What did you build today (Pictures) ?

[NeverDie]

I just now put together the final test configuration:

It's meant to be a "universal" shield that can accept any of the most common nRF24L01 modules, whether they be SMD or the 8-pin variety.

What I want people to know though is that as nice and compact as it is, it's actually much larger and not even as capable as the new nRF51 or nRF52 series. For instance, this nRF51 is quite affordable, and yet is both much smaller, is more energy efficient, and generally packs far more capability (including better range) than an atmega328p+nRF24L01 combo:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/nRF51822-04-BLE4-0-Wireless-Bluetooth-Module-TTL-Low-Power-Consumption/32832511551.html?ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0&aff_platform=aaf&cpt=1509659805775&sk=rvbiMby&aff_trace_key=624250e1222041ebad3af56b86b62771-1509659805775-02431-rvbiMby&terminal_id=29bfb7ff18284b7f96acb3c3884390ce
The way I see it, there's not really much reason to continue using the nRF24L01's, except maybe already existing familiarity.

[Edit: the one area that the nRF24L01's do still hold an edge, though, is in pricing on the PA+LNA versions. Some of those are still comparatively inexpensive compared to what's currently available in PA+LNA nRF5x series.
Luckily, the above shield will work with them too. :) ]

[ileneken3]

One advantage to the "atmega328p+nRF24L01 combo" is the simplicity of choices. A pro-mini is pretty much a pro-mini, etc. Having so many choices makes it hard for a beginner with nrf51.

I really appreciate the recommendation for a reasonably priced nrf51 that can be used for battery powered nodes. Can I also ask for a recommendation on a piece of hardware to program it? (Again, lots of choices).

Thanks ahead of time.

[NeverDie]

@ileneken3 said in What did you build today (Pictures) ?:

Can I also ask for a recommendation on a piece of hardware to program it?

I've tried/attempted a number of different ones, and I've settled on using the nRF52 DK as being the best for programming external modules (at least in my experience). Just be sure you power the modoule independently from the nRF52 DK, because the DK mostly senses the voltage on the module rather than powers it.

[mfalkvidd]

Protecting a ds18b20 tempersture sensor to measure soil temperature for a prototype node.

[sundberg84]

@mfalkvidd what is that in the background - some sort of PCB ruler?

[gohan]

Yes, I have one too. It has all the form factors of chips, wire gauges, etc

[NeverDie]

@mfalkvidd said in What did you build today (Pictures) ?:

Protecting a ds18b20 tempersture sensor

You may already know this, but it's easy to find ds18b20's that are enclosed in sealed metal probes. I've used some, and they don't seem to leak, even when left submerged in water.

[robosensor]

Good ruler, I have such ruler too :)

Today's power part of my RGBW dimmer node (four LED channel PWM inputs, 12V input, +12V sense, +5V, +3.3V outputs). Dimmer is controlled by MySensors and also by conventional Samsung TV remote control (five presets, ability to record color presets, autofade from one preset to another, control of each LED channel brightness, gamma correction and so on).

[hek]

One PCB to ruler them all ;)

[scalpel]

Just simple, small temperature node.

[NeverDie]

@scalpel
Nice. Waht kind of CNC machine did you use to make the PCB?

[scalz]

@NeverDie I would bet on chemicals instead cnc..

[NeverDie]

@scalz Yes. After looking at it more closely, I bet you're right.

[scalpel]

Yes. Iron and B327 method 👍

[dbemowsk]

Does ferric chloride get used much any more?

[mfalkvidd]

Today I finally got to work on the nrf51822 that I bought some months ago. Using the Arduino IDE and my st-link v2 clone I was able to flash a softdevice and load an example sketch.

It seems to have worked, but I don't know how to communicate with the device yet. Serial? Swd? Some app on my iphone? Will need to do some reading tomorrow. Recommendations are welcome.

[sundberg84]

Today I introduced my 5 year old to soldering...

[gohan]

@sundberg84 said in What did you build today (Pictures) ?:

Today I introduced my 5 year old to soldering...

How did he like it?

[sundberg84]

@gohan it's fun to do projects together! We enjoyed it and I tried the water story to explain everything. Also some short instructions to solder the legs and not the solder itself... Now he is playing with it so a good result!

[mfalkvidd]

On the workbench today: My Lenovo laptop getting a wireless network card replacement.

The old card was wonky. Sometimes it wouldn't allow any network activity for a minute or so. Sometimes it would allow traffic, but only at 1-2mbit. Sometimes, but very seldom, it would deliver the ~100mbit it was supposed to.

With the upgrade card (bought off Aliexpress of course ;-) ) it delivers 40 megabytes per second when copying files from my desktop, and has been able to sustain that speed for more than ten minutes straight so far (still testing). New life to my poor laptop!