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Stamp Repair Service? — Parallax Forums

Stamp Repair Service?

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2003-01-28 21:46 in General Discussion
I have been doing spring cleaning a bit early this year (too much
junk...)and found a couple of Stamps that don't run or accept programs.
Does anyone offer repair services to replace compiler chips, etc...or are
these destined to the junk bin?

Chris

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-01-28 15:57
    In a message dated 1/28/2003 7:50:04 AM Pacific Standard Time,
    chris01@t... writes:

    > I have been doing spring cleaning a bit early this year (too much
    > junk...)and found a couple of Stamps that don't run or accept programs.
    > Does anyone offer repair services to replace compiler chips, etc...or are
    > these destined to the junk bin?
    >
    > Chris

    I saw a previous post to this forum where somebody said you can send it to
    Parallax and get a replacemetnt at 50% of the normal price.

    I don't know if that is true or not.


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-01-28 18:08
    Hello,

    Parallax offers warranty and non-warranty replacements for all BASIC
    Stamps.
    For BASIC Stamp Modules, we don't replace the surface-mounted PBASIC
    interpreter chips. We issue a completely new BASIC Stamp.

    Customers are required to call Customer Service/Sales at (888) 512-1024
    to request an RMA number.
    It would be helpful if you called with a copy of your receipt, but we
    can look your order up in the system.
    The defective/damaged product needs to be returned to Parallax to
    receive a replacement.
    As an example, the BS2-IC replacement cost is currently $26.


    Erik Wood
    ewood@p...
    Parallax, Inc.
    599 Menlo Dr., Suite #100
    Rocklin, CA 95765
    (916) 624-8333
    www.parallax.com


    Original Message
    From: smartdim@a... [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=Z4YM8_1USltkNkZz2z5CTjekaOiXPyD867M4QNPNeoW3xayBqdGaviuTQZdyIvuTSDJspI3cedBZ]smartdim@a...[/url
    Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 7:57 AM
    To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stamp Repair Service?


    In a message dated 1/28/2003 7:50:04 AM Pacific Standard Time,
    chris01@t... writes:

    > I have been doing spring cleaning a bit early this year (too much
    > junk...)and found a couple of Stamps that don't run or accept
    > programs. Does anyone offer repair services to replace compiler chips,

    > etc...or are these destined to the junk bin?
    >
    > Chris

    I saw a previous post to this forum where somebody said you can send it
    to
    Parallax and get a replacemetnt at 50% of the normal price.

    I don't know if that is true or not.


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-01-28 18:41
    Chris,

    You can buy the surface mount interperter IC's from Parallax. It's
    just a matter of swapping out the IC to fix the stamp. When I smoked
    my BS2p40 IC I just ordered a BS2p40 interperter IC from Parallax for
    $18 and swapped it out. In a pinch you can use a heat gun set to 700
    F to 750 F. Cover the other parts of the stamp with aluminum tape to
    reflect the heat leaving the interperter IC exposed. With the heat
    gun on and about 1 to 2 inches from the IC, use a circular motion
    with the heat gun untill you see the solder on the IC leads get
    bright silver(molten solder). With the heat still applied pick the IC
    off with a decent pair of tweasers, being careful not to burn your
    hands. Wait for the stamp board to cool off and then remove the
    aluminum tape. Clean the pads off with solder wick, being careful not
    to use too much pressure or you will remove/destroy the pads. Clean
    pads with alcohol. Apply solder to one of the end pads, and with the
    tweasers allign the IC on the pads and tack it down. Check to be sure
    that it is alligned properly and that pin 1 is where it is supposed
    to be. Use SMT soldering flux with .010 dia solder. Apply the flux to
    the leads and solder each pin. If you have a short between pins just
    use solder wick to remove. Apply flux as needed. Use a magnifying
    glass to check for opens and shorts. Clean with alcohol when you are
    finished.

    If you have a PC board with SMT components on it I would use that as
    a practice board intill you get the hang of things. This method can
    save you $$. I can swap out a BS2p40 IC in 10 minutes flat with this
    technique. Poor Man's reflow is what I call it.

    Jason


    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "Chris Loiacono \(E-mail\)"
    <chris01@t...> wrote:
    > I have been doing spring cleaning a bit early this year (too much
    > junk...)and found a couple of Stamps that don't run or accept
    programs.
    > Does anyone offer repair services to replace compiler chips,
    etc...or are
    > these destined to the junk bin?
    >
    > Chris
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-01-28 21:46
    If you have the keen eyesight and steady hand and want to try
    swapping out the surface mount parts, you might want to take a look
    at <http://www.zephyrtronics.com>. In particular, get ahold of some
    of their low-melt solder and some liquid flux, the consistency of
    honey. You heat the circuit board to about 150 degrees Celsius (300
    Fahrenheit), which is safe for the components, and then you apply
    flux to the pins along with a liberal amount of the low-melt solder,
    which immediately liquifies. Leave it for 15 or 20 minutes, and the
    metals will co-alloy and you can lift the chip right off the board
    and then push the liquid alloy right off the board and clean the
    shiny and smooth pads.

    The Zephertronics hot air rework equipment is great, but expensive,
    but you can still buy supplies fromt them without the equipment.

    -- Tracy


    >Chris,
    >
    >You can buy the surface mount interperter IC's from Parallax. It's
    >just a matter of swapping out the IC to fix the stamp. When I smoked
    >my BS2p40 IC I just ordered a BS2p40 interperter IC from Parallax for
    >$18 and swapped it out. In a pinch you can use a heat gun set to 700
    >F to 750 F. Cover the other parts of the stamp with aluminum tape to
    >reflect the heat leaving the interperter IC exposed. With the heat
    >gun on and about 1 to 2 inches from the IC, use a circular motion
    >with the heat gun untill you see the solder on the IC leads get
    >bright silver(molten solder). With the heat still applied pick the IC
    >off with a decent pair of tweasers, being careful not to burn your
    >hands. Wait for the stamp board to cool off and then remove the
    >aluminum tape. Clean the pads off with solder wick, being careful not
    >to use too much pressure or you will remove/destroy the pads. Clean
    >pads with alcohol. Apply solder to one of the end pads, and with the
    >tweasers allign the IC on the pads and tack it down. Check to be sure
    >that it is alligned properly and that pin 1 is where it is supposed
    >to be. Use SMT soldering flux with .010 dia solder. Apply the flux to
    >the leads and solder each pin. If you have a short between pins just
    >use solder wick to remove. Apply flux as needed. Use a magnifying
    >glass to check for opens and shorts. Clean with alcohol when you are
    >finished.
    >
    >If you have a PC board with SMT components on it I would use that as
    >a practice board intill you get the hang of things. This method can
    >save you $$. I can swap out a BS2p40 IC in 10 minutes flat with this
    >technique. Poor Man's reflow is what I call it.
    >
    >Jason
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