Updates

I haven't posted in ages as i had uni exams and final papers due and then went on a european adventure for a month.

To catch everyone up the Arduinome is completed and debugged (bar a dead LED that i have to de-solder and replace). I haven't had the chance to fix the final LED as my soldering iron is packied in a box (in between places at the moment).

I am also going to be purchasing a machine collective enclosure ASAP and then i will finally be able to upload some completed photos up.

I will try get some videos up of the arduinome working (bar the dead LED that is) without enclosure asap.

Some Photos

The initial connections

Added the connections to the IDC breakoff board from the shield. NOTE the tape used to hold the boards together.I had to cut the ends of the IDC connectors to allow them to sit flushly next to one another

First LED test under the buttons (over exposed)

Second LED test under the buttons (under exposed and not focused but you get the idea)

Max Chip and Resistor Network

Many thanks for your order as shown below,


Qty    ItemNumber  Unit Price  Total Price
----------------------------------------------------------
1         MAX7219CNG         MAX7219 Ser. Interfaced LED Display                                        8.50          8.5
1         RN100K         100kohm 9 Resistor Network (10 pins)                                        0.25          0.25
2         HEADS8         8 Pin .100 Straight Male Headers                                        0.70          1.4
1         HEADS6         6 Pin .100 Straight Male Headers                                        0.70          0.7
1         HEADS4         4 Pin .100 Straight Male Headers                                        0.70          0.7
----------------------------------------------------------
Sub-Total                             11.55
Postage                           22.00
Total                                        33.55

i gave up waiting for the max chip to be shipped as a sample and shelled out the cash and also ordered the remaining parts (some conn headers and the resistor network jaycar couldnt get in). It cost me more than i would have liked but i just want to get my arduinome up and running. I also opted for the premuim shipping as im sick of waiting!!!

Wiring

I haven't posted for a while. I have made a lot of progress however, soldering all components to the shield and button boards, wiring the button boards to one another and to the break off pcb for using IDC cables.

During this wiring process I found issues as the wiring diagram I was using was incorrect and out of date. After a discussion over on the monome.org forum the issues were resolved and a new diagram was created by jpsykes, here.

I have no enclosure at the moment due to finances however I bought a $2 tupperware container and hacked it up with a stanley knife.

I am still waiting on my MAX chip and resistor network, once these arrive I will be complete. expect build pictures soon.

Arduino Deicimila LED Test

My Arduino Deicimila just arrived today (despite ordering it nearly 2 weeks ago from Sydney) and I ran the LED test code from the website. All seems in working order so now im only waiting on the shield, LEDs and sparkfun order.

LED Resistor Issue SOLVED

So XNDR over on the monome forums cleared it all up for me and i was correct in saying i would be using the 22.6kohm resistor for my LEDs!

Should be receiving all the parts within the next 2 weeks and will hopefully build the unit in a week so hopefully by the end of October i will be finished and the proud owner of my very own Arduinome!

Whats left?

So the LEDs, Arduino, Sparkfun Buttons and PCBs and Diodes are in the mail, what is left to source?

• 1 x 74HC165n
• 1 x 74HC164n
• 1 x 14 pin IC Socket
• 1 x 16 pin IC Socket
• 1 x 24 pinIC Socket
• 3 x 0.1uf ceramic capacitors
• 1 x 10uf electrolytic capacitor
• 1 x 10Kohm 10 pin resistor network

I have found all of these things at my local Jaycar for about $10 all up so once the shield arrives I will go pick them all up.

The last component I will need is one single resistor whose value depends on which LEDs you are using. The table below (from the arduino playground website) shows how to find your resistors value.

I have bought 5000mcd LEDs with a forward voltage of between 3.2v-3.6v and a maximum DC forward current of 30Ma however the arduino website suggests limiting to 20mA.

I am going to post a discussion on the monome forum asking about what resistor value i need as mine is 3.2-3.6 however i believe i will need 22.6kohm as i want to limit to 20mA as per the Arduino guidlines and i think it is better to sit on the higher voltage side. This could change after posting on the forum so stay tuned.