My method not so sophisticated, use a small crumpled ball of aluminium /tin foil to bring contacts inside switch. Just dab it in the switch like you would press it. Used this method on many a broken micro switch. (just use a small ball and make sure not to short out other components)
Or, just a thought, you can just remove the button and solder a new one in place? If you’re already gonna break out the iron, you might as well do it right.
Nice tip, using a small breadboard like that does save scrapping a Pico, it's only a cheap board but we should try and learn to fix things when we can instead of just throwing them away.
Even cheap stuff should be saved from E-waste, well done. However, the cheapest I can find at the moment is 3 for £14.50 with the mode average being around £9 for one.
@@GaryExplains I saw that video and believe me it isn’t the first time I’ve come a cropper not listening to good advice. My father died 26 years ago and one of his favourite saying to me was "You’ll learn one day." I think he might still be waiting for that day.
All you need is some wick and flux. those buttons are cheap and easy to replace. no need to jumper. Just need enough heat. while being careful not to lift the pads. Pi pads lift kinda easy.
@@GaryExplains In fairness I use to fix stuff like this for a living. It can take some getting use to. Not trying to offend. Just tips on the flux and wick. The easiest way I have used and seen is to check the needed connections and just use a thin wire to jump it. It requires just heat the solder that is on the pads. not adding any or any other special tricks that I have seen. Good day man, I look forward to more C programming on the PICO cause you make that look easy. I was just wondering if you can make your own C env to program in then send the compiled program over. Thanks for your work man. 😎
I think I may actually able to soldar a new one on it. It's 3×4×2.5 4 legs push button, and I can buy 20 of this at CN¥3.1($0.44) on taobao in China. I just broke my own pico when desoldering the pin headers hear the button😂
For a couple of reasons. 1) You need an exact replacement button, something I don't have and so I would need to order it. 2) Soldering SMD is hard, certainly for a novice in soldering like me.
SMD's need modern equipment to do, you can not just use a £2 soldering iron, one the iron will get too hot and the bit too big. You need temperature controlled equipment that melts the solder but does not damage the chips, The switch made of plastic will melt lower than the chips. For a £4 board Gary's repair will allow a lot of people to reuse their broken controller without spending a great deal of money.
@@tonysheerness2427 While I'd not recommend a £2 soldering iron, every maker should have a half decent soldering iron (15W-18W Antex or Weller for about £30) because a half decent iron will be stable enough to replace one of those switches without cooking the board. Having said that, I like the hack Gary did and his point about being a newbie who finds SMD work difficult stands, it's not an easy skill to master if you've never soldered before, it takes patience and practice to get the 'knack'. Heck there are plenty of people all over youtube who make me cringe at the sight of their 'good' soldering. Still, I suppose it keeps flux factories in business.
Good day Gary. I'll hope you'll answer me,cause my question isn't about the video,but over something else. I'm scouring the internet,but to my dismay.....no answers for me..just the same old story ( i5 7th gen intel processors aren't of the recommended processors for windows 11). My laptop specs is i5 intel,1 TB nvme m.2 SSD with 16GB of RAM. I quailify for al windows recommended requirements,but just my processor isn't good enough for Microsoft. I'm getting an overhaul better experience using windows 11 on my laptop,than with windows 10. I'm getting better and more consistent FPS in games,my temps are better,than what it was with windows 10. I hope you can tell me, what is the reason for Microsoft not allowing i5 7th gen intel processors?
Good report and solution. Please NO short vids IF they are in portrait mode vs landscape. Printed narrative and detail hardware/software looks are too small. Always seemed to be rushed content,
I wouldn't have expected an relevant amount of micro controller using people who are not capable of soldering another button onto this to exist at first ..
I'm not a fan of shorts, old enough that I don't care about TikTok and other short video formats, I try and avoid it when my brother's kids have it on continuously. Though I wouldn't hold it against you if you find it helps your channel, keeping up with the trends and what RUclips offers / "almost forces" people to do so their business is viable. Usual cynical view there lol.
My method not so sophisticated, use a small crumpled ball of aluminium /tin foil to bring contacts inside switch. Just dab it in the switch like you would press it. Used this method on many a broken micro switch. (just use a small ball and make sure not to short out other components)
Hey gary have u stopped doing the speed test g?
Or, just a thought, you can just remove the button and solder a new one in place? If you’re already gonna break out the iron, you might as well do it right.
Hmmm, nah, surface mount stuff is hard to solder, plus you need a button of the exact same size and dimensions.
We want confirmation, is speed test g dead?
Who is speedtest g?
Great video Gary. Exactly what I was looking for.
The repair cheaper than the board that is a win win.
Nice tip, using a small breadboard like that does save scrapping a Pico, it's only a cheap board but we should try and learn to fix things when we can instead of just throwing them away.
Even cheap stuff should be saved from E-waste, well done. However, the cheapest I can find at the moment is 3 for £14.50 with the mode average being around £9 for one.
Since you are quoting £ then I am going to assume you are in the UK. The Pi Hut has them for £ 3.60.
@@GaryExplains Once again proving eBay isn’t always the cheapest. Thank you Gary.
As I say in my Arduino vs Pico video, you should only buy from the official distributors. eBay is not an official distributor.
@@GaryExplains I saw that video and believe me it isn’t the first time I’ve come a cropper not listening to good advice. My father died 26 years ago and one of his favourite saying to me was "You’ll learn one day." I think he might still be waiting for that day.
Thank you
All you need is some wick and flux. those buttons are cheap and easy to replace. no need to jumper. Just need enough heat. while being careful not to lift the pads. Pi pads lift kinda easy.
Well, I don't find soldering surface mount stuff that easy. Nor do I have a replacement button. But I am glad you find it easy.
@@GaryExplains In fairness I use to fix stuff like this for a living. It can take some getting use to. Not trying to offend. Just tips on the flux and wick. The easiest way I have used and seen is to check the needed connections and just use a thin wire to jump it. It requires just heat the solder that is on the pads. not adding any or any other special tricks that I have seen. Good day man, I look forward to more C programming on the PICO cause you make that look easy. I was just wondering if you can make your own C env to program in then send the compiled program over. Thanks for your work man. 😎
YES for repairability! love to see this
Thanks for the video! Short versions would be good for some quick tips, useful utilities and tricks.
I think I may actually able to soldar a new one on it. It's 3×4×2.5 4 legs push button, and I can buy 20 of this at CN¥3.1($0.44) on taobao in China. I just broke my own pico when desoldering the pin headers hear the button😂
Don't try this without heat gun, I just broke my board desoldering the button.
Why not just replace the defective button on the board itself? Soldering SMD isn't *that* hard...
For a couple of reasons. 1) You need an exact replacement button, something I don't have and so I would need to order it. 2) Soldering SMD is hard, certainly for a novice in soldering like me.
SMD's need modern equipment to do, you can not just use a £2 soldering iron, one the iron will get too hot and the bit too big. You need temperature controlled equipment that melts the solder but does not damage the chips, The switch made of plastic will melt lower than the chips. For a £4 board Gary's repair will allow a lot of people to reuse their broken controller without spending a great deal of money.
@@tonysheerness2427 While I'd not recommend a £2 soldering iron, every maker should have a half decent soldering iron (15W-18W Antex or Weller for about £30) because a half decent iron will be stable enough to replace one of those switches without cooking the board.
Having said that, I like the hack Gary did and his point about being a newbie who finds SMD work difficult stands, it's not an easy skill to master if you've never soldered before, it takes patience and practice to get the 'knack'.
Heck there are plenty of people all over youtube who make me cringe at the sight of their 'good' soldering. Still, I suppose it keeps flux factories in business.
I found this video about one month too late. R.I.P. Pico.
Failed for me. No idea how I could have broken it. Power looks good everywhere.
Good day Gary. I'll hope you'll answer me,cause my question isn't about the video,but over something else. I'm scouring the internet,but to my dismay.....no answers for me..just the same old story ( i5 7th gen intel processors aren't of the recommended processors for windows 11). My laptop specs is i5 intel,1 TB nvme m.2 SSD with 16GB of RAM. I quailify for al windows recommended requirements,but just my processor isn't good enough for Microsoft. I'm getting an overhaul better experience using windows 11 on my laptop,than with windows 10. I'm getting better and more consistent FPS in games,my temps are better,than what it was with windows 10. I hope you can tell me, what is the reason for Microsoft not allowing i5 7th gen intel processors?
=)) Knowing how many salvaged buttons i have atm, i would just replace it
Good report and solution. Please NO short vids IF they are in portrait mode vs landscape. Printed narrative and detail hardware/software looks are too small. Always seemed to be rushed content,
Thanks 4 saving my pork! or button...
It's informative
I wouldn't have expected an relevant amount of micro controller using people who are not capable of soldering another button onto this to exist at first ..
Then you are wrong.
I'm not a fan of shorts, old enough that I don't care about TikTok and other short video formats, I try and avoid it when my brother's kids have it on continuously.
Though I wouldn't hold it against you if you find it helps your channel, keeping up with the trends and what RUclips offers / "almost forces" people to do so their business is viable. Usual cynical view there lol.
Thank you