@Vernon Barry posted:Again, sorry, we all start somewhere, mistakes are made. Easy enough letting a board patterning software make decisions for you. That said, between just ridiculously over sized components (TO-3P, massive 5.08mm screw terminals, massive SMD resistors) and then the smallest possible traces connecting them, this is near textbook how not to make a PCB and definitely not one to sell.
By all means post a preview of your new design that is smaller, but what I trying to advise you of is this board- to anyone who knows anything about electronics casts doubts on your skills for designing a product worth selling. Understanding component design, sizing, thermal calculations are all part of designing a proper board. Understanding thermal stress just from soldering, good through hole pad guidelines, trace width and size, these are required to making something that can stand up in the field.
Again, I'm sorry, I know you mean well and it's fun to make something and when it works you are very happy. There is plenty of room in this hobby for folks to create electronic boards that perform model railroading functions. I wish you best of luck and again, suggest you post some layout designs of your new board so others can help guide you on a much more robust PCB design that is much more viable for a product.
With all due respect, thank you for raining on his parade. While I agree wholeheartedly with your technical analysis, and thank you for it, your comments are near textbook on how to discourage people not to pursue their dreams.
This forum is not generally about critiquing electronic designs, although we do it from time to time. It's about coaching and encouraging success within our core hobby, which is fortunately not electronics.
Mike
