stuck on minty boost tutorial

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loincom
 
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stuck on minty boost tutorial

Post by loincom »

Hello,

I've followed the directions to creating my minty boost from here:

http://www.ladyada.net/make/mintyboost/solder.html

This tutorial is great except that it is using a different minty boost. I have version 3.

http://www.ladyada.net/make/vintagelight/index.html

Problem:
My light is bright and strong but flickers after a minute or so of use. Any idea what I did wrong?

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: stuck on minty boost tutorial

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

This tutorial is great except that it is using a different minty boost. I have version 3.
If you look at the photos in the tutorial, they all say "V3"
Problem:
My light is bright and strong but flickers after a minute or so of use. Any idea what I did wrong?
What light are you referring to? There are no lights on a MintyBoost.

Image

loincom
 
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Re: stuck on minty boost tutorial

Post by loincom »

The tutorial is using a mintyboost v1
http://www.ladyada.net/images/vintagele ... G_4488.jpg

Full Tutorial is here: http://www.ladyada.net/make/vintagelight/index.html

The only part I did not do was 'Next cut the two lines to pin 2 (voltage selector pin) ' I don't know which is pin 2

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: stuck on minty boost tutorial

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

That project won't work with a Version 3 minty boost. Version 3 uses a different chip with different pinouts and a different board layout. The LT1302-5 is designed specifically for 5v output.

You could use one of these to convert the 5v output down to 3.3v. They are pretty efficient & don't take up much room.

loincom
 
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Re: stuck on minty boost tutorial

Post by loincom »

Thank you so much!

Not sure if I need to scrap my existing board and build a new one. If I keep the existing then:

1) Does this chip replace the 'IC socket'?
Assuming I need to remove the IC socket from the board and solder in Mini DC/DC Step-Down.

2) I see there are only 3 pins, which does it replace on the board?

3) Do you have any tutorials on building very bright LEDs?

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: stuck on minty boost tutorial

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

It wouldn't replace the existing chip. It would take the 5v output of the minty and regulate it back to 3.3v. You connect the +5v and - pins of the output to pins 1 and 2 of the voltage converter. Then you will have 3.3v on pin 3. The module is small enough, you could probably hot-glue it to the minty-boost board where the USB connector would normally go.

As for super-bright leds, check out the Bedazzler project. There is a lot of good info there on driving high-powered leds.
http://www.adafruit.com/blog/2009/09/28 ... bedazzler/

loincom
 
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Re: stuck on minty boost tutorial

Post by loincom »

Thank you

Unfortunately I am confused on what to remove. Do you have any examples?

Where are pins 1 and 2 located on the board?

I am aware of the USB location but don't see how it would connect.

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: stuck on minty boost tutorial

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

Where are pins 1 and 2 located on the board?
Pins 1 and 2 are on the DC/DC converter module. See the diagram on page 3 of the spec sheet: http://www.adafruit.com/datasheets/tsr1.pdf
I am aware of the USB location but don't see how it would connect.
You would need to:
  • Solder a jumper wire from the +5v pin of the USB connection to pin 1 of the module.
    Solder a jumper wire from the GND pin of the USB connection to pin 2 of the module.
    Connect your LED between the GND pin of the USB and pin 3 of the module.

loincom
 
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Re: stuck on minty boost tutorial

Post by loincom »

Thank you so much! I think I get it. Please see attached JPG and let me know if this is what you mean regarding Pins and GND
Attachments
ada.jpg
ada.jpg (54.16 KiB) Viewed 5061 times

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: stuck on minty boost tutorial

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

That is correct! :)

loincom
 
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Re: stuck on minty boost tutorial

Post by loincom »

Hello,

Finally got a moment to fulfill what we posted and still no luck. The power source seems to be the issue. See attached and let me know how to correct.

Thank you,
Attachments
Screen shot 2013-01-17 at 12.02.15 AM.png
Screen shot 2013-01-17 at 12.02.15 AM.png (110.51 KiB) Viewed 4588 times

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: stuck on minty boost tutorial

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

Measure the voltage between pins 1 and 2 of the Traco voltage coverter. (Should be 5v)
Measure the voltage between pins 1 and 3. (Should be 3.,3v).

loincom
 
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Re: stuck on minty boost tutorial

Post by loincom »

Sigh...I feel this is becoming a total waste. I've spent nearly $80. So, I won't be spending any more money on new tools, etc. Since it seems that the process is flawed.

What other options can you offer?

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: stuck on minty boost tutorial

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

What other options can you offer?
Don't know. You didn't answer the voltage questions.

loincom
 
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Re: stuck on minty boost tutorial

Post by loincom »

Great answer.

So I am not buying a voltage meter.

Here's what did work, power directly to the light without the TRACO thing you had me purchase. There are two AA batteries used.

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