For those of you looking for a gear indicator or real-life rev meter but don't want to build one I just found this company who sell USB ones: www.symprojects.com. They also sell them on ebay. £24ish for the GI which is pretty good as the parts would cost you £10 odd and as some of you have found out it takes a long time to build one!
PS: I'm not associated with that company by the way.
First of all, you're mother is probably not evil. I didn't get any allowance when I was a kid, and now that I'm a bit older, I actually think that was for the best. Kids are not good with money (although spending them on electronics is good, you're right on track!)
But more to the point, you first say your GI works perfectly, then at the end of your post you say it don't work.
From what I can see in your pictures, you are using too much heat, and apply it for too long. You see those brown "burnt" areas on the upper side of your board? Those are bad, telling you that you are applying heat too long. If your Iron is hot enough (as it obviously is), it should be enough to heat the component leg for 1-2 seconds, then apply tin directly to the leg. Too much heat can burn the paths, and destroy the component.
Other than that, you're better than me in placing resistors and stuff so that it looks good! I just place it after convenience, and thats not always very nice.
okay thanks for tips! im now working on with version that is working with arduino www.arduino.cc (its a microcontroller
. im going to use servo for a rev meter and 7-segment for a gear indicator and some other stuff AND this is going to work out for a usb!
I can´t see the pictures because i am not registred on croteam-lfs.org.
I have a Arduino Uno since a couple days and i dont know how to send data to the Arduino.
EDIT:
@Kada_CZ
Thank you very much for your Gear Indicator sources. I learned much from it!
I builded a rpm Indicator using 10 LEDs and the Arduino Uno, which is connected through USB with the PC. I will post some stuff about it in the comming days.
I noticed that Arduino was mentioned earlier and there was fear of this thread dying. Ok, I'll help.
This link below is to my Gear Indicator project using the Arduino but heavily based on Vladimir (AKA KADA) and Nick A.'s original LPT Gear Indicator Code.
Updated to be compatible with S2 Z28 and concerns about LAG all proved wrong. Very Responsive... very cool and even expandable.
So...
Out with the LPT Port and In with the Serial Port ( including any USB-SERIAL converter... as found on Arduino boards)