How to repair a PCB Trace?

[cumesoftware]

Not the ideal solution, especially when you have tracks very close to each other.

[javapda]

@cumesoftware you are correct.

[ChrisBit692002]

or to save a lot of time take a .22 gage wire and jumper the trace. strip off abt 1/4" of insulation then "tin" the wire then snip it shorter so not to short with another contact, then just soder that wire from one side of the broken trace ie a restor leg or an IC or cap (where the broken trace meets the componet) then do the same on the other side.

[JessikaTasha]

Know where I could order one of these pens online? My keyboard had beer spilled on it on my birthday and they've since discontinued the model I have

[acid4444]

The one from JessikaTasha is from me, accidentally left my girlfriend signed in, if someone replies, do so to this account please.

[javapda]

@JessikaTasha mcmelectronics dotcom

[acid4444]

@javapda - Thanks a lot



[TheBrnabrna]

You could put electro isolation tape around the spot you are trying to restore so only the target area would be contaminated with the conductor.

Im braking my head with a graffic card pcb, its so tiny im gona die xd

[ackpacket]

use tape to mask off the area around the trace. Two pieces of tape close to each other will make the thin straight line you're after

[reply4reply]

i use the pen all times it works fine for me, just one tiny tip. it's good idea to bake it or hot air it so it lasts longer.

[FearTriX]

It would be a good idea to clean the area from flux residues with isopropyl alcohol before applying the silver based compound.

[javapda]

@FearTriX Excellent comment! Thanks.

[PhuckHue2]

I use solder to repair a trace. easy fix

[GuitarGuy0008]

Nice vid, I was doing some mods to a guitar effects pedal and I broke the trace around the hole where a capacitor lead goes, can this fix that? If not, does anybody have any experience or tips on doing that?

[javapda]

@GuitarGuy0008 Yes

[GuitarGuy0008]

@javapda thanks I'll have to pick one up

[cumesoftware]

I would prefer making a new PCB. Those traces seem to be to thin.

[dudomaniac]

You might try soldering a bit hotter, so your solder flows more nicely on the pads. Also try to avoid 90 degree bends on PCB traces as much as possible. They bring nothing but HF noise and easily damaged traces.

[javapda]

@dudomaniac Thanks for the great tip! Especially about the HF noise

[cumesoftware]

@dudomaniac I personnaly like to use a low wattage, but a pretty hot iron. It will allow the solder to flow better and needs less time to heat up components. Plus, it won't damage components as a colder iron would do, since the heat has less time to propagate through the component leads.

[djturbojp7]

awesome man thanks i'm going to buy one of those. I'm swapping different color LEDs in my stock radio (from green to amber) and I just messed up one of the traces now I can fix this!

[javapda]

@djturbojp7 Glad to hear this

[omaudio]

pen looks pretty sketchy- you could make a small pool of the material and then apply it with a very fine point paint brush- assuming the material does not destroy the bristles of the brus- would guess you could apply much more accurately this way. Thanks for the vid.

[nyy622]

would conductive glue be better for repairing traces?

[javapda]

@nyy622 I could be, but I have not tried it myself. If you try, I would love to know how it went.

[nyy622]

@javapda hey also what is something i can use to remove the green cover on the PCB, so its easier to do work with it? someone told me to scratch it off with xacto knife but i dont want to mess up the traces and that seems a little bit too extreme.

[djtonyxxx5]

it's a really bad made board.

[javapda]

@djtonyxxx5 :-)

[djtonyxxx5]

@javapda i'll post to you one smd adaptor i've made with traditional tecnique. i think you can't do a thing like that.

[javapda]

@djtonyxxx5 Thank you very much.

[fronkenpoop]

You said you wouldn't want to rely on it. Me neither. You could have done a better job soldering a copper wire into the circuit for that distance. Well, that's what I would have done any way. The pen looked far too cumbersome.

[javapda]

@fronkenpoop :-) Good point.

[fronkenpoop]

I've never used conductive paint. Are you able to solder to it when it's completely dry?

I saw a novel use for conductive paint- cant remember where. Students had painted it discretely into a mural. Various electronic modules could (not fixed) be added to the painted tracks, containing LEDs, motors etc, used to animate the piece. The conductive paint tracks were a part of the design, and used deliver power throughout the mural. Sounds a bit lame, but I thought it was quite an original idea.

[javapda]

Great question.  I have not tried it myself (soldering to dried conductive)

That sounds pretty original! If you find a link for it I'd love to see it. Thanks.

[javapda]

Another good point. Copper can do a good job at jumpering a break in a trace.

[RetroGamerVX]

Thanks Java, been looking everywhere for a video like this!!

[javapda]

@RetroGamerVX Glad you enjoyed it.

[888chilly]

how do you cut a trace on a pcb

i am working on a project which asks to cut 2 and i dont know how

[javapda]

@888chilly Usually when asked to "cut" a trace they are intending you to break the path of the trace. In other words, introducing an open circuit. To do this you could use a find tipped instrument and simply scrape a section of the trace. Once the trace is "cut" no current would be be allowed to pass through that part of the circuit.

Does that make sense?

[DeathstrokeV]

360 dvd drive?

[888chilly]

its for a overclocking kit for my ds

[RetroGamerVX]

@888chilly I did not know you could do that

[Lokivoid]

Most trace pens are horrid unless you pay out the ass for nano silver, Your better off getting a pad replace kit the has multiple trace size cuts there basicly copper decals. As for the board the reason's for that trace being bad is one poor soldering technique and lack of fluxing. Your allso not solder masking your board's, And the board it self appears to be overetched and done with the laughable inkjet printer method opposed to photoetching.

[butchtropic]

Poor soldering all around, he's a butcher!!

[PhatQ45TT1]

your hands look scary dude

[pkpk614350]

This type of PCB is crap becoz the trace can be easily removed..

[butball2006]

could i use arctic`silver 5 thermal paste instead of conductive pen?

[javapda]

Not sure.  I have not tried it myself. If you do use it I would like to hear how it works for you.

Thanks.

[daymare10110]

I blew out a some of the PCB on my new circuit board... :( by overloading a fan jumper with to much power, would i be able to use this method to connect the now severed wires?

I also heard you can use a graphite pencil

[ladiipeace]

Where can that pen be purchased I need to fix my tv but can seem to find anything that works

[baiba1988]

do you know how to fix if the copper or the silver thingy came off from the board?

[javapda]

By copper (or silver thingy) do you mean the trace on the board?

If so, then this method should work for you. It still may be a more permanent solution to solder a jumper wire across the gap.

Best wishes.

[baiba1988]

THanks

[punkorganist]

I know this is way off the topic of circuitry but that bumper music hilariously AWESOME.

[javapda]

:-) Glad you liked it.

[dumbogdan]

great idea ! but what about the sensual musical ? :))

[javapda]

yes, I guess it is kind of an interesting musical selection :-)

[charmingbanana]

i think its could be better to cover the board with 2 parallel tapes outlining just the damaged circuit line ...then applying the pen ..

then removing the tapes ..

leaves a clean straight line .

[javapda]

What a great idea! Thank you.

[koz1204]

that is s very good idea. this should not only make it easier but keep you from overlapping with another trace.

[dunesandworm]

I bought one from tanners here in DFW, but it must have been old, I tapped, shook, and squeezed the living crap out of it and only got a microscopic amout of "ink". Nott worth the 20 bucks for me, It was easier just to jump the gap with a very thin wire. nice to see that some of them work I might tttry again somettime.

[javapda]

Agreed. This method seems more appropriate for minor repairs, or for repairs that need to get done right away, when you do not necessarily have the equipment needed.

Thanks for watching.

[AnthraxBomb13]

Awesome! I did a hard mod (cutting a trace) on the circuit board on my psp battery to do custom firmware. I tried a bunch of other things to repair it but it didnt last long. Soldering can't be done because it's too small. Im ordering this pen for $25 from a catalogue and hopefully it will help.

[javapda]

Great to hear that!

[SHOOTINhomer]

Lol I know that mod. Pencil sometimes works...

[FFTG]

Very nice video. I have been into electronics as a job and hobby but I fit my genders stereotype by ignoring directions haha. I have to fix a trace on an xbox mother board and I'm gonna try this out. Thank you!!

[javapda]

Excellent! I hope it comes out well.

[FFTG]

Well I was never able to find the pen anywhere... Shucks, so I just got a replacement board. No biggie...

[Robertosten]

how much costs this conductive pen? that's amazing

[Banzai2001]

helped me fix my tv remote, thanks!!!

[javapda]

Glad to hear it!