Scorch marks on my falcon

[Iain]

This definitely wasn’t here when I started setting up for this Christmas a few weeks ago. I just went to install my controller and noticed this scorch mark. Does anyone know what this is and more importantly how I did it and what it means? Haven’t had time to power it on today but it was likely there 2 days ago when I did a full trial… only 500 12v pixels connected.

sorry I can’t rotate and circle the mark, I’m on my mobile…


I should mention I’ve used this for a few years, maybe 2 months in total over that time.

 

[Katekate]

those parts there are caps, based on the position I expect they would be after the 5v regulator for the processor parts of the board.

 

[AussiePhil]

Iain based on the C20x label that is a small surface mount capacitor most likely a MLCC, multilayer Ceramic Cap. they are known to crack and then they will fail short and burn, just like you have.
You could clean it up, and mount a replacement if the board isn't to damaged from the burn.

 

[Iain]

Eek so this is probably required before I use it? That’s beyond my ability I think… I forgot I did power it on for a minute earlier today and the display came up… I have a backup everything else but not a controller!

 

[AussiePhil]

thanks to Kate good pic here if you want to have a look http://www.brianhensley.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Falcon-F16v3-Controller-Free-to-reuse-pic.jpg
you have lost the two MLCC caps on the 5v reg, so yeah i would say it's best to fix before use and at the very least fully cleaned up. you may be ok as the reg is a switcher module and the board may function with those two caps

 

[AussiePhil]

For reference the it will burn is from this video showing the results and just how bad they can burn
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwdnGbI5ls8

 

[Iain]

Thanks Kate & Phil... any ideas how to identify the capacitor value? I couldn't find a wiring diagram... I also couldn't find anything similar at Jaycar, so that probably means postage which probably means a week to the NT...

I might have to watch how to clean up the board and dust off my soldering skills... Like I have time for it but the show must go on, hey?

 

[BAZMick]

means a week to the NT

I heard the NT = "Not Today, Not Tomorrow, Not Tuesday, and Not Thursday"

Check out RS Australia or Element14, maybe some others have some other good Australia based suppliers to suggest. I'll break out the magnifier in a moment and check the value for you.

 

[Iain]

I heard the NT = "Not Today, Not Tomorrow, Not Tuesday, and Not Thursday"

yep, that's basically it, and since flights have diminished, it's even worse.

Check out RS Australia or Element14, maybe some others have some other good Australia based suppliers to suggest. I'll break out the magnifier in a moment and check the value for you.

awesome, thanks

 

[BAZMick]

Couldn't see a valuee, but the tag is C201



Anybody know how I can measure with multi meter? Can't quite remember
Edit: around 13uF

 

[AussiePhil]

I'll break out the magnifier in a moment and check the value for you.

unless they have screen printed the value on the board you will likely have to measure it, might need to check with falcon support for the values of C201 and C202, you need a MM with capacitance meter, in circuit thou is nearly no go.
The other place to order from would be mouser au = x-on
my best guess is they are both 0.1uf they on the last photo they are thicker than a 0.1 and more like 0.47uf commonly used in those areas. have those as well
looking closer they may even be different values, one look slightly larger

 

[Iain]

Wow, so I emailed the support address for the falcon, and got a response within minutes:

10uF 50V X5R

Mouser and Element 14 have a bunch... too many options in fact!

 

[AussiePhil]

Wow, so I emailed the support address for the falcon, and got a response within minutes:

Mouser and Element 14 have a bunch... too many options in fact!

Did they also tell you the size ie 0805 or 1210 , important to know

 

[AussiePhil]

mmm seems like 10uF is only in 1210 anyway, no one seems to have single units available under 5 days despite the options

 

[Iain]

Pretty sure it’s 0805 but I’ll measure the good (less exploded) one when I get back to the board…