Wiring & components

R.DesJardin

·Hi,
I just bought the "What's a Microcontroller?" from Radion Shack. I have went thru the tutorials and also bought the Cookbook sets. But I need real world examples of the part and pieces assy. to make something. I have written the code for my first project but don't know what parts to buy and how to assemble it for permanent use. What books can I buy that will explain this part to me.
Here is the code:

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"If I didn't live in the middle of nowhere."

Mike Green

I guess I don't understand what you want to do. I can see where you're setting various pins high in response to inputs, but what are you trying to accomplish? For example, do you want to light LEDs? There are examples in the tutorials for doing this. Radio Shack sells all sorts of LEDs in different colors and sizes. They sell resistors and capacitors. They also sell little boxes including perforated boards that you can use to build a more permanent version of something you might make on the breadboard. Again, what do you want to do?

R.DesJardin

Well yes this program as it is just turns on LED's in sequence to momentary on switches. I want to know how to assemble a permanent BS2 setup that will do this. For example I'll need the BS2 and I'm guessing a PCB the LED's of course. But the assembling the hardware is what I am looking to learn to do.

I'm an Engineering Tech. in R&D while most of what I do is Mechanical I'm trying to learn Electronics and programming, I've also bought a PLC and am learning Ladder programming.

Rory D.

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"If I didn't live in the middle of nowhere."

Mike Green

How about one of Parallax's carrier boards ... look under development boards in their webstore.

For something as simple as your program, the BS1 Project Board would be adequate and inexpensive (www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/BASICStampDevelopmentBoards/tabid/137/CategoryID/12/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/119/Default.aspx). You would have to modify your program because the Basic used has evolved over time since the BS1 was first developed.

There are no "magic tips" for laying out a small board. You decide where you want the parts to go, then run wires to where they have to be connected. Usually the position of the parts depends on appearance or functionality more than anything else.

You'll need to learn how to solder if you don't know already. These days, a websearch may get you more information than any book. One example from a quick Google search: www.aaroncake.net/electronics/solder.htm.

allanlane5

The BS2 OEM version is nice, because it provides a circuit board along with the BS2 hardware.

Having said that, Parallax also sells a "Development Board" for $20 or so:

http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/BASICStampDevelopmentBoards/tabid/137/CategoryID/12/List/0/SortField/0/catpageindex/2/Level/a/ProductID/122/Default.aspx

This is about as expensive as building your own, for small quantities, and is quite a robust platform. This also has the 24-pin socket, so you can 'upgrade' to different 'flavors' of BS2 if you need the speed or the space.

R.DesJardin

Thanks guys,

I do know how to solder, and had basic electronics in college years ago and it·might be time to dig out the old books.

I want to be able to add function to the system too as in controlling two external solenoids,·I plan on using MOSFET's. The program for this will have to be incorporated in the original program I posted, should be no problem. I have other items to add in the future also. I am currently using a PLC for the solenoid control and want to switch to a Stamp controller.

I'm in this for the knowledge to apply to my hobbies and maybe integrate into work processes, as we have used Stamp Processors before for some niche projects.

Rory D.

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"If I didn't live in the middle of nowhere."

Franklin

There are several online books available from the Parallax site in the stamps in class area.
www.parallax.com/Education/ProductInformation/StampsInClassTutorials/tabid/535/Default.aspx
that will give you more information and ideas. Also look in the completed projects topic here to see what others are doing.

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- Stephen