OT: DIY Printed Circuit Board ????, For Programable Ignition Options

[Mueller]

MegaJolt EDIS



I'd like to build this PCB if the group buy takes too long to materialize.

I've seen a few websites that show how to make your own PCB and it does not seem too difficult, any pointers or tips or links to an outstanding DIY PCB site??

Thanks

[airsix]

Mike, here's one way to do it. There are probably better ways, but you can give this a try - it won't cost anything. Get a PCB kit at Radio Shack for like $9. It's got a board for etching, and a bottle of ferric chloride. Now get your diagram ready on the computer so you can print it out 1:1. Here's the trick though - you have to mirror the image with software before printing. If you've got photoshop or Paintshop Pro you won't have trouble doing this. There are special kits that let you print your circuit design and iron or stick it onto the board for etching. Here's how you can do it without a transfer kit. Get a Avery label sheet and peel the labels off so you are left with paper that is kinda waxy on one side. Now print your circuit onto the waxy side of the paper with a lazer printer. Handle it very carefully because the toner will want to flake off the paper. Now lay the paper printed-side down on your board. Use your wifes clothes iron (while she's not home) to heat the back side of the paper. When you have it nice and hot just leave it to cool or run cold water over it. Don't lift the paper while it's hot or you'll have a royal mess. When it's cool peel the paper off and you should have sucessfully transfered the toner image right off the paper and onto the copper board. Because you mirrored the image when you printed it the transfer should now be correct. Check all the traces to make sure everything transfered correctly. Use a sharpy marker if you need to fill in any spots that didn't transfer toner correctly. The toner and sharpy ink will act as resist. Now dunk that sucker in ferric chloride per the instructions in the PCB kit, and you've got yourself a custom circuit board (as soon as you drill it).

You might want to pick up extra board matterial since you might have to do a couple to get the hang of it.

-Ben M.

ps - What's up? I thought you did this for a living?