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Kmart lied to me, so I hacked their lamp [video]

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Re: Kmart lied to me, so I hacked their lamp [video]

#22

Post by Uvix »

robin_reala wrote: post #20
zerof1l wrote: post #16

I also have such a lamp. Supposedly it's USB-C connection, but it only works when connecting with USB-A to USB-C cable. My guess is it's due to the requirement to comply with EU law about USB-C. But proper USB-C requires active circuitry but manufacturers don't add it to save a few cents.

I doubt it: that only applies to equipment with radio capabilities.[1] Also, Kmart is regional to north america, it doesn’t exist in the EU. [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A...

It doesn’t really exist in North America anymore either - down to only 5 stores. This is about the Australian version.

Re: Kmart lied to me, so I hacked their lamp [video]

#23

Post by joshstrange »

hk1337 wrote: post #12

I’m rather surprised anyone would want a battery operated lamp at their bedside anyways, unless it was a backup battery for when the power goes out. There’s no battery indicator to know when it is low so you would just have to guess or pay attention when it looks like it needs to be charged. Most people would probably just plug it in and leave it plugged in all the time.

Thank you! I thought I missing something when this wasn’t the top comment. The idea of adding another device that I have to “tend to” is not attractive to me.

Re: Kmart lied to me, so I hacked their lamp [video]

#24

Post by fusslo »

consp wrote: post #2

https://www.thestockpot.net/videos/whykmart for those who do not want to watch a video like me. Isn't the use of USB-C promotion without at minimum basic USB compatability disallowed? I have a few devices which have a USB-A to barrel plug, but they do not advertise anything and afaik that is perfectly fine. And they also only work with a normal USB charger, not the fancy ones.

Thank you!

As an aside, while I'm trying to read the page, and it is a fun page, I kept getting distracted by the 'load-on-scroll' images and text.

My eyes kept darting down to what loaded, rather than keeping with the text I'm trying to read

Re: Kmart lied to me, so I hacked their lamp [video]

#26

Post by minus7 »

danbruc wrote: post #25

I am really missing an explaination of how the cable and PCB were non-standard and if that would have been fixable. This feels more like building a new lamp for an existing housing than hacking the existing one.

There's a pinned comment on the video about the cable:

    For everyone that's interested, the included USB cable is wired like this:
    
    GND    -------> GND
    D+  -------> VCC
    D-   -------> VCC
    VCC -------> VCC
    
    So it is a non-standard cable! I measured by checking continuity between the USB A plug, and the USB C connector with a USB A adapter on it. None of my probes are small enough for a USB C connector's pins directly.

    There was a bit in the video about this that ended up on the cutting room floor, my bad!

Re: Kmart lied to me, so I hacked their lamp [video]

#29

Post by bayindirh »

AdmiralAsshat wrote: post #27

Meanwhile I probably would've just returned the lamp and bought a $20 lamp off Amazon that has a proper USB-C charger: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087CDBKCH/ I guess I'm not a very good 'hacker'.

> I guess I'm not a very good 'hacker'.

It depends. For me, the outcome is a function of spare time I have in the upcoming days. I have written complete tools in a weekend, or written much smaller tools over the years. On the other hand, there is a mount of projects waiting to be started, but I have no time whatsoever to touch them.

Just don't hit yourself what engages you or your priorities is different than the person who's on the video/website you're visiting.

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