Concealed Display Fail

[robcollins5]

Well, as promised, I've !@$%ed my first concealed display. In an effort to mod it to use different color LEDs, I torched the board. I had to wait 3 weeks for the LEDs to be shipped because they didn't have one of the colors available. I finally got them and noticed quickly that I got the wrong size! I got the 0.8mm LEDs which are around 1/2 the size that are needed. I got 4 of the 7 soldered in properly and working, but in my attempts to make the last 3 work I slipped with the soldering iron and jacked up some of the jumpers beside the LEDs. =( Fail. I've got big hopes for Attempt 2 with the right sized LEDs, though! This thread really has no purpose except for me to absolve myself of #I(@ up number one publicly.

rc

[srtga]

I had to go inside one that someone else had modded.

If I were to try to do a mod from scratch I think that a good component holding fixture and some magnification would be in order. That along with a good de-soldering tool.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[robcollins5]

Oh Yea. I went to the local Crap Shack and picked up several fine-point iron tips, a double alligator clip armed magnification sponge bath doo-hickey, and small gauge solder wire. I have no doubt I can complete the task easily with the correct size LEDs, the problems I had were a result of my sketchy rig-it-up tactics. To make the ultra-small LEDs work, I ended up putting a dollup of solder on each contact of the board, resting the minature LED between the two globs, and flash-melting the globs. As I said before, 4 of the 7 worked on my first plug-and-test, when I went back to re-attack the 3 non working LEDs my hand shook. With several millimeters of space to toy with, there's no room for error. Fail. I'll re-order the right size LEDs and try again on a new CD.

rc

[focalcivic]

Is the display ruined?

[robcollins5]

Is the display ruined?

I might take another shot at it with a solder sucker, but i'm pretty sure I killed it. The nice thing is that I budgeted for 2 screw ups. =) One down!

rc

[KYDRIVER_1]

Do you mind if i ask where you ordered the leds from? I've been thinking of trying this as well.
Thinks

KYDRIVER_1

[robcollins5]

I'm not sure that we're allowed to post websites for purchases, here...but you might say that if you googled the Queen's husband (who always got A's) under the good 'ole red/white/blue, you'd find the website.....

(www.kingbrightusa.com?)

I ordered the 0.8mm surface mount ultra bright LEDs and they were (estimated) half the size that are needed....I reordered some 1.7mm x 1.6mm and I'm hoping that these will be a bit easier to mount. =) If I fail again, I may have to accept defeat and purchase from LANguy. =P

rc

[KYDRIVER_1]

I like how you did that rc. I really appreciate it. That's why I like this forum it's mostly just enthusiasts enjoying their hobby, every once in a while you get a prick but usually not.
Thanks
KYDRIVER_1

[robcollins5]

Not at all sir! I only ask that in repayment you post pics of anything you complete successfully. =)

rc

[robcollins5]

Wait, I messed up! The LEDs I ordered were 1.6x0.8mm surface mounts. As I said, these were short by about 1/2 the size.....so i'm thinking a 2.5 or 3mm x 0.8 or 1.2 mm would be the right size.

rc