two small condensers (I think)

mikecw · Post by **mikecw** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 8:22 am

Hello

I bought a pulsar2 card via ebay. When check the card I notice that there where two little condenses in the package and not on the card. Can I damage the card when I use it without the two little parts?

Picture:

mikecw

alfonso · Post by **alfonso** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 9:43 am

I wouldn't absolutely use it!
Contact Creamware and see if they can fix it.

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 2:12 pm

those are (usually) buffering caps for the powerlines of some parts. It's not very likely that their absense flames the board, but a misfunction is highly probable.
Nevertheless I agree with Alfonso, it's a deilcate board so better safe than sorry and you couldn't rely on it anyway.

To resolder them you have to be ABSOLUTELY shure about the polarity (orientation) of those caps. You can check that from similiar positioned ones, as the board has a lot of 'multiplied' circuitry.
oops - the 'neighbours' on the pic already show how to

Should be easy to fix with a small tip soldering iron, looks like there's some space at the pads.

good luck, Tom

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: astroman on 2005-04-30 15:14 ]</font>

next to nothing · Post by **next to nothing** » Sun May 01, 2005 12:27 am

if a user can confirm the polarity, i would rather have a local radio shack do the soldering. saves u a LOT of time compared to returning it to CW.

especially if warranty is gone.

next to nothing · Post by **next to nothing** » Sun May 01, 2005 12:30 am

another thing:

if not stated as defunc on ebay, most european laws will give u the right to return the card to seller and give your money back.

Nestor · Post by **Nestor** » Sun May 01, 2005 1:36 am

It's crazy such a delicated thing is not well wraped into a propper box.
The best will be contacting Creamware, of course.

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Sun May 01, 2005 2:52 am

the polarity can be easily confirmed by the 2 identically placed caps on the right side of the pic - black side to the left.

this is not a transport damage, but a bad soldering.
If the pads would be properly soldered you cannot break them away even with force.
the problem (in the pictured situation) is that the caps require fairly much heat, while the other parts (DSPs and small SMDs) should get much less.

cheers, Tom

Post by **Guest** » Mon May 02, 2005 1:05 pm

You may get any local electronic shop to solder these back for you .it take few seconds. if you don't want to travel the distance to creamware.

mikecw · Post by **mikecw** » Mon May 02, 2005 3:10 pm

Hello

I have solder the two parts and the pulsar2 works. It was not very difficult but I had fear around the card already.

Thank you for help and support.

mikecw

Post by **hubird** » Mon May 02, 2005 3:43 pm