kludge’s TF530 build

[kludge]

As a long time follower it’s time to start building one of these cuties. The parts I got for this are sourced from the old BOM (10k resistor networks, etc), so I guess I’ll need to source some replacements for these, as well as for the resistors.

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[8 Bit Dreams]

You've sent me a PM with this question, so rather answer it here.
Indeed You are right, 10k are anot actual value anymore, ALL RESISTORS and also resistor networks are 1-2k range. Card may possibly work even with 10k but it may run unstable, swapping these out once card is reday built is not hard, but soldering right walue from start is what i prefer.
Kind regards,

Viktor

[kludge]

Yes, I decided to start a build thread instead. I planned to send you a new message that you could ignore the first PM, but I forgot. Sorry about that!

I’ll place an order for new resistors and resistor networks.

Thanks!

[kludge]

Let the games begin! So far: soldered the resistor networks and CPLD:s. Haven’t measured for continuity/bridges yet, but it looks alright.

Question: There are pads for three 0603 parts on the board, and according to the BOM one of them is not needed (RCLKLOAD). The markings on the PCB are impossible to see, but I’m guessing it’s the one on the top side near the RAM CPLD? And that the 0603 caps that are to be placed are on the bottom side by the CPU and FPU?

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[kludge]

Checked the board file: yup. RCLKLOAD is the one on the top layer :)

[kludge]

God dangit. So... bridges. Hate ‘em.

Had a couple of bridges when I measured adjacent pins on the CPLD’s. One was caused by a solder bridge on one of the resistor networks and was easy enough to fix.

The other one... well. It was between AS20 and DS20. I first assumed that the problem was on the bus CPLD as the pins are right next to each other, and there was no continuity between either DS20 or AS20 and CBREQ.

I flussed and I flussed to no avail. Then I spotted that DS20 was bent somewhat on the RAM CPLD, and when I tried to fix that I... bent it more. In the wrong direction. And after I tried to correct that mistake the pin was not very happy. These things are small! 😄

So... Patched it with a thin wire, and the bridge is gone and continuity is once again restored between the RAM and bus CPLD’s.

Yeah yeah. I know. Chinese CPLD’s. Don’t use them. Especially for your first build.

Baptism by (terrible) fire. 🔥

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[exxos]

God dangit. So... bridges. Hate ‘em.

I have troubles with bridges everywhere on my stuff as well :( How do you remove them, braid ?

Yeah yeah. I know. Chinese CPLD’s. Don’t use them. Especially for your first build.

:lol: :thumbup:

[kludge]

God dangit. So... bridges. Hate ‘em.

I have troubles with bridges everywhere on my stuff as well :( How do you remove them, braid ?

On the resistor networks I just used flux and removed them with the iron. It usually works well. On the CPLD I don’t know what the hell happened. There was somehow a bridge to the pin one pin over. Which seems impossible. The solution obviously was to bend the pin into a pretzel and then patch it with a wire ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[sety]

I can't for the life of me get those CPLDs on straight. I've gone through several and I'm down to my last two! What is going on?

[kludge]

I can't for the life of me get those CPLDs on straight. I've gone through several and I'm down to my last two! What is going on?

I’m in no way an expert (well, duh), but I tinned one corner pad and then tried to align the CPLD to that pad (while checking that the legs on the other sides are aligned as well). Then I aligned the opposite corner and tacked that down as well. After that I needed some adjustments on the first corner. Then: flux, flux, flux and drag solder :)

But, as you probably can tell from this thread I don’t master this art form quite yet :)

Are you using a microscope?