After receiving the kit last week, I installed the parts (switch, cap, resistor, oscillator, socket and chip, green LED battery holder and battery) as instructed up to and including batteries. Although certain that I installed the green LED correctly, I am unsure of what else is wrong as the green LED does not flash after inserting the battery. I removed the LED to test it, and found it would not light when connected to a 3 VDC source.
Realizing the odds of having a faulty LED are rare, is there something else I should also look for here?
Any ideas are appreciated; Thanks in advance.
Green LED not flashing on test
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Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.
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Re: Green LED not flashing on test
I replaced the LED with a different one that is known to be working the the problem continues. Now I am wondering if the PC Board has a missing or faulty trace.... and/or maybe the IC is not working as well???
Using a fairly low wattage Weller soldering iron (set to 600 watts), but maybe 600 watts is not low enough.
Using a fairly low wattage Weller soldering iron (set to 600 watts), but maybe 600 watts is not low enough.
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Re: Green LED not flashing on test
600 watts? That would probably obliterate any board - I think you meant to say 600° Fahrenheit
It should be OK. But if any joint looks suspect, resolder it. (I use mine on 350°C, try 650°F on yours)
However, some recent kits were sent with a badly programmed microcontroller and this may be the cause of your problems
You could either reprogram it yourself or contact Adafruit for a new one
It should be OK. But if any joint looks suspect, resolder it. (I use mine on 350°C, try 650°F on yours)
However, some recent kits were sent with a badly programmed microcontroller and this may be the cause of your problems
You could either reprogram it yourself or contact Adafruit for a new one
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Re: Green LED not flashing on test
Sorry... I should have typed "degrees" - was thinking of something else.
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Re: Green LED not flashing on test
does the kit work otherwise?
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Re: Green LED not flashing on test
I stopped assembly and posted here when it failed the green LED test. I installed a new green LED and noticed the trace on the board from the negative side of the LED to R5 was not connected (bad pad on the PCB), so I placed a bridge wire following that trace. Still no joy.
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Re: Green LED not flashing on test
why dont you keep going just in case, and post up a -clear- photo of what you're talking about so we can help debug
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Re: Green LED not flashing on test
Added a few more components and got it to do what I expected.
Thanks for the assist.
Thanks for the assist.
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- Joined: Sat Feb 19, 2011 5:30 pm
Update (sort of)... :)
The kit was pretty messed up, and I became far too busy to even mess with it. A while later, when I finally got some spare time and a small PanaVise (Model #209) to hold the board so I could more precisely solder the 60+ joints, I got another kit and it immediately worked as it was designed.
Recommendation: get a Panavise and use it.
Recommendation: get a Panavise and use it.
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.