Tips and Troubleshooting

Check all your connections.

Make sure your wires aren't shorting- check insulation.

Make sure that the PC board is not cracked, broken, or on fire.

Check the power supply. Is it broken, overheated, or smoking?

Make sure that no mice have chewed up your wires.

Did you leave your project in the barn overnight? If so, that may be the problem.

Are your IC's the right type? Are they in backwards?

Are your relays drawing to much power (if you are using relays)? Try triacs.

Do you feel a strong tingle when you touch your project? Unplug it first, before working on it.

Remember, LED's need a series resistor with a value of at lest 300W or else they will burn up!!

Don't lick spilt battery acid.

Don't use your tongue to test 9V batteries; this is a very inaccurate method of voltage testing.

Don't eat solder, it has lead in it.

Wash your hands after soldering, before you eat, ect.

Don't try to dry your hair while you are still in the tub.

If you build a new house, but the breaker box on the main floor or in the garage. If (or when) the basement gets flooded, you would have no way to turn off power.

Don't take your project hunting with you. It will distract you, and the solder fumes will scare away the deer.

It is illegal in Michigan (and most other places) to electrocute fish.

If your power lines get knocked down, don't try to put them back up yourself, and don't try to jump-start your car with them.