An easy and relatively painless method of cutting this trace is to make two (2) straight
down cuts in the trace, about 1/16" (1.6mm) apart, cutting completely through the copper
of the trace. Then apply the tip of a (clean) HOT soldering iron to the trace between the
two cuts. After about 10 seconds, the trace should lift off much more easily.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
10) Regardless of how you cut the trace, use an ohmmeter to verify that the trace is cut (very
high resistance).
11) Install a 1N400x diode (or any diode of the 1N4001 thru 1N4007 series) across the cut
trace as follows:
A) Bend the diode leads straight down, right AT the body of the diode.
B) Cut the leads so they extend no less than 1/16" (1.6mm), but no more than 1/8"
(3.2mm), past the bottom of the diode body (see Figure 4).
C) Lightly tin each lead with solder.
D) If required, apply a small amount of additional solder to the soldered joint at C2
(only) where the diode will be installed. DO NOT apply additional solder to the
connection at D3 yet.
E) Referring to figure 4, place the diode with its cathode (banded) end on the solder
pad for D3 and its anode (UNbanded) end on the solder pad for C2. HOLD the
