All posts by audiodane

PMCv2 Spring 2024 Update

PMC v2 2024 Update

Greetings and happy 2024 to my fellow plasma enthusiasts.  A quick update on the state of PMCv2 in 2024.  As I have mentioned elsewhere, life is extremely busy with family and work.  I am often pulling 65+ hrs/wk at work, and clearly choosing to spend every other waking moment with family.  This has been good for my marriage and family, but bad for an updated run of PMCv2 devices.  As many of you are aware, the third run of PMCv2 never got off the ground, despite over 400 respondents to the poll on the PMCv2 website showing a significant amount of interest.

For some good news (however small), I found five sealed and ready to ship PMCv2 devices sitting in a box in the garage over the weekend while looking for my oscilloscope!  After *significant* internal debate, I have decided to post them one-at-a-time on eBay, auction-style, with an opening bid of the original asking price (USD$50).  With only five available, there is no way to do it any more fairly with potential bots and/or scalpers.  This method has its downsides also, but it’s easy, which I can do.  The timing of the auctions will vary simply due to the aforementioned personal time constraints.  So, setup your watch lists accordingly.  (And if you have a used PMCv2 device to sell, it may be a good time to list yours also.)  NOTE: for those wondering, no, I don’t have any additional secret stash.  These were hold-backs in case anyone ever needed a replacement (damaged in shipping, etc).  These are, to the best of my knowledge, the very last “new old stock” PMCv2 devices in my possession.

In some other good news, I spent (too long) Sunday night fixing the website’s problems and updating various software modules to return the website to an operational and trustworthy state.  I disabled comments as they were largely only collecting spam.  New subscriptions to email updates seems to also be broken at the moment.  ah well.  I may or may not have time to figure that one out.  :/

In some /shrug news, I did update the primary PMCv2 product page poll asking for what a new PMCv2 device would be worth to users.  I currently have no expectations of doing a new run in 2024, but this information will help me figure out if there is enough interest to adequately divert my aforementioned limited free time.  After all, college savings accounts are a thing.

Lastly, if anyone reading has an interest, I tried once to divest myself of the entire technical design package (pcb design, cable design, bill of materials (BOM), software, etc) to enable someone else to pick up the torch and run with it.  Though I never received any interest, I am still entirely open to that discussion.

cheers, and keep enjoying those plasmas!
..dane

2020 PMCv2 Build Planning

Happy New Year! 

Once again, as I predicted, life and work have consumed so much of my time.  However, this short note is to inform everyone that I have submitted quote requests for a 2020 build of PMCv2.  It will be a repeat build of the existing design.  I would love to update the design  based on awesome feedback from previous customers, but I just don’t have time.  I figure rebuilding the same thing, although a slightly outdated design by modern standards, is better than not producing any!  So stay tuned.  Hopefully I’ve have quotes back within a couple of weeks from all the various suppliers. 

Also — if you’re interested in being a distributor, let me know!  I’m willing to offer some financial incentive to anyone willing to step up.

cheers,
..dane

2019 PMCv2 Build Update

Hello, everyone!  I know it’s been radio-silence for some time.  Lots of life happening in 2019!  I hope everyone is doing well.  I have caught up on all the feedback and messages sent (thank you!), but I have not replied to all of them.

Long story short; I am considering a fall 2019 build! 

This time around I am considering having the chips pre-programmed to save assembly time.  And I am also considering using “fulfillment through Amazon.com.”  I am far too busy this year to be able to always guarantee a fast shipment after received payment.   I will need to raise between $2,500 and $5,000 to produce enough PMCv2’s that I shouldn’t run out for several years to come.

If we do this together, it can work.  Most likely I will have to take pre-payment, with an expected ship-date of some 3-5 months after payment.  Kind of like a kick-starter..  I don’t want to use kick-starter though because they take a significantly large chunk of the monies earned and I would have to end up raising the price to cover the costs.  Due to PayPal policies, I would likely have to take payment in two pieces; 50% non-refundable “as a service” to help fund the build, and then once ready, a follow-up 50% of the purchase price that I actually ship against once they’re ready.  (Paypal doesn’t like to have “open orders” for so long a period.)

Please respond to the poll below if you would be interested.  I will let it run for about a month, and then decide near the end of August.  Thanks!

Oh- and let’s assume the purchase price will still be around $50.  (That may change depending on China tariffs.)

What is your level of interest for a 2019 build of PMCv2 units?

  • PREPAY: I would gladly prepay 50% and wait 3-6 months while they are produced, paying the balance when they are ready to ship! (58%, 140 Votes)
  • WAIT: I want a PMCv2 but I do not want to prepay. I "promise" I'll buy one when they're available though. (31%, 75 Votes)
  • MAYBE: I am pretty sure I want a PCMv2, but I'm not making any promises. (9%, 21 Votes)
  • PAST: I was interested, but now I'm not (TV sold/dead/given away/etc). (2%, 4 Votes)
  • NOPE: Was never interested; I just like answering polls. (1%, 3 Votes)

Total Voters: 243

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PMCv2 2018 Wrap-up

Hello PMCv2 customers! It is with great joy that I can say that the 2018 build of PMCv2’s was a huge success. Together, we built 95 units with all profits going directly to my local chuch’s mission fund, and I am excited to report that we sold all of them! (The last PMCv2 was sold on December 8th.) Just a few moments ago, I finished the financials in order to make the final offering to the mission fund, and am super excited to report that PMCv2 customers donated a whopping $2,368.70 to the local mission fund! Thank You!

Since I am once again sold out, I have already begun receiving questions about another build. As before, I have decided to wait to see how much interest I receive over the next several months. If any of you would be interested in taking over production and sales of future units, shoot me an email. I would be more than happy to discuss.

cheers,
..dane

PMCv2 2018 Now Shipping Worldwide!

Hello International PMCv2 Fans and Customers!

It is with great pleasure that I announce PMCv2 sales are now available worldwide!  The old eBay page seems to have been lost to time, and it took me a while to create a new one, but I think it’s got all the relevant information in it, as well as a link back to the product page here for FAQ’s..

Been waiting for a PMCv2 outside the USA and/or Canada?  Head on over to eBay today!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/273375181285

cheers,
..dane

PMCv2 2018 First Shipments!

Just a quick update to say, …. Woo hoo!!!   First shipments of PMCv2 2018 build are in the books!   And with these first shipments, $843.72 has been donated to our local church missions fund!   Thank you, everyone!   (NOTE for international sales: eBay sales will open this Wednesday, July 25th!)

Attached is a photo of this weekend’s shipping party (stylized using Prisma for privacy purposes)…

May the rest of your weekend be blessed!
..dane

PMCv2 2018’s Are Almost Shipping!

All 99 units from the 2018 PMCv2 build are programmed, tested, and packed!  I will be working on printing labels over the coming evenings and by the end of the weekend all PMCv2’s preorders should be shipped!   Also, eBay sales will begin the following week!

Thank you all for your continued interest and support!
..dane

2018 PMCv2’s are Programmed!

Hello PMCv2 Customers and Fans!  The 2018 build of PMCv2’s is nearing completion.  Tonight I finished programming all 100 units!  Over the coming days, I will be installing the protective heat-shrink and printing instruction sheets.  Over the next 2 weeks I will be running every unit through its final self-test and putting together shipping packages and printing labels.  I cannot give an exact date for shipment, but it will most certainly be This Month!  When your unit ships, you should receive an email from PayPal.  Once all preorders are shipped, I will open up eBay sales and send out another email update.

For some fun (and proof of device-life), here are a few pictures from earlier tonight.

2018 PMCv2 Update

Just a quick update …  Cables have arrived!   Yay!  PMCv2’s themselves should arrive sometime this week..  Once they arrive, they’ll get the protective heat-shrink sleeves, be programmed, tested, and prepared for shipping..   July 2018 ETA lookin’ good!

cheers,
..dane