Icetube: Digits not appearing (another bad Q3)

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gdonald
 
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Icetube: Digits not appearing (another bad Q3)

Post by gdonald »

I'm got my Icetube clock built last night and it didn't work:
001.jpg
001.jpg (396.52 KiB) Viewed 1267 times
Today I discovered in the forums here the problems people were having with the Q3, in particular the thread here:

http://forums.adafruit.com/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=54952

So I gave it a try:
002.jpg
002.jpg (438.04 KiB) Viewed 1267 times
and it worked:
003.jpg
003.jpg (429.44 KiB) Viewed 1267 times
I sent an email to [email protected] requesting a new Q3. Hope it arrives soon :)

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jarchie
 
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Re: Icetube: Digits not appearing (another bad Q3)

Post by jarchie »

Nice diagnosis!

nrevan
 
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Re: Icetube: Digits not appearing (another bad Q3)

Post by nrevan »

Thanks for this post! Had the same problem and was wondering why it was never covered in the instructions given! Ordering another Q3 right now! =)

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Icetube: Digits not appearing (another bad Q3)

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

This issue affects a very small percentage of clocks. As a MOSFET, Q3 is a very static sensitive part.

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n2geg
 
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Re: Icetube: Digits not appearing (another bad Q3)

Post by n2geg »

I had the same problem - I was getting a little more display than what was in your picture, so I wasn't looking at a Q3 problem. Thought I was getting a good measurement when I checked (but didn't write it down - I should have - though I think it was 4.7+ vdc...) Read through a dozen or more threads 'til I came to this one - Hey! That's MY problem, too... put in a jumper like you did & voila`! Clock works. Sent a note to the support address just now. Thanks!

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kevinsworld
 
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Re: Icetube: Digits not appearing (another bad Q3)

Post by kevinsworld »

I'm not near my clock to test with a jumper but I also have a clock with missing parts of the digits.... a couple of photos to show the problem.... It seems like a Q3 jumper will help rule this in or out?

Kevin
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MissingDigit3.jpg
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MissingDigit1.jpg
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jarchie
 
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Re: Icetube: Digits not appearing (another bad Q3)

Post by jarchie »

Yep, you called it!

The symptoms you describe are common when Q3 misbehaves, so the jumper test is definitely worth a try to confirm or exclude Q3-related problems.

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