Homebrew PCBs

I use a cup warmer and a steel cup to hold my parts for 24hrs.... more or less .... I just plan it out to do my hand soldering the next day .... I plan in the future to use a toaster oven to do soldering and preheat for repairs ....

oh... I have 2 soap stone boards - 10" wide by 14" long - to maintain constant temp,  don't know yet if I really need them but I know soapstone holds heat well...

still need a digital controller for the heating elements .... plans....plans .... plans.

To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
From: boman33@...
Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2011 11:57:06 -0500
Subject: RE: [Homebrew_PCBs] Baking LEDs














 



  


    
      
      
      Some electronic components can absorb humidity and when going through the

thermal soldering cycle the humidity can expand and cause microscopic cracks

that later allows more humidly to get in and possibly degrade internal

circuits.



Baking is a common requirement for some complex ICs but I have not seen it

for LEDs.  For non-military-medical ... applications I would not worry about

it for hobby use.



Bertho



==============================



From: jharig23@...   Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2011 07:42

Hello,



I am very new in the world of DIY PCBs. As a basic example, I'm going to

make a very simple LED circuit. I've ordered up some SMD LEDs and matching

current-limiting resistor. 



The interesting thing is that the bag the LEDs came in had a label

indicating that I should bake them. I did a quick search, and found one set

of instructions indicating baking at 80 degrees C for 24 hours. 



I know that this is not really specific to construction of the PCB, but I

thought one of you might be able to help me. How do you guys handle this?

Toaster oven? Or is there some kind of small oven that I can buy? What do I

put the LEDs on when I bake them? A baking sheet? Sorry for being obtuse - I

just really don't know where to start.



Thank you for the help.



James



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