[NTLK] SER-001 rev B installation report

From: Johannes Wolf (jkf.wolf_at_gmx.net)
Date: Fri Apr 19 2002 - 04:29:34 EDT


As promised, here are my experiences with the new SER-001 rev B:

1) in the previous revision U1 touched C73 on the logic board (100uH)
causing the SER-001 to be higher above the logic board, this has been
changed: next to the C73 is plenty of space (regarding component height)

2) the PCB material of the SER-001 rev. B is more thin which contributes to
reduce the overall height (important to close the back cover without
problems)

3) the connector P1 (to the logic board) has now a connector frame. I had
the feeling that now it is even more difficult to mate the connector,
especially for the first time. But the connector frame definitely reduces
the risk of contact bending during mating and helps for sure to carry forces
from plugging the mini DIN. One thing I noticed is that the connector frame
comes very close to L6 on the logic board, so one should take care to move
the microphone cable slightly in order to prevent the connector frame from
sitting on the cable on top of L6.

4) the screws have all the same length. I was not able to put the long screw
into the mounting seat marked with an arrow (=>). I used the old one for the
previous SER-001 (about half the length) and it fits perfect.

5) the other (long) screw now fits perfectly without sticking out too much.

6) the Newts bottom cover now closes pefectly without any problem (ok, the
previous version of SER-001 has been in before)

and last but not least: the functional test was ok.

All in all a great work, thank you, David!

I have the feeling that the request for SER-001B is not that high as
expected, but I have to admit and I think that lot of other Newtonians
(including me) expected a little add-on like the clock frequency hack or
something like that.
On the SER-001 PCB is still plenty of space. For me the only reason not to
implement the clock frequency hack was that I do not like to have the
crystals hanging around with free wiring. So I could imagine to have an
option to place the crystals on the SER-001 board and having solder pads to
connect them to the logic board. Even if there is not yet a technically
clean solution to switch between the crystals, the pads for a microswitch
and the wiring could also be on the SER-001 board already.
But ok, this is only IMHO.
So the main reason for me to order two SER-001B was to upgrade my second MP
2x00 and to help a friend who feels not capable to implement the SER-001
himself.

Many thanks again to David, your work is highly appreciated!

Johannes

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