duckyPad-Pro
duckyPad Pro Spacer Adjustment
This guide shows how to resolve an clearance issue between a component and the bottom plate.
Who’s Affected?
- Kickstarter backer number prior to (and including) 155
If your backer number is greater than 155, it is already fixed!
Symptoms
An inductor on the PCB is slightly too tall, causing it to touch the bottom plate during assembly.
The inductor used in the production run differs slightly from the one in prototyping, and I overlooked the height difference.
This oversight is entirely my fault, and I sincerely apologize.
Effects
The pressure may cause the PCB to bend slightly, putting stress on nearby components.
No hardware malfunctions have been reported yet, but it’s best to address the issue promptly.
Resolution
Fortunately, it can be fixed by adding some washers to increase the clearance.
Easily doable by hand, here are some options:
-
DIY Paper Washer
- Easiest and fastest
-
Off-the-shelf or 3D Printed Washer
- Neater if resources are available
-
Request Replacement Fasteners
- Free but takes the longest (outside UK)
Paper Washer
Easiest and fastest.
- Get a piece of semi-rigid paper
- Thickness similar to cereal box / business card
- Use the included screw driver, punch 8 holes in it.
- Cut into 8 washers
- No need to be pretty, won’t be visible anyway!
- Follow this guide in reverse until PCB is removed and bottom plate is visible
- Place the paper washers above the spacer
- For Bottom-Right, remove the spacer, place the paper UNDER it, and reinstall.
- Reinstall the PCB
- Ensure the inductor is not touching the plate
- If still touching, double up the paper.
- If all good, reassemble.
Off-the-shelf / 3D-Printed Washer
If you already have some NON-METAL M2 washer, feel free to use them!
If you have a 3D printer, it’s trivial to print some.
Same steps as paper washer above.
Replacement Fasteners
Of course, you can request a set of replacement fasteners to be sent for free!
Send me a message on Kickstarter or Discord.
It’s worth doing if you’re in UK, as it arrives next day.
Outside UK is going to take a week or so, so doing it yourself might be faster. But still, let me know!