12 replies to this topic

[bsavells]

Just a random question about the bright white Power LED - Is there a way to toggle it on or off? Thank you!

[Mario Vernari]

Be more specific: I don't understand what you mean.

[Chris Walker]

Hi bsavells, Not in code. You could put a piece of electrical tape over it. Or you could remove it from the board if you'd like...the rest of the board will continue to function normally. That would definitely void your 30 day warranty though Chris

[bsavells]

Hi bsavells,

Not in code.

You could put a piece of electrical tape over it.

Or you could remove it from the board if you'd like...the rest of the board will continue to function normally. That would definitely void your 30 day warranty though

Chris

Thank you, Chris! It certainly would be nice to be able to toggle it off manually in code. That sucker is BRIGHT! Lol!

[Stefan]

Thank you, Chris! It certainly would be nice to be able to toggle it off manually in code. That sucker is BRIGHT! Lol!

I'm not sure if a permanent marker would void the warranty, Chris? Could be a subtle solution as well, to make it less bright.

[monewwq1]

How can you actually remove the power LED from the board safely? I have an application I am doing with light sensors and the power LED is distracting the sensors. I would like to remove the LED but it is small. Should I just crack it off with a pair of pliers or is there a more "scientific" method?

[Chris Walker]

How can you actually remove the power LED from the board safely? I have an application I am doing with light sensors and the power LED is distracting the sensors. I would like to remove the LED but it is small. Should I just crack it off with a pair of pliers or is there a more "scientific" method?

Do you have black electrical tape?

If you do remove it, you'll want to use a soldering iron and tweezers (very carefully). Heat up the solder on both sides of the LED (switching every half second or so between the two) and then carefully remove the power LED using tweezers. Please note that this completely voids your warranty, for obvious reasons

I'd still recommend a small piece of electrical tape though...it's simple, non-destructive, and should blend right in.

Chris

[monewwq1]

Do you have black electrical tape?

If you do remove it, you'll want to use a soldering iron and tweezers (very carefully). Heat up the solder on both sides of the LED (switching every half second or so between the two) and then carefully remove the power LED using tweezers. Please note that this completely voids your warranty, for obvious reasons

I'd still recommend a small piece of electrical tape though...it's simple, non-destructive, and should blend right in.

Chris

I have electrical tape coming out my ears. Lol. But, e-tape gets sticky and is noticeable, and it can fall off. And I wanted something permanent.

I found that you can do exactly what you said to remove the LED, except to make it easier you only have to heat up one side and carefully wiggle the tweezers until the LED pops off of one solder point. Then just wiggle it off of the other solder point.

My Netduino has now entered the Dark Side. Oh, and it still works fine too. Thanks.

[CW2]

I found that you can do exactly what you said to remove the LED

Alternatively, you could have removed LED's current limiting resistor R4. (Not to mention careful cutting the PCB trace ;- )

[Stefan]

Alternatively, you could have removed LED's current limiting resistor R4. (Not to mention careful cutting the PCB trace ;- )

Sorry. But it was the first thing that came up in my mind

[Mario Vernari]

Well, this question is more interesting than expected, IMHO.

There *WOULD* be a solution to avoid the power led light, without any touching the board, thus not voiding the warranty.
The solution would be powering the Netduino with an external supply of +3.3V, thus bypassing the +5V.
BTW, the +5V are used only in three places (Netduino Plus, latest rev):

• the power led;
• the user led (which could be +3.3V powered instead);
• the analog switch for the Aref.

By powering the Netduino at +3.3V, the power led won't light. The problem still exist for the user led, which is unavailable.
Finally, I wonder whether there is any issue by powering the switch at +3.3V.

Anyway, if I was Chris Walker, I'd think about a 3rd rev with a jumper or something like that, to be able to use just a +3.3V supply.
Cheers

[CW2]

Sorry. But it was the first thing that came up in my mind

Hilarious! (*) Although, seriously, does anyone really care about warranty of a microcontroller development board?

(*) Nitpicker corner: There are missing Torx Security, Torx Plus and Apple's diabolical pentalobe and 5-point Torx variants.

[Stefan]

Although, seriously, does anyone really care about warranty of a microcontroller development board?

Only in a case of a DOA. After that, I probably broke it myself