Nanode Classic build guide?

[daaain]

Hey,

First of thank you very much for the guide, it's really helpful to have an updated one so I didn't have to work from the one made for the previous version!

It might be just me though, but I'm really confused by the last part of the build guide :(

I have a Nanode Classic kit – effectively an RF without the actual RF part as it seems – and I can't work out what do I need to do towards the end when building it from the RF guide. When trying to measure I get 0-0.1V and I'm not sure if it's my dodgy soldering or I missed a part.

How do people debug soldering anyway? Are there some alternative legs / pins to check where the problem is?

Anyway, the bit I'm the least sure about is if I need to do the voltage selection and capacitor fix bits even if not using RF?

To give something back too, I was making photos while building so can contribute the missing step 7 and the alternative order with IC sockets soldered after step 12. Do you want me to upload these photos on my Flickr and send a pull request with them edited in or should I send the photos to you directly?

Also, I found that it's much easier to solder the reset switch straight if the protruding bit near the resistor is snipped off, might be worth mentioning in the guide.

[ichilton]

Hi,

I believe the Classic to be the Nanode RF without the RFM12B, MCP7941x, 23K256 etc - i.e a replacement for the Nanode 5 but with the Nanode RF PCB.

You should be getting 3.3v for the IC's - if you are not then you have done something wrong somewhere. It's a time consuming process, but you need to back track over everything, ensure that you have the right values of everything, the correct way and check for any shorts, both by looking and checking things with a multimeter.

You might find it useful to pull up the schematic so you can see what should connect to what and go through and test with a multimeter that everything is connecting together properly.

Thanks for the offer of the photos - i've got a few changes queued up that I need to make to the guide so I can incorporate those when I get chance to make them. Please either e-mail them over or put them on Flickr.

Thanks,

Ian

[daaain]

Thanks a lot for the quick reply!

I found the schematic on SolderPad, but the way it is presented is a bit beyond me... Will try to see if I can import it to Fritzing or some other more user friendly tool.

If you have some time, making a quick note where does the guide for Classic ends and the RF only bit starts it would be really useful for clueless people like me :)

But anyway, now having watched the soldering tutorial you linked at the beginning of the page I realised how badly I was doing it and I'm almost sure that the problem is the really ugly, cold solder joints all over the board. I just took a picture of the underside of the board, it could serve as an example for other beginners how not to do it :)

I've uploaded the photos to Flickr and put them in a set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/daaain/sets/72157629709776167/

Anyway, I've ordered some desoldering wicks, hopefully redoing the soldering will solve my issue.

Thanks again,
dain