Shop OBEX P1 Docs P2 Docs Learn Events
Who has the smallest mountable board for the Propeller? — Parallax Forums

Who has the smallest mountable board for the Propeller?

idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
edited 2011-11-20 21:08 in Propeller 1
Hello Everyone

I am looking for the smallest Propeller board that is capable of being mounted by at least two screws, but preferably four, and can readily accept this adjustable switching regulator, http://www.dimensionengineering.com/SWADJHV.htm. And of course it must have terminals or pins for input and output. My guess would be Clusso99. :)

Bruce

Comments

  • Dr_AculaDr_Acula Posts: 5,484
    edited 2011-11-19 03:56
    The smallest board is indeed Cluso's - He has one that fits in a matchbox.

    I do note though that the module costs $25. You can get a 2574 plus inductor plus diode for maybe $5. The 2574 is available in a variety of sizes. I like the DIP8 package but there are other options. The inductor is about the same size as a DIP8 package.

    That package is vertical - I guess you use up space either vertically or horizontally.

    How much board space do you have?
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2011-11-19 04:14
    My CpuBlade is 1"sq and costs $17.50+postage. There is no space for mounting screws unless the pcb was larger.
    What input voltage do you require and how much current? Peter J has a tiny pcb that gives 5v and 3v out - I have a couple because i am using them in a product.

    Btw Drac it is half the size of the RamBlade so 2 fit in a matchbox :)
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    edited 2011-11-19 08:32
    @Dr_Acula - Thanks for tip, I have stached the datasheet away for future projects, but in this case, I may need a one part solution, although I may reconsider my design. I am building a PCB cutter and I was hoping to have the stepper driver and Prop mounted on the machine, but perhaps it would be best to just keep the power supply, driver, and controller as external units, and just supply it with the stepper motor.

    @Clusso99 - For the sake of discussion, I want 48 VDC and the mounting space available is 1" X 1 7/8".

    Thanks for your response guys.

    Bruce
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2011-11-19 08:48
    Bruce,

    I thought the Propeller Servo Controller would suite your needs, but I see it is a tad too big for your enclosure.

    The nice thing about this unit, is that it can be re-purposed for anything you want.

    Don't know if the availability of only 16 I/O pins is a problem.

    Jim
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    edited 2011-11-19 10:12
    Publison

    Thanks for pointing that out to me. It is just a wee bit to big though. However with some modification, it might work. Hmmm, if I modify, I might as well just make it accept a proto board and mount the Gecko stepper driver right to the proto board, just like I did on a previous project.

    Decisions must be made :)

    Thanks Publison.

    Bruce
  • frank freedmanfrank freedman Posts: 1,983
    edited 2011-11-19 11:00
    idbruce wrote: »

    Decisions must be made :)

    Bruce

    Decisions, decisions. D@mn, always decisions. Ain't optshuns wonnerfull thangs??
  • TubularTubular Posts: 4,710
    edited 2011-11-19 11:56
    Bruce, If height is available you could just design an "underboard" for the spin stamp, which is 1.2" x 0.6". On the underboard you could put a $11 Cui V7803W which are good up to 72V DC and up to 500mA, plus your fets, a heat spreader, and terminals and/or a couple of mounting holes. This board would also work with a basic stamp .

    The cheapest converters I have seen are the Recom R-785.0-0.5 etc at about $5, but these only go to 34v input. But if you put that "7805" footprint down, there are plenty of options

    cheers
    tubular
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2011-11-19 13:31
    Bruce,

    I haven't seen the Propeller Backpack mentioned. I just checked, it has four mounting holes.
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2011-11-19 13:40
    Bruce, Peter's power board uses the LM2591HV which is capable of 60V input and 1A. It is ~0.4x0.8" and ~0.3" thick.

    You did not say what output current is required, nor what you are driving with it. Do you need 3V3 or 5V or both?
  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2011-11-19 15:19
    Cluso99 wrote: »
    Bruce, Peter's power board uses the LM2591HV which is capable of 60V input and 1A. It is ~0.4x0.8" and ~0.3" thick.

    You did not say what output current is required, nor what you are driving with it. Do you need 3V3 or 5V or both?

    It uses the LM5010A and you can see it mounted on a pcb in this post. This regulator is capable of operating at up to 70V with 1A output.
    This is a standard 7-pin SIL footprint I have used before that provides for ON/OFF and a feedback tap to vary the nominal 5V output if required as well as a 3.3V output from a linear regulator fed from the 5V supply.
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2011-11-19 23:26
    Thanks for the correction Peter.
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    edited 2011-11-20 04:39
    First off, let me thank all of you guys, because there was some good input.

    So thank you!

    I have made a decision to keep the power supply, the controller (Prop), and stepper driver all in one enclosure, which will have plenty of room, plus it will give me a platform for mounting switches, indicator lights, speed control adjusters, etc... I used a similar setup on one of the other machines and I liked the way it turned out, but with this decision comes other problems.

    Mr. Parallax, if you are listening, you know it is getting close to Christmas. If you were planning on giving me a gift, the following board is still on my wish list.

    Bruce

    P.S. Thanks again guys for all your support.
    Propeller Proto Board HV.jpg
    509 x 504 - 40K
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2011-11-20 06:15
    Just slightly off topic... why don't you use a LM2594 5.0 regulator or similar?
    The LM2594 is rated 0.5A but I guess you can find similar solutions with higher current rating.
    Attached is a Diptrace schematic and PCB I used for both 3.3 and 5V versions. Up to now they are all alive...

    Massimo

    Switch.zip
    zip
    zip
    Switch.zip
    6K
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    edited 2011-11-20 06:25
    Massimo

    Thanks for posting the schematics. I have not downloaded dip trace yet, so I am unable to view them at this time, but others may be highly interested.

    However, with topic in hand, mostly because I like one part solutions. I will eventually review your attached files, and perhaps update the schematic above to something more economical.

    Thanks for your post.

    Bruce
  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2011-11-20 06:39
    I a making my switch-mode modules available at a very reasonable price. I treat these as a component so they are a "one part solution". Eventually I will get a large enough run of them done so I don't have to manufacture them myself.
    BTW, I have used the LM2594 for many years but the LM5010A can handle double the current, double the voltage, and doesn't need any large value caps or bulky tantalums.
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    edited 2011-11-20 06:55
    Thanks for the tip Peter.

    I looked at them several months back. I know there is a link to these modules in one of my other posts, but perhaps you may want to put another direct link to the modules themselves in this thread, so that it is more readily available.

    Bruce
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2011-11-20 07:09
    Bruce, besides chip type, I think you might consider a solution using a switching regulator with direct 5V output. This way you should be able to reduce and simplify the design.
    The size constraints are quite tight..
    Massimo
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    edited 2011-11-20 07:14
    Massimo

    I decided to alter my design as mentioned earlier. With the change in plans, I will have enough room for a full blown proto board.
    I have made a decision to keep the power supply, the controller (Prop), and stepper driver all in one enclosure, which will have plenty of room, plus it will give me a platform for mounting switches, indicator lights, speed control adjusters, etc...

    Bruce
  • frank freedmanfrank freedman Posts: 1,983
    edited 2011-11-20 13:32
    idbruce wrote: »
    First off, let me thank all of you guys, because there was some good input.

    So thank you!

    I have made a decision to keep the power supply, the controller (Prop), and stepper driver all in one enclosure, which will have plenty of room, plus it will give me a platform for mounting switches, indicator lights, speed control adjusters, etc... I used a similar setup on one of the other machines and I liked the way it turned out, but with this decision comes other problems.

    Mr. Parallax, if you are listening, you know it is getting close to Christmas. If you were planning on giving me a gift, the following board is still on my wish list.

    Bruce

    P.S. Thanks again guys for all your support.


    Hey Bruce,
    An interesting covert consequence of that decision may be reduced costs if you start producing various products based on the same "universal" controller.

    Also, I am considering a project which will require input power of 120VDC. What resources have you used regarding design requirements, safety, pcb layout, UL and the rest? (Offline note if you have a minute thanks)

    Frank
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2011-11-20 15:59
    Beware: Anything with voltages above about 60V (would need to check the legal specifications) requires some form of certification due to safety requirements. This is the main reason we see the proliferation of the power packs - it removes the safety requirements from the devices and places it into the powerpacks which can be produced in volume.
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    edited 2011-11-20 21:08
    @Frank Freedman
    An interesting covert consequence of that decision may be reduced costs if you start producing various products based on the same "universal" controller

    Well that is close to true - Not every piece of equipment has the same requirements, however, I have noticed that a few pieces of equipment have several of the same basic requirements, such as:
    • Power indication
    • Power supply enclosure
    • Enclosure for the remaining electronics
    • Cooling system for the electronics
    • Main controller power supply
    • A mounting surface for controls
    • etc...
    As I go forward, I realize my dreams will not come true if:
    • I try to patent all the ideas that I want to take to market. I just don't have the capital, resources, and time to do this. However, as my business grows, I will aquire resources to better protect my property.
    • I try to sell ideas that require a UL listings, which most of my products would need, if I were trying to sell complete products.
    For now, my intention is to circumvent the need for UL listings by not selling anything that requires it. Take this link for example: http://www.novelsolutionsonline.com/exposurebox.htm

    It is an all around fantsastic idea and product, but if sold as an entire unit it would require a UL listing. To avoid the UL listing, I simply provide some of the parts that do not require the UL listing, and provide instructions so that people can make it for themselves. The same will be true for some of my other products. I will not make power supplies and controllers for my equipment for other people, but I will provide plans for the power supplies and controllers. The main part of the tools will be the mechanicals. That way a person can choose their own power supply and controllers. I know it is not a complete solution, but it should get me going.

    Bruce
Sign In or Register to comment.