Logic Board Assembly
Last updated
Last updated
The Logic Board needs the sockets installed to receive the Core Board and LED Matrix. You also have the option to provide power to the system from the Logic Board or the LED Matrix with Core64. You can set aside the lanyard for the final assembly steps, and use it or not.
The picture shown above (Core64 version, not Core64c) has the header sockets installed for both the Core Board and the Teensy - as they shipped with the Beta Kit (you're welcome!). I don't have any pictures without them installed. Since they are already installed, your Beta Kit does not have the two 20 pin sockets in this part of the kit, but there are two in the Teensy kit which you can use for optional expansion later on.
If the headers are already installed in the [beta] kit that shipped to you, jump to the step regarding battery pack installation options.
The SAO 2x3 socket is not shown in the picture above, but it is included in the Beta Kit in the battery pack. It can be installed on the Logic Board in the lower left corner, or on the Core Board (upper right corner). It is optional and opens the door to all sorts of fun on Tindie. It's yet another I2C port and includes power and two GPIO pins. Note that the SAO socket is KEYED and needs to be installed with the key feature up.
Before you solder the power to the board, carefully slide the power switch to the OFF (USB) position. Avoid pushing the switch up and away from the PCB or it may bend upward.
The two socket headers are each 40pins in length. You will need to cut each one down so you can get two complete 20pin sockets, because the cut ends up being through the middle of the 21st pin, making it unusable. This will leave you with two 19pin lengths of sockets which you can use for expansion options later on. Install the two 20pin sockets from the top of the Logic Board and trim the pins on the backside before you solder them in place.
Try to make the solder joints nice and smooth on the back side so nothing will scratch or snag on the back. If you initially solder each pin flush, you can come back and give them a quick touch of solder to make a shiny domed top so they aren't sharp.
The sockets for the Teensy are included in the Teensy Kit. Instructions for installing those are in the Teensy Assembly Section.
Now is the time to insert the SAO socket into the Logic Board if that is where you would like to install it. Or, set it aside and decide later if you'd rather install it on the Core Board at the top.
The battery pack can be installed on the Core64 Logic Board, but not on the Core64c Logic Board. With the Core64c, the battery must be installed on the backside of the LED Matrix Board.
The included battery pack can be installed on either the Logic Board or the LED Matrix. I recommend the Logic Board, so the battery cells stay in place slightly better with gravity. The instructions for installing the battery pack to the Logic Board are here, and the instructions for installing the Battery Pack on the LED Matrix are in the LED Matrix Assembly Section.
The back side of the battery pack has double-sided foam tape installed for securing it to the Logic Board. The position is shown on the silk screen, and shortened wires are shown here:
Insert the wires with the insulation through the two blank holes (see above) and then turn the wires 180° back up through the board and route the stripped ends through the top side. This requires cutting down the overall wire length and re-stripping the ends. Solder them on the top side in the "+" and "-" holes. This provides a strain relief for the wires. Close up of the top side:
Close up of the back side:
If you'd rather not make use of the strain relief feature, or you just don't want the wires to be exposed on the backside... You can just solder them straight down into the holes from the top side.
This completes the Logic Board assembly.
