TF360 with Kipper2k riser

[Amigaz]

Just recieved my recapped CD32 motherboard and a newly built TF360 from John Hertell.

Last night I started putting my CD32 together with the Kipper2k riser and the TF360 and noticed that there is very little clearance between the TF360 and the top rf-shield. I've seen people have used rubber bumpers under their TF360 to prevent it shorting out on the rf-shield but in my case that is impossible. I have double checked that the rf-shield is fully seated. At the moment I could only insulate the top part of the rf-shield with some electrical tape to prevent it shorting the TF360 and the TF360 is not fully level but point upwards .. slightly.
Is this normal or do I have some weird top rf-shield in my CD32? :?

[supaduper]

There should be no problem with clearance when you put the TF360 into the CD32, the standoffs on the bottom of the TF360 only need to be a few mm above the components on the board otherwise it will lift the TF360 very high, and obviously if you have a fan or heatsink on the CPU then most times you will need to open the case to fit it.
and how have you got the CF/Sd card adapter arranged as it must hang off the TF360 like a tail and not be folded under the board

TF360 with active cooling.jpg

[Amigaz]

There should be no problem with clearance when you put the TF360 into the CD32, the standoffs on the bottom of the TF360 only need to be a few mm above the components on the board otherwise it will lift the TF360 very high, and obviously if you have a fan or heatsink on the CPU then most times you will need to open the case to fit it.
and how have you got the CF/Sd card adapter arranged as it must hang off the TF360 like a tail and not be folded under the board

TF360 with active cooling.jpg

Yes, I am aware that there isn't a clearance problem and I don't have that problem. My issue is that the TF360 isn't level.
I can see in your picture that your voltage regulator (?) is mounted on the top side of your TF360, mine is at the bottom and is one of the components that is touching the rf-shield right now and forcing the TF360 upwards a bit (see below picture)

thumbnail_IMG_0308.jpg

thumbnail_IMG_0307.jpg

[supaduper]

Yes that is why it is not level, the mini PSU is best put on top of the TF360, if you are good solderer you could switch it to the top

[Amigaz]

Yes that is why it is not level, the mini PSU is best put on top of the TF360, if you are good solderer you could switch it to the top

Yes, this must be the issue.
I wonder why he didn’t solder it in on the top side which should be best practice?

Unfortunately my soldering skills are close to none

[supaduper]

Chucky is great guy so I`m sure if you contact him he will sort this out for you

[terriblefire]

What is the actual issue? if it's not shorting there is no problem.

I put insulation tape on the RF shield on mine. it's better that the 360 is supported anyways.

[Amigaz]

What is the actual issue? if it's not shorting there is no problem.

I put insulation tape on the RF shield on mine. it's better that the 360 is supported anyways.

The issue is the CD32 booting only sometimes because the TF360 isn't properly seated in the k2k riser because the TF360 isn't level. If I move the TF360a but and try and boot it often works and is stable. All contacts are cleaned to perfection.
Because of the mini psu mounted under the TF360 the TF360 has circa 7-8mm clearance at the front part of the TF360 and circa 3mm at the back part of the TF360. On the other side of the TF360 the clearance difference is better and more within range.
I seems like the TF360 doesn't get enough proper contact in the k2k riser because of the issue described above.

[terriblefire]

The card doesn't need to be perfectly level. i've mine hanging at about 30 degrees and it's fine. i think you have a different issue

[go0se]

The angle that the TF360 is inserted at, shown in your photos *shouldn't* cause an issue as it looks close enough to horizontal to still give good contact.

Remove the top cover from the CD32 and then remove the top RF shield (if possible heat the metal tabs gently using a hairdryer or similar low temperature hot air source to avoid breaking them off when straightened) .

Support the TF360 from underneath (between the card and the motherboard) using some packing foam or other suitable soft dielectric. Position the card at what you consider to be completely level. You might also want to push the 360 to the extreme right or extreme left of the top riser socket before power on.

Test the partially disassembled CD32+TF360 repeatedly.

If the issue goes away then it likely was either the insertion angle or something was shorting off the RF shield. If the problem persists then it is due to something else.

Instability and intermittent boot problems on accelerated CD32s are often caused by a weak power supply being exposed by the extra load. If the issue can't be solved and you end up getting Chucky to sort the problem out the you might want to consider sending him your PSU as well so that can be eliminated.