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Step 9Wiring: Connecting up the faceplate
I scavenge all sorts of parts from broken old electronics for re-use in projects such as this. You'll learn a lot from breaking things down.. not only is this knowledge useful for repairing 'stuff' but you'll also be able to construct new projects using some of the standard methods industrial designers employ, without having to go to industrial design school.
Again, focusing on the most tricky part first.. I start by hot gluing the switches to the faceplate.
Attaching the switches to the faceplate
Note the little plastic tray.. these are indispensable when working on any project of this kind. When taking screws out of a device I place them in order along a row. Then when it comes to re-construction I can reverse the order and never be at a loss as to which screw goes where.
Marking up the switches for soldering
Again, because I was using a variety of different switches, some with up to 6 pins on the back, I need to 'measure twice, cut once'. I used a continuity tester to detect which pins are the ones that make a circuit when the button is pressed and marked them with a felt tip permanent marker.
Timelapse video of the actual wiring
Although this video is a little short, this is the time consuming part. I first cut a pair of wires for each switch, striped the ends and wicked them with solder.
Testing the new front panel for the first time
With enough of the wiring completed for me to test the alarm I couldnt wait to plug the various parts together and take if for a test drive. Its always a little nerve wrecking powering something new up for the first time and experience has taught me to double check before connecting electricity
I figured out just afterwards what the 'quirk' was with setting up the alarm. I forgot that the light does not come on at the alarm time, it comes on 30 minutes before and gradually gets brighter up to the alarm time. So, its all working and I can proceed with the finishing touches.
Reference
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldering
Weller portable soldering iron from Sears
Craftsman Hot Glue Gun
Parts storage from Sears
Again, focusing on the most tricky part first.. I start by hot gluing the switches to the faceplate.
Attaching the switches to the faceplate
Note the little plastic tray.. these are indispensable when working on any project of this kind. When taking screws out of a device I place them in order along a row. Then when it comes to re-construction I can reverse the order and never be at a loss as to which screw goes where.
Marking up the switches for soldering
Again, because I was using a variety of different switches, some with up to 6 pins on the back, I need to 'measure twice, cut once'. I used a continuity tester to detect which pins are the ones that make a circuit when the button is pressed and marked them with a felt tip permanent marker.
Timelapse video of the actual wiring
Although this video is a little short, this is the time consuming part. I first cut a pair of wires for each switch, striped the ends and wicked them with solder.
Testing the new front panel for the first time
With enough of the wiring completed for me to test the alarm I couldnt wait to plug the various parts together and take if for a test drive. Its always a little nerve wrecking powering something new up for the first time and experience has taught me to double check before connecting electricity
I figured out just afterwards what the 'quirk' was with setting up the alarm. I forgot that the light does not come on at the alarm time, it comes on 30 minutes before and gradually gets brighter up to the alarm time. So, its all working and I can proceed with the finishing touches.
Reference
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldering
Weller portable soldering iron from Sears
Craftsman Hot Glue Gun
Parts storage from Sears
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