Damaged Demo Board

Trezitorul

What is Parallax's policy on damaged demo boards because while adjusting an rca cable the audio port on my demo board all but tore off for unknown reasons. I would fix it my self but some of the metal pads actually tore off of the fiber glass board and I can not solder the connection back.

Mike Green

Generally, if Parallax feels that the Demo Board became damaged due to a manufacturing flaw, they'll replace it. If they feel that the damage is due to something you did, they'll repair or replace the Demo Board for 1/2 price. Give their Tech Support a phone call tomorrow. They're very helpful.

mctrivia

it was said they will fix often for free. this was in this forum when someone hooked the power backwards

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Need to make your prop design easier or secure? Get a PropMod has crystal, eeprom, and programing header in a 40 pin dip 0.7" pitch module with uSD reader, and RTC options.

Cluso99

Come on guys - if you did something wrong you cannot expect a company to replace it for free. Mike's comment about Parallax is overgenerous, but don't abuse it.

Trezitorul: Can you place small wires to fix the torn tracks. If so, do that carefully and check it works, then put a small dob of araldite to the connector to hold it to the pcb firmly. Only use a little bit first, ensuring none gets on the actual connector where you plug it in. You can always add a bit more when it is stable.

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My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBladeProp is: www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm

mctrivia

I have blown up several props. my fault never asked for any replacements though I did give one propmod with a broken p17 as free sample.

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Need to make your prop design easier or secure? Get a PropMod has crystal, eeprom, and programing header in a 40 pin dip 0.7" pitch module with uSD reader, and RTC options.

James Long

Cluso99 said...
Come on guys - if you did something wrong you cannot expect a company to replace it for free. Mike's comment about Parallax is overgenerous, but don't abuse it.

Trezitorul: Can you place small wires to fix the torn tracks. If so, do that carefully and check it works, then put a small dob of araldite to the connector to hold it to the pcb firmly. Only use a little bit first, ensuring none gets on the actual connector where you plug it in. You can always add a bit more when it is stable.

If you have a small tip soldering iron, some flux, and a steady hand you can fix it.

As I remember there are four resistors that connect to the RCA jack. You may need to series the wire, and connect it, but it can be done. Not for the faint of hear though. those parts as I remember are 0402's, and are easily lost if you accidentally melt the solder on both sides.

Just an idea.

I would think they would need to send you a whole new setup. It is not an easy fix for them as well. They are not going to solder a jumper on a board, and send it back.

I would say, go with the half price option if you do not solder a lot.

James L

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James L
Partner/Designer

Lil Brother SMT Assembly Services

mctrivia

0402 is small o have 10k 10k registers in that size. they can be delt with using tweezer . as you said easy to lose so buy extra

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Need to make your prop design easier or secure? Get a PropMod has crystal, eeprom, and programing header in a 40 pin dip 0.7" pitch module with uSD reader, and RTC options.

James Long

mctrivia said...
0402 is small o have 10k 10k registers in that size. they can be delt with using tweezer . as you said easy to lose so buy extra

Yea, I wouldn't even try 0201's. Forget anything smaller.

James L

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James L
Partner/Designer

Lil Brother SMT Assembly Services

mctrivia

I normally stick to 0603 small but easy to handle. I have used 0201 with a scope. do able but you need supper steady hand.

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Need to make your prop design easier or secure? Get a PropMod has crystal, eeprom, and programing header in a 40 pin dip 0.7" pitch module with uSD reader, and RTC options.

James Long

mctrivia said...
I normally stick to 0603 small but easy to handle. I have used 0201 with a scope. do able but you need supper steady hand.

I have a "Pick and Place" and don't like 0402's. If the machine misses one, it is hard to find the missing one on a densely populated board.

James L

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James L
Partner/Designer

Lil Brother SMT Assembly Services

mctrivia

usually missing piece can be found by applying 30 amp supply to power rail and look for the part that blows up. lifted pins are harder to find and where having a good trouble shooter helps.

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Need to make your prop design easier or secure? Get a PropMod has crystal, eeprom, and programing header in a 40 pin dip 0.7" pitch module with uSD reader, and RTC options.

FearTurtles

I just replaced the Propeller chip on my demo board and still need to replace the EEPROM. I inadvertently drug a 12v power cord over the board and fried both chips. I thought about doing the half price deal, which is an awesome deal to begin with, but figured I would go for the learning experience of repairing it my self. So far so good. But if I fail then the learning experience will cost me about $100 verses a $50 or so replacement cost. But right now it looks like a $12 repair job. But the rest will wait until I come up with large enough order to make ordering the EEPROM reasonable.