Here's me failing... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: alvarop
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2011, 01:12:37 pm
content: This was my first attempt at surface-mount soldering. I designed an intervalometer around the Atmel ATtiny13, had the PCB's made, and ordered all the parts. I put together this video mixing me talking and explaining and some time-lapse shots of the actual building/debugging.I followed Dave's suggestions to the letter, and failed the first time. Eventually I figured out the problem, which I hopefully describe ok in the video.This is my first such video, so please let me know what you think!(Not sure how to embed the HD version, but it's there!)Edit: Thanks to oPossum for fixing the youtube link.

author: sacherjj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2011, 02:49:55 pm
content: It is only you failing, if you stopped before the debugging. To me it looked like you learning a great deal. I'm with Dave on the hoping projects have problems. It is the only way to learn how to fix them.

author: Ferroto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2011, 04:13:39 pm
content: Where did you get that clamp.

author: alvarop
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2011, 04:53:35 pm
content: Quote from: Ferroto on April 14, 2011, 04:13:39 pmIt's from Pomona Electronics. I bought it from Mouser (part no. 565-5250).

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2011, 05:22:19 pm
content: Great video. I think you should rename it "Here's me succeeding"

author: JohnS_AZ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2011, 03:22:07 pm
content: Great job!I agree with deephaven: Assembly - Debug - Rework - Success!I can't speak for anyone else, but that's how MOST of my projects go. :-)

author: Hypernova
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 17, 2011, 02:54:21 am
content: I remember a saying from the software guys: "There's a very special place in hell for the guy who's code compiles on the first try."

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2011, 09:41:00 am
content: Great job! I also like the way you set up your lab to build this. I used to have a glass top table, and you make a great case for having one; such as typing below it. There are some lightweight tools that use suction cups that stick best on glass.What kind of PCB clamp is that? It looks like a Panavise but not sure ...

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2011, 10:06:50 am
content: Quote from: saturation on April 17, 2011, 09:41:00 amyeah, i was thinking the same thing. Its an excellent setup to have the keyboard accessible and yet still out of the way.Out of interest, what fuse bit did you write that bricked it?

author: FreeThinker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2011, 10:19:26 am
content: I've been in hobby electronics for (very) many years. ALWAYS get more of a buzz fixing a failed project than I do from first time working one.Like the glass worktop, is it toughened glass?

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2011, 11:46:03 am
content: ok now i watched it. nothing special!i experienced worst than thatand i solder no better than you. and now i know what intervalometer do, thanx. great video.

author: logictom
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 18, 2011, 03:55:12 pm
content: Nice little video and another comment on the nice workspace!Does the intervalometer just cause the camera to take a picture every two seconds? Is there no function similar to that built into the camera or does the circuit do other funky stuff?

author: alvarop
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2011, 04:17:27 pm
content: Yeah, the main goal is to trigger the camera shutter at a set interval. I used one to make the time-lapse video of the soldering/debugging.Some point-and-shoot cameras like the Canon PowerShot have this built in (others don't, but there are firmware updates to do so.)My DSLR doesn't have this feature, but has an external trigger plug. Canon sells an intervalometer, but it costs ~$140. I figured this would be a nice project to work on and learn how to use surface mount components. I'm going to add a small potentiometer so I can vary the actual interval time instead of having it fixed as I did in the video.The actual board doesn't have to be used as an intervalometer though. It provides an opto-isolated interface to my camera and a microcontroller. I plan on modifying one of the boards to do things like take a photo when a sound is detected, when light changes, etc...Thanks for all the great comments! I figured more people would watch a video that said fail instead of succeed. This was the fist complete video I've done of a project. I've started recording more while I work on things now. I find that I make a lot of stupid mistakes that might make for a funny compilation at some point.As for the workspace, It's just a desk I got at an office supply store a few years ago. It's the only work surface I have, so I need to keep moving my electronics stuff on and off all the time. I work on the floor from time to time as well. I do love being able to see the keyboard without having it on the main work surface. Glass is also very easy to clean (which needs to happen a lot due to fingerprints!)The clamp is the Panavise Jr. vacuum base, I got it from sparkfun.