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WhiteWizzard Guru Joined: 05/04/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2944
Posted: 08:42pm 23 Feb 2014
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Hi All,
As previously mentioned, I am working on a stackable Power Board for the 44pin TQFP Eval module.
This Power Board includes a LiPo which will obviously need charging. The current design is to charge from either USB or external Vin (which has priority over USB) i.e. much like an MP3 player.
Question - Is there any interest in having a Solar powered MicroMite This could open up a world of 'remote' applications, totally void of any other voltage inputs!
Please let me know if the above interests you (and maybe give a brief explanation of how you would use it). I cannot promise it would be 100% doable for all situations but if there is enough interest I will spend the time designing a modified/dedicated Power Board.
Thanks for any replies . . .
MicroBlocks Guru Joined: 12/05/2012 Location: ThailandPosts: 2209
Posted: 01:28am 24 Feb 2014
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Solar powered uMite... YES!
Microblocks. Build with logic.
WhiteWizzard Guru Joined: 05/04/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2944
Posted: 07:31am 26 Feb 2014
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Got shipment email from iTead so the PCBs are on their way
Currently they are in Hong Kong (with tomorrow's date!!). They are journeying east to west so are travelling back in time. Should be here yesterday then! . . .
Bryan1 Guru Joined: 22/02/2006 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1483
Posted: 11:39am 26 Feb 2014
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Solar powered Uc's has been my goal for ages for making up remote water tank sensors just so one can know the amount of rainwater storage and the amount in the header tank. I did have a crude setup going years go on the header tank but didn't use a fully sealed ultrasonic sensor and over time that gave up the ghost. So I went and bought those fully sealed ultrasonic sensors off jaycar and never got them to work properly. Doing some research they need around 80 volts to operate.
Now this project can get back on the cards with the umite as soon as project funds become available.
WhiteWizzard Guru Joined: 05/04/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2944
Posted: 04:55am 27 Feb 2014
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PCBs landed at Heathrow
How annoying is this - I live under the flightpath of Heathrow so am within a mile of the PCBs sitting in a warehouse somewhere. They probably will sit there for a week now
So close but yet so far . . . .
robert.rozee Guru Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 2442
Posted: 07:54am 27 Feb 2014
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you'd have thought the pilot would have had the decency to drop them off as he passed over!
Zonker Guru Joined: 18/08/2012 Location: United StatesPosts: 767
Posted: 01:55am 28 Feb 2014
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I think mine is still stuck in China... Not sure.... Oh well, it will get here soon...
WhiteWizzard Guru Joined: 05/04/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2944
Posted: 03:15am 28 Feb 2014
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Zonker,
Sorry to say this to you but mine have just been delivered. Happy Days!
Will post photo soon - initial reaction is they look GREAT!
Only problem is that since I panellised them (4 per panel) I now have to pop out to get a tile cutter.
Phil
WhiteWizzard Guru Joined: 05/04/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2944
Posted: 11:16am 28 Feb 2014
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And here they finally are
Chose the red pcb colour option with ENIG finish. They truly look soooo much better in real life than they do in the photos below (apologies about my lack of photography skills. I'm not sure why they keep getting rotated 90deg).
So does anyone have any top tips for cutting panellised PCBs??
I am about to try a tile scorer but am willing to try other methods.
Please do share any experiences (good ones preferably) . . .
Phil
robert.rozee Guru Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 2442
Posted: 11:23am 28 Feb 2014
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use a steel ruler and a metal scriber to create a deep score down each side, then just snap off - if necessary starting at one end. DO NOT use a non-metal ruler, and DO NOT use a craft knife. either will likely end up in damaged fingers or worse.
it is a bit late now, but all the places i have dealt with in the past have been able to provide milled groves for breaking apart boards at no extra cost.
rob :-)
WhiteWizzard Guru Joined: 05/04/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2944
Posted: 11:31am 28 Feb 2014
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Thanks Rob. This is what I was effectively going to try with my tile cutter so thats good to hear.
iTead don't let you use holes/grooves when panellising (according to their rules) - only a silk screen line to separate the boards (as can see in top photo).
At least I only have three straight lines per panel to create four PCBs.
I read that using a honing stone is a good trick to finish the edges too.
WhiteWizzard Guru Joined: 05/04/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2944
Posted: 12:04pm 28 Feb 2014
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Ok. That wasn't too painful
And I've still got all my fingers and thumbs!
Only another 29 scribes to go . . .
WhiteWizzard Guru Joined: 05/04/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2944
Posted: 06:53am 01 Mar 2014
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First board successfully assembled and working .
plasma Guru Joined: 08/04/2012 Location: GermanyPosts: 437
Posted: 07:55am 01 Mar 2014
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where can i get some ?
Zonker Guru Joined: 18/08/2012 Location: United StatesPosts: 767
Posted: 08:07am 01 Mar 2014
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Looks Awesome Wiz..! I'm still waiting for the 28 pinner to show up... Hopefully soon... Maybe do some trading later...
MicroBlocks Guru Joined: 12/05/2012 Location: ThailandPosts: 2209
Posted: 08:13am 01 Mar 2014
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Sweet!
Very compact and clean design.
I must say your soldering skill is very good.
Microblocks. Build with logic.
WhiteWizzard Guru Joined: 05/04/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2944
Posted: 08:25am 01 Mar 2014
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Thanks TZA Even impressed myself - heres the back of the PCB . . .
Geoff: Hope the silkscreen is ok with your www. I based it on comments you made on Zonkers post and also the email you sent me. Please let me know if you want it changed/removed.
WhiteWizzard Guru Joined: 05/04/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2944
Posted: 08:32am 01 Mar 2014
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Hi Plasma,
Details will follow in another post tonight. Am looking at lowest costs possible for all you guys but need a little longer to lookup global component prices.
Regards,
Phil
WhiteWizzard Guru Joined: 05/04/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2944
Posted: 02:56pm 01 Mar 2014
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All,
Thanks so much to all of you that have contacted me regarding obtaining some 44pin TQFP Eval boards.
It is such a nice surprise to know that there is so much interest out there. I promise to respond to all your requests personally by PM during the next 24hours.
To be as flexible as possible I am prepared to initially offer various options.
These options range from PCB only, to kits of components which require soldering, to fully pre-built units.
Options also as to what components are included i.e. PIC (+ICSP + Reset), or PIC+LDO, or PIC+LDO+USB.
Initial Pricing: £3.00 = PCB only. Need this as a minimum. Then add required Options from::
+£6.00 for all PIC components (includes: 50MHz PIC32MX150F128D, all caps, ICSP header, reset switch, MPU Power Led, all Headers to plug into breadboard/PCB)
+£2.00 for all LDO components (includes: Dedicated 3v3 500mA LDO + caps)
+£6.00 for all USB-to-Uart components (includes full FTDI circuit: Tx/Rx leds, PTC, USB connector for Power+Comms, module Power jumper)
The above are costs for self assembly kits i.e. you will be required to solder SMD components.
For those of you that prefer pre-built units then add the following labour costs:
Costs for assembly of above options:
+£2.50 PIC circuitry
+£0.50 LDO circuitry
+£2.00 USB circuitry
So prices range from £3 for a bare PCB to £22 for a fully assembled 44pin TQFP MicroMite module.
If you already have your own USB-to-Uart module then go for the PIC option (£9 kit, £11.50 ready assembled).
Note that the above options are offered based on feedback already received and offer you choices from as low as £3.
Packaging for low volumes will be charged at £1.75. Shipping extra; will use your preferred method.
As a special offer to forum members, I will do the first 5 assembled units AT ZERO ASSEMBLY COST on a first come, first served basis. This means that a completely built 44pin TQFP module will cost you just £17 + p&p.
Note: Photo does not show header pins - however, they are included in the PIC option.
Any further suggestions or requests are most welcome - simply let me know!
Phil
Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9610
Posted: 04:09pm 01 Mar 2014
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Very sexy indeed - well done - they look like a million bucks.
I would be interested in at least one sample unit at this stage, fully assembled, with all SMD(all parts including reg and USB-serial chip) to play with, and if it is what I expect it will be, I will order some more, but will deal with that with you via PM and not on the public forums.
How do you deal with payment?
PayPal?
I will be in touch in a PM soon.
EDIT: Does your module come with some basic documentation? Such as what the header pins and jumper are for etc. Just thinking of others I might send this too, and if the specifics of your board are detailed, then I know I won't get any phone calls from them along the lines of: "What is J1 for?" Could be as simple as a single sheet of paper - no need to get too crazy on details, as most of the details are in the MM documentation by Geoff.
I would only want the single unit at this time, as we are still officially in Beta.
As Geoff has not officially released the MM chip to the rest of the world yet, it would just be a module I would like to test as a Beta. Once Geoff releases the MM chip officially, then I would be able to buy more of these from you, and on-sell them from here. Hopefully, that explains why I only want the one at this stage...(the same applies to Zonker's module, as soon as he announces that his board have arrived, for precisely the same reasons.)Edited by Grogster 2014-03-03Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!
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The Back Shed's forum code is written, and hosted, in Australia.
Notice. New forum software under development. It's going to miss a few functions and look a bit ugly for a while, but I'm working on it full time now as the old forum was too unstable. Couple days, all good. If you notice any issues, please contact me.
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This could open up a world of 'remote' applications, totally void of any other voltage inputs!
Thanks for any replies . . .
Could be as simple as a single sheet of paper - no need to get too crazy on details, as most of the details are in the MM documentation by Geoff.
