Author Topic: Express co-op?  (Read 18121 times)

Offline BryanV

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Express co-op?
« on: December 18, 2016, »
Just wondering if there will be a express co-op this year
 I have a few controller issues and could use a few spares.
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Offline johno123

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Re: Express co-op?
« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2016, »
Let me dig in the garage, I think I have some spare unassembled kits.

Offline rjhodgefamily

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Re: Express co-op?
« Reply #2 on: December 19, 2016, »
I think the soonest we will see an actual coop for the express is next year and that is only if the coop manager or RJ can figure out a new vendor for the heat sync which is where the coop fell apart this year if I remember correctly.

Offline tbone321

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Re: Express co-op?
« Reply #3 on: December 19, 2016, »
It's not just the heat sink.  The multiplexer chip has also reached EOL and the only compatible one found so far appears to be a SMD chip.
If at first you don't succeed,
your not cut out for sky diving

Offline Penfold

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Re: Express co-op?
« Reply #4 on: December 19, 2016, »
Is this SMD a QFP?  Is it a very fine pitch on the lead spacing?
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Cow go moo
Piggy go *snort* *snort*
how bout you?  ♪

Offline tbone321

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Re: Express co-op?
« Reply #5 on: December 19, 2016, »
Either way, they are not thru hole and many members had issues using them in the original Aether and those were larger chips.
If at first you don't succeed,
your not cut out for sky diving

Offline rjhodgefamily

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Re: Express co-op?
« Reply #6 on: December 20, 2016, »
By multiplexer are you referring to the LED Display drivers or a different part? Just trying to make sure I am keeping things straight in my own head. I know mouser has everything on the BOM except the display driver.

Offline tbone321

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Re: Express co-op?
« Reply #7 on: December 20, 2016, »
Yes, the display driver. 
If at first you don't succeed,
your not cut out for sky diving

Offline fredhag

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Re: Express co-op?
« Reply #8 on: December 26, 2016, »
I guess the driver is a problem.  I put in a couple queries, but I doubt chip procurement places will help look for onesy/twosy quantities. 

Regarding the heat sink, I bought an LE from someone here awhile back who rolled up some metal flashing and drilled the holes manually to use as a heat sink.  I have not had any blown triacs on that board after ~3 years of my use.
Cheers,
Fred

Offline fredhag

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Re: Express co-op?
« Reply #9 on: January 04, 2017, »
Ugh, yeah chip finders want $40-50 each for that display driver (I had no idea it would be that kind of markup).
Cheers,
Fred

Offline Penfold

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Re: Express co-op?
« Reply #10 on: January 04, 2017, »
I know that Robert has pre-soldered chips on the board in coops before (Ether-dongle).  Would this be another candidate?  If anything we could have Robert charge us a "pick-and-place fee", to get the SMD chip pre-installed.  That would also mean a change to the board to accomidate the footprint for the SMD.  Although, I will leave that up to Robert if he wants to go that route.   

I wonder if an SMD Express could be around the corner using 1206 components (Large SMD size)?  .........Perhaps not.

 
♪Chicken go cluck, cluck
Cow go moo
Piggy go *snort* *snort*
how bout you?  ♪

Offline mmciver

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Re: Express co-op?
« Reply #11 on: January 04, 2017, »
Looks like another case of companies driving up costs and keeping the little guy out of the equation.  Without specialty tools and expensive equipment you cannot build things yourself you have to buy.  Sad.

Mike.
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Offline tbone321

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Re: Express co-op?
« Reply #12 on: January 04, 2017, »
In this case, it's not so much a case of just driving up costs, the chip has reached EOL and is no longer in production so as demand continues and the stock diminishes, the price goes up. 
If at first you don't succeed,
your not cut out for sky diving

Offline meman

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Re: Express co-op?
« Reply #13 on: January 06, 2017, »
Sad to say, but other than the satisfaction of DIY, it almost doesn't make any sense to try and build LEs anymore. By the time you factor in all the hassles of procuring thru hole parts that are becoming obsolete by the day, the costs, coop shipping, cases, cords, etc. The $179 ready to go Express from Minleon doesn't look so bad.  You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

Just my two cents...
Mike E.

Offline Penfold

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Re: Express co-op?
« Reply #14 on: January 06, 2017, »
HOLY COW!!!

Is that a cloned Lynx Express board, but in SMD!?!

♪Chicken go cluck, cluck
Cow go moo
Piggy go *snort* *snort*
how bout you?  ♪