For your amusement. May or may not have been produced in China. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: wilgil
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 06:20:22 am
content: Spot the problem.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 06:33:01 am
content: I done see any issue. The one chip just want to mate with the other one. That's how pcb's are populated.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 07:07:15 am
content: R2 and R5 rotated? That's nitpicking.

author: Tim F
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 10:16:25 am
content: Quote from: zapta on April 09, 2015, 07:07:15 amCome'on man, we all know that if this was an audiophile product all the electrons would go the wrong way and pace, rhythm and timing would be messed up.

author: Grapsus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 11:47:55 am
content: Maybe the board was being shipped to Australia and the chip tried to turn itself the other way ?

author: ConKbot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 04:11:21 pm
content: Excess capacitance from the crystal leads being so close probably detuning it a bit.

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 04:29:45 pm
content: It doesn't matter. Because I'm pretty certain that the DS1307 on that is counterfeit anyway. The backup battery will charge off Vin, which it is definitely *not* supposed to do. It does keep and report time correctly.A workaround is to use a controller pin to supply Vin and only power up the clock when you read the time. That will hopefully keep the battery from bursting in the near term.

author: elgonzo
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 04:43:49 pm
content: It says "Tiny RTC I2C modules" but it obviously is just a single "Tiny RTC I2C module". Typical case of Chinglish, i would say. Everything else seems to look fine...

author: oPossum
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 04:47:37 pm
content: Trace out the battery circuit if you want to see the real WTF with that module.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 04:56:48 pm
content: they are using the wrong FONT ! it;ll never work right ...

author: M4trix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 05:02:51 pm
content: I guess R7 is missing otherwise I don't see anything wrong.

author: elgonzo
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 05:11:18 pm
content: Oh no, the component ID for R2 is printed incorrectly. I don't understand how this could pass QC. Servicing this device will become a nightmare...

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 05:22:34 pm
content: I've never had the opportunity to be "The One Who Starts" so fuck it, I'll give it a red hot go before somebody else chimes in...I am not comfortable with the title of this thread made worse by the stereo-typical bullshit misspelling. If I was Chinese I'd be pretty pissed right now.Further more the shit in that photo can happen to anyone with zero quality control. So what do you want dirt cheap electronics AND quality control?Expectations in this instance say more about the finger pointers than the mob manufacturing itThere, how'd I go?

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 05:31:00 pm
content: Quote from: oPossum on April 09, 2015, 04:47:37 pmIt is faster, easier, and better just to draw up the schematic and send it off to Oshpark. What I should have done to begin with... How does one hose up connecting a battery to two pins?!

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 05:42:13 pm
content: Quote from: AlfBaz on April 09, 2015, 05:22:34 pmFine by me. I don't care for the national/racial bashing either. For all these cheapo boards, no one should expect more than reject parts and zero QC. The Chinese are matching the quality to a price point. I actually think it's good business because they are taking what would otherwise get scrapped and building useful learning devices from them.For my part, I am the only one to blame for being to lazy to spin a board instead of buying a cheapo RTC off ebay. That board should work if the IC is moved back. Just don't leave it on Vcc for an extended period or the battery will leak all over.

author: oPossum
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 06:00:13 pm
content: Quote from: LabSpokane on April 09, 2015, 05:31:00 pmIt's easy to fix the battery WTF. Instructions here...http://forum.43oh.com/topic/4131-ds1307-rtc-eeprom-from-ebay-possible-unreliable-operation/Not just a problem with the 'charging' circuit. There is also a voltage divider between the battery and the DS1307!

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 07:31:02 pm
content: Things like this never (I hope) make it into an actual production device. I am thankful that this and many other things are readily available on ebay. No way could I afford the variety of these types of items I keep in my junkbox. Even the one in the image 5 minutes to fix and if I needed it for whatever there it is, no waiting.

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 07:41:53 pm
content: Quote from: oPossum on April 09, 2015, 06:00:13 pmFor me, this was the kick in the ass I needed to apply myself to designing PCBs and getting stuff out the door.Personal growth courtesy of failure. Thanks, China!!

author: McBryce
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 07:45:38 pm
content: It's an RTC module. You obviously took the photo at 11:00. Wait another hour and the chip will be back pointing to 12:00.McBryce.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 07:50:14 pm
content: Quote from: McBryce on April 09, 2015, 07:45:38 pmAwesome!

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 08:01:30 pm
content: Quote from: pickle9000 on April 09, 2015, 07:50:14 pm+1Good first laugh of the day.@WiigilUNO kit board is it?

author: wilgil
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2015, 07:57:08 am
content: Quote from: AlfBaz on April 09, 2015, 05:22:34 pmI am surprised then that you are such an active member here, considering that the owner of this Forum is quite verbal in his opinion of the poor QC of some inexpensive Chinese electronic items, often quoting 'One Hung Low' brands. Please direct me to your posts where you treat Dave like crap for some of the comments he makes on his videos.I have changed the title of this thread for you. I trust that you are more comfortable now.This item was supplied to me by a Chinese importer, who is fully aware of the problem.We had a laugh together about the mistake - he's going to send the photo to his supplier. I wasn't particularly worried, as the RTC was a freebee, included with a large order of items destined for educational purposes, and it only took a few seconds to fix.I merely posted the photo here to bring a smile to people, not in order to be judged by people who have never met me.I apologise for any offense caused.

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2015, 08:58:29 am
content: Please change thread title back to original. Please also extend an erect finger toward those who feel it is their responsibility to be offended on behalf of other people. What a hide.

author: Grapsus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2015, 11:10:09 am
content: Welcome to the new age of political correctness where organizing a barbecue gets you remarks about how unfriendly you are towards vegetarian people.

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2015, 11:20:43 am
content: Quote from: AlfBaz on April 10, 2015, 11:01:35 amWell don't tone it down for my sake. Give us much candor regarding your shitty childhood and indeed how it can be blamed on all the problems you encounter many years later.edit: tiny screen mangled response.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2015, 11:40:41 am
content: Yes, I also think it has been soldered that way because the daylight savings.

author: leppie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2015, 11:51:12 am
content: Doh!The watch crystal is the wrong way around!Also the diode is cracked and I wont be surprised if all the electrons leak out on the board.

author: elgonzo
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 10, 2015, 01:37:19 pm
content: Quote from: leppie on April 10, 2015, 11:51:12 amNo, the diode is not cracked...

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 10, 2015, 09:53:36 pm
content: Quote from: AlfBaz on April 09, 2015, 05:22:34 pmHey, not bad. You sound like a super contributor that's been here awhile. Oh, wait..............

author: cncjerry
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 11, 2015, 02:20:42 am
content: All this bitching and I bet nobody plugged it in to see if it worked! So are we now all visual engineers? Doesn't it take electrons to be an electrical engineer?I say you have to plug it in, run diagnostics, get out your rigol scope and decode the I2C bus before assuming there is something wrong.Ha, engineer, yea right.

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2015, 04:18:51 am
content: Quote from: wilgil on April 10, 2015, 07:57:08 amMy feeling is that these 'ethnic-specific' posts are entirely justified.Embarrass the governments into taking responsibility for the future reputation of their industries.The Chinese population are doing exactly what any other nationality is doing, and would do --- fill any available opportunity to 'get ahead'.Especially if not regulated to ensure pollution, competition, value and other social forces are not kept in check.Whether you say China, India, Nigeria, or Australia - you are talking about the same problem -- weakness and greed instead of leadership and guidance in producing the best - in order to develop a sustainable reputation for quality rather than price & volume.

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2015, 01:44:52 pm
content: Quote from: SL4P on April 11, 2015, 04:18:51 amI would reverse that. Call out governments for bad behavior, but don't punish their citizens for their ethnicity. People are generally good the whole world over and all want the same things.

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2015, 01:47:26 pm
content: You missed my point - not blaming the 'people', but holding governments accountable for turning a blind eye to bad practices - subsequently drawing criticism and ridicule to their country and as a by-product their population.

author: tec5c
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2015, 07:54:51 am
content: Quote from: AlfBaz on April 09, 2015, 05:22:34 pmAre you referring to this title? "Qwalitee Chineeese electronics."If so I don't see any racial problem with that, in fact I could do a much more insulting job. It could even be written off as a person with poor English skills and a sticky 'E' key on their keyboard.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2015, 08:05:53 am
content: Quote from: M4trix on April 09, 2015, 05:02:51 pmI noticed R7 as well.

author: ElectricGuy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2015, 01:05:29 am
content: For the record;

author: McBryce
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2015, 08:10:11 am
content: Hmmmm.... Where's the micro servo motor that spins the chip?McBryce.

author: ElectricGuy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2015, 08:19:25 am
content: Quote from: McBryce on April 13, 2015, 08:10:11 amIts under the chip.... you can't see it!!!

author: leppie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2015, 08:19:43 am
content: Quote from: elgonzo on April 10, 2015, 01:37:19 pmI thought we were making jokes here...