CC430 Kits Need TLC - Free to Caring Members

[abecedarian 330]

The switch I'm not so worried about. It's function with the demo software is basically 'scroll down'. The 'scroll up' button function wraps around to the bottom so anything I do could use that logic, I suppose. Just have to keep the list short.

 

The satellite board... I'm not sure I'm able to fix. I don't have anything suitable for soldering 0.05" surface mount, but this might make me so inclined to purchase something.

 

I do not think it's a huge deal. I should be able to program it with the programmer that shipped with the Chronos watch. But it would be nice if I could use it as intended.

 

So, I'm willing to entertain offers should someone want to help me out.

[legailutin 11]

I received mine Friday. I got it with also with a broken "Down" button that I'll be fixing by the end of the day.

Then will follow a series of experiments in the 433 MHz range and I will post what I come up with.

 

Thanks again to B# and TI for making this possible.

[bluehash 1,581]

@@legailutin yw. When you do somthing with it, please post up.

 

@@abecedarian I'll try to fix it, but cannot guarantee it. You can send it over.

[grahamf72 169]

Hooray, my kit finally arrived yesterday - 19 days for priority post, I'd hate to see what the regular USPS service is like. Unfortunately my down button has come off, but I'm pretty sure I'll be able to solder it back on. If I sit it in just the right spot it works, so I might try a dab of super-glue as well, just to help keep it where it should be.

 

This afternoon between watching Dr Who (wow, that was good), I was able to get very basic Energia support for the board working. Nothing substantial yet, but I can access the LEDs & buttons on both boards, and upload a sketch to the boards, which is a good start. I have posted a more complete write-up of what I have done over in the Energia forum.

 

Thanks @@bluehash for organising this deal. 

[bluehash 1,581]

Thanks! Two weeks is ok. Glad it reached safe. Have fun.. and thanks to TI too.

[chibiace 46]

this down button thing sounds like a manufacturing defect. still waiting for the postman.

[jpnorair 340]

this down button thing sounds like a manufacturing defect. still waiting for the postman.

I've had a lot of trouble with some of the newer, white solder-mask TI kits -- in particular the EXP5529 and EXP CC430 kits.  It's difficult to diagnose the glitch, but I'm fairly certain the design used a too-thin internal route on several of the switches.  It tends to fail/break after using the switch for a period of time, thus make the switch unusable thereafter, and, in worst cases, the entire board unusable thereafter.  I came to this conclusion, that it is a broken internal trace, because applying pressure on the PCB (i.e. with your fingers) seems to have the effect of momentarily reconnecting the broken trace.

[tingo 22]

Hmm, would it be possible to repair that with a wire fix?

[chibiace 46]

 

heres a picture of mine. got it today (express delivery lol)

[bluehash 1,581]

That is a lot of kits with a defect. @@chibiace Gald you got it. At least you can solder it back on as you still have the traces.

[chibiace 46]

That is a lot of kits with a defect. @@chibiace Gald you got it. At least you can solder it back on as you still have the traces.

 

needed some tlc after all

[grahamf72 169]

needed some tlc after all

A little bit of TLC doesn't bother me when I got a $150 board for $25 postage. I've already learnt a lot, and have a few project ideas bouncing around.

 

My Energia port is coming along - serial, SPI, i2c & LCD are all working fine. Next challenge is the wireless.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[chibiace 46]

would somebody mind explaining what or how the default program on these is supposed to work? 

mine gets stuck on "listen" if the sat board is powered or if the sat board is not present then the lcd displays the sensor values.