I tried assembling the menta kit but suspect I have many cold joints.
Photo is on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kf4kco/9965468675/
Menta Blues
Moderators: adafruit_support_bill, adafruit
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.
- adafruit_support_bill
- Posts: 88087
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Re: Menta Blues
It's hard to see in the photo. It's a bit dark and blurred from camera shake. Try next to a window - or even outside for more light.
A top-side photo would be good too!
A top-side photo would be good too!
- kf4kco
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Sat Mar 16, 2013 11:29 pm
Re: Menta Blues
Here are the photos
- Attachments
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- photo 3.JPG (557.94 KiB) Viewed 957 times
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- photo 2.JPG (502.06 KiB) Viewed 957 times
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- photo 1.JPG (519.96 KiB) Viewed 957 times
- adafruit_support_bill
- Posts: 88087
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:11 am
Re: Menta Blues
Are you using lead-free solder? Your joints look well-formed, but have a 'frosty' surface. With 60/40 Lead/Tin solder, that would be one indication of a cold joint. But lead-free solder always looks that way. Does the board work? Do you see any LEDs flashing when you power it up?
- kf4kco
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- Joined: Sat Mar 16, 2013 11:29 pm
Re: Menta Blues
I'm using lead-free solder. Would reheating the joints help?
- adafruit_support_bill
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- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:11 am
Re: Menta Blues
I think your solder joints look fine. If you are using lead-free solder a slightly frosted look is normal. It looks like you have not installed the power jumper. You need that to run the Menta: http://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-ment ... ble/use-it
- kf4kco
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- Joined: Sat Mar 16, 2013 11:29 pm
Re: Menta Blues
I had the kit in storage and took the jumper out. My concern was about the frosted look. I also have a new soldering pencil which frosts less.
- adafruit_support_bill
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Re: Menta Blues
So, does it power up OK with the jumper installed now?
- adafruit_support_bill
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- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:11 am
Re: Menta Blues
How are you powering it? Make sure you have the jumper in the right position. If you are powering via the FTDI cable, make sure you have that oriented properly (it is possible to plug it in backwards).
Do you have a multimeter to take some measurements?
Do you have a multimeter to take some measurements?
- kf4kco
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Sat Mar 16, 2013 11:29 pm
Re: Menta Blues
To be clear, I'm only at the point of powering from the battery. I've put the jumper in similar to your photo above. I'm using a 9V battery and the multimeter shows the voltage you'd expect. Since it's only partially, I didn't try using my FTDI+ friends (switching the jumper, of course)
What other measurements should I take?
What other measurements should I take?
- adafruit_support_bill
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Re: Menta Blues
What to expect depends on where you are measuring. What voltages do you measure on each of the 3 pins of the voltage regulator?I'm using a 9V battery and the multimeter shows the voltage you'd expect
- kf4kco
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- Joined: Sat Mar 16, 2013 11:29 pm
Re: Menta Blues
It looks like 9v is getting to the regulator but the output is just under 4v--I'd guess 3.7-ish.
- adafruit_support_bill
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- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:11 am
Re: Menta Blues
Hmmm. That is well below what it should be. But should still be enough to light the power led. Is anything on the board getting warm?
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.