The removal really highlights my lack of skill with a soldering gun and just how hard it is to do a decent job. Especially with the multi-pin connectors.
I started out removing the burnt fuse holders. This wasn't too bad, though the connectors were large and it was hard to unsolder them enough to pull them out.
Then I tried to do the connectors. After several passes with the solder-sucker there was still enough solder to keep them from coming out, so I had to try and heat all of the pins at the same time enough to pry out the connector with a screwdriver.
A complete nightmare. I had to hold the board with one had, hold the soldering gun with the other hand, hold the screwdriver with the third hand and try to pull on the board with the fourth hand.
Trying to unsolder all 8 pins at the same time didn't work, so I tried to unsolder a few and then pull the edge of the board up. Backbreaking work hunched over the board. The solder gun got so hot I couldn't hold it, the board got so hot it burned my fingers.. and after 2 hours of work I am still only partially finished.
Whats even worse is that I am destroying the board in the process.
As you can see from the pictures, it is not a very good looking board. Many of the pads that you are supposed to solder to are gone. My only saving grace is that this is the simplest easiest board there is. Giant traces 3/4 of an inch wide. several pins in a row all connected together.
I may be able to get this board working but it really shows just how hard doing board work really is.
