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View Full Version : Some advice to fellow DIYC'ers


chilloutdocdoc
03-09-2009, 10:15 PM
Don't move your boards while they're powered....


IT HURTS!
oldcqr
03-09-2009, 10:27 PM
Don't move your boards while they're powered....


IT HURTS!

Sage advice....

More:
Don't forget to discharge the caps when working on strobes. They hurt!
cmitcham
03-09-2009, 11:25 PM
don't try to catch the soldering iron when you drop it.

(not that i have figured out how to do this)
Penfold
03-10-2009, 09:24 AM
Don't move your boards while they're powered....


IT HURTS!

Sadly, I have done this with a Ren 24 board. I could have sworn my left hand started twitching and it took me about five seconds to realize I was getting shocked.
wvengineer
03-10-2009, 11:28 PM
That's why I always use isolation transformers when working with live circuit boards, not foolproof but it does help.

I have a homemade one, using 2 120 to 24vac transformers the secondaries are wired together and creates a step down to step up. cant use it for big loads but works great for testing purposes.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isolation_transformer
chilloutdocdoc
03-11-2009, 12:19 AM
that sounds like a great idea, bit fancy for me, i just was a doofus and forgot to turn the power off while trying to move the board across the room
51fordf2
03-11-2009, 09:33 PM
That's why I like David's (Ukewarrior's) "SSRNeon" SSR board - there's a neon bulb next to the incoming power, that's very obvious and easy to see. I've already gotten into the habit of checking for the neon, before I muck a hold of the boards. I'm still in the testing stages, with multiple boards, strings of lights, etc, etc, etc, so I have to be really careful, move the de-energized boards, ONLY!! I have a few more to go, and take some pics, then David's going to put it out to the world, for all to see. It lends itself very well to home-etch, plus it puts all the neutrals on the board, instead of on pigtails. It's just slightly larger than the OZ boards...

Roger
kychristmas
03-12-2009, 09:43 AM
On a related note...

Old Rubber Mouse pads make great testing pads. The tops of old Metal Space Heaters DO NOT! (Don't ask!)

I have a bunch of Mouse Pads that a former employer used to hand out. I flip them over and use them for buildling, Parts sorting, and testing.
g2ktcf
03-12-2009, 09:45 AM
On a related note...

Old Rubber Mouse pads make great testing pads. The tops of old Metal Space Heaters DO NOT! (Don't ask!)

I have a bunch of Mouse Pads that a former employer used to hand out. I flip them over and use them for buildling, Parts sorting, and testing.


you can't say "don't ask" about something like that!!!! Inquiring minds want to know! lol
Mudsculpter
03-12-2009, 10:46 AM
I powered my ren24 with it on my lap (wearing shorts). Luckily the shock jerked my legs in such a way that it fell off onto the floor. Now everytime my wife hears shouting from my workbench she asks if I fried myself again.

And I have powered a 595 on top of my computer power supply before. There were sparks,... and smoke,....and cursing,....
kiowamike
03-13-2009, 12:15 AM
You mean to say you guys have actually powered up your boards. I have too much money into it to turn them on. I just look at them and admire.
oldcqr
03-13-2009, 09:14 AM
You mean to say you guys have actually powered up your boards. I have too much money into it to turn them on. I just look at them and admire.

I lol'd... Then I thought the same thing...