Mini³ Step by Step Build Log - UPDATED 3/20 (56k Warning!)

[Ashkii21]

Wow these pictures will be helpful in the future when I build a mini^3. So is a Mini^3 easier to build than a BantamDAC? I've only built cmoys and have not tired soldering smd yet. Now I think I may try this first instead of a Bantam.

 

[ranwill]

I just finished my Mini3 and it sound great. Neither of the LEDs light up though. I have them installed correctly I believe - long leg to the positive hole with the line next to it.

The RLEDs are the correct value.

Any ideas on how I can diagnose this?

Thanks,

Randy

 

[johnwmclean]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ranwill /img/forum/go_quote.gif I just finished my Mini3 and it sound great. Neither of the LEDs light up though. I have them installed correctly I believe - long leg to the positive hole with the line next to it. The RLEDs are the correct value. Any ideas on how I can diagnose this? Thanks, Randy

You’ve got them the wrong way the line indicates negative.

 

[MisterX]

Quote:

long leg to the positive hole with the line next to it.

You're LEDs are backwards.

The hole with the line next it is the short lead or - lead or cathode lead (however you want to say it)

 

[ranwill]

Well, Duh!

Hey Mr X, nice to see a fellow Michigander. We'll see if that fixes it.

Thanks

 

[audiomonkey]

does anyone sell a mini3 kit?

 

[Lil' Knight]

AMB Labs Kits - Glass Jar Audio

 

[wallace]

I am just about to start building mine,can anyone think of a reason why i can't us a 9v snap on connector,instead of the supplied solid arms,which seem to cause the most trouble on the build.I don't intend to use it as a mobile amp,just in the bedroom,so it won't get shook around to much.,(I hope)

 

[m1abrams]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallace /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am just about to start building mine,can anyone think of a reason why i can't us a 9v snap on connector,instead of the supplied solid arms,which seem to cause the most trouble on the build.I don't intend to use it as a mobile amp,just in the bedroom,so it won't get shook around to much.,(I hope)

Only issue I can think of is clearance issue. Those snapons tend to be a little larger than the battery. You really have 0 clearance above and below the battery which is why the arms have to be trimmed to fit. I actually had to sand my battery a bit.

The arms do not cause any problem them self other than the trimming stage which is pretty easy to do. If you mount them backwards I could see that being an issue but just don't do that.

 

[amb]

Another drawback of using a wired battery snap instead of board-mounted clips is that the wire may break off the board from being stressed when you are testing and installing/removing the battery.

 

[Spacehead]

Why anybody hasn't noticed that there is a wrong regulator used.

Isn't the pinout different on 7812 from LM317T?

 

[timmyGCSE]

got most of my bits (apart from the circuit board and the rest from AMB) today, this guide will be most useful!!

now..one assumes that I don't have to have the LED's poking out of the case? I've bought them and stuff but looking at the case I'm not sure if it would ruin the asthetics of it, I mean, I don't think I will be silly enough to not realise if its turned on or if I have it plugged into the mains! so surely I could not drill the LED holes in the case and just leave them as 'stumps' on the PCB for diagnostics purposes? I mean technically of course I can do this but in terms of space..

 

[m1abrams]

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmyGCSE /img/forum/go_quote.gif got most of my bits (apart from the circuit board and the rest from AMB) today, this guide will be most useful!! now..one assumes that I don't have to have the LED's poking out of the case? I've bought them and stuff but looking at the case I'm not sure if it would ruin the asthetics of it, I mean, I don't think I will be silly enough to not realise if its turned on or if I have it plugged into the mains! so surely I could not drill the LED holes in the case and just leave them as 'stumps' on the PCB for diagnostics purposes? I mean technically of course I can do this but in terms of space..

No you do not need to see them. However the power one is handy for me letting me know when the battery is getting low because its brightness dims even before the music stops.

 

[timmyGCSE]

ah ok I'll consider what I'm going to do then, but thanks for the info

 

[Beftus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by amb /img/forum/go_quote.gif Another drawback of using a wired battery snap instead of board-mounted clips is that the wire may break off the board from being stressed when you are testing and installing/removing the battery.

How about applying a healthy amount of hot glue on the wires?