Roberts Rambler BT Dab radio repair.

bassbindevil

Joined Jan 23, 2014
924
Oh, if there's a solder pad underneath the chip... I might get out the Dremel tool with a carbide burr and chew the chip down to the metal substrate, then desolder. Protect the surrounding stuff with masking tape and cardboard.
But I'd be tempted to replace it with a separate amplifier module, because I'm not at all confident I could install a new chip of that type without a temperature-controlled hot air station.
 

mick5621

Joined Apr 23, 2023
29
Oh, if there's a solder pad underneath the chip... I might get out the Dremel tool with a carbide burr and chew the chip down to the metal substrate, then desolder. Protect the surrounding stuff with masking tape and cardboard.
But I'd be tempted to replace it with a separate amplifier module, because I'm not at all confident I could install a new chip of that type without a temperature-controlled hot air station.
I'm sure your method would also be just as effective but rather messy and take longer but still get the same result at the end of it.
I got my hot air station from AliExpress, its a very basic one, model number is 858D and I've used it so many times.. only about £15 with 6 different nozzles. Came in around 2 weeks. I can't praise it enough and it removes anything I throw infront of it. I set it to 400 deg c with 7/10 air flow, plenty of flux and the IC will pop of within 10-15 seconds.
It's always easier with the correct tools BUT there is always a alternative method. Its all down to the individual. Good luck
 

bassbindevil

Joined Jan 23, 2014
924
Thanks for that tip and endorsement. I've tried the hot air ejector on my butane iron, but I guess it doesn't have the right temperature and air flow. Things just end up charred or melted or both. Surface mount rework wasn't taught yet when I was in school.
 

mick5621

Joined Apr 23, 2023
29
The thing do do is just keep the heat at around 380-400 deg Celsius, use plenty of flux and keep the heat gun moving around, don't keep in one place for too long, go around the outside of the chip continuously, and use a small nozzle too, just heat the chip and not the surrounding items. It does take practice, I practiced on some scrap pcb first then bit the bullet on my first project.
Good luck
 
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