Is it possible to replace fried PCMCIA connector ???

[Kakaboy]

Last night I inserted a PCMCIA card adapter into the PCMCIA slot and smoke started to pour out . The PCMCIA connector fried on one of the pins .
I have tried this card once before and it did not work , so I tried again last night and the above happened .
Is it possible to replace the connector ? If so where would I get one from ?

Please dont tell my im screwed and need a new motherboard

Any help from you good people is greatly appreciated .

http://eab.abime.net/attachment.php?...2&d=1272456330

[prowler]

See if you can get hold of a scrap (non-working) A1200 or A600 motherboard, and take the PCMCIA connector from that.

This will give you some practice at removing another PCMCIA connector before you attempt the one on your existing motherboard, to minimise the chance of lifting any pads.

[Kakaboy]

Originally Posted by prowler

See if you can get hold of a scrap (non-working) A1200 or A600 motherboard, and take the PCMCIA connector from that.

This will give you some practice at removing another PCMCIA connector before you attempt the one on your existing motherboard, to minimise the chance of lifting any pads.

Thanks Prowler, have you replaced one before ? what would you rate replcement difficulty ?

[prowler]

It will not be an easy job.

I have not replaced a PCMCIA connector before, but I have replaced 72-pin SIMM sockets, and I would rate them about the same in terms of difficulty.

You can destroy the one you are removing from your existing motherboard by carefully crushing and cutting away the plastic, so that the pins will just fall out of the motherboard when the joints are heated.

It goes not matter if you lift some of the pads from the donor motherboard whilst you are removing the replacement connector.

Then you should just clean up the pads on your existing motherboard, removing excess solder with solder wick in preference to a solder sucking tool and fit the new socket and solder it in.

Remove any flux from the board with isopropyl alcohol or methylated spirits to leave it looking clean.

It would be best to use a temperature-controlled soldering iron for the job.

[Kakaboy]

Originally Posted by prowler

It would be best to use a temperature-controlled soldering iron for the job.

What about SMD soldering station . I have a temp and air flow controlled heat gun that removes and resolders smd's . Wouldnt it be easier to use this due to multiple solder joints ?

Just realised the plastic mount will not take kindly to heat gun

EDIT: I do have a very small nozzle for it so I can always test it on removing the old one and see how it fairs .

[prowler]

Originally Posted by Kakaboy

What about SMD soldering station . I have a temp and air flow controlled heat gun that removes and resolders smd's . Wouldnt it be easier to use this due to multiple solder joints ?

Yes, this is always a preferred method if you have one.

Originally Posted by Kakaboy

Just realised the plastic mount will not take kindly to heat gun

In circumstances like this, it is recommended that you mask exposed, heat-sensitive parts from the heat gun using silver foil.

[Kakaboy]

Originally Posted by prowler

Yes, this is always a preferred method if you have one.



In circumstances like this, it is recommended that you mask exposed, heat-sensitive parts from the heat gun using silver foil.

Cheers Prowler .

Now on to find a connector

[fc.studio]

I have an A1200 with pin 44 and 43 missed in the IDE interface. Sorry about this 'cause this Amiga works perfectly, but I believe it could never have an hard drive.

[Zetr0]

Originally Posted by Kakaboy

Cheers Prowler .

Now on to find a connector

With a hot air re-work station this is relatively simple

ingredients -

• hot air
• solder sucker
• patience
• flux (paste) - I use copperlux, its awesome but by god its corrosive so CLEAN WELL!!!

Method

• Apply 5 minutes of 280c on the underneath of the board, gently oscilating around the pcmcia post. (air pressure - 3 out of 10) LOW
• Apply flux as you go
• Set the hot air to 360c .. just gently oscilating the gun around the port, maintain this for about 3 minutes
• Apply flux as you go
• Set the hot air to 380c... keep moving the gun, you will begin to notice that the solder in the pins of the port will begin to flow...
• suck up that solder with the solder sucker..
• Apply flux as you go
• Dont stay in one place to long, if you miss a suck, just got to the next one and come back in a bit.
• On stubborn Pins -
  
  • Apply flux
  • with the iron at 390c add some more solder to the pin. allow it to blend properly by counting 3 seconds "1000, 2000 3000"... now suck it up.
  • if this fails try again but with flux and fine solder wick.

All I can say is go slowly and be gentel and you will save the port and board.

REMEMBER ALWAYS CLEAN, both the PCB and component. most Fluxes are corrosive so have at it with IPA / Diluted Car Screen wash - worse case washing up liquid and water!

Originally Posted by fc.studio

I have an A1200 with pin 44 and 43 missed in the IDE interface. Sorry about this 'cause this Amiga works perfectly, but I believe it could never have an hard drive.

pin 43 is GROUND and pin 44 is /TYPE (a low is ATA)

http://pinouts.ru/HD/Ata44Internal_pinout.shtml

good luck =D

[desiv]

My question is, what smoked?

PINs from a connector don't usually smoke....
Was it (hopefully) the PCMCIA card you used?
Or did something on the motherboard other than the connector loose it's magic smoke?
I'd carefully look at the components...

desiv

[Kakaboy]

Thanks Zetro , Most informative

By rights should be able to pull the connector off in one go and clean solder afterwards .

[Kakaboy]

Originally Posted by desiv

My question is, what smoked?

PINs from a connector don't usually smoke....
Was it (hopefully) the PCMCIA card you used?
Or did something on the motherboard other than the connector loose it's magic smoke?
I'd carefully look at the components...

desiv

No Desiv magic smoke came from the plastic the connector is made of . The pin that runs thru shorted and bubbled the plastic directly above . Its stank the whole house out . My wife still thinks it was my flatulence
The Remainder of the pin is welded inside the PCMCIA card adapter .

Card adapter must be faulty .

[desiv]

Originally Posted by Kakaboy

No Desiv magic smoke came from the plastic the connector is made of . The pin that runs thru shorted and bubbled the plastic directly above .
The Remainder of the pin is welded inside the PCMCIA card adapter .

Card adapter must be faulty .

I hope so!
I find that the amount of heat required to melt/smoke plastic usually isn't to good for the electronics connected to either end of the pin.

But it could be... I've seen some seriously damaged looking electronics still work!

Good luck!

desiv

[Kakaboy]

Originally Posted by desiv

I hope so!
I find that the amount of heat required to melt/smoke plastic usually isn't to good for the electronics connected to either end of the pin.

But it could be... I've seen some seriously damaged looking electronics still work!

Good luck!

desiv

Fingers crossed . A1200 still works and worked fine without smoke till I inserted the card adapter . But your right the pin burned like a fuse wire and its not exactly a fine pin either .

[Loedown]

Your best bet is to look on Ebay for connectors and alike, Hong Kong is the flavour of the month or China, they usually have heaps of these sorts of things for very little and free postage.