SF Audio Detector failure :(

Sensors Environmental
1

Hi,

I am BRAND NEW to Arduino and Spark Fun.

PLEASE BEAR WITH ME…

Did the ‘Arduino Starter Kit’ and a few DIY from scratch projects, and wanted to build a sound-based ‘motion detector’ to turn on/off devices.

The problem is :

  • I either got a bad SF board, or

  • I screwed up the most BASIC thing.

The built in LED SOUND chip either doesn’t come on, or comes on and stays on (hangs), or ‘erratic/inconsistent’

I’ve tried a) Powered USB hubs, b) dedicated 9v barrel connectors - same results : No Rhyme or reason.

Could I have done such a terrible job soldering the header pins that I destroyed my board???

Pics attached:

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Help…

Thanks.

Henry

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2

You have a little too much solder on some of your pins, but nothing that would cause any issues. I think you might have a bad sound detector board. (Overall your soldering looks pretty darn good!)

If you got the board from the SparkFun website, just fill in the form [on this page with your order number and the URL to this forum post and we can get a replacement for you.

If you got the sound detector board from another retailer, just let them know you have a defective board and they should be able to help you get a replacement. :-)](Return Policy - SparkFun Electronics)

3

THANK YOU

for your prompt response, as well as your information

At 63 yrs old, and an EE only by formal education, this is all a bit intimidating.

And to have my first '3rd party -DIY ’ product be a “Maybe It’s NOT you, it’s the board” is a bit never wracking (I assume EVERYTHING is ‘my fault’ :frowning: )

A little too much solder is a miracle (for me!) as this is my first soldering job in over 40 yrs .

(Actually, we did ‘wire wrap’ back then… :frowning: )

Ok, I think I got this from Amazon (as a Prime Member, I get free, often 1-2 day shipping for only slightly more than pure SF list price)

Does that prejudice me in the SF community for not ‘buying direct’ ???

THANKS!!!

4

Does that prejudice me in the SF community for not ‘buying direct’ ???

Not at all! :slight_smile:

It just means we can’t do returns or replacements, you have to go through Amazon for those.

5

GREAT!

I don’t know how they do it (and they obviously are doing well!), but I just re-ordered, $10.49, free shipping AND it will arrive tomorrow. NO IDEA how they pull it off. But as long it doesn’t diminish me as a SF customer in your eyes, I’ll take it!

(Oh, and for a return, they said "Just keep (toss) the defective one - we’ll credit your Amazon account!)

So “If YOU"RE good, I’m REALLY GOOD!”

Thanks again!!!