Assembling VFD Round Clock recommendations
It is quite easy to assemble this clock. Please have a look at circuit diagram and
components layout pictures to see what and were components should be soldered in.
Here is some recommendation, which I hope will help you to assemble your clock smoothly.
Please note
that this clock contains 2 SMD chips, which should be carefully aligned
and soldered on the board. If you feel you can not solder SMD components, please
let us know and we will supply your kit with pre-soldered SMD chips.
Assembling main uC PCB:
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You are welcome to solder components in any order you would like to do, but below
are my recommendations based on the experience I’ve got assembling this clock.
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Firstly I solder all SMD components I have to. At the current PCB release these are
2 SMD component on the main board – PT6315 and PIC16F648A ICs. Its size is
quite small, so make sure you have experience soldering small SMD chips. If not,
just let us know before we dispatch the kit to you.
Just put first IC in the marked position on the board, align it so all its legs step on
solder pads, hold it by few fingers and sold one contact. Have a look if its position
on the board is OK, then solder opposite raw contact. Again , just check if all IC legs
are remains on its solder pads, the solder the rest IC chip contacts. Repeat above
for the second SMD IC chip.
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Perform visual inspection of your soldering quality work on SMD components. Use
bright torch to illuminate board from beneath, so you can clearly see if all contacts
does not have shortcuts between.
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Next step is to solder all low height components, like resistors, diodes, fuse, small
capacitors. Please refer to the components layout picture to see were to mount
these components.
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Then solder all high height components like electrolytic capacitors, buttons,
connectors and buzzer. Please note that buzzer should be installed with correct
polarity.
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Solder Transformer. Please note that as transformer was manufactures in China it
has first contact on the right bottom row, not as usually in the left bottom raw. Make
sure that transformer key matches the key shown on the board.
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Leave display unsoldered yet.
