M
Mortrek
- Jan 1, 1970
- 0
Hello. I've been taking care of a shot clock for a local community
college, and I need some advice.
The clock has 4 LEDs for each line, with two full digits (7 lines per
digit). They are surface-soldered to a large, custom circuit board.
The problem I have is that the lights very often will go out halfway
or completely. Since each line is in series, a single bad LED will
knock out a whole line. An LED that is having trouble sometimes causes
the whole line to flash or flicker.
I check the contacts and the LEDs and they are all working perfectly
up until the date of use. Does anyone know why this would be?
ex: I get it home, I replace any bad LEDs, and all of them work. I'll
check on it periodically until it is needed for a game. The day that
it is needed, LEDs go out almost immediately after it is started up.
The LEDs actually go bad. The contacts usually are not damaged enough
by movement and such to cause this issue. I'll get it home the next
day and I'll find LEDs on it that just don't work anymore.
Are LEDs themselves sensitive to jostling? I try not to damage them
while soldering. Could it be a power cleanliness issue perhaps?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
college, and I need some advice.
The clock has 4 LEDs for each line, with two full digits (7 lines per
digit). They are surface-soldered to a large, custom circuit board.
The problem I have is that the lights very often will go out halfway
or completely. Since each line is in series, a single bad LED will
knock out a whole line. An LED that is having trouble sometimes causes
the whole line to flash or flicker.
I check the contacts and the LEDs and they are all working perfectly
up until the date of use. Does anyone know why this would be?
ex: I get it home, I replace any bad LEDs, and all of them work. I'll
check on it periodically until it is needed for a game. The day that
it is needed, LEDs go out almost immediately after it is started up.
The LEDs actually go bad. The contacts usually are not damaged enough
by movement and such to cause this issue. I'll get it home the next
day and I'll find LEDs on it that just don't work anymore.
Are LEDs themselves sensitive to jostling? I try not to damage them
while soldering. Could it be a power cleanliness issue perhaps?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks