Introduction: CHEAP AND EASY PICAXE ROBOT BOARD WITH SERIAL CABLE

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Here are the instructions on how to build an easy, simple and cheap PICAXE BOARD to control a SUMO ROBOT or to use on any number of other PICAXE 18M2+ projects !

Step 1: Cut Stripboard 21x18 Holes

Cut a piece of stripboard 21x18 holes (18 copper lines and 21 columns).

It's better to do right now the cuts under where the picaxe CHIP will be and under the 22k resistor or you can just solder the Picaxe Chip on the next step and then do the strip cuts !

Step 2: Solder the PICAXE 18M2+ or the 18 PIN DIL SOCKET

Solder a 18 pin DIL Socket or your PICAXE 18 M2+ on Line 5, Column 13)
See picure if you have doubts.

Step 3: Cut All the Strips Under the PICAXE

If you didn't do it before soldering the Picaxe, using a strip cutter cut all the strips beneath the 18M2+ to remove short circuits

Step 4: Make the Minus and Plus Connections

Using solid wire make 4 jumps just like those on the pictures.

Step 5: Solder the Serial Port 10K and 22K (or 27K) Resistors

Solder the resistors like photos. And make a strip cut under the 22k resistor

Step 6: Solder the Resistor 560 Ohm Resistor and Integrated "Hello World" BLINK LED

Like in an ARDUINO BOARD I have Incorporated a LED on this PICAXE BOARD just to have something to lit and test on our first program. This LED is connected through a 560 Ohm Resistor (you can use any value between 120 and 680 Ohm.

Step 7: Add the MALE PINS !

To use your BOARD you will need to solder PINs in order to connect devices like motor and LEDs to control (ON, OFF, Etc). You will need to cut 2 x 7 Pin Header and 1x 16 Pin Header.

Step 8: Solder the POWER ON LED

As an extra you can add a LED just to know your board is powered !

Step 9: Solder the 7805 - 5V Power Regulator

As it is required a MAX of 5V to power your Digital Circuits (like Picaxe) it's better tou put a 5V Power Regulator leaving to you the option to power your Board from 7 to 17 V.

Step 10: Making a Cheap SERIAL CABLE

As the original USB AXE027 PIcaxe cable is a little expensive and you might just have an old computer with a DB9 serial connector on your house I am giving you the information about how to build a cheaper one than the original!

Step 11: Solder the 3 PIN SERVO CONNECTORS

As I intend to use my board for a SUMO ROBOT, it comes with 2 x 3 PIN connectors for my two 360º SERVOS.

Step 12: Testing It All !

Connect the serial cable, power your board, start PICAXE EDITOR and enjoy your first PICAXE program.

To see the on-board LED blink so to test the board, open PICAXE EDITOR, go to SAMPLES, TUTORIAL 1 and change b.4 to b.2 as the LED is connected to b.2 instead of b.4 :) Then select PROGRAM and see the RED LED Blink !