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[on:]

Hello all,

This is my first post and step into the world of Arduino.

My project idea revolves around brewing fine ale and in particular the fermenting stage.

I am after some assistance in choosing the correct Arduino to cover all my requirements. I would ideally want the Uno, however im not 100% if my list of anciliary parts will fit.

I want to be able to use:

- 20x4 LCD
- PlayStation 2 Controller
- Ethernet Shield
- 2 PT100 probes
- Output for Heating and Cooling PID's.
- Possible other sensor inputs, What inputs would be left ?

Would an Uno meet those needs for I/O or is the Mega the sensible choice ?

Any guidence would be greatly appreciated.

Tom

[Reply #1 on:]

I want to be able to use:
- PlayStation 2 Controller

For brewing fine ale?

[Reply #2 on:]

I want to be able to use:
- PlayStation 2 Controller

For brewing fine ale?

Menu navigation mainly.

Although over-the-top i like the novelty of using my old redundant PS2 controller.

[Reply #3 on:]

"Would an Uno meet those needs for I/O"
Make up a list of the I/O needed for each device. Count the number of pins.
Need <20? Uno.  Consider Serial interface display to save on pins also. www.newhavendisplay.com
Need 21-32, dual hardware serial ports, and still low cost? 1284P based design. (Also has 16K SRAM, twice that of a Mega)
33+ IO, Mega
http://www.crossroadsfencing.com/BobuinoRev17/
bare board $6, processor ~$8 at mouser.com, scrounge your parts bin for the rest, or around $15-20 total at mouser.
(I may do these up as a kit too)

[Reply #4 on:]

(I may do these up as a kit too)

It's a killer board. Has a jumper clip to defeat auto-reset any time you wish. Has a jumper clip to select USB or external DC power, no auto-voltage selection circuit nonsense. Being a DIP based chip still supports the concept of developing your sketch on the board and then building a standalone 1284P version into your project. Does however need a seperate USB serial comm cable or module to talk to the IDE, but they are cheap on E-bay.

 This is the board the Arduino folks should have designed after the Uno, not all those silly 32Ux variations that are in danger of splintering the Arduino platform into endless complexity.

Lefty

[Reply #5 on:]

Thanks for the kind words Lefty.
Also supports on-board FTDI module, the MIKROE483 from mouser.com.
Least expensive FTDI module out there, total cost being comparable to buying an FTDI chip and the other parts needed to support it.
(If your installed project does not need USB connectivity, then off-board programming is the way to go.)
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/mikroElektronika/MIKROE-483/?qs=%2fha2pyFadugsEwyLV5fFyIWdPbushEDhRSvnBE0ODG8%3d
Can be seen on this board: