Ice Clock 5V is 1V - help?

[fsargent]

I did all the test as I went, but now I've found myself in a place where even the beginning tests don't validate. Not sure exactly what happened.

F1 is *HOT*
9V on the 9VDC side, and 1.34V on the other.
IC3 pulls .96V, 0V, 0V

Pictures: https://picturelife.com/fsargent/album/SFCt5aQrcRE1PVq

[adafruit_support_bill]

What was the last step you completed before discovering the problem?

[fsargent]

Soldering on the microcontroller and header for the tube.

[adafruit_support_bill]

Soldering on the microcontroller and header for the tube.

By microcontroller, do you mean the Atmega chip, or the square VFD controller chip?
In either case, some close-up photos of the soldering in that region would be helpful.

[phild13]

It is kinda hard to see in the photos but I think I see that your Q2 FET is installed backwards. The two pins on Q2 that are shorted together should face to the right towards C6/D3. I would verify the installation of Q2 and if it is backwards, turn it around, it should be Ok.

[fsargent]

Phil! thank you so much! That was exactly the problem. I didn't realize that there was a orientation to this chip. Re reading the steps I see how I made the mistake.

THANK YOU! What was junk is now gold. You rock.

[phild13]

Your welcome!