Let's Make Some Companion Parts

[TheRealPorkchop]

Since the EN companion parts aren't available anymore, seems now we have to make our own. I'm kinda tired of doing that, with the standard size parts I have available anyway. So I want to order up some parts to hopefully make them smaller, I'd do SMD but I'm not sure which ones to order.

The SMD issue would be making a tiny PCB to mount that stuff to, I just don't know that I could do that easily and quickly. Then I'd have to know what size parts to order, I know little to nothing about SMD too. So if anyone here can offer useful information about that, I'd love to hear it.

I've read a few threads here about the EN369FN and the R2 component being mislabeled at 230K and it needs to be 20K. I believe someone posted that they used 22K instead. For the EN369DR, the R2 value is 320K but Mouser only carries a 330K, I assume this will be ok for this part?

I'm thinking of using 1/4 watt parts, what do you think about doing this? I haven't seen anyone say what the factory/OEM pieces are as far as wattage goes, surely those tiny little things aren't bigger than 1/4w. My issue with what I've built in the past has been they're so darn big and goofy, they get in the way and just look, well, retarded. I want something smaller and neater looking, something closer to the OEM pieces. Can you guys post the ones you've built, pics, showing what the end product looked like? Anyone have suggestions for the SMD stuff, part numbers, sizes, how to make a PCB for them? Anything?

Thanks...

 

[Martian]

It's a diode and a couple of resistors isnt it?
use 0603 resistors and some SOD323s or something.

Those were just a small pcb dipped in epoxy were they not?

 

[TheRealPorkchop]

Man, I don't know. Looks like they have heat shrink on them. If you want to know how to blow up a planet or create a race of clones that can't hit the broad side of a barn with a cannon, I'm your man. You wanna know about this subject, I'm NOT your man... that's why I'm asking, haha.

I want to build a bigger, better tomato... well better but not bigger. What I been building is too big. I am totally lost on building a PCB, that tiny anyway.

 

[Martian]

Done.
I got the drawing via a google search.
That's what I came up with.

it's 7mmx7mm

 

[TheRealPorkchop]

That’s great but what am I supposed to do with it? I’m not really sure how to make a PCB out of that, can’t without knowing what size SMD stuff. You mentioned sizes I believe, so I guess that leaves figuring out the board size.

So what’s the best way to go about that? I’d thought about cobbling smaller through-hole parts together but I like the SMD and pcb method better. I’d like to know why they stopped producing the damn things in the first place.

 

[Martian]

I generate a set of gerbers and you send those to your favorite PCB manufacturer, pay them some money and you get boards a week or two later.
Or I upload the entire project and let the community run with it and make their own however they choose.
I understand not everyone is an engineer let alone knows how to design PCBs.

It can be made smaller. I used handsoldering pads and larger parts since the boards would have to be built to match where it's being installed.

As to why they stopped producing them I am betting cost.
Once people worked out what the part was there was no need to buy the OEM.
I am surprised it took as long as it did.

 

[Low_Boy]

I like building the part in the radio using through hole components. They really almost look like they belong.

 

[TheRealPorkchop]

Well see, I don’t know what a gerber file is, so there’s the trouble. I’m interested in learning more though, like who makes pcb’s for you? Didn’t know you could get that done either. Neat!

LB, you got a pic? Every time I do that it looks crappy. Maybe I’m using too large parts?

 

[Low_Boy]

I may have a radio with a mosfet I did that I can post. I will look.

 

[TheRealPorkchop]

I really like the idea of replicating the OEM piece but I don’t know if I can pull that off or not. Curious about this pcb thing, that’ll make using SMD much easier, I think.

 

[Handy Andy]

The Emperor doesn't mind you using Empire spare-parts but ...

I just work with what I have on the board for now. I'm still trying to convince my boss to start on membrane wafer - it's kinda like 3-D printing only the "paper" is a membrane material that hardens to nearly an epoxy (well it is in a way) and we "stencil" the foil in and have guys that do up the MV-1Y designs using the idea. IT's solderable (15Watt or less) and the twin leads are poked not drilled - so it's pretty fast turnaround.

Man, I don't know. Looks like they have heat shrink on them. If you want to know how to blow up a planet or create a race of clones that can't hit the broad side of a barn with a cannon, I'm your man. You wanna know about this subject, I'm NOT your man... that's why I'm asking, haha.

I want to build a bigger, better tomato... well better but not bigger. What I been building is too big. I am totally lost on building a PCB, that tiny anyway.

Aniken...

Your - inferences'...

Maybe you need to start here...

​

Don't take it wrong - the Force is with you on this....

Oh D*mn, you wrecked that planet while Mr. Lucas as was reviewing the film scenes from Rogue One....

Never mind...Good luck!

May the Force Be With You!

 

[TheRealPorkchop]

You listen here Yoda... I don’t need that stinking beginners kit, hahaha!!!

I had great eyesight. Overnight almost I ended up diabetes. Didn’t know that was what was going on. Now my close up eye sight, ain’t so good no more. It’s hard for me to see right now, glasses are in order, yippee.

You won’t be able to see them however, with my pretty fly dark helmet and all... rain dance keeps it shiny, no turtle wax here.

Aniken is gone, he died.

 

[Robb]

The Emperor doesn't mind you using Empire spare-parts but ...

I just work with what I have on the board for now. I'm still trying to convince my boss to start on membrane wafer - it's kinda like 3-D printing only the "paper" is a membrane material that hardens to nearly an epoxy (well it is in a way) and we "stencil" the foil in and have guys that do up the MV-1Y designs using the idea. IT's solderable (15Watt or less) and the twin leads are poked not drilled - so it's pretty fast turnaround.



Aniken...

Your - inferences'...

Maybe you need to start here...

View attachment 25166
​

Don't take it wrong - the Force is with you on this....

Oh D*mn, you wrecked that planet while Mr. Lucas as was reviewing the film scenes from Rogue One....

Never mind...Good luck!

May the Force Be With You!

Always wanted one of those things when I was a kid.
Never got one cause we were too poor.

 

[TheRealPorkchop]

Yea me too Robb. I did have this thing that was similar though, used little cubes that had parts inside and you plugged them into a board that looked kinda like a perfection board. Can’t remember what that thing was called.

 

[Handy Andy]

Got one of those at an Xmas present one year...

Can't blame the Pb from it...

Me and My life hasn't been the same since...