Can surface mount parts be replaced by normal parts?

Pro5 · Post by **Pro5** » Tue May 26, 2009 12:57 pm

Sorry for weird question, tried google already.

Basically I have a circuit board here that has some Surface mount components gone (I mean.. literally gone off the pcb). It's only basic stuff (resistor and 2 capacitors). Obviously tiny solder points. Nothing mission critical (part of a USB input to reg the voltage etc I guess).

So rather than become an expert in SMT and buy loads of microscopic gear, will I be able to replace the 3 components with 'normal sized' resistors and capcitors if they are availble in the same spec (k etc)... I was thinking of running some tiny wires up from the mounts and soldering on smaller but easier normal sized components. Would the resistance be too high if I did this?

Any advice on this is appreciated as I've never replaced SM stuff before

thanks

Post by **novielo** » Tue May 26, 2009 1:54 pm

yes you can. tiny wires from the point the SMT should be to your "full size" component is the way to go. i did this several times and it always worked (1\4w instead of the SMT). i even used couple of time scrap leads of resistor and soldered them perpendicular to the surface, with a good solder you'll be able to rip the trace before it brakes.

use so type of insulation to make sure the new oversize component don't short circuit anything.

enjoy

garranimal · Post by **garranimal** » Tue May 26, 2009 11:40 pm

SMT soldering doesn't look that bad.

Nonetheless, standard components are tricky enough to solder I concede. Be wary of space clearances inside the enclosure.

Pro5 · Post by **Pro5** » Tue May 26, 2009 11:57 pm

Thanks guys, glad to hear it works - this brings me much inner peace

Just got to work out the 3 components I need now (I think one is to replace a 1k5 resistor the other 2 are caps which I think say 20R or something on the PCB) - will look more closely with a macro flash photo tomorrow.

thanks again

garranimal · Post by **garranimal** » Wed May 27, 2009 12:35 am

Pro5 wrote:Just got to work out the 3 components I need now (I think one is to replace a 1k5 resistor the other 2 are caps which I think say 20R or something on the PCB) - will look more closely with a macro flash photo tomorrow.

If the component says 20R that should mean 20 ohm resistors, funny how they never use the omega ohm symbol on anything. Caps would use the 'u' or 'p' to indicate micro or pica-farads. the 1k5 resistor also means 1.5k ohm. Hope I'm being helpful and not a bugger. Good luck - it will work!

BTW whatcha workin' on? Usually you can find schematics and pcb layouts with components called-out.

Post by **Stab Frenzy** » Wed May 27, 2009 5:33 am

It would be much much easier for you to just solder new SMD parts on than try to attach through-hole components to an SMD board. You'll still have to solder to a tiny pad but you've got the added bonus of the part not fitting in and having leverage to pull the trace off the board. If that happens you're screwed.

Can surface mount parts be replaced by normal parts?

Can surface mount parts be replaced by normal parts?

Re: Can surface mount parts be replaced by normal parts?

Re: Can surface mount parts be replaced by normal parts?

Re: Can surface mount parts be replaced by normal parts?

Re: Can surface mount parts be replaced by normal parts?

Re: Can surface mount parts be replaced by normal parts?