Velleman DC controlled dimmer (K8003)

Hi John,

I am not quite sure how to do the resistance check on the IC, I mean what
combination of pins I should be testing but I guess the schema should help.
I really suspect both the old IC and the replacement IC to be busted,
because the circuit worked for a while... and I tested all other components
since.

Your idea with the IC replacing is an excellent one, I will try that tonight
when I get home. I will sure let you know how I went.

Thanks again for your help.

Peter

"John Crighton" <john_c@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:3fcbc496.3618274@News.CIS.DFN.DE...
On Mon, 01 Dec 2003 21:46:04 GMT, "Peter Vlaciky"
peterv@catuity.com.au.delete> wrote:

Yes! That was the problem!

A standard globe worked. On the second kit. I am still puzzled by the
first kit not working.
But at least having one working kit I am one step further.

Thank you for your advice.

Peter

Hello Peter,
you are making progress, Great!
Here is a suggestion for getting the second kit
to work. Mark the ICs on the good unit with say a G
Mark the ICs on the suspect unit with say an S
Remove the ICs from both units and do resistance
checks of the components. Comparing the dud unit
to the bad unit.
Do resistance checks of the tracks also.
Investigate any differences.
Swap each set of ICs from bad to good unit and
see if the fault follows the set of ICs.
Test again.
Let us know how you get on.
Fun isn't it!

Regards,
John Crighton
Hornsby
Click to expand...
 
On Tue, 02 Dec 2003 02:32:41 GMT, "Peter Vlaciky"
<peterv@catuity.com.au.delete> wrote:

Hi John,

I am not quite sure how to do the resistance check on the IC,
Click to expand...
Hello Peter,
sorry mate, I should have explained clearer.
With the chips removed from both boards. Do resistance
checks on the components of both boards. You are
comparing the suspect board (less ICs) with the known
good board (less ICs). Including continuity checks of the
tracks, solder joint to solder joint, maybe there is a bad
joint or a cracked track, wrong value component fitted or
shorted track. I know that you have inspected the board
visually. Well we are doing it again with an ohm meter.
Comparing one board against the other.
Measure say R1 on the good board, make a note of
the ohmeter reading, measure R1 on the bad board.
Are the readings the same? If not, find out why.
You get the idea now.

To test the ICs from the suspect Kit.
Get your good kit up and running.
Remove a known good IC from the good kit
and fit one of the suspect ICs to the good kit.
Check to see if the good kit still works.
If it still works, mark that IC good also.
Do the same with the other suspect IC, fit
it to the known good kit and check that the
good kit still works.

Keep at it Peter, you are nearly there.

Regards,
John Crighton
Hornsby heights
 
"Peter Vlaciky" < wrote


Well, I assume that there is a flaw in the design either in the kit
itself,
or maybe in the TEA IC.The reason I suspect that is because:
a) DSE has stopped importing this unit
b) the TEA chip is no longer being manufactured
c) the first kit only lasted for 2 days
d) a while back I contacted Velleman and they sent me a replacement
TEA
IC and at the same time said that they were working on a new design




*** That is NOT what you wrote :-

"A friend of mine suspects that the kit has a bad design to start off
with,could that be true?"

And again:-

"I find it really strange that testing all components (out of the
circuit too) and replacing both chips did not fix the problem."

And again:-

"That is why I am thinking that the kit has some design flaw and
therefore
only works for a short time."

:The reason I suspect that is because:
a) DSE has stopped importing this unit

***** Does this mean the kit was flawed


b) the TEA chip is no longer being manufactured

***** Does this mean the kit was flawed.


c) the first kit only lasted for 2 days

***** Does this mean the kit was flawed?


d) a while back I contacted Velleman and they sent me a replacement
TEA
IC and at the same time said that they were working on a new design


***** Does this mean the kit was flawed?
Of course it doesn't!
It means that Vellerman moved on and provided a new kit that did not
require the now obsolete TEA IC.



" However I must admitt that I used a "pigtail neon" globe yesterday and
I was told since that it
does not behave like an ordinary globe. I will try a normal globe
tonight."


****Why would you want to build a dimming kit to try dim a neon lamp??



Meanwhile it turned out that my second kit is actually working, I just
had
to use a bigger globe.


***** Since when has anyone made a bigger Neon "globe"?

As for my knowledge of electronics and playing with 240V... well just
because I don't know much about circuits or design, I am not a dummy
either.


***** Could've fooled me!!!!!!



Methinks you haven't got a clue and you continue to protest that you
do!!!!
Take your moronic self justification elsewhere.

Brian Goldsmith.
 
If you can't be constructive, why bother?


"Brian Goldsmith" <brian.goldsmith@nospamecho1.com.au> wrote in message
news:_fYyb.36139$aT.6295@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
"Peter Vlaciky" < wrote


Well, I assume that there is a flaw in the design either in the kit
itself,
or maybe in the TEA IC.The reason I suspect that is because:
a) DSE has stopped importing this unit
b) the TEA chip is no longer being manufactured
c) the first kit only lasted for 2 days
d) a while back I contacted Velleman and they sent me a replacement
TEA
IC and at the same time said that they were working on a new design




*** That is NOT what you wrote :-

"A friend of mine suspects that the kit has a bad design to start off
with,could that be true?"

And again:-

"I find it really strange that testing all components (out of the
circuit too) and replacing both chips did not fix the problem."

And again:-

"That is why I am thinking that the kit has some design flaw and
therefore
only works for a short time."

:The reason I suspect that is because:
a) DSE has stopped importing this unit

***** Does this mean the kit was flawed


b) the TEA chip is no longer being manufactured

***** Does this mean the kit was flawed.


c) the first kit only lasted for 2 days

***** Does this mean the kit was flawed?


d) a while back I contacted Velleman and they sent me a replacement
TEA
IC and at the same time said that they were working on a new design


***** Does this mean the kit was flawed?
Of course it doesn't!
It means that Vellerman moved on and provided a new kit that did not
require the now obsolete TEA IC.



" However I must admitt that I used a "pigtail neon" globe yesterday and
I was told since that it
does not behave like an ordinary globe. I will try a normal globe
tonight."


****Why would you want to build a dimming kit to try dim a neon lamp??



Meanwhile it turned out that my second kit is actually working, I just
had
to use a bigger globe.


***** Since when has anyone made a bigger Neon "globe"?

As for my knowledge of electronics and playing with 240V... well just
because I don't know much about circuits or design, I am not a dummy
either.


***** Could've fooled me!!!!!!



Methinks you haven't got a clue and you continue to protest that you
do!!!!
Take your moronic self justification elsewhere.

Brian Goldsmith.
Click to expand...
 
Hi John,

I have some very good news!

First I tried my ICs from the broken kit in the new kit. They all worked
fine.
Then I proceeded to measuring resistance in various places of the circuit as
you suggested. About 10 minutes later, bingo! I found a spot where the
connection wasn't 100%. I resoldered that spot and everything is working
fine now! Excellent!

Once again I would like to thank you for your help and patience. I am so
glad I have both kits working now but also that I have learned a few more
things about troubleshooting circuits.

Thank you very much,

Peter


"John Crighton" <john_c@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:3fcc084d.2054148@News.CIS.DFN.DE...
On Tue, 02 Dec 2003 02:32:41 GMT, "Peter Vlaciky"
peterv@catuity.com.au.delete> wrote:

Hi John,

I am not quite sure how to do the resistance check on the IC,

Hello Peter,
sorry mate, I should have explained clearer.
With the chips removed from both boards. Do resistance
checks on the components of both boards. You are
comparing the suspect board (less ICs) with the known
good board (less ICs). Including continuity checks of the
tracks, solder joint to solder joint, maybe there is a bad
joint or a cracked track, wrong value component fitted or
shorted track. I know that you have inspected the board
visually. Well we are doing it again with an ohm meter.
Comparing one board against the other.
Measure say R1 on the good board, make a note of
the ohmeter reading, measure R1 on the bad board.
Are the readings the same? If not, find out why.
You get the idea now.

To test the ICs from the suspect Kit.
Get your good kit up and running.
Remove a known good IC from the good kit
and fit one of the suspect ICs to the good kit.
Check to see if the good kit still works.
If it still works, mark that IC good also.
Do the same with the other suspect IC, fit
it to the known good kit and check that the
good kit still works.

Keep at it Peter, you are nearly there.

Regards,
John Crighton
Hornsby heights
Click to expand...
 
"Peter Vlaciky" wrote

I have some very good news!

First I tried my ICs from the broken kit in the new kit. They all
worked
fine.
Then I proceeded to measuring resistance in various places of the
circuit as
you suggested. About 10 minutes later, bingo! I found a spot where the
connection wasn't 100%. I resoldered that spot and everything is
working
fine now! Excellent!

***** Aukk,the sky is falling,auk, the kit is flawed, auk,Dick Smith are
wrong,auk,the TEA manufacturer is wrong,auk,Vellerman are wrong,auk,the
sky is falling,auk!!!!!!!!!!

Brian Goldsmith.
 
"Peter Vlaciky" <peterv@catuity.com.au.delete>

" I resoldered that spot and everything is working fine now! Excellent! "


" Out damn SPOT ! "




........... Phil
 
"Phil Allison" <philallison@optusnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:3fcd2f71$0$13498$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
"Peter Vlaciky" <peterv@catuity.com.au.delete

" I resoldered that spot and everything is working fine now! Excellent!
"


" Out damn SPOT ! "




.......... Phil

Alas poor soldering - I knew it well.
Click to expand...

Ken
 
"Ken Taylor" <
"Phil Allison"
"Peter Vlaciky"

" I resoldered that spot and everything is working fine now!
Excellent!
Click to expand...


" Out damn SPOT ! "
Click to expand...

Alas poor soldering - I knew it well.

Ken
Click to expand...

** "There is something rotten in the state of Denmark - er maybe it was
actually Belgium ....... "




............ Phil
 
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