Emerald and burnt chips

[AdamQ]

In an effort to find out why my blessed tachometer won't work, I've just had a look inside my Emerald and I'm pretty certain I've found the problem. Following the lines on the circuit board from Pin 12 quickly leads to a charred mess that was presumably formerly a chip (if that's what you call a little black cube with eight wire legs).

 

I suppose the sensible thing to do would be to post the ECU to Karl at Emerald who would no doubt fix it and get it back to me in a matter of days. However, just the thought of trying to find a post office that hasn't been shut down and then queuing for an age makes me very grumpy. Also, it looks like it'd be a five minute job for somebody who knew what they were doing.

 

So, has anybody any suggestions/recommendations for somebody who might be able to do this in the West Kent/East Sussex area? I'm wondering if a PC repair shop or somewhere similar might be a better bet than a standard autoelectrician?

 

Cheers,

 

Adam

[Rich N]

Surely it's going to have to go back to Emerald to find out what the chip used to be?? Could have been anything!

 

I have to send mine back to get a K3 upgrade, perhaps when the "summer" is over! Can you use it as a chance to get the K3 upgrade at the same time, if you don't already have it?

[Golf Juliet Tango]

Post to Emerald - probably faster and more reliable than alternatives

 

_{Democratic dissent is not disloyalty, it is a positive civic duty.}

[Colin Mill]

If it's an 8 pinner and its used to drive a tachometer there is a reasonable chance it's a 555 timer IC but it would take a bit of circuit tracing to confirm it. Also, charred chips usually mean something else has gone west.

[AdamQ]

Thanks all. I'm perhaps guilty of some exaggeration as half the letters and numbers on the chip are still legible and it seems to be one of a cluster of 5 all with the following identification:

 

IPS022G

05431[funny symbol that looks a bit like ()]R

 

I'll liaise with Karl at Emerald, who has for the second time in the past few weeks been extremely helpful (and very swift in getting back to me).

 

I ought to add that the problem hasn't just appeared out of the blue: my heater hose has blown off twice in the past 6 weeks, liberally dousing the Emerald with hot coolant (note to self - don't buy cheap and nasty jubilee clips).

 

Rich, good point about the K3 upgrade - thanks.

 

Thanks again to all,

 

Adam

[Colin Mill]

Data sheet for you 😬 here

[AdamQ]

Thanks Colin - where would I be without your help?

The avalanche capability is significantly enhanced by the active clamp and covers most inductive load demagnetizations.

Now why didn't I spot that?

 

I've assembled arc welder, chalk for marking measurements and a chain saw and I reckon I should be able to knock up a replacement before QI at 10.00 p.m.

 

Not sure I'm going to feature in 'Spotted' for a while!

 

Adam

[Rich N]

Just before you crack out the heavy handed real-mans-tools, as a former local, perhaps I can advise you that IR who made the chip have a branch in Hurst Green, just 5 miles from Caterham themselves ;-)

 

Go collect a load of chips and then if you damage any with the arc welder, you can always try again!

 

p.s. ..or try a combination of wonder-web (that stuff blokes use to support their turn-ups)and superglue for better results.

[AdamQ]

Thanks Rich, though I have a sneaking suspicion that you're in league with Colin!

 

Superglue - now we're talking - the electrical equivalent of duct tape - marvellous!

 

I'll keep you all posted ... (and in the meantime I hope to stop tripping over my turn-ups).

 

Adam

[Colin Mill]

What I loved was the first bullet point in the data sheet - Over temperature shutdown. I think it's fair to assume this is not an infallible feature 😬

[Steve T]

Nor is it "fully protected" it seems

 

Steve

 

Now with DVA Power! 191bhp and 150.9 lbft torque.

 

My Pictures

 

Edited by - Steve T on 12 Jul 2008 10:23:22