stuck on minty boost tutorial

[loincom]

Hello,

I've followed the directions to creating my minty boost from here:

http://www.ladyada.net/make/mintyboost/solder.html

This tutorial is great except that it is using a different minty boost. I have version 3.

http://www.ladyada.net/make/vintagelight/index.html

Problem:
My light is bright and strong but flickers after a minute or so of use. Any idea what I did wrong?

[adafruit_support_bill]

This tutorial is great except that it is using a different minty boost. I have version 3.

If you look at the photos in the tutorial, they all say "V3"

Problem:
My light is bright and strong but flickers after a minute or so of use. Any idea what I did wrong?

What light are you referring to? There are no lights on a MintyBoost.

[loincom]

The tutorial is using a mintyboost v1
http://www.ladyada.net/images/vintagele ... G_4488.jpg

Full Tutorial is here: http://www.ladyada.net/make/vintagelight/index.html

The only part I did not do was 'Next cut the two lines to pin 2 (voltage selector pin) ' I don't know which is pin 2

[adafruit_support_bill]

That project won't work with a Version 3 minty boost. Version 3 uses a different chip with different pinouts and a different board layout. The LT1302-5 is designed specifically for 5v output.

You could use one of these to convert the 5v output down to 3.3v. They are pretty efficient & don't take up much room.

[loincom]

Thank you so much!

Not sure if I need to scrap my existing board and build a new one. If I keep the existing then:

1) Does this chip replace the 'IC socket'?
Assuming I need to remove the IC socket from the board and solder in Mini DC/DC Step-Down.

2) I see there are only 3 pins, which does it replace on the board?

3) Do you have any tutorials on building very bright LEDs?

[adafruit_support_bill]

It wouldn't replace the existing chip. It would take the 5v output of the minty and regulate it back to 3.3v. You connect the +5v and - pins of the output to pins 1 and 2 of the voltage converter. Then you will have 3.3v on pin 3. The module is small enough, you could probably hot-glue it to the minty-boost board where the USB connector would normally go.

As for super-bright leds, check out the Bedazzler project. There is a lot of good info there on driving high-powered leds.
http://www.adafruit.com/blog/2009/09/28 ... bedazzler/

[loincom]

Thank you

Unfortunately I am confused on what to remove. Do you have any examples?

Where are pins 1 and 2 located on the board?

I am aware of the USB location but don't see how it would connect.

[adafruit_support_bill]

Where are pins 1 and 2 located on the board?

Pins 1 and 2 are on the DC/DC converter module. See the diagram on page 3 of the spec sheet: http://www.adafruit.com/datasheets/tsr1.pdf

I am aware of the USB location but don't see how it would connect.

You would need to:

Solder a jumper wire from the +5v pin of the USB connection to pin 1 of the module.
Solder a jumper wire from the GND pin of the USB connection to pin 2 of the module.
Connect your LED between the GND pin of the USB and pin 3 of the module.

[loincom]

Thank you so much! I think I get it. Please see attached JPG and let me know if this is what you mean regarding Pins and GND

[adafruit_support_bill]

That is correct!

[loincom]

Hello,

Finally got a moment to fulfill what we posted and still no luck. The power source seems to be the issue. See attached and let me know how to correct.

Thank you,

[adafruit_support_bill]

Measure the voltage between pins 1 and 2 of the Traco voltage coverter. (Should be 5v)
Measure the voltage between pins 1 and 3. (Should be 3.,3v).

[loincom]

Sigh...I feel this is becoming a total waste. I've spent nearly $80. So, I won't be spending any more money on new tools, etc. Since it seems that the process is flawed.

What other options can you offer?

[adafruit_support_bill]

What other options can you offer?

Don't know. You didn't answer the voltage questions.

[loincom]

Great answer.

So I am not buying a voltage meter.

Here's what did work, power directly to the light without the TRACO thing you had me purchase. There are two AA batteries used.