Ramsey Electronics SHA2 - Manual (Page 8)

SHA2 • 8
RAMSEY “LEARN-AS-YOU-BUILD” ASSEMBLY STRATEGY
Be sure to read through all of the steps and check the boxes as you go to be
sure you didn't miss any important steps. Although you may be in a hurry to
see results, before you switch on the power check all wiring and capacitors for
proper orientation. Also check the board for any possible solder shorts
and/or cold solder joints. All of these mistakes could have detrimental effects
on your kit - not to mention your ego!
Kit building tips:
Use a good soldering technique - let your soldering iron tip gently heat the
traces to which you are soldering, heating both wires and pads
simultaneously. Apply the solder to the iron and the pad when the pad is hot
enough to melt the solder. The finished joint should look like a drop of water
on paper - somewhat soaked in.
Mount all electrical parts on the topside of the PC board. This is the side that
has few or no traces on it, the side with the silkscreen writing. When parts are
installed the part is placed flat to the board and the leads are bent on the
backside of the board to prevent the part falling out before soldering (1). The
part is then soldered securely to the board (2-4), and the remaining lead
length is then clipped off (5). Notice how the solder joint looks close up, clean
and smooth with no holes or sharp points (6).