1/3/2026 6 PM - Schematic Completed

I know I don't have to journal for the LED chaser, but I have gotten used to it and enjoy the process. In the schematic, I wired up the main 555 timer board and the IO expander to the ten LEDs. I followed the 555 module datasheet for the correct way to make it in astable mode. Lastly, I added pads for power input on the board, and made the schematic look nice and organized with labels.

1/3/2026 7 PM - Routed PCB, Custom edge cut and Silkscreen

I routed all of the components together as neatly as I could, and created a flower design outline in Affinity Designer. I also created a custom silkscreen design that I think looks really cool. I used many vias in the PCB design to help work with the limited space available.

Next, I will set up the Git Repo and get ready to submit!

1/3/2026 8 PM - Fixed Footprints!

Okay, so I was able to find the actual correct footprints in KICAD for the variable resistor and the non-radial capacitor. I think all of my footprints are now correct!

1/22/2026 4 PM - Soldered on main components

This was an incredibly difficult process, as all of the components are different heights, so I had to come up with solutions on the go. The two ICs were very easy and I soldered them first in around 15 minutes. Then, I put on the capacitors and resistors, by using pens and pencils to balance the components so they would not stick out too far (although the non-polar capacitor is definitely sticking out lol).

Lastly, I soldered on the pin headers, which took the longest of any component. I think my iron is oxidizing, so this was even harder, and after I soldered them on unevenly, I flipped the PCB and heated it from the back side so that they would fall into place all the way (this worked surpisingly well after I figured it out!). I used this same method for the potentiometer, which probably took 15 minutes alone :sob:.

Also, my PCBs turned out super cool looking! Well worth the wait.

1/22/2026 6 PM - Soldered LEDs and Tested!

After a long time trying to solder on an LED, I gave up for a bit and took a break while doing some research. It seems like oxidation is definitely the issue, so I put on a different tip, and instantly it became super easy to solder! The LEDs were very finicky, but I found an incredibly sketchy method to get them fully in. First, I would solder them upside down slightly sticking out, and then push it in with my finger while heating it (this had the potential for disaster but I just did it super slowly and it worked out).

I was able to solder all of the (white) LEDs after quite some time. It was very difficult, but still doable! I plugged some wires into my PICAT devboard (:wink:) and the board and I was so relieved that it actually lit up! The potentiometer seems to work as well!