Just Finished 3 Renard SS24's here are some pics during the process

[MicahT]

I still need to program and install the PIC's but I thought you might enjoy the pictures anyways. also be easy, this was my very first time doing anything like this. :)

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k536/Micah_Trudell/January129.jpg?t=1295445892

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k536/Micah_Trudell/January121.jpg?t=1295445931

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k536/Micah_Trudell/January115.jpg?t=1295445949

[BeckyT]

Hooked? No, no..... full on ADDICTED is more like it.....

[Materdaddy]

If you're planning on using heat sinks, you did the same thing I did that I wish I hadn't. I soldered on the triacs to my first Ren24SS without the heat sinks. Now I'll never get heat sinks on correctly. I think the way to go is line everything up, get the triacs mounted to heat sinks, then solder them all on. They'll be straighter and will all line up properly that way. I'm sure there may be some tips by more experienced people, which is why I bring it up.

Looks good from my untrained perspective!

[Andy.wpg]

If you're planning on using heat sinks, you did the same thing I did that I wish I hadn't. I soldered on the triacs to my first Ren24SS without the heat sinks. Now I'll never get heat sinks on correctly. I think the way to go is line everything up, get the triacs mounted to heat sinks, then solder them all on. They'll be straighter and will all line up properly that way. I'm sure there may be some tips by more experienced people, which is why I bring it up.


I've built lots of stuff over the years, and what works for me (remember, this is my way - it may or may not work for you) when I'm putting in TO-220 devices (like the triacs) is to have a piece of masking tape about 6-8" long. I put the part in the holes, start the tape on the underside of the board at the edge, wrap it over the part (holding it tight) and secure it under the opposite side of the board. I hope that description made sense :)

One piece of tape lasts for about 10-15 parts.

The tape holds the part nice and straight while I solder it, no need to bend any leads. I built my first two SS24's this way and had zero trouble putting the heat sink in later. I just bent one row of triacs a bit to the side, used a small piece of wood to smear on the heatsink compound and proceeded to tighten the bolts.

If a method works for you, do it. The way I do it works for me and I get good results with it. BTW I use the tape to hold sockets down too.

Ciao!


Andy

[Materdaddy]

Like this?

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/2191/tapeg.jpg

[bnradams]

Heres how I soldered my triacs on the 4 24ss's I made last year. First I soldered 1 leg only of the two triacs on one side on the furthest end from each other. Then I bolted the heat sinc to these two and bent the legs to get the heat sinc virtical. Then I attatched the rest of the triacs to the heat sinc without soldering untill all were bolted on and everything was straight. Last I turned the whole assymbly over and soldered all triacs.

[randyn]

I just bolted 1 triac at each end of the heatsink, solder them in. The remaining triacs were bolted to the heatsink and soldered in place.

[kychristmas]

Yep, even if you don't want to run Heat Syncs now. I reccommend getting one set so you can use them as a placement and alignment for soldering. Either you or somebody else posted your method and it helped me a great deal.


I just bolted 1 triac at each end of the heatsink, solder them in. The remaining triacs were bolted to the heatsink and soldered in place.

[somtng4u2c]

Looks good for the first time
keep up the good work and enjoy.

[maffeirw]

It feels even better once you tested it, hooked it up to some lights and watch the blinky flashy. If you think you were hooked before - just wait.
ron

[Wayne J]

Yep, even if you don't want to run Heat Syncs now. I reccommend getting one set so you can use them as a placement and alignment for soldering. Either you or somebody else posted your method and it helped me a great deal.
Yes, get one set to use for soldering if you are not using them now. When I do the soldering though, I use 6/32 bolts and nuts to maintain alignment.

[Andy.wpg]

Like this?

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/2191/tapeg.jpg

Exactly like that

[Materdaddy]

Exactly like that

Proves your directions were very clear! Probably more clear than my "paint" drawing. ;)

I think for a lot of components I'm going to use your method. The Triacs still make sense to use heat sinks. I need to order some, or make some.