Oh damn...

[VZ_342]

So there I was, happily finishing up the DIY SU-25 weapons panel. All holes drilled, all metal folds made, panel engraving done and painted, switches in, wiring to panel connectors made, LEDs for backlighting installed, wired, and checked...

 

Lookin’ purty good!

 

“Better put in the LED resistors now, won’t be using the reduced voltage power supply...”, I thought.

 

Unhooked the voltage supply, and realized the wire from the dimmer controller wasn’t yet made or run to the weapons panel...well, now’s a good time to do that!

 

“Wait, you should put in the LED resistors now, you’ll forget if you don’t...!”, I thought.

 

Oh, poppycock! The wires will only take a couple minutes, then I’ll be right on those resistors!

 

Strung the wires, plugged it in, and turned brightness full ON!

 

And...nothing. WTH?! Oh yeah, I’d plugged in the drill so the dimmer is unplugged! No problemo, unplug the drill, plug in the dimmer, and crank it up!

 

The LEDs...ah, the LEDs! The letters shone bright red, awesome to beho....

 

Click.

 

Where’s the LED lights?!

 

Oh.

 

My.

 

$\*+!

 

*sigh*

 

Fortunately no other damage was done, and disassembly will be easy. I’ll just have to drill out 18 3mm LEDs and re-wire the backlighting panel.

 

Resistors. NEVER FORGET THE RESISTORS!

[VZ_342]

Yay, lucky me! Quick disassemble, snip the LEDs from the wire, and discovered the epoxy I used holds the LEDs in place, but can be defeated by grasping the leads and twisting the LED out of its hole. Needs a quicky touch-up with the 1/8” drill bit (marked so I don’t drill all the way thru) and epoxy the new LEDs...should be all soldered up with an hour or two.

 

And yes, the resistors are in place, soldered and heat shrinked.

 

:thumbup:

[VZ_342]

Show off time!

 

Replaced the LEDs, installed the resistors (also checked with a voltmeter for full range of dimmer voltage prior to plugging in the panel)...and hey ho, the merry-oh: