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

Is the finished unit smaller than 3" x 4" I sure do hope so. Does any one have a finished product???

The controller is 8 x 5 cm, which is about 3.1" x 2".

Just read back through the few pages of thread I missed recently and realized there were a lot of posts about BOM substitutions. This project is VERY VERY tolerant to substitutions as long as you're getting values roughly correct and it's the same package size/pinout.

You'll pretty much need to go to several sources to get everything though, if you're starting totally from scratch:

1) A place like batchpcb, iteadstudio, seeedstudio, etc for the PCB.
2) A place like modern device or sparkfun for the bootloaded AVR, and likely the pinheaders and LCD
3) A place like mouser or digi-key for the generic components
 
Going to order the boards from SEEED but just wanted to make sure I'm doing this right. From Eagle I just run the CAM processor (downloaded from SEEED), selected GERBER_RS274x and ran the job. The files saved are the ones I email to them to build the boards.

Did I miss something before I order them?
 
Going to order the boards from SEEED but just wanted to make sure I'm doing this right. From Eagle I just run the CAM processor (downloaded from SEEED), selected GERBER_RS274x and ran the job. The files saved are the ones I email to them to build the boards.

Did I miss something before I order them?

That should be it.
 
A bunch of people have been asking so I'll walk through the steps.

0) Install Eagle. Become familiar with the basics. Get the Eagle files for the board you want to make. Get the Eagle CAM job file for the output format you need (typically, the board manufacturer will supply a CAM file).

1) With the Eagle project open, click the CAM Processor icon in any of the toolbars (red circle) to open the CAM Processor window:

cam1.gif


2) Click the file menu in the CAM Processor and select Open then Job...

3) Browse to the location where you saved the CAM file from the vendor and open it. This will load the vendor's preconfigured job in the CAM Processor.

The Cam Processor window allows you to specify the properties for each output file generated. The output files are used by the board manufacturer to make your PCBs. Configuration of the CAM Processor allows you to tell Eagle what information to put into a given output file. In turn, each output file tells the board house what needs to be done for a given step in the board manufacturing process. Typically, there's a set of files for the top of the board and another for the bottom. In each set, you get a file to specify the copper (where the conductive traces go), the soldermask (where the colored, translucent paint layer goes), and the silkscreen (the writing/images on the board). There is also usually a drill file that specifies location and size of holes. Generally the board outline is included in one or more of the layers - some board houses want a separate file specifying board outline though. You generally DON'T want to screw with the contents of the copper or soldermask layers, but it's sometimes desirable to alter the silkscreen layers (some CAM jobs default to having component values and names, others have just names, others have neither - it's generally OK to change this to your personal preference).

4) Click the Process Job button (red circle).

cam2.gif


A bunch of progress bars will flash by for a few seconds. Afterwards, the folder where your Eagle project is stored will have a bunch of new files in it - one for each of the layers specified in the CAM job.

cam3.gif


Note that the CAM job file has complete control over what is generated. You aren't necessarily required to use a specific vendor's job file to generate gerbers for ordering from them, but generally it's a good idea. Though it is also a good idea to check if they have any specifications or requirements - it's somewhat common for a vendor's job file to make a bunch of output files that they don't actually need or want to make your board, so make sure you are sending the files they actually need.
 
saf1 - you sent me a PM with some questions about this thread but it appears that you have the ability to receive PMs disabled on your user account. Please either shoot me a note with your email or turn PMs on so I can get back in touch with you.
 
I am ordering part and having a hard time finding part number
(512-LM7810CT):worried2:, anyone know of a replacement that can be used. Thanks.. Lou.
 
FYI guys, I've got some nice updates coming in the software... I've got the midnight bug 90% complete, all that remains is making the menus work with times that span the 0-hour. The unintentional menu exits are fixed as well.

Manual overrides and the other updates mentioned previously are also included. It is, however currently in 24 hour mode to make debugging the midnight issue a bit easier for me.

I should have this new version v0.2 alpha 2010-14-09 available tomorrow evening if I don't get too busy with work during the day. It should be on the source page (sending dwzm a PM for access)

Are there any requests for the software? Bugs you have seen? What you'd like to see that is on/off/dimming/channel dependent? Perhaps an item to switch it between 12 and 24 hour clocks? Ideas to make the menus more functional or easier to use? Im all ears.

DWZM made mention of thermometer input controlling on/off and while I have no objection to working on that I do not have the equipment to do so, so for now I have to defer to his knowledge.
 
that is great XsiVE! looking forward to it. I still don't have the cable to connect it to my computer though. Were can I get it? Also is this managed by Arduino program to upload?
 
Got my board in today from BatchPCB.

Actually...I got two. Only ordered one. weird. :lol:

They almost always over-deliver. It's likely a side effect of the way they do the panelizing. If they have extra space it doesn't cost them a penny to slide extras of some designs in, and if they get a panel with one design failed and need to re-order they'll end up with lots of extras.

Some notes for Sammy, or anyone else interested in uploading new firmware. The board has a TTL-level serial output (the header immediately next to the LCD header). This is a generic interface used in hobby electronics but cannot communicate directly with a PC. Most people have computers with USB ports these days, so the easiest way to connect is to get a cable or breakout board that will convert between serial and USB. There are a LOT of options for this. These are probably the two most common:

http://shop.moderndevice.com/products/usb-bub

http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=18&products_id=70

You also need the Arduino IDE installed on your computer. It is available here:

http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software

Once installed, you can use it to open "sketches" (Arduino's name for programs) and upload them to the board.
 
r12 of the typhon code is available including changes listed in my previous post.

If you have the ability to update your typhon please give it a try and let me know if there are any issues... if you do not like it you can always go back to r9 (the initial release) but please give some feedback so we can improve going forward.

project home

raw file
 
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