Hi, I have been working on an altimeter using a BMP 388 pressure sensor that logs data to a micro SD card. However I have encountered problems with my arduino microcontroller frying. I have fried two Arduino Nano 33 iot boards and have been unable to pinpoint the problem. The arduino's LEDs are still on but the port doesn't show up and I am unable to reset the board. My arduinos have broken when testing them on a 9 volt battery but after checking with multimeter I cannot see how I fried the board. I attached some pictures of my circuit and was wondering if anyone has any insight to why my boards are frying. Being a novice at soldering I was wondering if my bad technique could be to blame but take a look and tell me what you think, any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks! [IMG_0873] [IMG_0874] [IMG_0876]

The wire being used is too large, not appropriate. Use solid 30 AWG wire wrap wire. [image] Also, the solder looks suspicious :thinking: Do you use liquid soldering flux ? Here 28AWG (16 strands) is being used. [J]

The most likely things to kill an Arduino are excessive voltage or static discharge. Usually static discharge comes from your body... You walk across carpet (or something like that) and a charge builds-up on your body and when you touch something metal and you get a spark. But, you can damage electronics with a lower voltage that doesn't create a spark and that you don't see or feel. ...The chip just dies "for no reason" after you touch the circuitry Shorting the voltage regulator output or an output pin can also burn-out a chip, but usually the components will survive and work once the short is removed.

Hi, Do you know how I can avoid static discharge and tell if that is the problem I have been having? Thanks

Hi, I don't have a schematic for my design but I followed Adafruit's tutorials for wiring the sensors and micro SD card slot. The BMP 388 uses an SPI connection and I attach the 9 volt battery directly to ground to VIN. Before I connected the battery everything was working fine, and now the USB port is not showing up.

[image] diyaerospace: I don't have a schematic for my design Sure, but you can make one now.

[image] Share tips you have come across General Electronics Underside of stainless steel work surface. The stainless steel work surface is covered with teflon material. Clear heat shrink encapsulates the 2.2 mega ohm resistor. [5.jpg] [6.jpg] [7.jpg] [A.jpg] [8.jpg] [Schematic.jpg] [2]

One of the failure modes of the voltage regulators is shorting Vin to Vout.

[image] diyaerospace: The BMP 388 uses an SPI connection and I attach the 9 volt battery directly to ground to VIN. Spec sheet says Vin 3-5V dc ........ :upside_down_face: adafruit-bmp388.pdf (2.7 MB)

Hi, Are you using "Lead Free Solder" Are you using header sockets to plug the 33 into? If so, then check your connections with power OFF, BEFORE fitting the 33 with a DMM. Then power the project up BEFORE fitting the 33, check your power supply pins. When your are happy with the results, THEN turn OFF the power and plug the 33 in! Using a circuit diagram, you should be able to see what your DMM readings should be BEFORE applying power. Tom... :smiley: :+1: :coffee: :australia:

[image] diyaerospace: I don't have a schematic for my design And figuring it out from that menagerie sounds like a recipe for a headache! :face_with_raised_eyebrow:

Bad soldering frying arduinos?

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LarryD May 21, 2022, 10:20pm 9

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Bad soldering frying arduinos?

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