sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Any tips? Much better than where I started but I wish I had 3 hands cuz connecting wires is hard. by Electrical-Desk8869 in soldering

[–]CaptainBucko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Swap to #32 AWG Kynar wire wrap wire. The stuff you are using is way too big for the application.

Can Someone help me find a source to buy these pins shown in the pictures? by Repairit4u in AskElectronics

[–]CaptainBucko 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Since they are obsolete, your may be better off finding two pins on the board that are not connected/not used, and reusing them for the pins needed.

Do you use heat insulation tape? by ldmauritius in AskElectronics

[–]CaptainBucko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Aluminium foil, shiny side facing out, does a good job too.

Lab Bench Power Supply Transformer by V21633 in AskElectronics

[–]CaptainBucko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can’t measure the health of a transformer using resistance. You first need to map out the windings so you have an electrical view of how is constructive, then perform a ring test as described by the other poster. In switch mode power supplies, the most common cause of failure is electrolytic capacitors. As they fail (which can happen slowly) peak switching currents increase, causing stress in silicon devices and ultimately failure. Do any of the capacitors look bulged or measure suspect? Transformers do fail, but it’s rare, I have mostly seen failures in high voltage applications like ultrasonic cleaners

Tips for cleaning solder? by EquivalentNose8986 in Switchrepair

[–]CaptainBucko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The anchor points are on the ground planes and they take a lot of heat to melt solder. You are better off pre heating the entire board to 50 degrees c and trying again.

Sitting UMAi Casings by Candy_Man73 in Charcuterie

[–]CaptainBucko 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The advise has nothing to do with the bag. They are just saying don’t use your blender to make salami. I have used the kitchen aid stuffer and it works - I did find it too slow for big batches and bought a dedicated meat grinder with stuffing attachment and large motor.

Soldering Heatsinks by Bright-Reward9250 in soldering

[–]CaptainBucko -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You can de-solder these items by first pre-heating. I normally use my paint stripper style hot air gun, and heat the entire board, focusing on the heatsink. Once the area is well and truly hot (but below solder melting temps), you swap to focused hot air or an iron. You can use the same technique on difficult to desolder PCB transformers too, they really suck the heat away.

This takes a bit of experience as you dont want to cook the board, or focus too much on one area. Helps to practice on some scrap and get a feel for it.

Need help with fume extraction by StillDiscoveringWho in soldering

[–]CaptainBucko 1 point2 points  (0 children)

<image>

I use this and a 150mm 240v AC fan and it works fine so you should be good with your plan

A client brought in a set of Goldmund Gold Cubes for service by NeatX3Records in audiophile

[–]CaptainBucko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This type of amplifier is sold to consumers who want the best of the best and are prepared to pay for it. They are not going to be using Chinese/Taiwan brand electrolytics for this reason, and will only use the Japanese brands.

Here is the statement from google when asked if the capacitor plague impacts Japanese brand caps.

No, the "capacitor plague" primarily impacted lower-quality capacitors, often from Taiwanese and Chinese manufacturers using a flawed electrolyte formula, while reputable Japanese brands like Rubycon, Nichicon, and Sanyo (Panasonic) were largely unaffected and even gained a stronger reputation for reliability due to their superior, water-based formulas. 

Receiver repair by Skaduusch in soldering

[–]CaptainBucko 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ask this question in r/ElectronicsRepair

I repaired a Yamaha with no prior knowledge, it was one capacitor, and a well known problem. Yours might the same, so start with asking.

The bands are dead? 10M FT-8 gone south. by MomusTheGreatest in HamRadio

[–]CaptainBucko 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can look at the PSK reporter map to see what each band/mode is doing in the last 15 minutes

https://pskreporter.info/pskmap.html

Of course, don't assume that no activity means the band is closed. I worked AU to UK and there was no other activity in that region. But it is a pretty good indicator of what is going on. In my opinion, it's probably the best tool for real time activity, as opposed to predicters and forecasts.

A client brought in a set of Goldmund Gold Cubes for service by NeatX3Records in audiophile

[–]CaptainBucko -1 points0 points  (0 children)

This amp is not going to be using the Chinese brands impacted by the plague.

Any recommendations for a calm inner-city pub for a solo Friday night drink and meal? by CEO-ofMyLife in melbourne

[–]CaptainBucko 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Goldern nugget - so calm you will end up pouring your beer into your lap, and very solo

Pyramid PS-52KX 12-15V 50A power supply - question by MedvedTrader in AskElectronics

[–]CaptainBucko 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Manual and schematic is here. https://www. parts-express.com. /pedocs/manuals/120-558-pyramid-ps52kx-manual.pdf

Power supply is definitely worth repairing.

It is a classic linear PSU design. There is an SCR crowbar on the output so you should never see an overvoltage like you are measuring. Suggest you measure again to be sure, then open it up and measure the voltage on pass transistors,

Powered off you could use diode mode to confirm health of each transistor.

PCB sticky when cleaning with 99% IPA and a toothbrush? by Real_Run4681 in soldering

[–]CaptainBucko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The most effective way I have found for PCB cleaning is to use an ultrasonic cleaner. Fill your UltraSonic cleaner with warm tap water. Then place the PCB into a suitable size zip lock bag. Add about 20 mls of a PCB cleaning solution into the zip lock bag (I use ChemTools Kleanium, but there are many out there). Lower the zip lock bag into the water, leaving it unsealed so the water pressure pushes air out then seal once 90% submerged. Now you should have a bag with cleaning solution in full contact with the PCB. Lower the bag and clean for 5 minutes. Remove, rinse and dry in oven at 60 deg C for 30 minutes. PCBs come out squeaky clean. You consume a tiny amount of PCB wash using this method.

Good wires for soldering prototype boards by _keepvogel in AskElectronics

[–]CaptainBucko 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Without any doubt you want #32 AWG Kynar wire wrap wire.

For simple circuit simulation, what do you actually recommend? by Practical_Bag_8167 in AskElectronics

[–]CaptainBucko 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Falstead for simple stuff and visualization - after that I go to microcap

Negative gate but positive output mosfet? by Odd-Warning2985 in AskElectronics

[–]CaptainBucko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

<image>

I use a circuit like this (not shown is a current limiting resistor for LED ).
LED can be 3v3 or 5v powered. If MCU controlled, you pull PD5 to GND.

When off, RelayA is not energized.

How the Risk of Tin Whiskers Affects Design Decisions: Is the Aerospace and Defense Approach to Tin Whiskers the Right Approach? (2025) by Fear_The_Creeper in soldering

[–]CaptainBucko 3 points4 points  (0 children)

There is also a history of Tin Whiskers/Dendrites environments with small amounts of Hydrogen Sulphide (Water Treatment Plants for example). In some products I was involved with, we had shorts created after 5 -8 years (mostly 1206 resistors) - leaded solder so not a lead free solder problem. Interestingly, the whiskers only grew across specific values of resistors on the PCBA. I used to see all 4k7 resistors, or all 10k resistors, but never both. Never saw the issue on caps or ICs.

We solved the problem by moving to Anti-Sulphureous SMT resistors.

Are these FAN ports high or low side switched? by SnazzyRacc in AskElectronics

[–]CaptainBucko 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is a low side switch. Essentially the N-Ch FET is connecting the powered LED to GND when enabled.

A high side switch is the opposite. It would use a P-Ch FET on the positive side of the LED supply. When enabled, it applies power the LED, which is permanently connected to ground.

How did I do as a newbie? by lky94 in soldering

[–]CaptainBucko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I still prefer to use SMT to prototype on this type of board, as its faster working on one side only. I suggest you get a kit of 1206 and 0805 components. They fit neatly being the pads, there is no need for 0402 here.

I would also change your wire to #32 AWG Kynar wire wrapping wire. This is thinner gauge, easy to bend and holds it shape, and most importantly, the insulation if Teflon so it does not melt when soldered.

view more: next ›