tin1.JPG
tst1.JPG
so u want to take an Arduino or clone with you so you can probably tinker wherever you are?

given certain means..

With this you can make test circuits, bash out an idea, show friends cool things that it can do. and so on.

You could probably make it usable with any computer with a serial port (or usb) with the right cable (depending on the board).

This is my entry for the Pocket Sized contest.

For my version I will be using a homebrew board of mine. it has TTL header pins, reset, power LED, digital pins and analogue pins, and a power rail. it has a 9v battery connector on it and the 7805 regulator is protected from power feedback but a diode, so there is no problem with powering it via another 3-5v source. But the board making isn't a part of this ible, so I wont be talking about its construction, (that's here: www.instructables.com/id/Compact-Protoboard-Arduino-type-thing-yea/).

On this board I will have loaded Bitlash ( a bit-bashing program and libs from ( http://bitlash.net/ ) that allows you to control the board and its pins (also its eprom) from any serial terminal interface. This makes it a little easier to try things out directly on the board instead of using the Arduino IDE software, and also means you don't have to carry that too.
 
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Step 1: Kit contents:

B168.JPG
So what would you need to take with you?

Primarily some type or Arduino would be nice:

there are several small boards, bare bones ones, lilly-pad, boarduino.. just to name a few.
or you can make your own Arduino compatible board easily enough, and see how small you can make it. (like i have, though it is a prototype)

Secondly a Breadboard would be handy:

i have seen instructables on how you can make them. Mine is based on one such ible, although I didn't refer to it when I made it.
Also jumper wires for said Breadboard.

components:

for making circuits would be a good thing too. Resistors, capacitors, transistors. LEDs etc.. but they can be carried in a separate container if you need many.. remember to keep it small. this is pocket sized after all ;)

and lastly a storage medium for this.

A Tin or a small plastic box, as long as it fits in your pocket easily. This could easily become a modular thing so try and keep other storage mediums small as well. small plastic tubes do well for components and wires.

knexpert1700 says: May 20, 2012. 3:15 AM
I've been looking for an Instructable like this for quite a while now.I know that radio shack's website sells something just like this but it's like $30.00 and it's only online,not in sore. (30 US dollars,not Australian or English). :-)
diy_bloke says: Apr 19, 2012. 6:20 AM
good idea to use the old floppu drive connectors as breadboard, but as i understand they are not connected or did you leave them on a cable?
Bongmaster (author) in reply to diy_blokeApr 19, 2012. 1:42 PM
i used wires from the cable to connect them up as they would on a normal breadboard.
running up one set of pins then back for the next set of pins to complete the row, since they alternate)
scottinnh says: Jan 26, 2011. 10:41 AM
This is a great hack - design, the DIY circuit board, the cheapie floppy-connector based protoboard, and maintaining shield compatability. Congratulations!

I stumbled into this on a search, was looking to see if anyone had hacked an Arduino into a REAL Nintendo controller case...

This is an idea I want to pursue, a gamepad as usable container for a 'duino (example application: datalogger). I'm thinking the buttons can all be wired up to navigate functions in the logger, and feedback (indicating 'where' you are in the 'menu' or mode) can be done via a piezeo speaker. This would avoid needing to hack the case for LEDs or an LCD.
Bongmaster (author) in reply to scottinnhJan 26, 2011. 1:30 PM
kools good luck :)
cdousley says: Apr 26, 2010. 4:01 PM
Wow this is so cool can your "Arduino type thing yea" work with the arduino IDE
Bongmaster (author) in reply to cdousleyJul 25, 2011. 1:55 PM
well yea its fully compatible :)
cdousley in reply to BongmasterApr 28, 2010. 5:24 PM
WOW I AM MAKING THIS!
Bongmaster (author) in reply to cdousleyApr 29, 2010. 4:24 AM
good luck XD
cdousley in reply to BongmasterMay 2, 2010. 9:16 AM
should i get the one with arduino bootloader?
Bongmaster (author) in reply to cdousleyMay 2, 2010. 1:58 PM
It would be easier if you did, unless you want to make a icsp program cable or buy a usbtinyisp like i did XD then u would need to either add a iscp header or summin :)
cdousley in reply to cdousleyDec 10, 2012. 12:58 PM
also how would i go about adding a usb port to program it
Bongmaster (author) in reply to cdousleyMay 2, 2010. 2:02 PM
well you would need to get a usb to TTL adaptor, making one would mean getting a ftdi chip and they are all SMT so it would be easier to get a usb to serial converter..

i made my own rs232 to ttl converter but to use usb i either use my dead decimilia board (the usb to ttl still works) or i use the usbtinyisp programmer that bypasses the need for a bootloader.
cdousley in reply to BongmasterMay 3, 2010. 5:45 AM
so my duemilanove has an IC socket on it with an atmega 168 could I pop that one out put this one in and program it then put them both back?

And i love your homemade breadboard I ordered a mini breadboard from sparkfun but im still making it!
Bongmaster (author) in reply to cdousleyMay 3, 2010. 6:43 AM
yea u can use the duemilanove or any arduino board to program the chip and swap it onto ure other board if u want to :)
S1L3N7 SWAT says: Jun 18, 2009. 3:27 PM
That's so cool man! Nice Job!

And Kudos for the homebrew Arduino!

I wonder if one of these mini breadboards would fit inside that? I have on for my arduino protoshield, very handy. They sell them here:
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8802
Bongmaster (author) in reply to S1L3N7 SWATAug 2, 2009. 11:42 AM
Hey i got 2 of them mini breadboards and one fits perfectly in the space provided in the tin :) much better than the FDD cable connectors i was using b4 XD
billbillt in reply to BongmasterMar 4, 2010. 3:56 AM
How in the world did you manage to connect FDD connectors together to make a breadboard? I salvaged some and see no practical way to connect them together  to make a breadboard. This would make a great instructable itself!
Bongmaster (author) in reply to billbilltMar 8, 2010. 6:37 AM
to be honest i would just get a mini breadboard off ebuy or sparkbum or someone liek that ;)
billbillt in reply to BongmasterJul 25, 2011. 12:28 AM
Of course that is the easiest way. I just personally would like to know how you did it. I have a bunch of those ribbon cables with connectors lying around with no purpose. I would just like to make a breadbord out of them to reuse them somewhat. Also your rs232 to ttl cable is another stroke of genius.
Bongmaster (author) in reply to billbilltMar 9, 2010. 8:27 AM
i just glued them together and joined up the pins needed by feeding single wired to the right bits like how the ribbon flex was attached. just used the ribon flex for the single wires. takes time and can be a pain in the arse XD and u also need to check every hole on the row is connected.

the rs232 is pretty much the old arduino serial curcuit for the serial part b4 they used the max232..
all u need is a couple of transistors (3904 and 3906), resistors, caps and LEDs (optional). i'll dig out the circuit diagram later.
billbillt in reply to BongmasterMar 10, 2010. 2:12 AM
Man, that is the hard way to do it. I think I will try to make one, that way I can use some of these I have laying around. The circuit diagram for the rs232 thing would be much help.
                Thanks!
S1L3N7 SWAT in reply to BongmasterAug 2, 2009. 6:01 PM
Cool, those mini breadboards are great!
Bongmaster (author) in reply to S1L3N7 SWATAug 3, 2009. 1:38 PM
yup, i glued female pin headers down each side and soldered them onto a small bit of board joining the pins together for power rails :) now thats my tins breadboard :3 snug fit :)
Bongmaster (author) in reply to S1L3N7 SWATJun 18, 2009. 5:33 PM
thnx :) I'll be making a newer one soon, hopefully better with a 16mhz res. I will ible the build ;) 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm? that should fit nicely. its just a little wider than the one i have in there :)
billbillt says: Feb 9, 2010. 8:17 AM
Please make an Instructable for the Arduino board. This project is way to cool not to be complete.
Bongmaster (author) in reply to billbilltFeb 11, 2010. 6:38 PM
billbillt in reply to BongmasterMar 4, 2010. 3:28 AM
Thanks so much! Do you think you would have time to give details for your rs232 to TTL converter?
Bongmaster (author) in reply to billbilltMar 8, 2010. 6:36 AM
i shall do soon :)
sk8erdude says: Jun 26, 2009. 5:04 PM
Wow this is Awesome!! Perfect! 5 stars! ;)
Bongmaster (author) in reply to sk8erdudeJun 27, 2009. 3:41 AM
thnx :) am about to add a small epilogue to the end wit the second tin i have populated.. not enough for another ible :)
AFM528 says: Jun 18, 2009. 5:22 PM
Bravo! This is very cool.
Bongmaster (author) in reply to AFM528Jun 21, 2009. 9:06 PM
thnx ;)
Spaceman Spiff says: Jun 20, 2009. 11:55 PM
I gave you a 5, Best Ever!
Bongmaster (author) in reply to Spaceman SpiffJun 21, 2009. 12:05 AM
hehe thnx ;)
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