It sounds like Stern also figured out how to give a level of protection to the solenoid and switch circuitry, which is a really good step forward with the move to SMD.
(Topic ID: 114530)
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I think the new Spike system is a good move forward, it certainly appears to be more fully featured than any other manufacturer's controller out there right now, especially if they've really bolstered the protection circuitry as the press release claims.
Quoted from thedefog:Are the LEDs and components on these SMD PCBs really that tiny that they cannot be replaced? I haven't run into trouble replacing SMD components on boards unless they get ultra-micro sized. Anyone with one of these boards ever have success replacing SMD parts? I'm curious.
Just looking at the pictures of the LED boards, the LEDs should be easily replaceable by anyone with the right tools.
I imagine we will start to see people get familiar with hot air stations and heating stations. I can do most surface mount stuff with that setup. It just takes patience and a different style. When I work on SMD, I get in the mindset of soaking the board with heat, not just the joints. You have to be more aware of temperature as well.
My workbench, a very controlled environment. You need proper light and magnification to be efficient at it. (At least my eyes do!) 
I imagine one of the new repair models will be to have spare boards, swap them out in the field, and repair boards back at a shop.
If I have to do something surface mount with more than a few pins, I use a preheater to soak the board up to a specific temp, then use the air station to push it up to the right temp for desoldering, then lift the chip off.
preheater.JPGQuoted from Eddie:Maybe being a tech at Modern has jaded me to a LED board system and daisy chained type circuits
Maybe the amount of play on Moderns machines are such an exception that its a moot point my concerns about repairability.
Time will tell and I hope my concerns will be laughed at and my job becomes a breeze with all new machines.
I hope things work out for the positive as well. I follow your daily failures at Modern through your posts, just because I think it's a treasure trove of real world failure modes. I think as time progresses we will see some lessons learned from the new systems and see how Stern/JJP compensate.
Quoted from chessiv:I doubt anyone would want to hack a woz machine but it always possible to do so.
It's funny you say that, because I think as more posts get made about how secure a system is, the more attractive it becomes as a challenge.
Quoted from benheck:Behold! Look how small a MOSFET can get... AND DESPAIR!
HAHAHAHAHA!IMG_20150107_133451874.jpg 100 KB
That I can solder.
It's the no-lead packages that give me fits. QFN and PQFN are two of my least favorite.
1 week later
Quoted from flynnibus:Because I love my lot rover my to because lots weighs less. Roll eyes....
What in the fuck? LOL
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