Making a prototype PCB.

Found some. Which one's do you think are best for this application? The clear ones or frosted ones? <a href="https://goo.gl/3etPa6" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://goo.gl/3etPa6</a> <a href="https://goo.gl/p1uk1V" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://goo.gl/p1uk1V</a> I am not sure if these are the ones you used... Can you tell me if so?

Here's the UK listing I got it from:- <a href="https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/382459520727" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/382459520727</a> A search for those keywords or 10W LED moonflower will find similar units, but note that there is a huge price range. This one cost about £12 shipped.

Big Clive

Hi BC, Can you provide a link to the color LEDs? I love it and want to build one as a night light projecting from the floor to the ceiling. Thanks.

I've raked through the local hardware stores. I could find sulphuric acid, but not muriatic/hydrochloric. But I'm still looking.

Big Clive

Hey Bigclive. I know I had a tough time locating the necessary acid for the regenerating etcher. Now one suggestion for where to find it is at your local hardware store though I don't know what your regulations on chemicals are. The necessary acid also at least here in North America goes under the name of Muriatic Acid. I know here it is commonly sold as a concrete cleaner/etcher and also used as a pool chemical as well.

The slight downside of the simpler jigs is that they don't hold the components in.

Big Clive

You'd be hard-pressed to beat one of these for smaller assembly jobs.. <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/BURNTEC-PCB-Holder-Jig-Soldering/dp/B01MRAEY6M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1525900305&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=pcb+holder" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.co.uk/BURNTEC-PCB-Holder-Jig-Soldering/dp/B01MRAEY6M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1525900305&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=pcb+holder</a>

Gordo

Wow, RME - that takes me back. When I was at uni., my friend Richard and I used to take the train to Glasgow every now and then to buy stuff - RME was so much better than Brown's of George 4th Bridge which is all we had in Edinburgh.. That was very therapeutic btw, thank-you.. I wouldn't have minded you not pausing the video while drilling &amp; soldering - after all it's as much listening to what you're saying as watching what you're doing..

Gordo

Thanks. That sounds good, i will have a look. Need to restock on LEDs anyway, especially the pink and UV ones. Well.... "near UV", real UV is hard to find from China

Andreas

It worked this time. That seems quite a low price compared to what I paid for mine a long time ago.

Big Clive

I found something even better for the english speaking part of the world. Its not same brand as the one your using(Velleman) but it looks the same to my eyes <a href="https://gie-tec.de/product/pcb-assembly-and-soldering-frame/?lang=en" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://gie-tec.de/product/pcb-assembly-and-soldering-frame/?lang=en</a>

Ok let me try again <a href="https://elektronik-lavpris.dk/c6072/printfremstilling/lodderammer/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://elektronik-lavpris.dk/c6072/printfremstilling/lodderammer/</a> the link is to a website in danish but following the link to one of the frames will give more detailed info in english.

Thank you Clive 👍

It never appeared. I got an email notification but the post is missing. I wonder if it's because there was a link in it. Try again and if it doesn't work send me the link as a message.

Big Clive

Sorry if i did something wrong Clive, but did you delete my post with the link for the soldering frame ?

I think they may have tweaked the design to compensate for the red LEDs dragging the voltage down a bit. The newer LEDs seem to tolerate series and parallel operation.

Big Clive

Here's a search link for the dry film photoresist from eBay. <a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&amp;_sacat=0&amp;LH_BIN=1&amp;_nkw=dry+film+photoresist&amp;_sop=15" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&amp;_sacat=0&amp;LH_BIN=1&amp;_nkw=dry+film+photoresist&amp;_sop=15</a>

Big Clive

One question comes to my mind, how about running the LEDs in parallel off a DC Powersupply? I remember having issues with the color changing LEDs doing that.

Andreas

The focussed RGB LEDs tend to have the chips off centre. I'm not sure how well they'd work with the optical system. You'd also have to avoid the LEDs that flash as they would have a high open circuit voltage across them while unlit.

Big Clive

What about the focused "fast changing" LED'S? Or is that a ticket straight to seizure town?

Dustin

+1 on Hamilton Elliott’s post - would love to see a list of the recommended materials. Very inspired to have a go at diy pcbs after this. Thanks.

Hi Clive, Could you list where you got the supplies for this please. Especially the transfer film.

I just thought I'd use a tupperware style container for a change. The LED was fine, there was a tiny solder bridge between the pads.

Big Clive

I echo that, never get tired of watching build PCB's including the soldering. lol

Richard Boyce

I never get bored of seeing you building PCBs and trying new or different methods. Any reason you didn't use the sealed bag method for the etching? Also I noticed the dead LED started working, did you have to swap it out or did it spring to life after you changed the capacitor?

Matt Tester

I have an off the shelf aquarium lamp the has colour changing LEDs in it behind my tele. I have it washing up the wall. It's not bright but gives a nice calming effect at night.

Nile Red cross-over idea: how to make a acidic circuit board etchents out of ingredients from the local market.

Jeremy Impson

I like that effect quite a bit. Indeed left to run for a while it should randomize very nicely. I'm still running a happy color-morphing cloud as I type this.

Michael Thompson

The few times I have made custom PCBS, I have cut the design out on decent quality adhesive vinyl, weed out the vinyl not required, adhere the vinyl to the PCB and etch it. So far only 1 failure with low quality vinyl.

evilution

I have used an iron more often to heat PCBS and cook bacon than I have to flatten clothes.

evilution