Introduction: The CheepaDuino, Minimalist Arduino Platform on the Cheap!
If you're like me you have a special love for your Arduino.
I have 3- 2009's and have made literally dozens of cool projects with them.
Sadly, not a single one is in a final project! No Arduino projects because I don't want my precious locked up, never to used again.
Why?
I love my Arduinoes, they are cool and they cost too much to just leave in a blinky or motor spinning project. Even that hot water heater monitor and pump controller project.
I usually get an idea, load and debug a sketch, make it perfect, run it for a day or two then shelf the project because I don't want to donate one of my beloved Arduinos to a prtoject. "I might need it for another project that is more important next month.
Is this you?
If it is I have have relief for you.
The CheepaDuino!!, is here to the rescue.
I have a complete Arduino platform including shipping for a bout 5 bucks each. 2 for $9.62. That includes shipping!
If this is you then let's do it, follow me.
FYI, first picture, 3 built up cheepaduinoes awaiting projects.
second picture a 3 zone climate monitor instructable to follow
third picture a Power ball lottery number picker, instructable to follow
fourth picture, a bootloader burner i use from Evil Mad scientist. each Atmega328pu takes 15 seconds to load bootloader.
I have 3- 2009's and have made literally dozens of cool projects with them.
Sadly, not a single one is in a final project! No Arduino projects because I don't want my precious locked up, never to used again.
Why?
I love my Arduinoes, they are cool and they cost too much to just leave in a blinky or motor spinning project. Even that hot water heater monitor and pump controller project.
I usually get an idea, load and debug a sketch, make it perfect, run it for a day or two then shelf the project because I don't want to donate one of my beloved Arduinos to a prtoject. "I might need it for another project that is more important next month.
Is this you?
If it is I have have relief for you.
The CheepaDuino!!, is here to the rescue.
I have a complete Arduino platform including shipping for a bout 5 bucks each. 2 for $9.62. That includes shipping!
If this is you then let's do it, follow me.
FYI, first picture, 3 built up cheepaduinoes awaiting projects.
second picture a 3 zone climate monitor instructable to follow
third picture a Power ball lottery number picker, instructable to follow
fourth picture, a bootloader burner i use from Evil Mad scientist. each Atmega328pu takes 15 seconds to load bootloader.
Step 1: The Great Gathering, Parts Is Parts.
To make each CheepaDuino we of course will need some minimum parts.
I know you expected that but follow me here.
We need a controller and the support components to make this work.
Basically, a way to hold the parts, a micro controller CPU, a power regulator, a system clock, a blinky, a reset button and a way to connect our pins to the outside world. ie. our project.
I found a supplier that is inexpensive, good quality and fast.http://www.taydaelectronics.com
here is the list to make one CheepaDuino:
All quantity one except where noted.
CERAMIC RESONATOR 16.0MHZ 3-PINS part number A-717 $0.23
or; A-230 16.000 MHz 16 MHz Crystal HC-49/S Low Profile $.10
and 2 ea A-523 22pF 50V Ceramic Disc Capacitor $.01 each, 10 minimum.
L78L05ACZ L78L05 78L05 +5 VOLTS 100mA Voltage Regulator IC part number A-176 $0.09
Diode 1N4007 SKU A-155 $ 0.02
Tact Switch 6x6mm 9mm Through Hole SPST-NO Part number A- 5143 $0.48
40 Pin 2.54 mm Single Row Female Pin Header Part number A-196 $0.24
LED 3mm Red Water Clear Ultra Bright (2 pcs) part number A-705 $0.04
100uF 16V 105C Radial Electrolytic Capacitor 5x11mm part number A-4514 $0.02 $0.02
28 pin DIP IC Socket Adaptor Solder Type part number A-1601 $0.11
DC Power Jack PC mount 2.1mm SKU A-4118 $0.16
DC Power Plug 2.1mm solder type SKU A-4573 $0.16
** Small StripBoard 94x53mm (Copper) part number A5031 $0.66 or,
go here for a buck fifty and get the best project board EVER. http://imall.iteadstudio.com/open-pcb/bare-open-pcb/im121017010.html
I buy 6 at a time take a month to get but worth waiting 3 months. I may buy some and sell them here. leave a note and I'll see.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You will have to get more than one of some of the items to make the 5 dollar minimum. your choice.
If you order more sets it gets down under 5 bucks per DuvDuino
I priced the cost plus shipping for all parts except the Atmega328pu with bootloader at $6.80 for 5 CheepaDuinoes!
Remember you are forced to buy 10 each of the resistor, that enough for 10 boards and the proto board is huge 4 inches by 2 inches. but can easily be cut to make 2 or 3 blank boards.
Unfortunately they only sell a non bootloader CPU IC's.
Go here or Ebay for it: http://nootropicdesign.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=8
$3.95 each.
Ebay example IC: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-X-ATMEGA328P-PU-Microcontrolle-r-With-ARDUINO-UNO-Bootloader-/140810128013?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20c8f00a8d
$3.33 free shipping 3 week wait.
All done and said in quantity you should be well under 6 bucks for each CheepaDuino. That's better than $24.95
I know you expected that but follow me here.
We need a controller and the support components to make this work.
Basically, a way to hold the parts, a micro controller CPU, a power regulator, a system clock, a blinky, a reset button and a way to connect our pins to the outside world. ie. our project.
I found a supplier that is inexpensive, good quality and fast.http://www.taydaelectronics.com
here is the list to make one CheepaDuino:
All quantity one except where noted.
CERAMIC RESONATOR 16.0MHZ 3-PINS part number A-717 $0.23
or; A-230 16.000 MHz 16 MHz Crystal HC-49/S Low Profile $.10
and 2 ea A-523 22pF 50V Ceramic Disc Capacitor $.01 each, 10 minimum.
L78L05ACZ L78L05 78L05 +5 VOLTS 100mA Voltage Regulator IC part number A-176 $0.09
Diode 1N4007 SKU A-155 $ 0.02
Tact Switch 6x6mm 9mm Through Hole SPST-NO Part number A- 5143 $0.48
40 Pin 2.54 mm Single Row Female Pin Header Part number A-196 $0.24
LED 3mm Red Water Clear Ultra Bright (2 pcs) part number A-705 $0.04
100uF 16V 105C Radial Electrolytic Capacitor 5x11mm part number A-4514 $0.02 $0.02
28 pin DIP IC Socket Adaptor Solder Type part number A-1601 $0.11
DC Power Jack PC mount 2.1mm SKU A-4118 $0.16
DC Power Plug 2.1mm solder type SKU A-4573 $0.16
** Small StripBoard 94x53mm (Copper) part number A5031 $0.66 or,
go here for a buck fifty and get the best project board EVER. http://imall.iteadstudio.com/open-pcb/bare-open-pcb/im121017010.html
I buy 6 at a time take a month to get but worth waiting 3 months. I may buy some and sell them here. leave a note and I'll see.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You will have to get more than one of some of the items to make the 5 dollar minimum. your choice.
If you order more sets it gets down under 5 bucks per DuvDuino
I priced the cost plus shipping for all parts except the Atmega328pu with bootloader at $6.80 for 5 CheepaDuinoes!
Remember you are forced to buy 10 each of the resistor, that enough for 10 boards and the proto board is huge 4 inches by 2 inches. but can easily be cut to make 2 or 3 blank boards.
Unfortunately they only sell a non bootloader CPU IC's.
Go here or Ebay for it: http://nootropicdesign.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=8
$3.95 each.
Ebay example IC: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-X-ATMEGA328P-PU-Microcontrolle-r-With-ARDUINO-UNO-Bootloader-/140810128013?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20c8f00a8d
$3.33 free shipping 3 week wait.
All done and said in quantity you should be well under 6 bucks for each CheepaDuino. That's better than $24.95
Attachments
Step 2: Assemble the CheepaDuino
just put the parts in the proto board where they go. use the schematic as a guide.
The CheepaDuino will be your best friend and you can just burn projects one after another and still have your precious.
The CheepaDuino will be your best friend and you can just burn projects one after another and still have your precious.