Current Transformer PCB
Danielle, Sun May 27 2007, 12:04AMI just made my first toner PCB and did it double sided. It was a very simple design for my current transformers. I have a problem now that the toner cain't come off. It did a great job at preventing removal of copper though. Next I'm gonna try the same method to apply a solder mask and silk screen with a color laser printer.
This is my final board. It has the silk screen but it didn't turn out that well.
there is it mounted
Re: Current Transformer PCB
HV Enthusiast, Sun May 27 2007, 12:19AM
Use acetone to remove the toner. Works great.
HV Enthusiast, Sun May 27 2007, 12:19AM
Use acetone to remove the toner. Works great.
Re: Current Transformer PCB
..., Sun May 27 2007, 12:41AM
definitely acetone (nail polish remover). If you don't have any, isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) or methanol (lighter fluid) works, but not as well.
..., Sun May 27 2007, 12:41AM
definitely acetone (nail polish remover). If you don't have any, isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) or methanol (lighter fluid) works, but not as well.
Re: Current Transformer PCB
Danielle, Sun May 27 2007, 01:30AM
I tried all of those and they didn't work. I got it off with steel wool though.
Danielle, Sun May 27 2007, 01:30AM
I tried all of those and they didn't work. I got it off with steel wool though.
Re: Current Transformer PCB
..., Sun May 27 2007, 03:17AM
if you want to make updates less than 48hrs apart, you have to edit your post (use the attachments thead to add pictures)
In any case, toner doesn't stick to bare FR4 nearly as well as it does to copper, so us hobbiests generally just go without it.
..., Sun May 27 2007, 03:17AM
if you want to make updates less than 48hrs apart, you have to edit your post (use the attachments thead to add pictures)
In any case, toner doesn't stick to bare FR4 nearly as well as it does to copper, so us hobbiests generally just go without it.
Re: Current Transformer PCB
Part Scavenger, Sun May 27 2007, 04:56AM
Man, that looks awesome for a first try. IIRC, you can rum something oily over the "silkscreen" to make the white part go away. Or, you can use photo paper with a higher plastic content. Don't expect that to work perfectly though. But I pretty much go without silkscreen, it's too much trouble.
Part Scavenger, Sun May 27 2007, 04:56AM
Man, that looks awesome for a first try. IIRC, you can rum something oily over the "silkscreen" to make the white part go away. Or, you can use photo paper with a higher plastic content. Don't expect that to work perfectly though. But I pretty much go without silkscreen, it's too much trouble.
Re: Current Transformer PCB
ragnar, Sun May 27 2007, 06:55AM
(Tried!)
Acetone is guaranteed to work; steel wool may rip up the copper tracks, and probably thins them anyway. Give acetone another go. It does work immediately.
ragnar, Sun May 27 2007, 06:55AM
Rocketry76 wrote ...
I tryed all of those and they didnt work byt I got it off with steel wool
I tryed all of those and they didnt work byt I got it off with steel wool
(Tried!)
Acetone is guaranteed to work; steel wool may rip up the copper tracks, and probably thins them anyway. Give acetone another go. It does work immediately.
Re: Current Transformer PCB
Part Scavenger, Sun May 27 2007, 12:51PM
The thing about acetone is that it evaporates quickly, and even though the paper towel still feels wet, it may not remove the toner. Move quickly, and if that fails, try pouring it directly on the board and see what happens. When I was using plastic backed photopaper, I had to try relatively hard to get under it, then it just came right off...
Oh, and not to be mean, I like you,but I've got to back BP up, we do have spelling rules around here. You can always cut and paste from MS Word.
Part Scavenger, Sun May 27 2007, 12:51PM
The thing about acetone is that it evaporates quickly, and even though the paper towel still feels wet, it may not remove the toner. Move quickly, and if that fails, try pouring it directly on the board and see what happens. When I was using plastic backed photopaper, I had to try relatively hard to get under it, then it just came right off...
Oh, and not to be mean, I like you,but I've got to back BP up, we do have spelling rules around here. You can always cut and paste from MS Word.
Re: Current Transformer PCB
Danielle, Sun May 27 2007, 05:21PM
Sorry for the trouble I should have spell check on that. Thanks Ill try using acetone harder next time (I'm almost done with my new drive circuit and the tracks are thin I'll post it when I'm done for feedback).
Danielle, Sun May 27 2007, 05:21PM
Sorry for the trouble I should have spell check on that. Thanks Ill try using acetone harder next time (I'm almost done with my new drive circuit and the tracks are thin I'll post it when I'm done for feedback).
Re: Current Transformer PCB
Brett Miller, Sun May 27 2007, 07:39PM
Daniel,
Nice work on the board and CT's. I would not mind trying out the PCB mount CT's for my DRSSTC-1 also, but I have a bunch of medium ferrite cores from Electronic Goldmine, so I'll probably just cascade them with 4 of those. I am getting ready to build my half bridge as soon as I order the TVS and Zeners from Digikey. But in while I am waiting for those, I'm gonna etch a board for a few SISG sections...just to use up some spare TO-247 IGBT's I don't need for DRSSTC work. My SIDACs are on the way and should be here soon. Anyway, my point is that the toner transfer method would probably be ideal for the simple SISG boards...unless I just end up drawing it freehand with a sharpie then tinning with solder.
-Brett
Brett Miller, Sun May 27 2007, 07:39PM
Daniel,
Nice work on the board and CT's. I would not mind trying out the PCB mount CT's for my DRSSTC-1 also, but I have a bunch of medium ferrite cores from Electronic Goldmine, so I'll probably just cascade them with 4 of those. I am getting ready to build my half bridge as soon as I order the TVS and Zeners from Digikey. But in while I am waiting for those, I'm gonna etch a board for a few SISG sections...just to use up some spare TO-247 IGBT's I don't need for DRSSTC work. My SIDACs are on the way and should be here soon. Anyway, my point is that the toner transfer method would probably be ideal for the simple SISG boards...unless I just end up drawing it freehand with a sharpie then tinning with solder.
-Brett
Re: Current Transformer PCB
Coronafix, Mon May 28 2007, 03:00AM
I found that acetone still needs some elbow work,
so I used one of the green scourers with it.
Came off quite easy.
Coronafix, Mon May 28 2007, 03:00AM
I found that acetone still needs some elbow work,
so I used one of the green scourers with it.
Came off quite easy.
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