💬 MySensors Stable Node

[bjornhallberg]

Really nice to see someone integrate the radio on the board, haven't seen many do that so far! Seems like the logical choice but for some reason very few have made that leap.

What kind of regulator do you use for step-up battery power? Could you shrink those oscillators down a bit?

[sundberg84]

Nice - where do you find the nrf24l01+ chip? Ebay/Ali?

[b0rmann]

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shipping-5pcs-lot-NRF24L01-NRF24L01-24L01-QFN20-RF-chip-chip-handy-original-authentic/32595311069.html?spm=2114.30010308.3.10.wFCRgF&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_1,searchweb201644_2_505_506_503_504_502_10001_10002_10017_10010_10005_10011_10006_10003_10004_10009_10008,searchweb201560_2,searchweb1451318400_-1,searchweb1451318411_6450&btsid=1ea90695-081d-42a0-a8a4-6d78f4b43406

[scalz]

Hi.
nice job :)
I'm not sure but I think there is no reg/stepup. I would say it seems there are mosfets for rail ;) maybe wrong...
for nrf24l01 ic, at aliexpress search for "nrfl2401 qfn" and you will find it.
What are the passive size for radios? Is it a 4layer, I suppose???
too bad, maybe I won't use it as I prefer semtech rfm69&co, a 868mhz antenna layout could be great! (but lowpowerlab is making one so..). In other hand I like to have the radio module so I can route under it, not sure if it's a big economy..
Like you said it's a nice brick, congrats :)

[Koresh]

@bjornhallberg Thanks! :satisfied:
This board is very simple and have no step-up conversion, it's only contains LDO regulators and correct supply pcb layuot.

[Koresh]

@sundberg84 I find all components for my boards on ali :)

[Koresh]

@scalz Thanks:satisfied:
It's 2 layer board (I will upload gerbers soon). You can find all components size in uploaded BOM.

[JacksPix]

Really interessting !!!
A really nice work ! Congratulation !

[drock1985]

Wow, nice integration of the two largest PCB's @Koresh

I'll be watching this thread for a while. I'm still not the most comfortable with soldering my own SMD components; but this is so tempting.

The only thing I wish it had was a coax input for an optional external antenna.

[Oitzu]

@Koresh and now with pa/lna! So we finally have an working pa/lna module. :P

[yury]

The break down cost of the board and components is less than USD $5 ( aliexpress component prices mostly) . Can someone share some PCBA service which can also do components sourcing ? with reasonable pricing of course. I would order some 20 - 30 units and may be others could join to make price cheaper.

[Floca]

Ready2use devices would be great to buy. With a good price i would order ~10pieces...

[tbowmo]

@yury

Expect to pay +$300 as a startup fee for a production run (paid every time a batch is started, for setting SMD machine up etc.). Add to that component costs, and probably 1-2$ per unit for labor (for testing etc.)

[yury]

re: pay +$300 as a startup fee

no no nooo . Hope to find it cheaper. I think they can do it manually @ $1 per board or so. plus some quality control.

[tbowmo]

@yury

Manually mounted, as in hand soldered? 1$ per board? I think that is a very optimistic price!

I've looked through old emails from various smd assembly houses.. I got one that states setup fee for around 140$ (per batch), and then 4-5$ per unit.. add to that stencil price 60$ (Can be used for multiple batches). and don't forget the BOM price as well..

I know that they are spitting out cheap arduino nano's for 1-2$.. but they are probably not quality checked, just smd assembly, bagged and shipped.. (and they probably make 5000 - 50.000 units per batch)

I think that people need to be realistic on what they can get, at what prices..

[tbowmo]

also, check this blogpost out..

[Koresh]

@tbowmo
Thanks for information. But you are painting a bleak pictiure, I think.

@tbowmo said:

add to that stencil price 60$ (Can be used for multiple batches)

No. Size(widthxlength) Useful area(width×length) Price Weight/pc
1 37.0cm×47.0cm 19.0cm×29.0cm usd17/pc 1.5KG
2 30.0cm×40.0cm 13.0cm×21.0cm usd15/pc 1KG
3 42.0cm×52.0cm 24.0cm×34.0cm usd30/pc 1.8KG

These are prices from my latest china pcb partner (hard stencil with frame)

@tbowmo said:

setup fee for around 140$ (per batch)

My latest local pcba partner offered 50$ price for SMT machine set up (automatic assebmbly, ultra low quantity batch)

@tbowmo said:

Manually mounted, as in hand soldered? 1$ per board? I think that is a very optimistic price!

I hope it's not far from reality. My latest local pcba partner has assembled board with 2.2cent for solder point (manual assembly, ultra low quantity batch)

It would be perfect to find a PCBA partner (maybe with pcb production and components stock, turn-key service) in China (with perfect logistics) :satisfied:

[tbowmo]

@Koresh

Of course prices do vary between manufacturers, The prices that I listed was a couple of years old, so they have probably changed a bit..

I just want to point out that pcb assembly can not be done for 'free' :) As there is a lot of factors that has to be calculated into the price..

[Slorf]

Looks like what I have been looking for !

Any progress on the gerber files ? ( so I can order pcb's )

I was looking through the list of materials, but getting confusion while looking on Aliexpress, is it possible to share the links to the parts on Aliexpress/eBay ?

Thanks !

Alex

[Koresh]

@Slorf Sorry for delay. I've uploaded gerber files (100% correct - first batch was produced according to them).
I ordered 0402 components in these shops:
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/1171142
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/821060