30 Minute Projects: Über-modified Arduino Board (arduino Keychain)

Here's another quick project you can do in 30 minutes!

I found it such a hassle tokeep unplugging and plugging the printer cable (aka: the cable used on arduinos) and since the printer was always used, programming wasn't easy. so i came up with a solution: What if i change the usb port into something i have?

So i did! i had a male to male usb plug lying around and an extra female port so i decided to switch the standard arduino usb type-b port into a usb type-a port!

Moments later i realized, hmm i never really used the dc port and i always plugged wires directly into the terminals of the board so hey! i changed it as well.... into a screw type terminal block, now there's less wires connected to the pins, then there's less mess!

Then i saw another problem. ah, all these exposed contacts and sharp pins found around the board...just simply shorting these could cost you another 20 dollars, what a waste! i found a project enclosure lying around and to my surprise it fit the board perfectly! as if they were meant to be so i cut off the necessary holes needed for the arduino, ex:reset,pins, etc. as an added bonus, the enclosure came with a place where i can hook it up on various places, and soon realized, hey it's a KEYCHAIN!

These changes i present to you are changes that fit to serve my needs, so its up to you guys to change whatever parts that would fit your needs.

Then again, it would be really cool if you keep supporting my projects by voting it in these contests! Oh, and don't forget to leave a comment for your thoughts and suggestions, i'd love to hear more from you.

So, Let's get started!

Step 1: Ingredients:

To start off, we'll need these materials:

• a female usb port
• an arduino (i used a clone)
• Project enclosure
• a screw terminal block
• 4 thin wires (preferably with color)

And for the tools go grab your:

• Soldering iron
• hot glue gun
• precision pliers
• superglue
• and assortment of files

It would be nicer if you had a desoldering pump, i didnt't have one at the moment so i had a REALLY hard time without it.

Step 2: Modifying the Usb Port

Okay! first off, go desolder the old usb-b port from the board

Then superglue the 4 terminals of the female usb port, we'll need this because the terminals tend to slide out! these terminals are just held down by the crease on the plastic seen on (see pic 2)

great, now that's done pull out the pins just like on the third picture and lay them down flat

Then solder the wires to the corresponding pins:

• Red is to vcc
• Green is to D-
• White is to D+
• Blue is to Gnd

When you're good with that, see my reference to the pinouts of usb-b? follow it and solder to the board, you can use the fifth picture as your reference.

lastly, solder the 2 supports of the female port

Step 3: Meet the New Power Terminal

yeah, just like in the title! desolder your old dc port and then...

Follow the terminals as seen on the fourth picture, since there are 2 grounds, i'll let you decide which ground you'll connect your screw block terminal to. I chose the ground found beside (by beside, im reffering to the one on the picture) and thats where i placed my screw terminal,

then solder it! see the third picture on how i positioned my screw terminal.

Step 4: The Casing

I just used an old flat tipped soldering iron and a file to do this

first i placed the board on top of the enclosure and measured out the parts that i chose to cut off,

i then marked it afterwards and filed the plastic down until i got the shapes i wanted.

then finally i added hot glue to the base and stuck my arduino there.

wow, now its not only you who loves your new board but your board now loves you as well!

After you're done with your project, put him near your ear. Listen closely as you will hear a faint "thank you" coming from the board. Okay if you actually do hear this i suggest that you never touch that board again, that would be creepy as hell!

Anyway,have fun with your new oh-so-portable arduino board!

show it off to your nerd friends and bask in their jealousy HAHAHAHA.

-poch