Skiff Power Mini

Thank you for purchasing the Skiff Power Mini! This is an intermediate build. If you feel like you can handle it, please proceed! If not, get some help from a friend with experience or purchase a fully completed unit.

Please build according to the BOM, and not these instructions or the pictures alone. Some components may have changed since these were written, or we may not be able to get the exact components in the pictures.

For a BOM with Mouser part numbers, click here.

 

General Advice on SMD Soldering

SMD soldering is a different beast compared to through hole soldering. We encourage you to take extra time, and to be careful as you open the bags containing these very small components.

We suggest adding a small amount of solder to one of the pads that you will be working with PRIOR to placing the component. Using a good pair of tweezers, place the component on the pads and carefully reheat the solder on the pad that was tinned. If the placement looks good, then go ahead and solder the component to the pads.

Recommended tools:

small tweezers

magnifying glass

fine soldering tip

Resistors

Resistors are not polarized and can be placed either direction. Solder these using the same method as the diodes.  Add some solder to one of the pads prior to placing the component; a small amount is enough. You can then use tweezers to hold the resistors in place while tacking it down.

Ceramic Capacitors

The ceramic capacitors are non-polarized, so you can place them in either direction.  Add some solder to one of the pads prior to placing the component; a small amount is enough. You can then use tweezers to hold the capacitors in place while tacking it down.

LEDs

The Skiff Power Mini LEDs need to be placed so that the lens is facing the PCB (as they shine through the PCB).  LEDs are polarized and must be placed in the proper direction. The copper pad on the LED that looks smaller or like a large black “C” is the cathode or negative side.  This negative side needs to be aligned with the small ‘dot’ on the PCB. Add some solder to one of the pads prior to placing the component; a small amount is enough. You can then use tweezers to hold the LEDs in place while tacking it down.

+5 Voltage Regulator & Diode

Add some solder to one of the pads prior to placing the +5V regulator and diode.  Tack them down in place.  Make sure the upper tab is also soldered to the large pad on the PCB.

Electrolytic Capacitors

Electrolytic caps are polarized, so place the caps as shown below by aligning the caps with the footprint on the silkscreen.  Add some solder to one of the pads prior to placing other side in.

16-Pin Power Connectors

Place the 16-pin power connector into the PCB by aligning the notch on the connector with the notch on the PCB silk screen. You can add a little bit of solder to one of the pads then carefully tack the rest in.

DC Power Jack

Place the DC jack into the PCB as shown below, turn over to solder in place.  Congrats! You are done with the build.