V2.0 beta

RGB LED Ring V2 Assembly


Folder: Electronics
Assembly instructions for the version 2 boards (alpha / beta). The final 2.0.d design is pretty much identical to the 2.0beta boards, except that I've added dual PLCC6-5050 / PLCC2 footprints and another optional 8pcs 0805 SMD LEDs that go in-between the RGB ones. It also works with a slightly modified version of the Arduino ShiftPWM library. That delivers extra-smooth color fading. Left-over pr…  (read more)

V2.0 beta

21 Dec 2011 91
Now with 3 LED drivers and no P-MOSFETS anymore. Color balance can now be adjusted in hardware. I'm using 6/6 for signals, 6/8 for the LEDs and 6/16 for power.

V2.0 beta

21 Dec 2011 102
Now with 3 LED drivers and no P-MOSFETS anymore. Color balance can now be adjusted in hardware. I'm using 6/6 for signals, 6/8 for the LEDs and 6/16 for power.

It started to snow today...

20 Dec 2011 99
This is a prototype for the next version of the RGB LED RING project I have been pursuing for some time now. I will try to get away with just one LED driver chip and do the color balancing in software. If it doesn't work out I can either try to add 3 of those or switch to a TLC5947 (24ch, internal dot correction). As it started to snow today, I changed the color theme accordingly and added some silkscreen 'art' as well.

It started to snow today...

20 Dec 2011 123
This is a prototype for the next version of the RGB LED RING project I have been pursuing for some time now. I will try to get away with just one LED driver chip and do the color balancing in software. If it doesn't work out I can either try to add 3 of those or switch to a TLC5947 (24ch, internal dot correction). As it started to snow today, I changed the color theme accordingly and added some silkscreen 'art' as well. This side is governed by insanity. Flip it over for xmas 'art'.

V2.0 beta vs. alpha

V2.0 beta vs. alpha

Shot with -2.0EV

Beautiful colors

10 Jan 2012 128
The AVR controls the brightness of the LEDs using 'BCM'. This gives a 6-bit resolution per color channel. This printed circuit board was ordered at Seeedstudio and uses traces as narrow as 6mil. It also works with a slightly modified version of the Arduino ShiftPWM library. That delivers extra-smooth color fading.

Artsy mistake

09 Jan 2012 100
No image stabilizer... definitely not.

V2.0 alpha - assembly step #0.1

09 Jan 2012 101
Look at the board and check if it is OK. This printed circuit board was ordered at Iteadstudio and uses traces as narrow as 6mil.

V2.0 alpha - assembly step #0.2

09 Jan 2012 97
Look at the board and check if it is OK. This printed circuit board was ordered at Iteadstudio and uses traces as narrow as 6mil.

V2.0 alpha - assembly step #1

09 Jan 2012 108
Apply a generous amount of paste-flux to the pads of the center footprint.

V2.0 alpha - assembly step #3

09 Jan 2012 95
Solder all pins.

V2.0 alpha - assembly step #10

09 Jan 2012 112
Place and solder the 3 remaining 10k resistors.

V2.0 alpha - assembly step #11

09 Jan 2012 105
Place and solder the 180R resistors (3 pcs).

V2.0 alpha - assembly step #12

09 Jan 2012 99
Apply paste flux for the RGB LEDs. NOW is the time to turn down your soldering iron. The LEDs easily die from heat. Especially the plastic around the smallest pad easily melts and you rip of the bonding wire. You don't want that!

V2.0 alpha - assembly step #13

09 Jan 2012 99
Depending on what kind of RGB LED you have, either have the orientation mark face to the center of the board or the outside. With this board / LED combination the orientation mark indicates the ANODES.

V2.0 alpha - assembly step #14

09 Jan 2012 90
Now's a good time to clean the board with IPA. Wash your hands afterwards.

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