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spenceraxani / CosmicWatch-Desktop-Muon-Detector-v2

The CosmicWatch Desktop Muon Detector supplementary material
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0.4 V from DC-DC booster circuit to SiPM #16

Closed Pappy85 closed 6 years ago

Pappy85 commented 6 years ago

I've built two boards with the same issue, there is 0.4 V coming out of the DC-DC booster for the SiPM instead of 29.5 V. I've checked each component in the booster circuit, including the connections on the LT-3461, and everything seems right. Has anyone seen this problem before? Any help diagnosing this problem is appreciated. Thanks!

spenceraxani commented 6 years ago

Hi,

Would you be able to take a picture of your circuit? My guess is that it’s something with the booster IC. Are you sure you have the correct orientation?

Thanks,

Spencer

On Jul 20, 2018, at 9:16 PM, Pappy85 notifications@github.com wrote:

I've built two boards with the same issue, there is 0.4 V coming out of the DC-DC booster for the SiPM instead of 29.5 V. I've checked each component in the booster circuit, including the connections on the LT-3461, and everything seems right. Has anyone seen this problem before? Any help diagnosing this problem is appreciated. Thanks!

— You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/spenceraxani/CosmicWatch-Desktop-Muon-Detector-v2/issues/16, or mute the thread https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ABpeu3kkVpSpyc-OdWqaOfdBTJqmcsPUks5uIo8OgaJpZM4VZc7G.

Pappy85 commented 6 years ago

Of course - picture attached. Thanks for taking the time to look at it.

img_5932

spenceraxani commented 6 years ago

Hi,

It looks like the components are in the correct place, and the orientation is correct. But, I it does look like you might have some poor connections (for example: the top middle pin in the 6-pin header looks like it’s not soldered to the board, and maybe also the LED connection to the Arduino pin D3, maybe the top of R6). This makes me think that there could be a poor connection on the DC-DC booster as well.

Could you start by melting and re-solidifying the solder on the booster legs? Just to make sure that each one of those connections is properly soldered to the PCB?

It’s not obvious, but there could be a short between the two top right pins of the DC booster IC as well.

Since you aren’t seeing the correct voltage, the problem must be coming from within the DC-DC booster silkscreen outline.

Thanks,

Spencer

On Jul 20, 2018, at 11:09 PM, Pappy85 notifications@github.com wrote:

Of course - picture attached. Thanks for taking the time to look at it.

https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/41496601/43031951-a6dafa94-8c9b-11e8-962d-57d0df207455.JPG — You are receiving this because you commented. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/spenceraxani/CosmicWatch-Desktop-Muon-Detector-v2/issues/16#issuecomment-406768962, or mute the thread https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ABpeu_cQAPyHivai5ytm5WsFlmxN133eks5uIqlfgaJpZM4VZc7G.

Pappy85 commented 6 years ago

Sorry for the delay responding, I was slowly working though various issues on the board. You were right that it was the solder joints on the DC-DC booster. I subsequently found some issues on the LT1807 legs as well. But after some persistence I got the system running and am counting muons.

Thanks for the feedback here, as well as the youtube videos and instructions. I'm happily enjoying the detector.

FYI - I don't know what others have found, but in my case, without access to physics department materials and a reason to buy in components in bulk, my completed system cost as least twice the quoted price of $100/detector. I only mention it as a fair warning to others considering building one. I think it was worth the cost though.

spenceraxani commented 6 years ago

Hi,

Glad to hear you got it working.

The price is broken down in the Purchasing_List.exel spread sheet. We use this projects for teaching applications more so than for individual people. We build the detectors for sub-100$, but that’s typically in bulk for classes and outreach programs. If purchasing single components, the price does increase.

Thanks,

Spencer

On Aug 13, 2018, at 10:39 PM, Pappy85 notifications@github.com wrote:

Sorry for the delay responding, I was slowly working though various issues on the board. You were right that it was the solder joints on the DC-DC booster. I subsequently found some issues on the LT1807 legs as well. But after some persistence I got the system running and am counting muons.

Thanks for the feedback here, as well as the youtube videos and instructions. I'm happily enjoying the detector.

FYI - I don't know what others have found, but in my case, without access to physics department materials and a reason to buy in components in bulk, my completed system cost as least twice the quoted price of $100/detector. I only mention it as a fair warning to others considering building one. I think it was worth the cost though.

— You are receiving this because you commented. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/spenceraxani/CosmicWatch-Desktop-Muon-Detector-v2/issues/16#issuecomment-412734932, or mute the thread https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ABpeu0qCk1x8UfAztu-EKdUBTwxhxmKDks5uQjh4gaJpZM4VZc7G.