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Looking for TC4C board
BenKeith
Top  #101 Print Post
Posted on 03/29/2018 6:07 PM
Thanks, I had just found it myself, and changed it. They will now read in "F".
However, I realized that's just the bandaid. I have three of Jim's TC-4's so that makes using that bandaid not very practical. I will have to replace those A5 9800's with A0's. Good thing those are only about a $1.50 each.

Viliam, by the way, I got a better deal that you did from JLCPCB. I had them make 10 TC4-C boards that get delivered tomorrow. They charged me $20.54. Their $2 special price plus the shipping #18.54. I sent them an email and said that was still a good price, but it was kind of sneaky and underhanded. I got an email to day were they made an error and just refunded the full $20.54,
 
greencardigan
Top  #102 Print Post
Posted on 03/29/2018 8:38 PM
Thanks for the heads up Ben.

Viliam, your BOM has the A5 part listed. But the board sent to me seems to have the correct A0 part on it. The marking on my chip starts with LD which is the A0 part I understand based on the data sheet.
 
Will2
Top  #103 Print Post
Posted on 03/30/2018 8:22 AM
Yes, you are right,
I bought this piece:
https://www.digik...-ND/665669

this partlist (with: https://www.digik...-ND/665670) has got from me only You and Simon (sethyrish),
I have to warn Simon.
Edited by JackH on 03/30/2018 12:46 PM
Viliam
 
Will2
Top  #104 Print Post
Posted on 03/31/2018 5:51 AM

Quote

greencardigan wrote:
... the board sent to me seems to have the correct A0 part on it. ...


I have chosen the same first two letters as on TC4 from Jim.

up.picr.de/32258237qx.jpg
Viliam
 
BenKeith
Top  #105 Print Post
Posted on 04/09/2018 4:14 PM
Well, I just finished populating one of those 10 the TC4-C boards I had made and it looks promising. Still needs the LEDs installed and a power jack but just sitting here on the bench running RoastLogger, everything is working like it's supposed to.
 
Will2
Top  #106 Print Post
Posted on 04/14/2018 6:12 PM
Good luck Ben,
in addition to the TC4 board, it was necessary to make the ZCD and LCDapter 20x4.
They are already working in some countries of the world.

up.picr.de/32397287co.jpg
Viliam
 
BenKeith
Top  #107 Print Post
Posted on 04/14/2018 9:19 PM
DHL is supposed to be delivering 10 display adapter boards Monday.
I did the same as you on the buttons. I made the board a little larger so you could use the 2004 LCD without covering up the buttons and LED.s and included mounting holes for both the 1602 and 2004. I also made it to piggy back on the TC4C I made. If things work out, my plan is to change everything over to the TC4C and do away with the Arduino R3 boards and the TC4 Shield's

I have plenty of ZCD's I made a long time ago, plus I'm working on a SSR board that has both SSR's and the ZCD built into one board.

Things are kinda slow working on that stuff for now, Weather has finally gotten to where I have a bunch of other projects to get done, like getting the garden planted, the wood fired oven finished and the bass boat running, plus bunches more.
 
mg512
Top  #108 Print Post
Posted on 04/29/2018 2:41 PM
I have a few of my TC4-compatible boards available now. So if anyone is still looking for boards, I've got a handful. Since it's not exactly the same as the TC4, I thought it might be better to open a new thread for these.

https://forum.hom...post_65572
Edited by mg512 on 04/29/2018 3:09 PM
 
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tingsten
Top  #109 Print Post
Posted on 05/08/2018 3:35 PM
Hello All,
After 1 year of roasting with a simple POCORN machine+Pid i am building an automatic roasting machine based on Stir Crazy+Turbo hooven. For control I am going for Arduino+custom electronic (I need ZCD for AC fan I think). TC4 board would be a very good base for this project. However, it seems that it is now a bit difficult to buy board since Jim doesn't sell anymore.....
Anyone would have 1 shield that he could sell (with or without component)?

Otherwise I can order/make some based on Gerber provided by Will2 (and send to people if somebody need).

Thx you in advance and have a nice day,
R?mi
Edited by tingsten on 05/08/2018 3:48 PM
 
Will2
Top  #110 Print Post
Posted on 05/08/2018 4:35 PM
Currently is available in California at trebla (member of this forum) 1 piece TC4 V6.01 and 1 piece ZCD.
I sent him two pieces, but he probably only needs one piece.
Viliam
 
mg512
Top  #111 Print Post
Posted on 05/08/2018 8:27 PM
I have a number of boards available as well. Not technically TC4, but 100% TC4-compatible. See link a few posts up for details or message me.

-edit: Oh, on re-reading your post I see that you need a ZCD - I don't have those for now. But if you're interested in making one the schematics are readily available.
 
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KSkip
Top  #112 Print Post
Posted on 05/09/2018 1:02 AM

Quote

mg512 wrote:

I have a number of boards available as well. Not technically TC4, but 100% TC4-compatible. See link a few posts up for details or message me.

-edit: Oh, on re-reading your post I see that you need a ZCD - I don't have those for now. But if you're interested in making one the schematics are readily available.


Hey! Do you have any pictures or a website with more info on this? I'm a bit curious and I'd like to dig a bit deeper before I buy one!

Thanks
 
mg512
Top  #113 Print Post
Posted on 05/09/2018 11:06 AM
I don't have a separate website for this yet, but I'll try to write down more detailed information as soon as a I get the chance. In the mean time there's more info in my other thread, see below for a link. There's a couple of extra pictures and schematics in the attached zip file. Any more questions feel free to ask away.

https://forum.hom...post_65572
 
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mg512
Top  #114 Print Post
Posted on 06/30/2018 8:13 AM

Quote

BenKeith wrote:

Yep, yours definitely has caps on it. I guess it depended on what day of the week it was when you got a board from him. I've gotten four or five over the years from 5.3 to 7.01 and none of them have ever had anything on those pads, resistors or caps. I would be interesting to know what value caps he used. I had considered adding 1pf and a 10pf for that small one, but I figure I've never had a problem so why fix what ain't broke.
As for different versions, by different people, I think all this interest in making your own has come about from the fact it seems Jim has abandoned them. Like I mentioned before, that's the only reason I've made my own.
As for other boards, the only ones I know of are the blank 4.0 board and the 6.0.


Quick update: I've just desoldered those capacitors on my TC4 to measure them, and it looks like the small ones are 10nF (between positive and negative of each channel) and the big ones are 100nF (between +/- and ground). Just in case that's still of interest.
 
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greencardigan
Top  #115 Print Post
Posted on 07/07/2018 5:03 AM
I've just finished my first TC4 build. It was my first time doing SMD soldering but I found it quite doable using a hot air reflow gun.

I have spare parts and will potentially build some more to sell.
greencardigan attached the following image:
screenshot_20180707-200422_01.jpg
 
BenKeith
Top  #116 Print Post
Posted on 07/10/2018 1:45 PM
Brad, the easiest way I've found to solder them is to use the stencil to apply the proper amount of solder.
Position all the SMD's on the board
Have a hot plate with a sold surface preheated to approx. 420 degrees F and use a thin metal spatula to gently place/slide the board onto the center of the hotplate.
When all components look like the solder has properly melted under them, I gently slide the spatula under the board, holding the board with something to keep it from sliding, and sitting if off to the side to cool.
I've tried different methods the monitor the board temp to see when it gets to approx. 380 degrees but nothing has worked very well. I've found the visual observation works well.
After cooling, I inspect them for bridges and use the iron to make any repairs but that's seldom needed, sometimes on the TC4C.
If you didn't order the template with the boards, you just have to figure out just how little solder it takes to be too much when doing the IC's. I have the stencil for my TC4 but somehow I ended up without one for the TC4C's and they are a bit of a pain. The first TC4C I did I ended up with beads of solder under the chips. I ended up taking all the chips off, cleaning them and the board and redoing them to get it to work.
 
renatoa
Top  #117 Print Post
Posted on 07/10/2018 3:23 PM
What about a non smd version of the shield, using the DAC chip already soldered on a small raiser board, like this:
https://www.ebay....2644239450
 
BenKeith
Top  #118 Print Post
Posted on 07/10/2018 5:51 PM
That's only the ADC There are other items needed to make it usable.
If you are a programmer, there are a number of options available to build a controller. I know electronics but not programming, so like many others on here have to stick with what's available for a program and stick with what works with that program.
 
greencardigan
Top  #119 Print Post
Posted on 07/10/2018 6:58 PM
Thanks Ben, I may experiment with a hot plate or oven when I find one to use.

I didn't get a stencil as Viliam sent these to me. If I order some myself I will get a stencil. However I found using a solder paste syringe with a fine nozzle and hot air reflow worked well for me. A bit slow, but I would not hesitate doing it this way again. Luckily my eyesight is still sharp.
 
renatoa
Top  #120 Print Post
Posted on 07/11/2018 2:10 AM
Is the only SMD component in TC4 shield, everything else can be sourced in pass through classic solder version, much more suitable for home electronics.
Someone can redesign the TC4 board for pass-through holes, and plug this chip board as a DIL IC in a socket, or just soldered.

Quote

BenKeith wrote:

That's only the ADC There are other items needed to make it usable.
If you are a programmer, there are a number of options available to build a controller. I know electronics but not programming, so like many others on here have to stick with what's available for a program and stick with what works with that program.


PS: what are the other options, to build ?
Would be nice to have an actual list of every available choice...
 
mg512
Top  #121 Print Post
Posted on 07/11/2018 4:21 AM
I have found that a stencil is mostly useful for speed, and precision for SOIC components (i.e. the ADC and EEPROM). Resistors and the like are fairly easily done by hand. Personally I have had much better results with a hot air gun than with a hot plate, so I wouldn't sweat it too much.

Regarding a through-hole version of the board, I imagine it might be a matter of who would make one. Probably most people who have the skills to design a PCB also have the skills to do SMD soldering.

Also, just to be clear: please feel free to think of my CR3 board as a "TC4 v8.00". My intention with making them available is very much to meet the demand for TC4 boards. It's just that I had my own design already lying around, so I decided to just go with that one instead of whatever older version of the TC4 I could have found online. The board is literally a TC4 with some additional, optional extras. Not that I mean to discourage anyone from building their own TC4 - it's really good fun! But just in case I hadn't made it clear enough what the CR3 was: If you're just looking to get a TC4 without any hassle, that is what the CR3 is there for. I could also include a pre-programmed Arduino if someone was after a TC4C.
 
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Elwynn
Top  #122 Print Post
Posted on 07/16/2018 9:25 PM
Hey I don?t want to hijack this forum. I?m completely new to forums. I noticed y?all hav had a time contacting Jim too. I?ve been wanting to run my roaster off a computer to get more consistent roasts so I gave Jim a call. I bought a ZCD board from him because he had some on hand. He was fixing to go on vacation and he said it would be October before any TC4C?s would be available. I tried calling him numerous times since then with no response. I?m getting desperate. Where can I find one?
 
greencardigan
Top  #123 Print Post
Posted on 07/16/2018 11:57 PM
I think we've all come to the realisation that Jim is no longer making boards. You're probably best using a TC4 or compatible board and Arduino Uno instead of a TC4C.

The good news is that TC4 boards and other compatible boards are available from forum members here. I've built a TC4 board and will be building some more in the next few weeks.
 
mg512
Top  #124 Print Post
Posted on 07/17/2018 10:32 AM

Quote

Elwynn wrote:

Hey I don?t want to hijack this forum. I?m completely new to forums. I noticed y?all hav had a time contacting Jim too. I?ve been wanting to run my roaster off a computer to get more consistent roasts so I gave Jim a call. I bought a ZCD board from him because he had some on hand. He was fixing to go on vacation and he said it would be October before any TC4C?s would be available. I tried calling him numerous times since then with no response. I?m getting desperate. Where can I find one?


It indeed looks like Jim isn't in business anymore. I might have been one of the, if not the, last ones to receive a TC4 from him last September. I have since then designed my own board that incorporates a few additional features alongside those of the TC4, and have made those available since a number of people were looking for boards on here. See my separate thread for details:

https://forum.hom...post_65572

If you were looking for the TC4C because you don't want to mess with the Arduino etc., I could send you a complete package with my board atop a pre-flashed Arduino - that would be a direct drop-in replacement for a TC4C.
 
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