Sound Skulptor LA502 Assembly Manual

LA502 Assembly guide

Safety warning

The kits are main powered and use potentially lethal voltages. Under no circumstance should someone undertake the
realisation of a kit unless he has full knowledge about safely handling main powered devices.
Please read the "DIY guide" before beginning.
Print or open the following documents :
• LA502 Schematics
• LA502 Components layout
• LA502 Parts list
• LA502 Setup guide
Follow this guide from item number 1 till the end, in this order. The assembly order is based on components height, from
low to high profile, in order to ease the soldering process : The component you are soldering is always taller than the
previously assembled ones and it is pressing nicely against the work area foam.

Soldering

All the PCB holes are metallized. It means the connection between the top and bottom pads is already
done. The parts must be soldered only from below (unless differently stated).
Use only small diameter solder, 0.5 or 0.7 mm, 1mm maximum. Use the minimum possible amount of
solder. Bad joints are almost always caused by too much solder.
Cut the component leads and pins totally flush with the PCB after soldering. A too long tail could create
an electric connection with the side plate.
Here are two excellent introduction to soldering videos:
http://www.eevblog.com/2011/06/19/eevblog-180-soldering-tutorial-part-1-tools/
http://www.eevblog.com/2011/07/02/eevblog-183-soldering-tutorial-part-2/
LA502 Assembly guide – Main PCB
1.

Diodes

Add D2, D3, D4 then D1, D5 D6. Use a lead forming tool to bend the leads at 0.4".
Warning : Make sure to respect the direction of the diodes which is marked by a ring on the component
and a double line on the PCB marking.
Warning : When soldering components close to the golden fingers of the edge connector, be very
careful not to touch them with your soldering iron tip. It can be a good idea to protect them with
adhesive tape.
2. Resistors – (1)
The best method to select and install the resistors is the following:
1. pick a row of resistors in the resistors bag,
2. Measure one of the resistors with your DMM,
3. Look up the parts-list PDF for the closest value,
4. Check the color code and quantity for confirmation,
5. Use the search function on the Layout PDF page with the resistor value: All the corresponding
resistors are highlighted,
6. Insert and solder.
(You can use the same method later, for the capacitors)
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Document revision 1.2 – Last modification : 17/07/20
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