Perils of DIY electronics repairs

[drummerman]

Well, having received all the parts to revive one of my Cyrus disc players I made a booboo.

Attempting to carefully de-solder an offending small surface mounted cap I've lifted a copper pad of the track (with the cap).

Mmmmmh.

Apparently it's easily done, even by more accomplished folks but doesn't exactly make it any funnier 🙂

I've never worked with SMD's ... Lesson ... Google the details first.

So, now I have to order a copper pad.

Never had so much fun ... ahem

 

[Al ears]

Well, having received all the parts to revive one of my Cyrus disc players I made a booboo.

Attempting to carefully de-solder an offending small surface mounted cap I've lifted a copper pad of the track (with the cap).

Mmmmmh.

Apparently it's easily done, even by more accomplished folks but doesn't exactly make it any funnier 🙂

I've never worked with SMD's ... Lesson ... Google the details first.

So, now I have to order a copper pad.

Never had so much fun ... ahem

Could you not simply utilize a short length of wire?

 

[Vladimir]

Despair not, it's fixable though not pretty. You can just use solder to make a trace or just use a jumper wire and regular cap (doesn't have to be SMD as long it's the same value). If the distance is short you just make some holes, spread the legs on the film cap and solder it in. I don't think anyone bothers to order a pad. *scratch_one-s_head*

 

[drummerman]

It is indeed possible though the area (and track) are tiny. It was tricky just to get in with a .5mm bit (adjecent resistors). One side came off clean the other ...

I've cleaned the area using my fibre pen.

Need to do some more reading up, before I make my mind up 🙂

 

[drummerman]

Despair not, it's fixable though not pretty. You can just use solder to make a trace or just use a jumper wire and regular cap (doesn't have to be SMD as long it's the same value). If the distance is short you just make some holes, spread the legs on the film cap and solder it in. I don't think anyone bothers to order a pad. *scratch_one-s_head*

Yes, I've ordered some Vishay through holes of equivalent value in addition to the panasonics so that is poss too. I've anticipated something could go awry 🙂.

Still, I will see if I can make a neat repair first.

 

[Vladimir]

I've watched hundreds of repair videos online and it happened too many times to professional repair techs or skilled DIYer. Happens all the time, especially with SMD. They even start cursing before the soldering iron is plugged in. The trick is to preheat the whole board in ovens, even improvise with BBQ plates.

I've had it happened couple of times but I was lucky not to rip off the trace as it lifted, so I managed to fix it with adhesive.

 

[drummerman]

Yeah, fiddly.

I don't have insulated tracer wire so order some too. There are too many parts in close proximity to take a risk.

 

[MajorFubar]

I feel your pain. I'm sure one of the jobs in hell is fixing surface-mount circuitry. Hope all goes well for you DM.

 

[Covenanter]

You either need a lower temperature iron or you need to be quicker! Soldering, like most manual skills, is a matter of practice. Back in the day I was very good but I tried something very simple quite recently and I was rubbish. I'd leave it to a professional.

Chris

 

[drummerman]

You either need a lower temperature iron or you need to be quicker! Soldering, like most manual skills, is a matter of practice. Back in the day I was very good but I tried something very simple quite recently and I was rubbish. I'd leave it to a professional.

Chris

She'll be up and running soon 🙂

 

[iQ Speakers]

I feel your pain! Though as others have said is easily fixible, especially if you can spot a nats chuff without taking your glasses off, or without the aid of a high powered magnifying glass!

If you need any practice I have 150 PCB's I need soldering up. Thankfully they are through hole!

 

[drummerman]

I feel your pain! Though as others have said is easily fixible, especially if you can spot a nats chuff without taking your glasses off, or without the aid of a high powered magnifying glass!

If you need any practice I have 150 PCB's I need soldering up. Thankfully they are through hole!

🙂

Well, all done and good.

In the end I had to bridge using a through hole cap.

It all looks tidy apart from the missing pad and exposed copper. Had to tidy up the leaked electrolyte.

Loads of money saved and she's sounding happy again.

As to the magnifying glass, yes, I have to use one of those these days unfortunately 🙂

(I'll solder for you anytime 🙂 )

 

[Vladimir]

Solder of Fortune 🙂