MOTM

> Question for those of you who have built motmized-blacet kits: would you
> recommend using or not using the supplied IC sockets?


Not going to answer your question, but pose a second one instead....

Is there any merit to NOT using sockets verses using them?

Seems like I've got far less chance of frying a perfectly good IC if I use
sockets on the board instead of putting the ICs straight on the board.

For example, somehow I screwed the construction of an EG, and I almost
killed myself getting the IC in question back off the board. Ended up taking
*very* small clippers and cutting each "leg", the desoldering each to remove
them. Before I put a new IC in, I put in a socket first...

It's not really a costs issue, is it? Like, 4 or 5 sockets is only a couple
of bucks...


Les Mizzell

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Raining cats?! You open the
skylight and I'll get the relish!"
-- Alf
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Question for those of you who have built motmized-blacet kits: would you
recommend using or not using the supplied IC sockets?

George

> Is there any merit to NOT using sockets verses using them?

there is ONE socket in all the motm modules i have (110). because my (at
first) novice eye couldn't tell that the chip wasn't seated properly, i
went a good long time wondering why the ring mod didn't work.

of course, if you've got an ultrarare chip, a socket is a good insurance
policy.

bleep.
out.

---
www.mp3.com/leichenfeld
www.mp3.com/captainhotrod
www.mp3.com/silenttristero

If you don't use them and want us to repair your kit; I may be very
unhappy with you if an IC needs replacing or the troubleshooting process
would be speeded along by being able to pop an IC!

I have seriously considered voiding the warranty for ANY kit where the
sockets are not used; but this has not been a huge issue so far.

Most problems with kits are simply the wrong part inserted or polarity.
People actually can't find these!!!! Takes me 5 minutes tops, but the
territory is well known.

Use the sockets. (Unless you are shooting the modules into SPACE...;>)
___________________
John Blacet
Blacet Research
http://www.blacet.com

The only reason I've heard for not socketting is that using a socket may introduce an unstable connection.  I'm guessing that they must have been cheap sockets, because the few that I've seen had a secure grip.  But, as Ken pointed out, not much point in socketting a 555, now is there?  ;)

--PBr

-----Original Message-----
From: Les Mizzell [mailto:lesmizz@...]
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2002 11:47 AM
To: motm group
Subject: RE: [motm] motmized blacet kits - to socket or not


Is there any merit to NOT using sockets verses using them?

On Thu, 21 Mar 2002, George Kisslak wrote:

> Question for those of you who have built motmized-blacet kits: would you
> recommend using or not using the supplied IC sockets?

  Recommendation of socketing is a complicated issue.  For my own part, if 
it is an analog (op-amp, OTA, analog switch) circuit, I omit sockets 
entirely unless it is some $150 Burr-Brown part.  Digital circuits tend to 
get sockets on the CPU, RAM, ROM and programmable logic devices.  When 
replacing parts, I tend to place a gold-plated turned-pin socket where the 
old part was so as to make future repairs much quicker.

  I do not care for leaf-spring sockets.  I've had a few fail on me such 
that a pin was in the socket, but not contacting the spring.  
Double-leaved are better, but nothing beats machined pins with circular 
spring sleeves (lower capacitance, too).

  I suppose it mainly depends on how comfortable one is with building 
stuff without sockets.  On a Prophet-5 voice board I once ranted about 
their using sockets for the CA3280 (OTAs).  Now I am happy they did: I 
replaced all of the 3280s in 5 minutes instead of 5 hours.

  YMMV,

Crow
/**/

I started my first Blacet kits without sockets.  Since John has stated that
warranty is void if you do not use them.  So, I have.  I have had no
trouble.  This is an age old argument.  I tend not to use them otherwise.
Paul likes those machined sockets.  Some people on the DIY list like the
leaf style.  And, some swear that there are significant differences between
the various leaf styles.  I have never had any of John B's sockets cause me
any grief.  But the Time Machine BDD chip does not have that much resistance
to removal since it has so few pins.  I have thought about a dab of
something to secure it in.  For me, it was John's warranty issue that cause
me to start using them on his modules.  Before I never did.  Both work fine.
Larry H

----- Original Message -----
From: George Kisslak <groovyshaman@...>
To: motm group <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2002 1:51 PM
Subject: [motm] motmized blacet kits - to socket or not


Question for those of you who have built motmized-blacet kits: would you
recommend using or not using the supplied IC sockets?

George





Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Questions:
Is it easy to tell the difference between double and single leaf spring
sockets?
Which of these are supplied in the Blacet Kits?
I have a bunch of the machined circular pin sockets I bought for proto work.
Should I toss my leaf springs and use these?

Of course, I know it is all opinionated.  But, I do value the opinions of
others and appreciate the diversity of viewpoints.
:)  Damn, that sounds politically correct.
Larry

----- Original Message -----
From: The Old Crow <oldcrow@...>
I do not care for leaf-spring sockets.  I've had a few fail
on me such that a pin was in the socket, but not contacting
 the spring.  Double-leaved are better, but nothing beats
machined pins with circular spring sleeves (lower
capacitance, too).

Well, I certainly touched a hot button ~~~

Thanks to everyone for sharing your subtle philosophies.  ;)  Lots of good
points made.  Regardless, since John B. *strongly* urges me to use them, I
will.

John B. wrote:
> (Unless you are shooting the modules into SPACE...;>)
No, but my sanity might be.

George

On Thu, 21 Mar 2002, J. Larry Hendry wrote:

> Questions: Is it easy to tell the difference between double and single
> leaf spring sockets? Which of these are supplied in the Blacet Kits? I
> have a bunch of the machined circular pin sockets I bought for proto
> work. Should I toss my leaf springs and use these?

  If you can see the plastic side of the 'pin wells' in a socket, thats 
probably a 1-leaf type.  A second leaf-spring would obscure the side.  
Look at the attached image.  From left to right: 1-leaf, 2-leaf, machined.

  It boils down to: grab the IC pin on one side, two sides, or all sides?

Crow
/**/

The Blacet sockets appear to be the 2-leaf variety.
Thanks Crow.
George

----- Original Message -----

From: The Old Crow <oldcrow@...>
To: motm group <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2002 6:43 PM
Subject: Re: [motm] motmized blacet kits - to socket or not


> On Thu, 21 Mar 2002, J. Larry Hendry wrote:
>
> > Questions: Is it easy to tell the difference between double and single
> > leaf spring sockets? Which of these are supplied in the Blacet Kits? I
> > have a bunch of the machined circular pin sockets I bought for proto
> > work. Should I toss my leaf springs and use these?
>
>   If you can see the plastic side of the 'pin wells' in a socket, thats
> probably a 1-leaf type.  A second leaf-spring would obscure the side.
> Look at the attached image.  From left to right: 1-leaf, 2-leaf, machined.
>
>   It boils down to: grab the IC pin on one side, two sides, or all sides?
>
> Crow
> /**/