though, which is not a problem functionwise, but easthetically speaking imperfect.

Alexander | Feb. 26, 2015

Recommend witout any reservation

For Re:load 2

Well designed, well documented, delivered promptly when the product was back in stock. Works reliably without any problems. Hopefully better stock management will enable shortening of the wait time.

Jack | Dec. 2, 2014

Arachnid Labs (order 20070): Missing 1 pcs of BTS133 MOSFET

For Re:load 2

Hi,

We have received the 2 x Epic Re:load (AL-RL-20W-6A). However, there was 1 pcs of BTS133 MOSFET transistor missing. Please send that missing pcs of transistor to me asap. Thank you.

Jack Ng

Response from Arachnid Labs | Dec. 17, 2014

I'm really sorry about the trouble. For anyone reading, I posted out a replacement the next day. :)

David | Nov. 20, 2014

Very good value for the money. Think no more and get it!

For Re:load 2

The Re:load product comes as a kit, but the only think to assembly is the MOSFET+heatsink, and the connectors.
It takes no more than 5 minutes to get it done.

First observation that I would make is that is smaller than I thought, which is a nice thing.
Second thing that surprised to me is that it doesn't get as hot as I supposed. My first test was 5V @ 2A, that after 1min took the heatsink to a slightly warm state.

I recommend the product, it does not deserve a second thought for the price: works like a charm and has the features that you need.

PROS: Price, form factor, functionality, good dissipation
CONS: The holes for standoff mounting are not very well placed as the head of the screws overlap a bit with some components.

Jake | Oct. 31, 2014

Fantastic

For Re:load 2

Great little board. See picture - I put the transistor on some thick wires so I could mount it on a huge heatsink. Replacing the pot with a nice 10 turn one gives you easy 1mA precision and with an external supply, you can load things down to 0V instead of the quoted 3V (I found anything less than 4.5 would cause the current to drop). Very useful tool. Review Image

Simon | Oct. 29, 2014

Beautiful, cool, great intro to soldering

For Minimatrix

This makes the perfect introduction to through hole soldering and you get something cool out of it. The components and PCB are really high quality so you'll be pleased with the result. Putting it together is reasonably simple I talked to the seller a little, he's very communicative and helpful. Great buy.

Robert | Oct. 29, 2014

Works well with a firmware update.

For Re:load Pro

I was really happy to see this come up on Tindie. It takes a routine battery discharge test I have to regularly perform go from a time consuming manual operation to an easy hands off task. Will be buying several more to build up a discharge rack. I does have a couple of quirks that have been getting addressed in firmware updates but the documentation isn't keeping up with the changes so you have to dig a bit. The command to enter an under-voltage set-point that was not in the manual. Look forward to the fan upgrade to get a bit more wattage.

Ryan | Oct. 22, 2014

Awesome programmable load

For Re:load Pro

I've needed a programmable load for testing power supplies, and batteries for a while. And everytime I looked to buy one, I was blown away by the cost. I thought about buying one of the "dumb" loads, and adding a processor, etc, but then I saw the Re:load Pro announced, and figured it would solve my problems. =)

After waiting a bit longer than I would have hoped (no problem), I got the unit, and have been very happy with it since. The designer responds to email and twitter very quickly, and all the code is open sourced.

I couldn't be happier about the unit. I'm looking forward to the fan kit so I can sink a bit more power into it. =)

Alan | Oct. 20, 2014

Works

For Re:load 2

It does the trick.

Jorge | Oct. 19, 2014

3A 12W version

For Re:load 2

Review: http://jmnelectronics.com/archives/312 (spanish)

Guus | Oct. 8, 2014

Very useful

For Re:load 2

Easy to assemble and work with.

Emile | Sept. 17, 2014

Love it

For Minishift 1 pack

It works great, was easy to set up, and documentation is very thorough. I couldn't be happier!

David | Aug. 29, 2014

working great and solid items.

For Re:load 2

Overall working great....
come to notice that the MOSFET is not BTS141 as stated in the website. the one i got is BTS133.
is there any reason behind this change? bts141 seem to have a better power rating compare to bts133

Response from Arachnid Labs | Aug. 29, 2014

Thanks for the review!

The BTS133 has lower maximums, but is more than sufficient for the 6 Amps that the Re:load can sink; we've chosen it as a more affordable alternative.

Can you let me know where you saw mention of the BTS141?

Nick | July 30, 2014

Does the job and an excellent value

For Re:load 2

When it came time to test my own Pi Power product, I went to the electronic store and bought a selection of 10 watt resistors. I quickly discovered that they're frankly not very precise, and switching them in and out - particularly after they've spent a half an hour dissipating 10 watts and are ROCKET HOT - is fairly inconvenient, not to mention not terribly flexible.

So I bought a 6 amp ReLoad. It took some time for it to ship, but not an inordinate amount (I'm not counting the transatlantic transit time - just the time it took between ordering and shipping).

I chose to assemble it the simplest way - bolting the transistor (if that's what it is) to its heatsink and soldering it onto the board. This could have been regarded as a tactical error - when that heatsink starts to get hot, the adjustment pot is a bit too close for comfort.

I made use of the option to measure the current via the voltmeter connection on the side of the board. I didn't attempt to calibrate it precisely, but out-of-the-box it's accuracy was adequate for my purposes (within a few dozen mA so far as I can tell).

I did notice after buying my ReLoad that the seller has a "pro" model in a case with a display. The lack of a provision for a display is one comment I was prepared to make in my review before I discovered this. Since I already have the unit in hand, and because I'm handy, I may cobble together a little throwaway voltmeter dedicated to being the current display for my unit. It won't be as pretty as the pro version, but it'll fit right into what my bench looks like most of the time.

The only other thing I might nitpick about is that I might have chosen a multi-turn pot to make dialing precise values easier (particularly when you're trying to be precise without burning yourself on the heatsink), but, of course, there's nothing preventing one from going out and buying your *own* multi-turn pot and making the switch.

But on the whole, the value is the most compelling argument in favor of the ReLoad. It's a great deal on a very, very helpful piece of gear.

Joost | April 19, 2014

Works excellently!

For Minishift 1 pack

I have it hooked up to my media server to display the currently playing song, and it works great. It is very readable, also from an angle. The supplied software with web service interface makes integrating it a breeze. Review Image

Javier | April 15, 2014

it works great

For Re:load 2

Easy to assemble and it simply works

Nigel | March 31, 2014

Great little tool

For Re:load 2

Great little tool and good value although could really do with a panel mounting pot. so that it can be case mounted with a fan, but otherwise very good, easy to put together, most is pre-assembled. I did have to find an insulating washer to put under the clamp nut of the positive socket to insure the metal washer did not cut through the pcb coating and short to ground.

Derek | March 25, 2014

I don't think I've found a more useful tool

For Re:load 2

I bought the 6A 20W version of this just over a year ago. It's stayed
basically in the middle of my workbench since then, which attests to how
often I use it. For the price, I don't think I've found a more useful tool.

Raivis | March 13, 2014

Does exactly what it says it does.

For Re:load 2

Turns electrical power into heat in controlled manner. Hard if not impossible to beat price/performance ratio Re:load provides. Recommended for all low power power supply hackers.
NB! Heatsink can get really hot, don't blame anyone if you touch it when it's been sinking 10W for a while.

Christoph | March 11, 2014

6A, 20W Version

For Re:load 2

The kit works as advertised. It came well packaged with just a little room for improvement (screws and terminals don't belong in the ESD bag with the board). Shipping to Austria was incredibly fast and Nick was a nice contact, keeping me up to date the whole time.

I tested the thermal shutdown, short circuit, reverse polarity and ESD protection features on and off board. I didn't expect to be disappointed but before I hook up a prototype that cost me time and money, I want to be confident in the BTS141. Now I am!

For the price there isn't really anything to complain about! Even accuracy and temperature drift were better than expected. But I'm a very nitpicky person, so here is what I don't like:

- Cheap binding posts
- Single turn pot (with a ten turn pot I could achive 1mA resolution or better)
- Bad placement of components (binding posts can get in the way of two of the mounting screws, pot is placed between heatsink and binding post)
- Board gets needlessly hot because it's not decoupled from the heatsink
- Calibration pot just out of range for perfect calibration (at least in my case, YMMV)
- Useless below 2.5V input (better than the quoted 3.3 but still, noting a boost converter or different regulator couldn't solve)
- Regulator current bypasses the shunt resistor (good if externally powered)

Ended up using a fan cooled heatsink that had no contact to the board other than the leads on the BTS and powering both the fan and the board externally. Might use a beefier shunt resistor in the future.

I feel sorry for this long negative part. It might convey the wrong impression. The Re:load is a useful tool and I'm glad it exists. Buy it! I'm looking forward to get the pro version, when it comes out. Thank you Nick!

Response from Arachnid Labs | March 11, 2014

Thanks for the honest and thorough review!

Some of the stuff you address is a necessary evil because of the constraints of form factor and size - you simply can't get multi-turn potentiometers with large knobs that are PCB mount, much less affordable ones - but you raise several good points that I'll definitely tackle in the next board revision.

Eric | March 5, 2014

Very useful item!

For Re:load 2

I bought the 6 amps 20 watts version and changed the pot for a digipot connected to an arduino. I now use Reload as a constant power load, which makes it even more awesome. Coupled with a CPU fan, it can operate slightly over 20W.

Fast shipping, easy to assemble, easy to use. I only wish it could dissipate more power.

Spencer | Feb. 27, 2014

Great tool!

For PCB Tooling Block - Full grid

I received my full pcb tooling block very quickly and it works perfectly!

Gary | Feb. 19, 2014

Great USB burn-in load

For Re:load 2

This device works great for exercising USB charging devices.
We produce these and this makes a wonderful burn-in electronic load. AFFORDABLE!

Chris | Feb. 16, 2014

Excellent product, great performance!

For Re:load 2

I purchased the 6 amp, 20 watt version of the Re:load 2 so I could do some load testing of some DC to DC converters as well additional experimentation.

I found that the kit was very easy to assemble and operate, however with a burn-in test of 5 volts at 4 amps I found the Re:load 2 to get too hot to handle by the heatsink, even for a second. Be sure to place it on your bench where you want it first, otherwise you'll be fumbling around to grab it by the (very cool) PCB.

I left it operating for about 5 minutes without a thermal overload occurring, so I consider it a very successful burn-in at the full 20 watts. Thank you for the great product and I look forward to seeing new ones in the future! Review Image

Jason | Feb. 8, 2014

Great bit of kit

For PCB Tooling Block - Full grid

I've been looking forward to this for a while as I had one on back order. Finally got it yesterday and it does not disappoint. Great quality feel, professionally packed and if you have ever tried placing solder paste stencils by hand you will really appreciate what an amazing time saver this it!

Mark | Jan. 28, 2014

Great idea, great execution.

For Circuit Patterns Trading Cards - full deck

The cards are very well made with an excellent finish. They're easy to handle and easy to read. The box that the pack of cards comes in is very nice as well. I couldn't be happier with them, or with the service that I received from the seller. Highly recommended.

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