First Build - Aion Aurora 125B

[jugglindan]

If there are enough people on the forum that are here in Aus I was actually wondering about us doing a forum order to minimise shipping costs. Shipping time was around 4 weeks for mine.

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I would be interested in that, but we would have to make sure that local shipping to split the order doesn't erode the savings. For those in Canberra we could probably arrange something.

[Joe Garfield]

Yeah shipping within the USA (including Hawaii, the 50th state) is relatively unaffected. I’m not making anymore international purchases (besides the second custom guitar I just ordered from Adam . )

I still need the 6 (chips?) that should be arriving tomorrow from Mojotone.

[jugglindan]

I hope the build goes well. And I am a little envious since I am still waiting on a bunch of op amps and other parts. It's been ages ...

[Joe Garfield]

It’s going on 7 weeks for my initial PSH-1 order from Adam, if that makes you feel any better

Thanks, I”m looking forward to getting started on this one. I don’t feel to anxious about soldering to the board, so I guess that’s good!

Do I need to solder both sides of the board?

[Woltz]

It’s going on 7 weeks for my initial PSH-1 order from Adam, if that makes you feel any better

Thanks, I”m looking forward to getting started on this one. I don’t feel to anxious about soldering to the board, so I guess that’s good!

Do I need to solder both sides of the board?

Yes the pots, led, switch and footswitch are soldered to one side. Caps, resistors etc the other side. Doubt you'll have any issue following the build guide. I found Aion's instructions to be very clear.

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[Joe Garfield]

Oh, thanks - so each component is only soldered at one side, right? That's what I mean - I know there are things like multi-layer boards that need solder on both sides for some components. I don't see anything in the instructions about this - there really aren't any instructions although there are some 'general build notes' in the documentation for the older Aurora.

[Woltz]

Oh, thanks - so each component is only soldered at one side, right? That's what I mean - I know there are things like multi-layer boards that need solder on both sides for some components. I don't see anything in the instructions about this - there really aren't any instructions although there are some 'general build notes' in the documentation for the older Aurora.

Oh right. Yes each component is only soldered on one side. Have a look at some of the pcb soldering videos on YouTube. It'll give you an idea of how to approach it. You may want to get something to clean the residual flux off the pcb as well after you've finished soldering.

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[jugglindan]

In general, you insert all components from the front of the board and solder at the back. On your board, the front is the side with all the component names screen-printed onto it (R10, C3, IC1 etc). But because your board is tinned through the holes, you will see solder flow right through the hole so it can look like the component was soldered from both sides. Here's a blurry (sorry!) photo of my Julius Squeezer board. On the germanium diode (top left) the effect of solder flowing through from the back is quite visible.


A good trick is to put a bit of tape (masking, electrical, doesn't matter) on the components after inserting them in the board so they stay put when you flip the board to solder. Although you can do multiple components at once this way, I prefer the slow and steady method of soldering 1 component at a time. Double check the component value, bend leads to right length, insert, double check placement, tape, flip, solder, inspect solder joins with magnified desk lamp. Then rinse and repeat. I also like to work from smaller components to larger, so the larger ones don't get in the way when inserting the smaller. So typically, resistors, diodes, small caps, sockets (ICs, transistors), large caps, and then pots and off-board wiring.

These are all just my preferences, but I find being systematic helps prevent errors.

[Joe Garfield]

Thanks guys! I think I saw Woltz's board with the solder wicking through so that's why I was asking.

[Andy40]

I really really want to build this pedal.........