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Enclosures for the Basic Stamp 2 OEM Module — Parallax Forums

Enclosures for the Basic Stamp 2 OEM Module

YianieYianie Posts: 49
edited 2014-10-01 19:54 in General Discussion
Hello again. After a year of just starting to learn about controllers. I am back. I am interested in building controllers of Solar and Wind applications and was wondering what would be better, the Basic Stamp 2 OEM Module or the Super Carrier Board. At first I thought the OEM board, but there are no bolt holes to mount in an enclosure, so how is it mounted and protected? Or, is it better to use the Carrier Board. Can someone just explain the advantages of each board also?
Thank you,
John

Comments

  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2014-09-30 08:20
    ...in a nutshell:

    The Super Carrier Board (http://www.parallax.com/product/27130) is a development platform and does not include a Basic Stamp or any other active components. Yes, it has mounting hols, prototyping area, and costs about $19.

    The Basic Stamp OEM (http://www.parallax.com/product/27291) doesn't have a prototyping area nor mounting holes. But it does include all the equivalent components for a fully functional BS2. Costs around $29.

    Six-of-one, half-a-dozen of the other.
  • RDL2004RDL2004 Posts: 2,554
    edited 2014-09-30 08:29
    The most economical way to go would be the OEM module, a second blank proto-board to add anything else you need, and a suitable box from Hammond, Bud or one the the many other box makers.

    For personal projects, you can do without actually mounting the OEM board and just wrap it in some non-conductive, static dissipative padding. Hot glue also works well to hold it in place and isn't that hard to remove later, just don't use too much.

    Parallax does sell a Multi Board Enclosure that either board will fit in. However, the tab and slot construction of the enclosure makes it not so great for exterior use, if you need that for your solar/wind application.
  • GenetixGenetix Posts: 1,754
    edited 2014-09-30 09:42
    BS2 modules takes up less space than the OEM module but the OEM module is easy to repair. Unless the electronics will be subject to vibration or jostling then the OEM module should be fine without any mounting hardware.

    You always have the option of designing your own board. Some people use a MAX232 instead of the transistors Parallax uses for TTL-to-RS232 voltage translation. Parallax sells the BS2 interpreter chip in both thru-hole and surface-mount as well as the resonator, but all of the other parts you can get elsewhere.
  • YianieYianie Posts: 49
    edited 2014-09-30 10:22
    Thank you for your quick reply. I am assuming since there is a tranformer connection on the Super Carrier Board, the voltage is already regulated. Is it regulated on the OEM board?
  • GenetixGenetix Posts: 1,754
    edited 2014-09-30 10:47
    Yianie wrote: »
    Thank you for your quick reply. I am assuming since there is a tranformer connection on the Super Carrier Board, the voltage is already regulated. Is it regulated on the OEM board?

    The OEM module has a regulator built into it so if you put a voltage on the VIN pin, 5V will come out of VDD. Ground gets connected to VSS.
    Oh, the Carrier Board has a reset circuit that the OEM module doesn't have but it's very easy add one. An active-low pushbutton connected to /RES will reset the OEM module.
  • YianieYianie Posts: 49
    edited 2014-10-01 10:25
    What is the maximum voltage that can be used as the input to the regulator?
  • WBA ConsultingWBA Consulting Posts: 2,934
    edited 2014-10-01 10:31
    The "details" section of the products pages lists the input voltage range. The Super Carrier lists 6-12 VDC as the input and the OEM Board lists 5-7.5 VDC.
  • YianieYianie Posts: 49
    edited 2014-10-01 18:32
    WBA Consulting wrote: »
    The "details" section of the products pages lists the input voltage range. The Super Carrier lists 6-12 VDC as the input and the OEM Board lists 5-7.5 VDC.

    Forgive me, but I thought there was a V(in) input that accepts 12V on the OEM board.
  • WBA ConsultingWBA Consulting Posts: 2,934
    edited 2014-10-01 19:54
    Actually, you are correct. The product page is incorrect. This is from the Basic Stamp OEM Manual:

    Powering up your OEM-BS2 – There are two ways in which you can power your OEM-BS2:
    1) You may apply 6-24VDC to the Vin pin (and ground to the Vss pin)
    – OR –
    2) You may apply regulated 5VDC to the Vdd pin (and ground to the Vss pin)
    Please note that these two methods are mutually exclusive: do one or the
    other, but never both!
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