- Free C++ Compiler - this is a very huge plus for me. I love abstractions, polymorphism, object-oriented concepts and design patterns.
- Lots of libraries - Reusability is the key, no need to reinvent the wheel
- Community support
- Cheap Ready to buy boards - There are lots of varieties (I have Due, Nano, and Mega). No need to design/etc your own PCB. Just buy and program.
Wednesday 30 December 2015
Jumping to Arduino
I had been using various microcontroller for 10+ years on a professional and hobbyist level ranging from 8-bit PIC, 16-bit NEC 78K0R, PowerPC and Arm Cortex M4 series. And I am currently sticking with Arduino (for hobby and personal projects) platform for the following reasons:
Friday 11 December 2015
Artec Power Brick CPB-12 Mod and Repair
Recently, I bought a faulty second hand Artec Power Brick CPB-12. When I plugged it in, the red and blue lights just blink slowly and it can not power a pedal. According to the seller, he talked to an Artec customer support and told him to change a capacitor inside the power brick to resolve the issue. So I did some troubleshooting and this is what I found out:
1. I did a DC voltage measurement on the switching supply adaptor and I found out that the voltage is not stable! 17V, then 0V, then 17V . The voltage is slowly fluctuating back and forth.
2. The power brick is working. However, my bench power supply keeps on tripping most of the time. It seems that there is a large inrush current due to the multiple filter capacitors on the brick. This will be an added stress to a power supply and must be resolved.
So I have two issues here. I need to repair the DC power supply and resolve the power bricks inrush current.
DC Power Supply Repair (Sorry no pictures)
I opened the Power Supply and I saw that the PC817 optocoupler and the TL431 regulator lifted from the PCB due to heavy rusting of the metal pins. Bought these two components from Farnell, soldered it and issue was resolved! A very stable 15V DC.
Power Brick's Inrush Current
I bought an NTC inrush current limiter from Farnell. As seen from the picture, I soldered the NTC inrush current limiter and problem was solved. My power supply never trips anymore.
1. I did a DC voltage measurement on the switching supply adaptor and I found out that the voltage is not stable! 17V, then 0V, then 17V . The voltage is slowly fluctuating back and forth.
2. The power brick is working. However, my bench power supply keeps on tripping most of the time. It seems that there is a large inrush current due to the multiple filter capacitors on the brick. This will be an added stress to a power supply and must be resolved.
So I have two issues here. I need to repair the DC power supply and resolve the power bricks inrush current.
DC Power Supply Repair (Sorry no pictures)
I opened the Power Supply and I saw that the PC817 optocoupler and the TL431 regulator lifted from the PCB due to heavy rusting of the metal pins. Bought these two components from Farnell, soldered it and issue was resolved! A very stable 15V DC.
Power Brick's Inrush Current
I bought an NTC inrush current limiter from Farnell. As seen from the picture, I soldered the NTC inrush current limiter and problem was solved. My power supply never trips anymore.
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