Can all registered uses please login, even just for a few minutes..
It helps build a picture where our "good traffic" is coming from..
Thanks :)

Archie A3000 inbound

Blogs & guides and tales of woo by forum members.
Post Reply
User avatar
HigashiJun
Posts: 2400
Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2020 7:21 am
Location: Tokyo

Re: Archie A3000 inbound

Post by HigashiJun »

After checking again all the connections under the ROM sockets, I found another faulty trace (always double or even triple check...) I had to repair.

Fix.JPG
Fix.JPG (418.38 KiB) Viewed 1404 times

While the epoxy is curing, I have fitted some sockets (there where all the traces have no issue).

Once the epoxy cured tomorrow, I will check again and then fit back all the ROM sockets.

I have also received new rubber pads so I could replace the rubbish ones under the Archie. Looks better now:

Left.JPG
Left.JPG (135.35 KiB) Viewed 1404 times
Right.JPG
Right.JPG (178.2 KiB) Viewed 1404 times

More to come later.
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 15140
Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:40 pm
Location: Essex
Contact:

Re: Archie A3000 inbound

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Is the epoxy conformal coating? Might be worth getting a UV light to speed up the curing.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
User avatar
HigashiJun
Posts: 2400
Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2020 7:21 am
Location: Tokyo

Re: Archie A3000 inbound

Post by HigashiJun »

The stuff I use is an overcoat epoxy:

https://www.chemtronicseu.com/circuitwo ... ve-syringe

and it has to be cured with heat (10 minutes at 100°C or 24 hours at 25°C).

I always leave it to cure for 24 hours.
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 15140
Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:40 pm
Location: Essex
Contact:

Re: Archie A3000 inbound

Post by rubber_jonnie »

HigashiJun wrote: Mon Aug 21, 2023 11:32 am The stuff I use is an overcoat epoxy:

https://www.chemtronicseu.com/circuitwo ... ve-syringe

and it has to be cured with heat (10 minutes at 100°C or 24 hours at 25°C).

I always leave it to cure for 24 hours.
I use solder mask for things like this. it dries extremely fast under UV light, is very hard and conforms to irregular surfaces very well and is flexible too. It works out about £4 per tube and works extremely well for this sort of thing.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
User avatar
HigashiJun
Posts: 2400
Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2020 7:21 am
Location: Tokyo

Re: Archie A3000 inbound

Post by HigashiJun »

I also have a regular solder mask (and a UV light) but I was not so satisfied with the result.

I sometimes use it on even surfaces when the solder mask has gone.

The epoxy I now use is also good for torn off pads and traces.

It made a real good job on my Amiga 1200 motherboard.
User avatar
HigashiJun
Posts: 2400
Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2020 7:21 am
Location: Tokyo

Re: Archie A3000 inbound

Post by HigashiJun »

ROM sockets fitted back, and all contacts are good.

ROMs.JPG
ROMs.JPG (531.82 KiB) Viewed 1356 times

It's a seamless integration, as you can barely see the repaired traces. :lol:

The biggest part is to come, but not for today...
User avatar
stephen_usher
Site sponsor
Site sponsor
Posts: 7491
Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:19 pm
Location: Oxford, UK.
Contact:

Re: Archie A3000 inbound

Post by stephen_usher »

You'll need a "POST box" probably.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 15140
Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:40 pm
Location: Essex
Contact:

Re: Archie A3000 inbound

Post by rubber_jonnie »

HigashiJun wrote: Mon Aug 21, 2023 11:44 pm I also have a regular solder mask (and a UV light) but I was not so satisfied with the result.

I sometimes use it on even surfaces when the solder mask has gone.

The epoxy I now use is also good for torn off pads and traces.

It made a real good job on my Amiga 1200 motherboard.
:)
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
User avatar
HigashiJun
Posts: 2400
Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2020 7:21 am
Location: Tokyo

Re: Archie A3000 inbound

Post by HigashiJun »

stephen_usher wrote: Tue Aug 22, 2023 9:22 am You'll need a "POST box" probably.
If the Archie does not boot despite all the repairs, I will probably buy one.
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 15140
Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:40 pm
Location: Essex
Contact:

Re: Archie A3000 inbound

Post by rubber_jonnie »

stephen_usher wrote: Tue Aug 22, 2023 9:22 am You'll need a "POST box" probably.
Pretty sure Ian Jeffray over at Stardot was able to supply these.

Not sure if the A3000 is the same, but my A5000 gave 'POST' codes via the FDD busy LED too, and there is a decoder here: 'POST' code decoder

The site also offers a lot of other great info and advice.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
Post Reply

Return to “MEMBER BLOGS”