EC1515B 4-digit Rotating LED Electronic Clock Kit Build

In this video I build an electronic clock kit! I attempt to do it with a cheap USB soldering iron, but don't last long before switching back to the Hakko. I also offer a few soldering tips and useful tools and gear.
It's a decent little clock with animated LEDs, time, date, temperature, and light sensor.
This is an unpaid, non-sponsored review
Follow up video showing the laser cut case:
• EC1515B 4-digit Rotati...
EC1515A clock kit:
aud.dx.com/prod...
Laser cut enclosure:
aud.dx.com/prod...
Schematics and instructions:
dariancabot.com...
Patreon link: / nfm

[@docrobb]

I use these kits as an instructional tool in a HS electronics class. Over the years I've found it best if the LEDs are tested before soldering in the board as this is the one component that has proven to be unreliable. Simple to do with a coin cell, slip the coin cell between the legs of the LED with the long leg on the + side press the legs together and the LED will illuminate if it's good. While the kit looks complicated it isn't really that difficult but it is a good test of soldering skills and an excellent confidence booster when a kid gets it right.

[@NearFarMedia]

Nice tip with the coin cell! I'll use that trick for sure. :)

[@gweliver]

Thank You for this LED clock kit project video. I will buy one! Thank you for the tips and the extra little tid-bits of things we should be thinking about to make a project successful!

[@Synthematix]

I put 5mm diffused white leds on the hour numbers and replaced the buzzer with a vibration motor

[@dash8brj]

You earned a subscriber - that usb soldering is crap - I had one and it went in the bin 4 hours after I recieved it in the mail. Sticking to my Hakko clone soldering station. Just ordered one of those clocks - red/blue leds and blue 7 segment. :)

[@RoloisRight]

Nice clock kit. I liked the different modes. It might be nicer to customize it with different color LEDs. The red isn't bad, but I'm not a fan of the green. Good effort with the USB iron. I had a good laugh when you pulled it out as I knew it wasn't going to go well for you for this kit. EDIT: It looks like there's several color combinations for this kit across the various sites - DX, Ali, BG, etc

[@NearFarMedia]

+RoloisRight Yeah the USB soldering iron was frustrating! It looks like they sell a red and blue LED version, but you're right, you could substitute for other colours too.

[@prizingir666]

Really good video. But one good tip. Solder always from Inside to outside. Because it´s easier to reach the solder points.

[@TheRadiogeek]

Nice clock kit. I know its hard to use a junky soldering iron when you have been using a good iron like the Hakko. You gave the USB iron more of a try that I would have. I would have chucked it in the bin after the first bad solder joint.

[@NearFarMedia]

+TheRadiogeek Thanks, yeah I persevered longer than usual for the video. I wanted to demonstrate why these USB soldering irons struggle to provide good results. Thanks for watching!

[@johncoops6897]

With that USB soldering iron, the probable reason you are struggling is that your power supply is not powerful enough, and/or the USB cable has too much voltage drop. I have a similar iron and it pulls about 2.5A. On a normal 1A power pack it struggles like yours, because it attempts to pull >2A, the power supply droops, switches off, then Soldering iron switches off. However on a strong power supply that can maintain >5V with >2A, mine actually gets TOO hot - so I run it off a small adjustable CC CV Buck regulator, and adjust the amps to control the temps.

[@tex24]

Nice kit. Do you know if you can disable the cycling between time, temp and date and only display time?

[@grayanderson6840]

you actually should keep your finger on the button of the soldering iron. If you take your finger off then it goes off. These soldering irons are brilliant for the price and you can use a power bank and take it where you like. Make sure the power bank is a good one though.

[@rhubbitdronesmnl3383]

the first digit on my clock (12:00 = "1") isn't working. any idea what the problem is? could it be how I soldered it? or a hardware problem?

[@call5sam]

Great video! So good I think I will buy and build this!

[@Johadart]

Hi mate , good kit build, I’m hopefully going to order one or two kits, where abouts in Australia are you situated at? Nearest town will do. Cheers

[@NearFarMedia]

Japan! :D

[@johnberry5339]

Just about to start building my kit, thanks for the tutorial. John.... :)

[@caidenkalel4649]

You probably dont care but if you are bored like me during the covid times then you can watch pretty much all the latest series on instaflixxer. I've been binge watching with my girlfriend for the last few months xD

[@emanuelmekhi2458]

@Caiden Kalel Yup, I've been using instaflixxer for years myself :D

[@kairolewis1372]

@Caiden Kalel Yup, I've been watching on instaflixxer for months myself :D

[@springy120453]

You mention concern that the components come packed in styrofoam which may cause problems with static. Are you wearing a static grounding strap, and is the tabletop also a grounded ESD workstation?

[@jeffflowers5489]

That's the newer version with no SMD parts. I've assembled both. Both are fun.

[@bestamerica]

' can this DIY rotating LED clock kit use a pack of four AA batterys = 6 volts... would be work fine or better not... will it burn out LED or microchip controller

[@detudoumpoucows]

ele funciona com 5volts e qual consumo em amperes??legal esse kit

[@ЕвгенийВалентиновичМишаков]

Additional undocumented settings. To get to them you need to press the "Mode" button and keep it pressed for 7-10 seconds. First, there will be a switch to the parameters in which the alarm is tuned after each hour, alarms, melodies, etc., DO NOT RELEASE the BUTTON, keep it pressed, after a few seconds there will be a switch to these settings: 1) On / Off brightness control depending on the light in the room. 2) Setting the sensitivity of the photosensor. 3) Temperature units: Of - degrees Celsius, On - degrees Fahrenheit. 4) Correction of temperature readings, 1 unit = 1 degree. 5) Time format: 12h / 24h. 6) Setting the information displayed: 1 - ALL (time, date, day of the week, temperature), 2 - time for 15 seconds. then the temperature is 3 sec, 0 - time only. 7) Automatic change of modes of a ring of light-emitting diodes. Values ​​from 0 to 84. 0 - do not change, 1-84 - change after 1-84 minutes. (That is, if you set the value to 1, the LED ring light mode will change to another one after 1 minute, if you put 5, then the mode will be changed every 5 minutes.)

[@borayurt66]

Nice video, do you have an update on the accuracy of the clock? Also some people have mentioned that you need to keep your finger on the button of that usb soldering iron, and/or you need a better power supply capable of putting out 2+ amps inorder to get better results. Any comments on those will be appreciated too. Thanks.

[@peteanderson2533]

Hello, I got this kit. Went together well, but on testing, I can't change the led modes. I get a weird number after the date scrolls by "-3-". Also I get 24 options instead of 13 in the "long hold" setup section. After option 9, they are all weird, unknown settings. I have been soldering for quite a few years now and have checked all the joints. Built the earlier version (smd) of this with no issue. Any suggestions please?

[@johnberry5339]

Can I ask you please, how many solder connections to the mini usb should there be? all the pins on mine dont appear to be long enough to go through the board to solder them. Thank you very much. John... :)

[@tt986903]

I was wanting to purchase this kit but seems from stock pictures that this won't go into the 12 hour time format??? Does anyone know how to, if possible, on how to switch this? A buddy got this kit and said it didn't come with instructions although he figured out how to get it all together...

[@donaldhenke2750]

can it be changer to standard time and not military time?

[@NearFarMedia]

I believe it can.

[@Константин-м6д]

The new version of this set, the clock has become much larger, and is now completely made on smd elements, the usual LEDs have been replaced with RGB kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXqbiK2Km56oeLM

[@grayanderson6840]

The thermistor suppose to be left long and stick out the hole in the case for outside temperature. And yes throw that silly USB soldering iron away.

[@gadgetuk48]

Hi Just built this V3 , but noticed after an hour it's gained 2 mins already, anyone have any ideas why? Cheers

[@rc223]

just bough one, trying to put it toughener

[@midhunkumar5955]

In my clock,it takes more than 7 seconds to finish a single second in the clock... can anyone please help me with this problem...

[@donaldhenke2750]

how to change to 12 hour????? please????????????????????

[@Thestripper1]

Mine was fried. Propably from static. It just wouldn't start up. Threw it away.

[@sebastienlamon5939]

Bonjours j'ai le meme kit ec1515b v3 mais pourquoi moi mes les il y a qu'un seul choix.le modele de base.

[@jeffflowers5489]

Your solder may not have enough (or any) flux.

[@bestamerica]

Jeff Flowers Your solder may not have enough (or any) flux. ' hi JF... still have good kit and use a sheet of diaper wiper cleaning on a board then ready soldier... dont need a flux

[@Zanewv]

I just finished mine, but what does -6- mean when clock is displaying time temp and date?

[@Casalasac]

Day of week

[@danieldarby7]

Found the updated instructions for this if anyone needs them. drive.google.com/open?id=1vKOKUBzf-lHUm_wGsl_LVzuZ8HId6rNq

[@jameshauser1507]

Clean the GD tip dude.

[@MichaelBeeny]

Interesting and informative video but please can you stop saying the word LIKE in almost every sentence and leave it to the youth.

[@NearFarMedia]

Are you saying I'm old??! ;) I'll keep it in mind for future. Thanks for the feedback.

[@wearemany73]

You didn’t explain about the build (LED polarity would have been helpful) or anything other than obsessing about your crappy soldering iron. 🤦‍♂️

[@davidhaney1394]

ive got one of those irons , they suck....lol

[@bestamerica]

David Haney ive got one of those irons , they suck....lol ' hi DH... who is a word -- THEY --

[@alexpacha]

tutto sto materiale , pare che stai a fa la bomba atomica ....

[@Zanewv]

Too much talking

[@BKD70]

Not enough listening...

[@johnberry5339]

Can I ask you please, how many solder connections to the mini usb should there be? all the pins on mine dont appear to be long enough to go through the board to solder them. Thank you very much. John... :)