Menta Blues

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kf4kco
 
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Menta Blues

Post by kf4kco »

I tried assembling the menta kit but suspect I have many cold joints. :-(

Photo is on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kf4kco/9965468675/

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Menta Blues

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

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!

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kf4kco
 
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Re: Menta Blues

Post by kf4kco »

Here are the photos
Attachments
photo 3.JPG
photo 3.JPG (557.94 KiB) Viewed 957 times
photo 2.JPG
photo 2.JPG (502.06 KiB) Viewed 957 times
photo 1.JPG
photo 1.JPG (519.96 KiB) Viewed 957 times

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Menta Blues

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

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?

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kf4kco
 
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Re: Menta Blues

Post by kf4kco »

I'm using lead-free solder. Would reheating the joints help?

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kf4kco
 
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Re: Menta Blues

Post by kf4kco »

The LEDs do not light up.

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Re: Menta Blues

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

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

Image

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kf4kco
 
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Re: Menta Blues

Post by kf4kco »

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.

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Re: Menta Blues

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

So, does it power up OK with the jumper installed now?

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kf4kco
 
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Re: Menta Blues

Post by kf4kco »

No. No blinky. :-(

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Re: Menta Blues

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

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?

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kf4kco
 
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Re: Menta Blues

Post by kf4kco »

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?

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Re: Menta Blues

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

I'm using a 9V battery and the multimeter shows the voltage you'd expect
What to expect depends on where you are measuring. What voltages do you measure on each of the 3 pins of the voltage regulator?

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kf4kco
 
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Re: Menta Blues

Post by kf4kco »

It looks like 9v is getting to the regulator but the output is just under 4v--I'd guess 3.7-ish.

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Re: Menta Blues

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

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?

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