crwdns2936637:0crwdne2936637:0 crwdns2853008:0crwdne2853008:0 crwdns2918746:0crwdne2918746:0

crwdns2944351:0crwdnd2944351:0Ferguson FM and DAB Digital Radio Cracked Soldercrwdnd2944351:0crwdne2944351:0

crwdns2933797:0Dave Empsoncrwdnd2933797:0crwdne2933797:0

crwdns2936043:0crwdne2936043:0 crwdns2933505:0crwdne2933505:0 Dave Empson

crwdns2933769:0crwdne2933769:0
crwdns2933771:0crwdne2933771:0
crwdns2933801:0crwdne2933801:0
crwdns2866306:0crwdne2866306:0
Ferguson FM and DAB digital radio
Type
replacement
Thing
cracked solder
Title
Ferguson FM and DAB digital radio cracked solder
Introduction
This Ferguson fm/dab radio model FRG-120D was manufactured about 2004. The radio exhibited a blank screen with its backlight on. Sometimes the radio would work (fm more than digital dab). the performance was the same with battery or mains. This problem got worse over they years.
On disassembly (easy), i noticed the movement of the ribbon cable could cause the LCD display to work occasionally, so I knew there was a bad connection somewhere.
Inspection of the ribbon cable connector using a x10 hand lens and good lighting (sunshine in my case) showed solder cracking around the meniscus of the solder. Cracking was mostly at the edges of the 13 core ribbon. These cracks were repaired the standard way by remelting the solder with a hot soldering iron and a little flux. Then all worked well.
Normally solder cracking occurs on the pins of hot component (thermal fatigue), but here I think it was due to the ribbon cable being too short and a clamped-on heavy ferrite ring putting stress on the connection especially when the radio was moved around (mechanical fatigue).
Time Required Min
crwdns2931291:03crwdne2931291:0
Time Required Max
crwdns2931291:03crwdne2931291:0
Imageid
crwdns2933769:0crwdne2933769:0
crwdns2933771:0crwdne2933771:0
Objectid

crwdns2933769:0crwdne2933769:0

crwdns2933771:0crwdne2933771:0
Difficulty
Moderate
Conclusion
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
Author
Dave Empson
Public
crwdns2853046:0crwdne2853046:0

crwdns2943215:0crwdne2943215:0

  • Soldering Iron x1 added.
  • Phillips #0 Screwdriver x1 added.

crwdns2943213:0crwdne2943213:0

  • None x1 added.

crwdns2935255:0crwdne2935255:0

  • In Progress added.
  • Community-Contributed Guide added.