PICKINI V4 - an easy to build, self adjusting PI detector

[nick holas]

my etching method

hi all
hi bernard
hi ripsdevala

for etching my pcb whit toner transfer method i use 1/3 water,1/3 peroxid( 120 volume ),1/3 chloric acid .it takes aprox 30s with good result but the problem is the chlore gaz so do it outside and not like me on the absolutly new outside metalic garden table that we both .it make very beautifull hole!!!!!! (my ears remember 10 years after the shout of my wife!!!!!! LOL)
you can do it faster without water (3s!!) but not very good result.
to experiment put a nail when you finished,it makes hot (very hot!!!),foam and chlore gaz but the nail become like pin (very sharp like a hook fish) but BEWARE!!!!!!

bernard ,the led effect i was speaking that was amazing ,was your method to see if there is an inductive field around the coil,i tryed it with euro ace MD and my friends was impressed!!! they said " are you magician???" and answer "no,no! just a simple man!!!" LOL (thank you for that)

[morganton]

That would be handy, 45min etching is normal for me for using used feric acid

Someone did an Instructable comparing vinegar/hydrogen peroxide to Ferric Chloride for etching. Vinegar/Hydrogen Peroxide did well.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Is-t...very-kitchen-/

[Tim]

My first etching experiments were with citric acid/peroxide/salt. Although slow, even the toner transferred text, down to .1mm or less was etched precisely. Citric or vinegar is OK.

[ripsdevala]

My setup。。。
Still cant calibrating near my house, will try at the river bank
Box1
Box2
Inside
Ready

[F117]

Still cant calibrating near my house, will try at the river bank

Is the battery voltage still OK ( 12 V ) ?

[ripsdevala]

Yes it is, I already try 8xAA alkaline and step up Li-ion battery, sometimes its make an error coil sound.

Correction:
You are right... Battery is low, i think my kid turn it on all day long.

[F117]

sometimes its make an error coil sound.

The intermittent low tone is indeed the LOW BATTERY indicator.
It is the same sound as the COIL ERROR indicator that you would hear continuously immediately after booting the detector.

Charge the batteries, go outside to the search spot, hold coil away from metal, switch it on and go for treasure! ( user manual in a nutshell ).

[ripsdevala]

Bernard sir, when i use 8xAA alkaline battery the md working just fine, but when i put 3.7v Lion batt+charger module+step-up module to 12v its not working properly like the last sound i upload, i think i need new module.

[F117]

I typically use 8xAA NiZn rechargeable ( 1.5V instead of NiMH 1.2V ) or 3x LiIon in series from a laptop power supply.

[morganton]

Transferring Circuit Image to PCB

I have to say that I'm surprised at how easy it is to transfer images to a PCB. This was my first try using an iron and I think it will be useable after filling in with a Sharpie.

I fed a glossy page from a NY Times magazine that we get with the Sunday paper through my laser printer and printed the Pickini pdf file from here: http://www.geotech1.com/forums/attac...4&d=1476693260 I scaled the image at 50% which seems to be about the right size for the DIP adaptor.

I "ironed" it for about five minutes on the highest heat setting and then placed the new PCB in some hot water and let it soak for about three minutes. Then I peeled the paper off and finished cleaning it with a toothbrush. After I finish the PCB image, I'm going to try and etch it with vinegar/hydrogen peroxide. So far the cost of this is $0 because I already had the copper.

[ripsdevala]

Morgwnton sir, you may get more greater result with cheap thin photo paper and laser printer, difer toner difer result, just iron for one or two minutes let it cold and peal with water.
Sample


Here are better pdf ready to print, size A4

[Tim]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained morganton!
A couple of considerations- 5 minutes is possibly too long. Once the heat has transferred through to the copper that should be enough-say 30-60 seconds. It does look like the toner has smudged somewhat... I am using toner transfer paper off ebay. I tried with glossy paper, thinking I needed the cheap, floppy catalogue type. It was a disaster. In retrospect, the better quality glossy paper used for tourist brochures etc. may be better, allowing it to be carefully peeled off. Yes, with the catalogue paper I soaked, but in cold water, the delicately brushed it off. But still had some peeling at the edges. I read somewhere the trick (with the thicker glossy) was to place the copper/paper in the freezer for 10 minutes, then carefully peel off. The first step is to get the copper impeccably clean. I use a new green scourer and detergent to remove any oily residue, then the green scourer and rain (or distilled) water.
If you are not happy with your transfer result, it can easily be removed with acetone.
Also i bought a small drill press for an electric drill. I use .8mm bits for most holes, and 1mm for larger legs, with the PCB on a block of wood. Previously, drilling by hand, I centre-punched the holes, but using the press it was easier not to, as any mis-alignment caused the hole to be drilled totally out of the centre-punch divet.
Good luck. I am sure you will perfect it.

[morganton]

So, I cleaned up the PCB with a Sharpie. I think I will try to etch it. I definitely had to fill in some traces.


Thanks Tim. It is certainly a learning process.

[Qiaozhi]

So, I cleaned up the PCB with a Sharpie. I think I will try to etch it. I definitely had to fill in some traces.
[ATTACH]37851[/ATTACH]

Thanks Tim. It is certainly a learning process.

With a design that small, it must be easier to use stripboard.

[Tim]

For real small designs, just mark the 2.54mm pinholes, then join the dots with the sharpie.