# Beware of the Overachievers

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2025-08-07
- Length: 1h 15m
- Episode: 700
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-08-07-beware-of-the-overachievers
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/700-beware-of-the-overachievers/

## Summary

Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss new hardware projects, including Jones's low-power lab timer using a transflective LCD and font chip, and Gammell's experience with JLC PCB's automated assembly workflow. They analyze the economic impact of tariffs on sourcing components from China versus domestic distributors, highlighting the cost advantages of JLC despite the 54% tax. The conversation also covers Gammell's stalled solar installation due to local building codes and Jones's recurring EV charging solenoid failure.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-08-07-beware-of-the-overachievers#t=0) Introduction: Dave Jones and Chris Gammell
- [3:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-08-07-beware-of-the-overachievers#t=213) Dave Jones's Lab Timer Project and LCD Selection
- [15:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-08-07-beware-of-the-overachievers#t=929) Sourcing Displays from BuyDisplay and Font Chips
- [25:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-08-07-beware-of-the-overachievers#t=1529) Chris Gammell's JLC PCB Assembly Experience
- [38:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-08-07-beware-of-the-overachievers#t=2330) Tariffs, LCSC Database Integration, and Component Sourcing
- [45:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-08-07-beware-of-the-overachievers#t=2749) Solar Installation Delays and Local Building Codes
- [1:09:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-08-07-beware-of-the-overachievers#t=4157) Dave Jones's EV Charging Solenoid Failure

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch, early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- JLC (company)
- LCSC (company)
- Key CAD (tool)
- EasyEDA (tool)
- Nordic nRF52840 (chip)
- East Rising (company)
- Sanwa (company)
- B-Link (company)
- Opulo (company)
- Lumen (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Future of PCB Manufacturing: Tariffs, Supply Chains & More](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-04-18-the-future-of-pcb-manufacturing-tariffs-supply-chains-more) (OnTrack)
- [124: Tariff Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-05-08-124-tariff-talk) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Overcoming Global Supply Chain Obstacles in Electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-10-29-overcoming-global-supply-chain-obstacles-in-electronics) (OnTrack)
- [OnTrack PCB Design Podcast 2025 Year in Review](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-12-30-ontrack-pcb-design-podcast-2025-year-in-review) (OnTrack)
- [123: Banished from Running Linux](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-10-28-123-banished-from-running-linux) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-08-07-beware-of-the-overachievers. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Amp Hour.