Assembly steps

1. Identify and place the resistors. I measured each resistor with a multimeter be sure of each value. I then labeled the paper tape on the resistors with their value. This made placing the resistors in the correct holes much easier. Reserve 2 long resistor leads for later use.

2. Place the ceramic 22pF caps in their holes. Spread the leads and solder in place. Then pick out the .01uF (103) film capacitor. Be careful, they're all labeled 104 except one - that's the one you want.

3. Place the remaining film .1uF (104) capacitors in their holes.

4. Insert the crystal in it's location and solder in place. Be sure the crystal is resting flush on the board.

5. Insert the DIP IC socket. Turn the board over and bend pin 1 and pin 15 over to hold the socket in place while you solder. Be sure the socket is flush against the board and oriented as shown on the circuit board. Insert the 8 pin LCD socket and solder in place. Again, be careful the pin is flush against the board and oriented as straight as possible.

6. Insert the LED with the long lead toward the +. Place the transistors in their respective locations. Pare special attention to the writing on each transistor. Transistors should be about 1/8" above the circuit board. Do not force them any lower or you may damage them.

7. Insert the two 10uF elecrolytic capacitors, again with the long lead toward the +. Then insert the yellow 1nJ capacitor in it's holes.

8. Install the ZIF socket with the handle toward the edge of the board. Be sure the ZIF socket is flush against the board before soldering all the pins in place.

9. Install the rotary encoder knob. Be careful that each pin is in its hole. You may need to bend the two large lugs to get them to align with their holes.





DO NOT INSERT THE MICROCONTROLLER OR LCD SCREEN YET! We need to do a quick test...

10. Insert and solder the 9V battery lead and connect a 9V battery.

11. With a multimeter set to read voltage, put the leads on pins 7 and 22 of the DIP socket. (see picture) Press and hold the rotary encoder to power on and ensure your voltmeter is showing ~5VDC.

If you do not get 5VDC, be sure you're on pins 7 and 22 then double check each component is in the correct place and has a good solder connection.

12. Once you have measured 5V across pins 7 and 22, disconnect the power then remove the AVR from the protective foam and insert the AVR into the socket. Pay special attention to the orientation of the AVR microcontroller. Pin 1 is toward the outside of the circuit board.

13. Install the hex nut standoffs on the top of the PCB with 2 screws on the back of the PCB. These will serve as standoffs for the LCD screen.

14. Insert the 8 pin header into the socket on the top edge of the board. Insert the LCD into pins 5-12. The notced on the bottom of the LCD will line up with the standoffs. Solder pins 5-12 on the LCD then install and tighten the stand off screws.

