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FanPico Kit Assembly Instructions

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Timo Kokkonen edited this page Apr 8, 2023 · 12 revisions

This kit is rather easy to assemble, but some basic soldering skills are required (you may want to watch a video how to solder electronics and practice, before attempting to tackle this kit).

General Notes

Start with the 'lowest' (height) components and work your way to more taller ones.

Tools Needed

  • Temperature controlled soldering iron.
  • Solder (rosin core solder, thinner the better 0.5mm/0.20inch, etc...)

Optional stuff (for cleaning flux residue)

  • 90% isopropyl alcohol
  • soft brush (used toothbrush, etc.)

Assembling FanPico 0804 / 0804D

Before starting check that no parts are missing.

1. Install Pico / Pico W module (surface mounting)

If you decide to mount Raspberry Pi Pico permanently on the board, start by soldering it first. Otherwise, if you decide to mount female headers to mount Pico, then that can be done as last step.

Place Pico on the PCB. If not using Pico that has headers already soldered on then keep it aligned by using couple (3-pin) headers to temporarily hold it in place: IMG_7898

NOTE! Start by soldering one corner pad only.

  1. Solder first corner (GP0), then check alignment (and re-adjust if necessarily by re-melting the solder and fixing the alignment).

  2. Next, solder second (GP16 - diagonally opposite) corner, and double check alignment.

  3. Then remove the pin headers and solder all the remaining pads.

2. Install connectors

Next we'll want to install connectors.

  1. Place connectors (and the switch) on their places (if your kit contains different colored fan connectors, use the 4 different color ones as the "MBFAN" connectors)

IMG_7904

  1. Use piece of foam (or card board) to flip the PCB while keeping the loose connectors in place.

IMG_7905

  1. NOTE! Solder only one leg of each connector.

  2. Re-align each connector one by one, by remelting the solder and pushing in its place.

  3. After aligning all connectors, double check that everything looks good (last chance to easily fix things)

  4. Finally, solder remaining connector legs. Note, it is recommended to solder only one leg at a time on each connector and then moving on to the next one. As this will reduce risk of melting any of the plastic parts, that can happen if heating the connector too long...

3. Installing Jumpers

  1. First we'll want to prepare (11) jumpers by inserting the jumper links to them. This is not strictly necessary, but makes it easier to align the headers in the step #5.

Note! To avoid pins coming loose, push the jumper in place against a hard surface: IMG_7902

IMG_7903

  1. Next place jumpers on the PCB (optionally install 3 pin header on the Serial connector at this time as well)

IMG_7907

  1. Using piece of foam (or cardboard) flip the PCB over while keeping the jumpers in place

  2. Solder one pin one each connector first.

  3. One jumper at a time re-melt solder and make sure jumper is fully inserted and aligned correctly.

  4. Double check that all jumpers are aligned neatly.

  5. Solder the remaining pins.

4. Install Display (0804D only)

There is several options to install a OLED display module:

  1. Solder module directly on the PCB (this keep unit profile 'flat').

IMG_7914

  1. Solder 4-pin female header on the PCB (this allows easy installation/removal of the OLED module):

IMG_7910 IMG_7911

  1. Solder 4-pin male header (right-angle or straight) and then use a 4-pin female to female jumper cable to relocate the OLED display (a short distance away).

IMG_7917

5. Install headers for Pico

If you decided not to mount a Pico directly on the PCB, then it is possible to install two female headers allowing plugging in a Pico w/headers.

When soldering the female headers it is best to plugin headers to a Pico and then place them on the PCB to get them properly aligned.

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