Rockdudes MegaDrum attempt (Build log)

[jman 31]

I have found that my 40watt iron does a lot better than my 20watt iron for desoldering. Heat is definitely a factor when using a wick.

[Firelord]

Heat is definitely a factor when using a wick.

I'd say heat transfer is the main factor in this case

When you unsolder components with a wick, the heat should be adequately distributed across the used wick segment for best results, and the wick has to be pushed down to neatly cover the surface from which you desire to remove the tin. It's therefore a bit tricky to pull off at first, but with practice you tend to use less muscular strength for this operation

[jman 31]

Heat is definitely a factor when using a wick.

I'd say heat transfer is the main factor in this case

When you unsolder components with a wick, the heat should be adequately distributed across the used wick segment for best results, and the wick has to be pushed down to neatly cover the surface from which you desire to remove the tin. It's therefore a bit tricky to pull off at first, but with practice you tend to use less muscular strength for this operation

OK get technical on me!

[rockdude]

Thanks for the advices. I hope I don't have to use the wick anymore, but I'll better train on my experiment card just in case. Soon I'll have crazy skills with it. I'll be sick with a wick!

Today I'll pay all attention on soldering the IC's. Desoldering one of those would be overkill for me.

[Firelord]

OK get technical on me!

No offence!

I'll be sick with a wick!

Here's a video of how to desolder using a wick. It's in Russian but the video itself is quite clear. One thing to mention, this guy says that desoldering with a wick will only work for single-side PCBs without aperture metallization. However, in case of the Synthex board, I guess desoldering can still be achieved ok.

[rockdude]

I have pretty much soldered everything on the board now except the "usb on".

Can't find anything provided in the Synthex kit to solder there. Can I just cut some spare component legs, bend them and solder in to place?

[Synthex]

Can I just cut some spare component legs, bend them and solder in to place?

Yes

[rockdude]

Thanks for the quick reply Synthex. It's a stupid question, but I wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing
My earlier adventure with my solder wick made me scared of doing more errors.

[rockdude]

Do you know what time it is!!? It's time for stupid questions!!!!
I've now finished soldering all things on the main board. See below and continue reading after the picture.


Now It's time to get on with the lcd. I've never put a flat ribbon cable into those plastic connectors (or whatever they are called) How do I do it? Do I have to peel anything or do I only have to press the wire down somehow and then press the plastic top above it? Is there a pictorial for this somewhere..I couldn't find any (Just schematics on how to wire them).

[Firelord]

Now It's time to get on with the lcd. I've never put a flat ribbon cable into those plastic connectors (or whatever they are called) How do I do it?

Ah, it's such a pity you didn't ask this question earlier; I could have made a video of how this simple procedure is carried out (I have done this recently).

Anyway, you need to be VERY careful with the IDC connector, it breaks fairly easily. The easiest way is to use a vice for this operation. First you need to place the ribbon cable between the cable-cutting IDC terminals and blackplate correspondingly. There should be one more part but I don't see it on you picture, well, leave it aside for now. First you need to squeeze the cable into the IDC connector by hand just so the little knives cut into the cable. Then you put the connector with the cable into the vice and slowly squeeze it in until the connector is locked tight (you should hear a faint click). Afterwards you put the last part into place (the one that holds the cable for protection, the one that didn't make it to your picture) — see a PC IDE cable for reference.

Now IT IS VERY IMPORTANT that you pay attention to the WIRING. IT IS VERY EASY to mess it up and kill off your LCD. Triple check whether the connection is right.

Ok, hope this helps. My explanation may seem blurry. But I can't make any pictures right now for you to go by