PCB Assembly discussion

[Tony]

Suggestions for improvements, mistakes, hints here please.

I've posted an image of the PCB track Gerbers here to help tracing faults.

V1 BOTTOM:



V1 TOP:



V1 Component overlay:



V2 BOTTOM:



V2 TOP:



V2 component overlay:



If the '8' or DPs aren't working you may have cut through the track when removing the through-hole links. If so use a short piece of insulated wire to link the pads indicated here, pink for '8' and green for DPs:


.

[Higginz]

Hey Tony

I've begun to build the clock kit this past weekend, so far so good. I've only run into one issue with the assembly. The included socket for IC1 was incorrect. The kit contained (2) 16 pin sockets rather than (1) 16 pin and (1) 18 pin socket. Not really a big deal, I was tempted to mount IC1 directly to the board but decided not to as I've had bad luck with removing soldered ICs. I ended up using a 20 pin socket from my own stash of parts and trimmed it down to fit.

[Tony]

Now that has me worried it's one of those things that just shouldn't happen as the 16 and 18 pin sockets are added in different stages to avoid just this. I hope a tube of 16 pins hasn't been mixed up with the 18 pins.

I'm pleased you managed to work around it, 18 is one of those tricky sizes to make up.

[maclark88]

Tony, on the Bag 1 parts instructions it refers to a r251. This should be r25.

[Tony]

Thanks for letting me know, I've edited it. One day I might put together a kit scary enough to use over 250 resistors but not just yet

[Squigglyline]

Hi Tony,

I have reached the point of testing the clock and although all 5 led's do light, they're significantly dimmer than they should be. The IR sensor does work but the LED output is off. This is both before and after the crystal mod. Any ideas?

[maclark88]

Hi Tony,

I have reached the point of testing the clock and although all 5 led's do light, they're significantly dimmer than they should be. The IR sensor does work but the LED output is off. This is both before and after the crystal mod. Any ideas?

I might suggest checking the polarity of all diodes.

[Squigglyline]

Hi Tony,

I have reached the point of testing the clock and although all 5 led's do light, they're significantly dimmer than they should be. The IR sensor does work but the LED output is off. This is both before and after the crystal mod. Any ideas?

I might suggest checking the polarity of all diodes.

Thanks very much for the suggestion maclark88! I definitely appreciate it. As far as I can tell, the polarity is correct. Here's links to pics of my board in the event you might see anything obvious that I am overlooking...

http://i61.tinypic.com/30jljli.jpg

http://i61.tinypic.com/2iw3y8j.jpg



Again, thank you!!

[Tony]

How dim are they?, they're driven at a low on cycle so won't appear to be bright. Check the processor is receiving about 4-4.5V at pin 14, also as you have L1 in place carefully check for 190V on R25.

[maclark88]

Hi Tony,

I have reached the point of testing the clock and although all 5 led's do light, they're significantly dimmer than they should be. The IR sensor does work but the LED output is off. This is both before and after the crystal mod. Any ideas?

I might suggest checking the polarity of all diodes.

Thanks very much for the suggestion maclark88! I definitely appreciate it. As far as I can tell, the polarity is correct. Here's links to pics of my board in the event you might see anything obvious that I am overlooking...

http://i61.tinypic.com/30jljli.jpg

http://i61.tinypic.com/2iw3y8j.jpg



Again, thank you!!

I didn't see anything out of the ordinary. When you say the led is off, which led are you referring to?