HELP - I've butched my VCI trying to change LEDs!!!

[r1chardell1s]

Hello guys.

Well, time for an update.

I got a friend of the family (An old school electronics engineer) to take a look at it. We managed to bridge the broken connections and replace the LEDs. However, the new LEDs were lighting only very slightly (Had to be pitch black to see the faintest of illumination from them. Nevertheless, I decided to put it back together and make do without the use of those non essential LEDs.

However, every time I put it back together and close it up, it shorts out. I get a warning from my Mac that the USB device attached is drawing to much power and the port has been deactivated to prevent damage - Bloody clever, those macs.

After explaining my process of removing LEDs - With the USB attached to see which way the LEDs should be replaced, my friend said that it's highly likely that I have fried some of the components.

Any suggestions people or is it buy a new VCI-100 time?

[r1chardell1s]

Bump!

[bcondemi]

Just to tell you, I tried changing the led's as well and messed up some of the connections. I spent some time and put back the original leds/fixed the connections with some wire and put it all back together (never to touch it again!) cause it works now.

Look up the youtube video on (vci-100 leds) and follow how the unit goes back together remembering the cardboard spacer to keep the upper board from shorting out agains the metal cover.

Failing that.....Yes buy one already modded for you :-)

good luck

BC

[r1chardell1s]

Hi.

Just to let you know, I ended up buying a completely new unit which I flashed to firmware version 1.3.

I'm probably going to transplant the electronics from this new VCI to my Arcade casing to enjoy the buttons again.

Just to reiterate, this project is not one for those who don't have experience in PCBs and soldering. Go practise on an old alarm clock first.

Also, can anyone confirm if the LEDs specified in the original DJTT Post were rated correctly for the job? I swear mine were too highly rated to work, but maybe by that point I'd fried the electronics.

[BradCee]

After explaining my process of removing LEDs - With the USB attached to see which way the LEDs should be replaced, my friend said that it's highly likely that I have fried some of the components.

i found a low voltage adapter that was enough to put a current through, then tested the led orientation on the back of the solders on the pcb first.

howevre had them the wrong way round to begin with and they were always on, got it sorted now though.

my project was slightly different as i was moving 2 of them to the middle of the faceplate, so soldered off the back of the existing leds. bigger pain than i expected, lol

[Mudo]

...

I'm not sure but about flickering leds maybe it is an issue about voltage of the new ones... maybe you fried some component (more photos?). They may be compatible with olds or recalculate resistance.


About soldering desoldering ghetto patching... your pics show a tipical overheat but nothing "disastreous". Some wiring and scalpel cleaning must be enough... so I think your leds are wrong.

...