Let me say my level of experience is building 2 smd kits. Watching lots of videos about how to solder qfp44. I’ve been doing this about 4 months now. No formal training. I’ve been working on a rather elaborate rgb led clock. I have gone through about four kits now after what seemed to be a critical failure in the processor.
I’ve removed these processors using hot air. 300 degrees. About 30-45 seconds. Too hot?
Here’s the real question:
I built the clock circuit and began to work on the 60 leds. Having had problems with shorts in the past I was soldering them with the power on to the clock, to ensure all points made contact and the colors were correct.
Could this have contributed to problems? Is this a no no? If so, why?
In the instructions they say to solder all 60 leds on the front of the board before building the clock circuit on the back. This feels dangerous as I can’t really test the processor output without having a processor in there.
Why do shorts seem to happen so easily with this kit? I’ve made other smd things that worked fine?
I’m flabbergasted, at the end of my rope. Have ordered 10 more kits. I’m not giving up but I figure somewhere someone here has been where I’ve been.
Btw to see the clock google ds3231 rainbow.