💬 MySensors Stable Node

[Slorf]

@Koresh

Found the smd quartz crystals :-)

Alex

[Koresh]

@Slorf I've left the package field in bom blank, so you can use any crystal you have. All components on the board are smd, so crystal should be smd too if you have it. But it may be difficult to place smd crystal as Q2 (too small area) and I've placed holes. I have both SMD and THD crystals but I will put holes in Q1 crystal pads in the next version too. Now you can simply mount THD crystal on the pads, it's not difficult.

@Slorf said:

Would it be possible to mount something like this on the pcb?

It's possible. But I want this board to be as compact as possible.

@ahmedadelhosni said:

Great board.
Did you test the performance ? Like number of recieved packets per second ?

Thanks. I've tested stability (for some months without troubles in typical applications) and RF range. I think it doesn't make sense to test performance with low performance mcu, but you can propose the sketch and I test with it.

[Slorf]

@Koresh

I have both versions ( SMD and THD ) crystals on order with aliexpress now :-)

As for the LDO regulators, I will wait for the PCB's to arrive before making assumptions ;-)

Now I have to wait some weeks before everything arrives ........and then my first smd soldering experience !

Alex

[Slorf]

@Koresh

I got as reply from dirtypcb's, they changed it to 1.6 mm :-)

Alex

[fisher]

Hi,
Very nice project. Do you have a plan to sell assembled piece of the boards?
Soldering such small SMD is out of my skills

[Koresh]

@fisher Thanks. I'm looking for good PCBA service.

[fisher]

@Koresh I'm looking forward. What do you think, what will be the price of a assembled piece?

[Koresh]

@fisher The production of the first small batch is underway (manual mounting). So I wil have 20 boards for test next week. I will provide price estimate in a week.

[GertSanders]

@Koresh post pictures please :-)

[flozsc]

Hi @Koresh,
Sorry if this is a dumb question but I'm new to this. What's the minimum voltage to power this board? Is it the 1.9V from the NRF?
I'm thinking of building a node with this using a LiPo battery with a protected TP4056 charging module.
If me idea isn't impossible I'd be highly interested to buy some assembled units of this PCB. :)
Thanks!

[Koresh]

@flozsc
Hi. Minimum operating voltage depends on clock frequency. Boards contain standard 16MHz crystal oscillator to full pro mini compatibility. If you use default bootloader and 16Mhz clock frequency, the board will work with a voltage above 2.7v (on the verge of stability). But you can use internal oscillator (custom arduino boards settings, for example 8MHz or 1MHz for lowerst operating voltage) with some limitations (like slower serial). In this case operating voltage should be above 2--2.1v (do not forget a little dropout of LDO regulator).

[flozsc]

@Koresh Thanks for your quick reply.
Sleeping sometimes helps. ;-) After thinking over it again, I think I'll prepend a step-up converter to 5V behind the battery as most sensors at least require 3.3V or even 5V... :)
Looking forward to your update on the 20 test boards!

[yury]

So far betatests for two modules soldered manually two weeks ago are good. I was using two analog inputs and 5 digital outputs. Radio is rock stable also.

[fifipil909]

Impressive !!
did you reflow the board, or did you REALLY manually solder the nrf24l chip with an iron ???

[Koresh]

@fifipil909 Thanks.
I've soldered these boards using simple soldering iron and hot air fan (lukey 702).

[Koresh]

First small batch is completed :)

[scalz]

excellent :laughing:

[Slorf]

Nice !!!

I am still waiting for some parts to arrive from china :-(

Alex

[ahmedadelhosni]

Wow ! I really like the color and design.
Waiting for alpha testing of the nrf chip.
Is soldering it more difficult than soldering the atmega as they are not the same package type ?

[robosensor]

@Koresh what about price for assembled boards?