Proffie audio crackling even after replacing speaker

Proffieboards
1

For context, I have a KR Flagship that I installed myself with all parts bought on the Saber Armory

I then uploaded the config file from my Padawan Outpost Proffie saber into the board, and for a while, everything worked perfectly. I even set the max volume in the config to 950 to prevent any blown speakers.

Less than a week ago, I was swinging it around on the Spectre 5 font by Kyberphonic, and the audio suddenly became very crackly.

I ran a few tests. Namely, replacing the speaker twice, rewiring the speaker connections, swapping microSD cards, swapping batteries. I even reuploaded the config. But nothing’s changed.

The board was perfectly seated in the chassis, and there are no visible burns on any of the components.

What could be wrong?

2

If you jumper the 5V pad to the BATT(+) does the sound clear up? If yes, you could have a bad booster.

3

So my board could be defective?

4

Sure could be. Or, it may have happened during your install. Or it may be fine and the problem is something else.

5

This is the highest quality pic I took of the board

IMG_1064
IMG_10641290Ă—616 149 KB

6

The booster would be a chip on the bottom side (see U3 in the part map linked below), and it probably doesn’t show as “blown up” if it’s bad anyway.

7

Did you clean the flux residue ? If I understand correctly, that stuff is corrosive. It might be fine at first, but it will eat away material little by little until it is not fine anymore. My soldering skill is bad but I use isopropyl alcohol on a soft toothbrush to clean the residue between each solder joint/batch of solder joints.

8

Some is corrosive, some is just somewhat conductive, others are relatively inconsequential. It depends on the kind.

But yeah that’s probably not the issue here. A bad component seems more likely if it’s not a speaker issue.

9

I used Rosin core solder so I didn’t have to use the flux. Nonetheless, I always take a small brush over the board to gently remove any debris or residue

10

IMG_1065
IMG_10651290Ă—506 118 KB

11

What could have happened? And is it just me who finds that Proffie seems to have a higher failure rate in some cases?

12

Proffie has virtually no supply-chain control because anyone can make them.

The majority of parts coming out of China are fake/knockoff parts which have worse reliability and looser tolerances to the real spec.

Put the two together and depending on where you get your board it’s luck of the draw.

That’s on top of the fact that component failure for genuine parts is just a reality, though not that common.

13

imo, no. I have bought proffie boards from the saber armory and tritiumsabers and have never had any issues. Both 3.9 and 2.2.

1 Like
14

Those are two of the better vendors though, as opposed to LGT.

15

That’s was part of the point I was trying to get across, I have never had issues with boards bought from known reputable vendors. :slight_smile:

16

Just to be clear, I am not criticizing your soldering skills (mine are worse).
To be more specific, on your first photo, the two on the bottom right corner seem to have black melted “stuff” around them.

The two on the top line (for the speaker) also seem to have melted stuff (but much less than the other two) between them. I just can’t tell what the black “stuff” is ?

17

Did you even try the 5-volt injection test yet? We’re not even sure that anything to do with soldering is the problem here.

18

I also use only Tritium and KR. Never had a problem not traceable to myself.

19

Sorry. I had to be somewhere for a few days. lol

I’m still new to Proffie, so I’m not really familiar with certain troubleshooting procedures.

How do I do this 5 volt test?

20

You think ESD could’ve damaged the audio chip?