Angry Storm Cloud Guide

Are you new to soldering? Check out our resources for learning how to solder, and learning all about different types of solder and soldering supplies!

Overview

This little cloud may look mean, but we promise it’s fun and easy to solder up!


This is a super fun and simple storm cloud blinky board. It has 3 self-flashing LEDs that act as the clouds lightning bolts, an on/off switch, and includes a CR2032 battery.  This is Robyn's second circuit board design (Happy Rain Cloud was her first), and she thought it was a fun opposite.  It remains the most popular of the Cloud kits.


V1 boards use "after dark" circuit boards - the fiberglass is black and soldermask is clear.  This means you can see all the pretty copper on the back, and the boards photo'd in the instructions below are this version.  V2 boards use standard fiberglass with black soldermask, so the back of the board looks entirely black.

$
5.47
 
$
10.95

Solder Battery Holder

We made the holes for the battery holder snug so with a little pressure it should snap into place for easy soldering!


*Note: The battery holder is made of metal so it gets hot when soldering. Be careful touching it during and directly after soldering!


*We like to add a bit of extra solder so the clouds eyes look nice and smooth.

Solder the Switch

If you're having trouble keeping the board from moving when soldering you can use a piece of tape to hold the board down. Just be sure not to have the tape too close to where you are soldering your joint!


*Note: The switch is made of metal so it gets hot when soldering. Be careful touching it during and directly after soldering!

Solder the LEDs

When soldering LEDs, start with only soldering 1 leg on each LED. You can them flip the board over, if any of the LEDs aren't laying flat on the board you can reflow the solder while pressing down on the LED lens. Once all the LEDs are laying flat, you can solder the 2nd leg and clip off the ends.

We usually use a spool of solder wick to support the other side of the board while soldering. (you can use anything that's a similar height to the board)


The long and short is referring to the lengths of the LED legs. The long leg should go through the hole labeled long and the short leg through the hole labeled short.

Solder 3V USB Adapter Board

Line up the adapter board on the back of the PCB. We find it helpful to use a piece of tape to holde the adapter board in place while soldering it. Solder each end marked with a + on the board, then remove the tape and solder the 3rd point in the middle of the board to the large GND pad.

*If your kit came with a battery and battery holder go to V1 instructions

Solder the Switch

If you're having trouble keeping the board from moving when soldering you can use a piece of tape to hold the board down. Just be sure not to have the tape too close to where you are soldering your joint!

Solder the LEDs

When soldering LEDs, start with only soldering 1 leg on each LED. You can them flip the board over, if any of the LEDs aren't laying flat on the board you can reflow the solder while pressing down on the LED lens. Once all the LEDs are laying flat, you can solder the 2nd leg and clip off the ends.


We usually use a spool of solder wick to support the other side of the board while soldering. (you can use anything that's a similar height to the board)

Insert Battery and Turn On!

The switch is marked with ON and OFF.

Match the + side of the battery to the + side of the battery holder.

Place Magnet or Adhesive Pin (optional)

The magnets are very strong, use caution when handling. Place magnet on the battery holder, this will only work if the battery is installed. You can then attach it to any magnetic surface like your fridge.


If you'd like to wear your badge, you can use the ahdesive back pin provided in your kit. Remove the strip covering the adhesive and firmly press to the battery holder. You can then pin the badge to your shirt.

Downloads

How to download our BOM from GitHub:
1. Click the BOM button above
2. Right click over the raw data
3. Select save as and save the CSV file
Have any questions?  Contact us!