I bought a Spirit Halloween cheap proton pack which I upgraded, and as a challenge to myself I decided to replace the electronics with what I’d hope to be a simple Arduino project. I just wanted the lights on the pack to do their thing, no sound or anything fancy, just turn on the battery (I chose one with a switch for this reason) and let the lights go. I got the pieces, conned my wife who did programming in college to write me up a program, tested it out with a testing kit I bought, and it worked beautifully. Learned the hard way not to trust the 5v pin after frying a couple of chips.
Here is where I’m at I bought
ElectroCookie Prototype PCB Solderable Breadboard
WS2812B RGB LED Rings 7 Bits 5050
Talentcell Rechargeable 12V 6000mAh/5V 12000mAh DC Output Lithium ion Battery
WS2812B RGB LED Strip
Nano V3.0, Nano Board ATmega328P 5V 16M Micro-Controller Board Compatible with Arduino IDE
UCTRONICS DC 9V 12V 24V to DC 5V 5A Buck Converter Module
I’ve soldered everything together but the chip isn’t turning on. I’ve confirmed it’s going into the vin and I have a ground, I even moved the ground just in case that was the problem. I’m almost at the point I’m thinking about daring to trust that 5v pin if it means this will work. I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong. The chip will turn on if I use the usb port and I’ve confirmed there is voltage moving breadboard. I’ve got one more chip from my three pack, although I’m really hoping I don’t have to start over again.
Edit - in this picture the power wires are not hooked up. I was going to hook up the 5v pin, and removed them, and then I thought I should ask for help before I did that.
I see only two spots on the extreme left end of the board that are properly soldered and they are likely from the manufacturing process. The board has plated-through holes for all connections. But where you have wires in the holes I can see NO solder wicking up through the holes where there are wires. Proper soldering will have solder wetting and wicking to the top of each hole. Not enough flux and not enough heat and possible too quick with the soldering iron.
Thank you, that actually explains quite a bit. my previous jobs were just LEDs attached to wire and an on/off switch so this has been a step up. I’ll go poke around YouTube for some tutorials on this. If you happen to know of a good one I’d appreciate the tip.
It sounds like you may have a bad solder connections. I recommend getting some materials to practice your soldering skills. From what I can see, you may not be heating the solder enough for it to flow properly, and you might not be using enough flux. Practicing on old boards will allow you to experiment without risking damage to valuable components.
Soldering Hints:
Use the Right Solder: I prefer 60/40 solder with a Rosin core flux because it’s easier to work with. DO NOT use Plumbing flux. For more information on different types of solder, you can check out this guide: Types of Solder.
Temperature Control Matters: Soldering is a basic skill in electronics, and mastering it is crucial if you plan to continue in this field. While inexpensive irons can melt solder, they often lack the precision needed for good results. Investing in a soldering workstation with temperature control is ideal. A poor iron will only do a poor job.
Practice Makes Perfect: Practice on old circuit boards to build your skills without risking damage to your current projects.
Lead-Free Solder Considerations: Note that lead-free solders require higher temperatures, and some older soldering irons may not reach the necessary heat. Ensure your equipment is up to the task.
