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  1. Home
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  3. My Slim 2AA Battery Node

My Slim 2AA Battery Node

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  • Cliff KarlssonC Cliff Karlsson

    @m26872 I am fairly sure that all methods work in normal cases but nothing worked for me fore some reason :) .

    The only way I could get it to work was when I finaly put the chip in an Arduino Uno clone with 328p Dip(?) socket and connected an USBtiny ISP to the ISCP of that Uno. It took just a couple of seconds and then it was done :).

    I flashed like 6-7 ships right away with bootloader and blink-sketch just for fun. Biggest problem now is to get the damn chip in/out of the sockets without bending any legs. But I ordered a chip extractor to remedy that problem (in 4-6 weeks :()

    m26872M Offline
    m26872M Offline
    m26872
    Hardware Contributor
    wrote on last edited by
    #222

    @Cliff-Karlsson
    :thumbsup:

    To get the ICs out from the DIP socket, I just use a small screw driver (2-3mm) and gently push it all the way under from one side only. And of course, don't push in the IC to hard to begin with.

    1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • Cliff KarlssonC Cliff Karlsson

      @m26872 I am fairly sure that all methods work in normal cases but nothing worked for me fore some reason :) .

      The only way I could get it to work was when I finaly put the chip in an Arduino Uno clone with 328p Dip(?) socket and connected an USBtiny ISP to the ISCP of that Uno. It took just a couple of seconds and then it was done :).

      I flashed like 6-7 ships right away with bootloader and blink-sketch just for fun. Biggest problem now is to get the damn chip in/out of the sockets without bending any legs. But I ordered a chip extractor to remedy that problem (in 4-6 weeks :()

      bjacobseB Offline
      bjacobseB Offline
      bjacobse
      wrote on last edited by
      #223

      @Cliff-Karlsson
      You shall buy Textool ZIF socket. not sure which fits your Arduino, If you at some point get's lazy (Solder less, and accept to use a little more space) and use Arduino Pro Mini then textool 224-3344 ZIF will be your friend

      1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • rsachocR Offline
        rsachocR Offline
        rsachoc
        wrote on last edited by
        #224

        Hi all, I'm seeing replies, but I'm not sure if any are aimed at my question? I think not?

        m26872M 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • rsachocR rsachoc

          Hi all, I'm seeing replies, but I'm not sure if any are aimed at my question? I think not?

          m26872M Offline
          m26872M Offline
          m26872
          Hardware Contributor
          wrote on last edited by
          #225

          @rsachoc
          I've started a new thread aimed at your question. I'll soon delete much of the content in the post you based your question on and refer to the new thread instead.

          1 Reply Last reply
          1
          • M Offline
            M Offline
            meddie
            wrote on last edited by
            #226

            it would be nice when a atsha204 a an a flash rom where placed to pcb for signing and ota

            m26872M 1 Reply Last reply
            1
            • M meddie

              it would be nice when a atsha204 a an a flash rom where placed to pcb for signing and ota

              m26872M Offline
              m26872M Offline
              m26872
              Hardware Contributor
              wrote on last edited by m26872
              #227

              @meddie I don't use any of it myself yet, but I know it's only a matter of time until they'll be needed. I think a add-on board to all already existing nodes would be my personal priority then, but new users would prefer it on-board of course and only populate if needed. I'll put on my not yet posted future requests list. (I remember top-side labels are also wanted.) A thing to remember though, is that my Slim Node design is a concept was a lean and simplicity concept, without preparations for maximum flexibility etc.

              As I've said earlier - if anyone like to do their own Slim Node design, you're very welcome. And if you share it, it's even better.

              1 Reply Last reply
              2
              • GertSandersG Offline
                GertSandersG Offline
                GertSanders
                Hardware Contributor
                wrote on last edited by
                #228

                @m26872: slowly getting there: http://forum.mysensors.org/topic/3043/new-nrf24l01-smd/14

                m26872M 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • M Offline
                  M Offline
                  meddie
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #229

                  What i like on this node is the great idea with the casing. To use a cable duct is a great idea. We have wooden windows and i found in a diy market cable ducts in wooden look
                  like this:
                  wooden look cable duct

                  The Problem is that the size is 15x15 mm outside. inside the pcb can be max. 13 mm.

                  m26872M 1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • M meddie

                    What i like on this node is the great idea with the casing. To use a cable duct is a great idea. We have wooden windows and i found in a diy market cable ducts in wooden look
                    like this:
                    wooden look cable duct

                    The Problem is that the size is 15x15 mm outside. inside the pcb can be max. 13 mm.

                    m26872M Offline
                    m26872M Offline
                    m26872
                    Hardware Contributor
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #230

                    @meddie I think 15x15 is very common and should be to prefer, but if I remember correct there's not enough space for AA batteries, or is there?

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    1
                    • GertSandersG GertSanders

                      @m26872: slowly getting there: http://forum.mysensors.org/topic/3043/new-nrf24l01-smd/14

                      m26872M Offline
                      m26872M Offline
                      m26872
                      Hardware Contributor
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #231

                      @GertSanders Good job! If you go the SMD way I think a lot could be done. Perhaps matching AAA width? Leave some (only few) SMD pads open for sensor connection, no proto area, etc.

                      GertSandersG 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • M Offline
                        M Offline
                        meddie
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #232

                        oh, yes. You have right, the battery fits in it, but its a little bit too big so i cant close the cover. Damn i didnt try it before.
                        ok the i have to look for a graeter duct.

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • AWIA Offline
                          AWIA Offline
                          AWI
                          Hero Member
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #233

                          Currently this is my favorite board. Minimal size, traditional components and just enough breadboard space. A few variations:
                          0_1454859878498_upload-23af4fbe-6938-4079-9fc4-d149c8950370 Soldered an 8 mHz resonator (a 'crystal' which does not need the capacitors) for a more stable clock.

                          0_1454860192227_upload-c6f3a164-b5cb-43f5-af82-c556674568f4 0_1454860883223_upload-351808cf-868d-4076-80ce-2e4b05ec4898 Soldered a 3.3v LDO (662k) under the radio to have it powered with a rechargeable Lipo (4.1V max) battery. And added a voltage divider to measure the actual battery voltage.

                          0_1454860058592_upload-a677913a-22a8-466d-920d-ae620591088b 0_1454860344864_upload-77335242-a0b4-4371-85f5-4d11731c0868
                          With a SMD version of the radio. Needs some creative soldering...

                          0_1454860702395_upload-e1af1f72-11c5-409d-9eca-762e3c657183 Compared to an other favourite ( @GertSanders )

                          It would even be better if the smd radio could be soldered on the board. Kicad is giving me a headache so if anybody wants to volunteer with a panelized design.... (I will reward you with a free batch of 'dirty' boards, just drop me a pm)

                          YveauxY 1 Reply Last reply
                          1
                          • GertSandersG Offline
                            GertSandersG Offline
                            GertSanders
                            Hardware Contributor
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #234

                            AA batteries are 14mm in diameter. AAA batteries are 10mm in diameter.

                            I have single AAA batteryholders which are 13mm wide at the base, and including a battery they are 13mm high at the highest point.

                            LEGRAND sells 16x16mm cable ducts (http://www.ecataleg.be/fr/category/2751/16-x-16), which is what I plan to use, but the 15x15 ducts should work as well.

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • m26872M m26872

                              @GertSanders Good job! If you go the SMD way I think a lot could be done. Perhaps matching AAA width? Leave some (only few) SMD pads open for sensor connection, no proto area, etc.

                              GertSandersG Offline
                              GertSandersG Offline
                              GertSanders
                              Hardware Contributor
                              wrote on last edited by GertSanders
                              #235

                              @m26872 I'm trying to make a full SMD board with the smd variant of the nrf24.

                              So far, my first design is a 21mm square.

                              I have been thinking about a long 13mm x 100mm variant. That would allow plenty of space, at least 1 AAA, but more importantly would allow panelisation when combining with a 13x100 board for two AAA battery holders.

                              This would give 3 sensor nodes + 3 battery holder boards in one 100x100 panel, or 6 sensor boards if we use your technique of "ty-wrapping" batteries.

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • Cliff KarlssonC Offline
                                Cliff KarlssonC Offline
                                Cliff Karlsson
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #236

                                A couple of more questions. In one of the pictures at the top the electrulyte 4,.7 uf capacitator is placed closer to the atmel chip and the 0.1 uf (c5) is placed closest to the edge does it matter witch capacitator goes where?

                                The 10k resistor should be 1/4 or 1/8 W according to the bom. I had some small 1/6 W 10k resistors can I use them? I also have some bigger blue 10k resistor that I do not know the W rating on.

                                Where did you purchase the female pin-header that are used for the chips? I have some atmega chip-sockets that are quite narrow and it is hard to fit the components underneath. I also have some other female pin-headers but they are atleast twice as high than the ones in the pictures.

                                AWIA 1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • AWIA AWI

                                  Currently this is my favorite board. Minimal size, traditional components and just enough breadboard space. A few variations:
                                  0_1454859878498_upload-23af4fbe-6938-4079-9fc4-d149c8950370 Soldered an 8 mHz resonator (a 'crystal' which does not need the capacitors) for a more stable clock.

                                  0_1454860192227_upload-c6f3a164-b5cb-43f5-af82-c556674568f4 0_1454860883223_upload-351808cf-868d-4076-80ce-2e4b05ec4898 Soldered a 3.3v LDO (662k) under the radio to have it powered with a rechargeable Lipo (4.1V max) battery. And added a voltage divider to measure the actual battery voltage.

                                  0_1454860058592_upload-a677913a-22a8-466d-920d-ae620591088b 0_1454860344864_upload-77335242-a0b4-4371-85f5-4d11731c0868
                                  With a SMD version of the radio. Needs some creative soldering...

                                  0_1454860702395_upload-e1af1f72-11c5-409d-9eca-762e3c657183 Compared to an other favourite ( @GertSanders )

                                  It would even be better if the smd radio could be soldered on the board. Kicad is giving me a headache so if anybody wants to volunteer with a panelized design.... (I will reward you with a free batch of 'dirty' boards, just drop me a pm)

                                  YveauxY Offline
                                  YveauxY Offline
                                  Yveaux
                                  Mod
                                  wrote on last edited by Yveaux
                                  #237

                                  @AWI said:

                                  panelized design

                                  If you're struggling with panelizing boards I can recommend the excellent gerber tools from Stijn Kuipers.

                                  It allows you to create designs like this (10x10cm, DirtyPCBs):

                                  0_1454871223582_20150501-111911.jpg

                                  Drop him a message and he'll send you a download link.

                                  http://yveaux.blogspot.nl

                                  AWIA ahmedadelhosniA 2 Replies Last reply
                                  0
                                  • YveauxY Yveaux

                                    @AWI said:

                                    panelized design

                                    If you're struggling with panelizing boards I can recommend the excellent gerber tools from Stijn Kuipers.

                                    It allows you to create designs like this (10x10cm, DirtyPCBs):

                                    0_1454871223582_20150501-111911.jpg

                                    Drop him a message and he'll send you a download link.

                                    AWIA Offline
                                    AWIA Offline
                                    AWI
                                    Hero Member
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #238

                                    @Yveaux Tnhx, but I guess I am not ready for the first step (creating/ adapting a board in Kicad) yet ....

                                    YveauxY 1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • AWIA AWI

                                      @Yveaux Tnhx, but I guess I am not ready for the first step (creating/ adapting a board in Kicad) yet ....

                                      YveauxY Offline
                                      YveauxY Offline
                                      Yveaux
                                      Mod
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #239

                                      @AWI Sorry, can't help you with that. All Eagle here :sweat_smile:

                                      http://yveaux.blogspot.nl

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • GertSandersG Offline
                                        GertSandersG Offline
                                        GertSanders
                                        Hardware Contributor
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #240

                                        @Yveaux I tried to find an email address on the website, but apart from a LinkIn link I could not find anything. Also, in LinkedIn you need a paying version to be able to send InMail, and I do not have a paid account. Would you care to tell me how you were able to send Stijn a message ?

                                        YveauxY 1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • Cliff KarlssonC Cliff Karlsson

                                          A couple of more questions. In one of the pictures at the top the electrulyte 4,.7 uf capacitator is placed closer to the atmel chip and the 0.1 uf (c5) is placed closest to the edge does it matter witch capacitator goes where?

                                          The 10k resistor should be 1/4 or 1/8 W according to the bom. I had some small 1/6 W 10k resistors can I use them? I also have some bigger blue 10k resistor that I do not know the W rating on.

                                          Where did you purchase the female pin-header that are used for the chips? I have some atmega chip-sockets that are quite narrow and it is hard to fit the components underneath. I also have some other female pin-headers but they are atleast twice as high than the ones in the pictures.

                                          AWIA Offline
                                          AWIA Offline
                                          AWI
                                          Hero Member
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #241

                                          @Cliff-Karlsson You can swap the capacitors and use all resistor dissipation values. The pin headers you can find here for example

                                          1 Reply Last reply
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