Chuck TV Intersect Cube DIY working model

Step 10 Building the Full Function Controller

1.   First solder the LED lead wires together per the circuit diagram.  Insulate the solder joints with heat shrink tubing.  Make sure you have the correct positive (red) and negative (black) wires going to the connector - the LEDs won't light up if the polarity is reversed.

See attached Controller Circuit Diagram.pdf.  Most of the circuit is from pg 121 of "Programming and Customizing the Picaxe Microcontroller," by David Lincoln.

I can't provide complete details on the construction, but here are a few hints

2. QT113A-ISG, Mouser.com item# 556-QT113A-IGS is the touch sensor IC.  It is a surface mount part since the DIP package is no longer available.  To make it easier to connect it to the prototype PC board (Radio Shack 276-150), I mounted the IC on a SO8-SMD to DIP Adapter. 

The adapter mini board solder pad locations are pre-tinned were the IC legs attached, so it wasn't as hard to solder as I thought.  However ,the adapter is so wide that I soldered some jumper wires under it to help save space.

3.  The Run/PRG switch could be replaced with a simple jumper block, since in theory you should only have to switch modes once for the initial Picaxe program down load.

4.  I hard wired in the RS-232 cable directly from the PC board to a 9 pin female connector.  It then plugs into the RS-232 COM port on my PC. 

If you need a USB serial connection instead, you'll need to get Picaxe special cable AXE027.  The cable has electronics built in to make USB signal "look" just like RS-232 to the Picaxe chip.  AXE027 requires a 3.5 mm jack at Picaxe chip end, see Picaxe website for more details.


http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/picaxe/ 


5.  A combination of double stick foam tape. hot glue, and velcro attach the completed PC board, DC power jack, and RS-232 cable to the bottom side of the base plate.

6.  The circuit does not have an on/off switch, it's always powered on awaiting a command from the PC to stop or start.  You can of course disconnect the power plug from the DC jack.

7.  Don't forget to connect the touch sensor wire to the PC board when you assemble the cube and cylinder to the base plate.