Garbled display

[neutron spin]

OK here is the deal:

I have purchased a total of 13 Solder:Time LED watches on two different orders from Adafruit Industries. . The first two from the first order worked fine as expected. Starting with the third from the second order the display is exactlly the same on both watches (see photo). Pressing the button briefly changes it to zero for a short time then goes back to th "LL". . I thought I had done something wrong and checked and rechecked and resoldered the board as I have 40 plus years experience in this stuff. Well to no avail no errors were found. So I put this kit on the back burner and started another one. Same EXACT problem. OK now comes the fun part.... started another kit (very foolish thing to do) and same problem. Now I am at a standstill and decided this was a good point to stop. I have three failed kits and I am beginning to believe that there is a common denominator going on here. Perhaps the PIC not programmed correctly, bad run of parts, crystals bad....don't know and the worse part the chips are soldered in and not socketed and the boards are thin and easily damaged trying to de-soldering any parts. I contacted Adafruit and they said to contact you. Please inform me what to do as these were going to be Christmas gifts ....thanks...

I am attaching pics of both watches at startup.

[Spike]

The problem is that you have mounted the seven segment LED displays upside down.

You can check here for all of the assembly instructions; (instructions for the display are about 1/3 way down)

http://www.spikenzielabs.com/SpikenzieLabs/SolderTime.html

[neutron spin]

Thanks!...I am really embarassed . I will try to remove the displays using my hot air station. Is it possible to purchase individual parts for the kits just in case I destroy something?

Thanks again...now I can continue with your kindly assistance...

[neutron spin]

Thanks!...I am really embarassed . I will try to remove the displays using my hot air station. Is it possible to purchase individual parts for the kits just in case I destroy something?

Thanks again...now I can continue with your kindly assistance...

I love my hot air station

Removed two displays and re-installed now all is good

But managed to find one of the watches with the MCU in backwards...well broke the chip while removing and may ruined the PCB.....I must have had a bad day

All I need is some parts and all will be well....I really appreciate your help and now Santa's little helper is off to work