Re: [NYCR:Microcontrollers] repairing 3 Octolively interactive LED boards

[Astrida Valigorsky]

Are you sure its not a soldering problem? I got three of these kits
and soldered them, and resoldered them until I got them just right.

[Astrida Valigorsky]

Oh, yea... that's way way too much solder. You need to clean up your solders.

[astrida]

Resistor does offer a soldering class occasionally... but if you came in on craft night most of our members could help you learn how to fix these... basically anywhere you've soldered and the solder touches another solder, is a problem.  

The octolively kit is a great one for teaching folks how to solder... I recall my first one taking four hours to solder correctly, but at least I learned!

[raphael]

Go get the solder flux from Radio Shack. Glom some on the trouble
joints, reheat them, and watch the magic. This is pretty much the secret
to soldering!


I teach the soldering class at NYCR sometimes. I should get some
sessions on the calendar soon.

Good luck!

[Kris Tuttle]

Anyone have a strong opinion on the best hobby level soldering iron to get? Something with a bit of a "station" feel but less than $200.

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[Justin Eastman]

I bought the Sparkfun branded sodlering iron and really like it.  Super good deal at $40! Heats up very quickly.  Only wish that I had was for an auto-shut off.

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10707

As always...
Workinonit!

> Subject: Re: [NYCR:Microcontrollers] repairing 3 Octolively interactive LED boards
> From: kris....@gmail.com
> Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2013 22:06:08 +0100
> To: nycresistormi...@googlegroups.com

[joseph legros]

it eats through the tips, but I've been happy with the $15 25W Weller that they have at Lowes. someday, I might treat myself to a good station.

 

> Subject: Re: [NYCR:Microcontrollers] repairing 3 Octolively interactive LED boards
> From: kris....@gmail.com
> Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2013 22:06:08 +0100
> To: nycresistormi...@googlegroups.com
>

[Michael Zions]

Argh, wish I had seen that SparkFun station. I just got the Maker Shed station and it's ok. It takes a while to heat but the included tip selection is great.

I also have a $25 Weller from Lowe's and it's awesome.

If portability is an issue, I can recommend a favorite albeit off-beat butane-fueled soldering iron from Radio Shack. It heats up super quick and it's very easy to maneuver sans cord. The tank feeds fine upside-down and it's small and light so I used it a lot in tight spaces or outdoors. It really needs premium butane from a tobacco store for longevity; regular Ronson cans ruin it.

[Michael Zions]

Er, $15 not $25.

[raphael]

I'm a big fan of the xytronics line. They're cheap(ish) and great.

Here's what we use at Resistor:
http://www.howardelectronics.com/xytronic/lf369D.html

Totally worth the $50!

(we also have tow of the bigger ones, for really large heat loads)

On 2/12/13 4:27 PM, Michael Zions wrote:
> Er, $15 not $25.
>
> On Tuesday, February 12, 2013 4:27:08 PM UTC-5, Michael Zions wrote:
>
>
> Argh, wish I had seen that SparkFun station. I just got the Maker
> Shed

> <http://www.makershed.com/5_40_watt_Variable_Temperature_Soldering_Station_p/mkpe1.htm>station

> and it's ok. It takes a while to heat but the included tip selection
> is great.
>
> I also have a $25 Weller from Lowe's and it's awesome.
>
> If portability is an issue, I can recommend a favorite albeit
> off-beat butane-fueled soldering iron from Radio Shack.

> <http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062753>It

> heats up super quick and it's very easy to maneuver sans cord. The
> tank feeds fine upside-down and it's small and light so I used it a
> lot in tight spaces or outdoors. It really needs premium butane from
> a tobacco store for longevity; regular Ronson cans ruin it.

> <http://www.makershed.com/5_40_watt_Variable_Temperature_Soldering_Station_p/mkpe1.htm>

[Michael Potvin]

weller wes51

☮
617-470-5597
ptvn.net

[Dan Lavin]

I've used this
> http://www.mpja.com/Solder-Station-Hobbyist-ZD-932/productinfo/19154%20TL/
for years. $17 Get extra tips -$2 each.

[Rich]

Thanks for the feedback, looking forward to seeing some soldering classes at NYCR.

Its definitely a case of poor soldering, and showed how important tinning and the actual soldering iron is for this type of job. First trial was with a pretty cheap, very low wattage iron (using too much solder). Second was a wireless soldering iron, which was very uncomfortable and stopped working on me pretty early in usage. The Radioshack 40w is what im using now has been working great and replacement tips are easily found and cheap. I've get through 3 of these LED boards much quicker and they all work.

Repairing those first 3 faulty boards will be a project in itself.

thanks again

-Rich

On Tuesday, February 12, 2013 2:57:57 PM UTC-5, Rich wrote:

I've ordered a few interactive LED boards from evilmadscientist.com for a home project. Because of my overall inexperience with soldering projects like this, the first 3 boards I went through have multiple short circuits and are currently non functional. 

http://shop.evilmadscientist.com/productsmenu/tinykitlist/411-octo

Since then, I have begun to get through a few more that work great, but I'd like to get these faulted ones up and running. 

Anyone on here willing to fix these? OR does NYCResistor offer a class that I could use to fix this myself (preferred option). 

Attached or some images of one of the faulted boards

thanks,

Rich