Who wants a cheap, simple, Arduino-based LED controller?

[dmastracchio]

Ok, I was able to check out the files and the setup, order all the parts from the list, including the Arduino Board from mouser.... am I missing something having to do with a typhoon board? Do I need one, and in which case, where do I get one?

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

You don't need an Arduino "board." You just need the AVR (that is, the Atmel microcontroller chip) with the Arduino bootloader already burned to it.

And yes, building a Typhon will require that you get a typhon PCB, as laid out in the Eagle files available on the website.

 

[dmastracchio]

You don't need an Arduino "board." You just need the AVR (that is, the Atmel microcontroller chip) with the Arduino bootloader already burned to it.

And yes, building a Typhon will require that you get a typhon PCB, as laid out in the Eagle files available on the website.

Well then, does anyone have an extra board for sale or know where I can get one?

Send a PM please, thanks!

 

[imagex]

ok you got my attention with this one better then the hydra but about to order the board you use a 10x10cm board right?? cause it's like a 5x8cm correct? and they cut it down to size or which one you guys been ordering? this the correct one http://iteadstudio.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19_20&products_id=175 or maybe i should just populate the hydra board?? it just seemed overwhelming at the time..

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Yes, you need to order the 10*10 cm size. They cut the board to the size specified in the files.

Choosing this vs. the Hydra really depends on what you want or need. If you're really just focusing on controlling a few channels of LEDs, with the potential for other features (via your own development efforts) then the Typhon is definitely the best choice - it's cheaper and easier and ready to go today. If you want a platform to develop a full-featured controller, then definitely go with the Hydra, as it's got a lot more onboard and more potential for expandability (thanks to the second AVR onboard).

 

[reef2.5]

ok im done building. now i need lots of help i figured out that i need to use the 5v pwm pins but what wires do i hook up to what pins??? second how do i acually download the program to the board??? third does any one know what exactly i need to do for the buckpucks to work right with the typhon please help me i have no clue what to do next thanks.

 

[reef2.5]

so now ive figured out the arduino program a little bit when i try to load the sketch to the board it starts to load it says " 'button' does not name a type " any help out there thanks.

p.s. still wondering about the pin layout and buckpuck info

 

[imagex]

so now ive figured out the arduino program a little bit when i try to load the sketch to the board it starts to load it says " 'button' does not name a type " any help out there thanks.

p.s. still wondering about the pin layout and buckpuck info

I maybe wrong but i think this is what the other guy was having problems with about the libraries..

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Yes, there are a few libraries required. There are URLs for the websites where you can download them in the comments at the top of the sketch.

Regarding working with buckpucks - you simply connect the PWM pin for a given channel to the CTRL pin on the buckpuck, and (any) ground pin from the Arduino to the ground (-) on the power supply running the buckpucks. Then, you need to deal with the fact that the buckpucks need an inverted signal. You could simply reverse your on/off times when you set it up, or you could write a modification to the code that does the inversion in software - or ask someone here to do it, it should be pretty straightforward.

 

[Koyaanisqatsi]

To invert the PWM in your sketch, use the map function:

analogWrite(pinNumber, map(yourPWMValue, 0, 255, 255, 0);

OR

invertedPWM = map(originalPWM, 0, 255, 255, 0);
analogWrite(pinNumber, invertedPWM);

See: http://arduino.cc/en/Reference/Map

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Ideally someone would re-write the firmware such that there was a menu option to specify if your driver needed an inverted signal.

I say "someone" and not "me" because I recently took down my PC that I use for Arduino stuff and I don't really have anywhere to do development at the moment...

 

[reef2.5]

so i did all that you guys said i think. maybe i did it wrong but it still says " 'button' does not name a type "

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

It sounds like you don't have the library installed correctly. See the instructions on these pages:

http://www.arduino.cc/en/Reference/Libraries
http://arduino.cc/en/Guide/Environment#libraries

You don't need to add the library to the sketch (it's already referenced there) you just need to get the library's files in the right spot on your PC.

 

[reef2.5]

got all the files in order now when i click upload it gives me this error

avrdude: stk500_getsync() : not in sync: resp=0x00
avrdude: stk500_disable() : protocol error, expect=0x14, resp=0x51

hhhheeeeelllllllllppppppppppp

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Click on tools menu and board, and tell us what board you have selected there (you want any board with an FTDI and '328).

Also, make sure you have the correct com port selected.

Depending on what OS you have on your PC, you may need to install drivers for the FTDI chip as well.

 

[reef2.5]

Duelmilanove or Nano with ATmega328 is the board i have selected as well as com4 selected. im running windows7 when i pluged in the board the first time it said installing drivers complete is that true or do i need to download something else

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Take a look at this guide:

http://arduino.cc/en/Guide/Windows

Specifically the sections about checking the com port, and the troubleshooting link near the bottom.

If you still have problems, you might want to ask on the Arduino forums or search on the Arduino website (arduino.cc) as you'll likely get a better response there.

 

[iangibby]

Will this work for the LCD1 ? May want to add this to the BOM especially for those of us that arent familiar. Female headers DOH!! blah more shipping charges lol hopefully i can find locally. Thanks for all the effort to all in this build I cant wait to get started Im only missing my pcb and bub.


http://www.sparkfun.com/products/115

 

[rk_tek]

I finished my controller and it works! Actually I built two and they both work. I have a Krusduino controller on my 10g but the screen quit working and I can't locate another one in stock anywhere and I just wasn't very happy with it. This is definitely cheaper to produce and seems to be more what I was looking for in the first place.

[/IMG]

 

[iangibby]

Thats great rk!!! I hope to be there soon enough!!