Chris Bott - Moderator Posted April 22, 2019 Author Share Posted April 22, 2019 Also beware, there are a couple of slightly different board layouts of the Arduino pro mini. One will fit the sensor PCB and the other doesn't. The difference is best spotted at the row of holes at the end opposite to the programming end. On one type the row of holes is centred, on the other they are offset to one side. We need the latter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott - Moderator Posted April 22, 2019 Author Share Posted April 22, 2019 Kevin I've not dabbled with GPS but the connections are not like the pressure sensor no. Have a good read of section 9 of config.description.h there are a few caveats about having to be careful about what voltages are connected to GPS modules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Fairgrieve Posted April 22, 2019 Share Posted April 22, 2019 Thanks Chris I now have the correct board and will take a look at the sensor I have. It is a 3 axis Gyro and not a GPS. Kev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Fairgrieve Posted April 22, 2019 Share Posted April 22, 2019 The board at the top is the one I used for the Servo Tester. Below are the 3 axis gyro and the board required for the sensor`s. Kev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott - Moderator Posted April 23, 2019 Author Share Posted April 23, 2019 Hi Kevin sorry that will teach me to read posts properly. I'm sure you've already found section 10 of the config description file. It describes how to connect and also has a calibration procedure. You'll see that the accelerometer has to work in conjunction with a pressure sensor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott - Moderator Posted April 23, 2019 Author Share Posted April 23, 2019 I just thought I should expand on the warning about there being different layouts of Arduino Pro Mini boards. It has come to light that there are a number of layouts. If you wish to use one of the project PCBs then you'll have to use the right one. So here's a couple of photos of common ones. This is the version that fit's onto the PCBs. These appear to be distinctive by the rectangular reset button. The important thing though is that GND, A6 and A7 are along one end. We use A6 for overall LiPo volts and A7 for one of the cells measurements. The next one is a board that works electrically but has no connections across one end. So obviously these cannot be linked directly down to the PCB. I guess that flying leads could be used if the other holes all align properly? Edit - I just noticed also, that the programming points appear to be in the opposite order. Edited By Chris Bott - Moderator on 23/04/2019 13:59:03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Blandford Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 Just for information, the lower of those two boards matches the "official" Arduino Pro Mini, as seen on the Arduino site. I also note on the rduino site it indicates the Pro Mini has been "Retired"! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott - Moderator Posted April 23, 2019 Author Share Posted April 23, 2019 Thanks Mike. Useful info, as always. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott - Moderator Posted April 23, 2019 Author Share Posted April 23, 2019 It looks like I can modify the PCB design to accommodate both layouts. I've done a quick redesign but have to go and give blood soon. I think I'll have a check of the design later and order a sample of 10. I'll still send out the original design as soon as they turn up. If anyone has a particular objection, let me know. But the later version is untested and will be another 2 or so weeks once I do order them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott - Moderator Posted April 24, 2019 Author Share Posted April 24, 2019 Boards update. I ordered 50. I had 3 of my previous order still in stock. 53 have now been asked for. I have addresses for all but one person and all but three have already paid. So many thanks for that, I feel bad that I don't have the goods yet. Any day now, hopefully. I'll send them all out the day they turn up. I have the packaging and have address labels all printed ready. Also, I've now tweaked the design to accommodate both versions of Arduino that we've spotted, and I've ordered 10 of those (and a couple of arduinos) so I can test one. There's nothing wrong with the original design, but if anyone would prefer to wait for the later board, please let me know. Those will be another 2 weeks, though. Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Fairgrieve Posted April 24, 2019 Share Posted April 24, 2019 I am happy to carry on with the first board as I have enough Pro Mini`s to suit them. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott - Moderator Posted April 25, 2019 Author Share Posted April 25, 2019 The 50 PCBs turned up about an hour ago. All are packaged up and ready for me to pop to the Post Office in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott - Moderator Posted April 26, 2019 Author Share Posted April 26, 2019 All boards going out are sat at the bottom of a post box, awaiting collection. 2nd class letter to keep the cost down. Keep me posted when they turn up, please. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Fairgrieve Posted April 28, 2019 Share Posted April 28, 2019 With the boards now on there way to us, I was wondering if any oe has a UK source for all the components at a good price. Lots available from HonG Kong, but would rather use a home based source if I can. TIA. Kev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott - Moderator Posted April 28, 2019 Author Share Posted April 28, 2019 Kev for this project my buying seemed to boil down to a combination of bitsbox.co.uk and uk.rs-online.com/web/ with RS now having no min order and no postage costs. See how you get on with those two. Other tips will be very welcome though. I had the balance connectors in a box of multiple sizes from, I think, banggood. So they might be the hardest item to find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatMc Posted April 29, 2019 Share Posted April 29, 2019 Posted by Chris Bott - Moderator on 26/04/2019 10:14:32: All boards going out are sat at the bottom of a post box, awaiting collection. 2nd class letter to keep the cost down. Keep me posted when they turn up, please. Chris Good timing, Chris, mine arrived this morning along with some birthday cards. Happy birthday to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott - Moderator Posted April 29, 2019 Author Share Posted April 29, 2019 Good news, happy birthday PatMc. One thing that probably doesn't need mentioning but I may as well just in case:- These units can carry a very heavy current. The sensor is fine with that but we need to make a very good connection to it. The PCB tracks are intended to help with soldering the joint, but it's important to solder the power cables that carry the current, directly to the sensor component. If we don't get this right and the model uses a BEC then there could obviously be disaster. I'm sure everyone attempting this on one of my PCBs would spot and fully understand this anyway, but there, I've posted it just in case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Fairgrieve Posted April 29, 2019 Share Posted April 29, 2019 Four boards landed on my doormat today. Thanks Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted April 29, 2019 Share Posted April 29, 2019 Mine turned up today too - thanks Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott - Moderator Posted April 29, 2019 Author Share Posted April 29, 2019 Good to hear. I've no real idea but it's probably worth removing the masking tape sooner rather than later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted April 29, 2019 Share Posted April 29, 2019 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Dell Posted April 29, 2019 Share Posted April 29, 2019 Mine arrived too, many thanks Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott - Moderator Posted April 29, 2019 Author Share Posted April 29, 2019 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lee Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 .....and mine too, many thanks Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Jarvis Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 and mine also, thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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