Bastl Instruments Spa User manual

lastupdate:6.5.2016
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SPA(GRANDPAEXPANDER)v1.1AssemblyGuide
bastlinstruments.com
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INTRODUCTION
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This guide is for building Spa module from Bastl Instruments. It is good to have basic soldering skills and                  
to be able to identify electronic components before starting this kit. However if you have never soldered                
before, check out this tutorial first . We even included some of the best quality solder we have found to                 
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helpyousoldereverythingfasterandbetter.
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The Spa module consists of two boards. All the parts comes in three bags separated for Top board,                 
BottomboardandAssemblyparts.SeeBillofMaterials(BOM)fordetailedlist.
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1http://www.instructables.com/id/Howtosolder/
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Beforestartingthiskit,preparethefollowingtools:
● Solderingiron(1520W)
● Multimeter
● Flushcutters
● n2.hexscrewdriverorallenkey(enclosedwithkit)
● Phillipsscrewdriver(cross)
● WrenchNo.8
● Protectiveeyewear
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We suggest that you work in a clean and a well lit and ventilated environment to avoid accidents or                  
losinganyofthesmallcomponents.
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Alsobrieflygothroughthisguideandmakesurethatyouunderstandallthesteps.
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2

BOTTOMBOARD
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Let’s start with the bottom board. Solder in the 10k resistor. Then snip the leads as close to the PCB as                    
you can (be sure to make this step on all remaining leads in the course of this guide). Then do the same                     
with the diode (1N4007). Be careful, diodes are polarized! Make sure that the marking ring on the               
diodebodymatchesthemarkingonthecircuitboard.
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Next place and solder the IC sockets (8 pin, 14 pin and 28 pin). Notice the notch on them. Make sure                   
thatitisinthesamedirectionastheprintingontheboard(thesocketsareallorientedthesameway).
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Proceedtosolderingthenextcomponentsinthefollowingorder:
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7805 voltage regulator (bend its legs as close to the body as possible, at a right angle to make                  
surethatitliesflatonthecircuitboard)
 Six100nFceramiccapacitors(marked“104”)
 One16MHzresonator(theorangecomponentwith3leads)
 Two 10μF electrolytic capacitors (watch out, these ones are polarized! There is a plus (+)              
signonthePCBthatshouldmatchthelongerleadofthecapacitor)
 One protective fuse (marked “PTC” on board; be careful, they look quite similar to           
capacitors).
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3

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Turn around the PCB and insert     
and solder the male   
pinheaders (6 pin, 2x5 pin). Be     
careful to solder the pinheaders    
straight! You may first solder    
one of the pin, then take the      
board in your hand and reheat     
that pin while pressing down on     
the header to align it. Wait for it       
to cool and solder the rest of the       
pins.
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Now you can insert three ICs into the sockets (MCP6002, MCP6004, Atmega). Watch out for              
orientation! There is a notch on the ICs that should match with the notch on the sockets. Install also the                   
smallnutandscrewonthevoltageregulator.
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TOPBOARD
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Now populate the top board. Take your time and find the values of remaining resistors using a               
multimeter (or you can check the color codes if you are seasoned enough). There are eight of them to                  
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solder(4x100R,2x1k,2x100k).
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Prepare female pinheader with your flush cutters now. You       
need a 10 pin one. You will always lose one pin when cutting            
the female headers, so be sure to cut it always after the last            
required pin  check the picture to see where to cut to get 10             
pin).
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2https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/howtouseamultimeter/measuringresistance
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Toensurethattheheadersareproperlyaligned,screwthehex
screwandthe11mmspacer(nutnut)onbottomboard.Place
thefemaleheadersonbottomboardwiththemalepins
inserted.Connecttheboardstogetherandmountthemwiththe
otherspacer(10mmone,screwnut).Nowyoucansolderthe
headersonbothboards.
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Unscrew the spacer on top and disconnect the two boards. Next place the four potentiometers (B100k)              
to their respected places on the top board. Push them well until they sit absolutely flat on the board.                  
Thenplacethemonojacksandtheswitchontheboard.Don’tsolderanythingyet.
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Place the spacer back in the opening. Take the front panel, screw and mount it with the board. Check                 
that all the components came through. Secure the jacks to the panel with the washers and the nuts                
(keepinmindnottotightenthejacknutstoomuchasyoumaydamagethepanel!).
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Push the switches to be sure that they come through the panel. Make sure that everything is properly                
aligned.Nowyouarefinallyreadytosolderallthesecomponents.
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Thencutonelegofthejackconnector.
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Congratulations! You have made it through. Now just connect the bottom board, add the knobs, connect               
SpawiththeGrandpa(seethemanual)andyouarereadytoenjoyyournewmodule!
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6

Before you connect anything, make sure that your system is disconnected from power. Also double              
check the polarity of the ribbon cable, the red cable should match the 12V rail both on the module and                   
onthebusboard!
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TROUBLESHOOTING
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FirstcheckouttheDIYF.A.Q.
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Ifyouarehavingsomemoretrouble,thebestthingistotakeanap!Especiallylateatnight!
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If you are still in trouble you can send the detailed description of the problem with enclosed                
highresolutionphotosondiy@bastlinstruments.com.
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If you think that you are unable to make the module work on your own, consider our “Come to Daddy”                   
service.
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