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[on:]

I'm new to Arduino and have bought some bricks. The only problem is that most of these bricks come with 0 documentation. It would be really nice for us newbies if  there was a file with schematics, example code and good functional descriptions. I see some bricks I could maybe use if I knew what they did. It could also be done as a web database. For example I bought a Serial -> USB interface card that has 8 unmarked pins with headers 4 pins with no headers which appear to be the ones you connect to the Arduino (no data).

Jim

[Reply #1 on:]

I am not familiar with this use of the term 'brick'.  Where did you get your USB to Serial board?  Does it have any identifying marks on it?  My guess is that the six pin header matches the common FTDI USB to TTL Serial cable.

[Reply #2 on:]

If you search on Ebay for "arduino brick" you will see what I mean. They are very small single purpose sensor and relay-led-switch boards that connect to special distribution shield. The serial board "brick" I have has 4 pins on each side op the board with connector pins soldered in and 4 without pins at the end. Only the 4 at the end are labeled and they are for the I2C. I have no idea why they are called bricks. They also call the special interconnect cables "buckled", not sure where that came from either.

Jim

[Reply #3 on:]

Oh, so the products from http://www.emartee.com/

You will find documentation (such as it is) on that site.

[Reply #4 on:]

Oh, so the products from http://www.emartee.com/

You will find documentation (such as it is) on that site.

Yep, that is just what I'm talking about. That is as uninformative as can be for a newbie. Information varies from fair to none depending on the board. Code examples are few. Many are manufactured by others. maybe THEY should provide more information. I have two of the "switch brick V2", one works, one does not. From inspecting the board back lit with a bright light, it's not clear how it is working.

Jim

[Reply #5 on:]

Have a look at Terry King's site

http://yourduino.com/

Or get in touch with him. Last I heard he was trying to document all the bricks.

______
Rob

[Reply #6 on:]

I think Terry is in the process of moving at the moment so he might not be responsive at first. I haven't seen him post for a while now.

[Reply #7 on:]

Hi Everyone,

I Am Moved.. to Vermont USA for the Summer, but the Yourduino.com site is always up.  (My usual UserID is blocked somehow; this is temporary...)

I DO have a plan for documenting all the "Electronic Bricks". I have a relationship now with Xiao, the guy who originated the Electronic Brick idea and whose hardware designs are the best and whose build quality is excellent. I have translated some of his Chinese blog entries where he discusses various bricks, and I am working on more. 

Take a look here for the most common bricks. Just click on a photo for how-to and documentation:
http://arduino-info.wikispaces.com/BrickStarterSet

Several other bricks are documented on the arduino-info Wiki, and more to come.

A section on relays and power handling is here:
http://arduino-info.wikispaces.com/ArduinoPower

I will also continue to document and provide test sketches for subassemblies and sensors that are not strictly "Electronic Bricks" because many provide excellent function and value.  I am constantly testing new devices and subassemblies we find in the great electronics arena at Shenzhen, China.  Soon I will publish a page showing simple connections and cabling options for Arduino to a variety of devices.

I hope to be able to the bring the Electronic Brick designs into an open-source agreement.  Some new designs are in the works and should be interesting, I believe.  More specific support for Home Automation and Robotics is (I hope) coming...

Arduino, especially the 2560 variants, are very capable microcomputers for many, many applications.  I hope for some meaningful collaborations to come together soon.

Please email me with any suggestions for products or capabilities, questions on "Bricks" etc....

Regards, Terry King
...In The Woods In Vermont
terry@yourduino.com

[Reply #8 on:]

terryking228, these pages are really helpful and quite detailed. However the brick I've been having troubles with is the Sensor brick shown at the bottom of page http://arduino-info.wikispaces.com/Brick-Temperature-DS18B20. Some work, some don't and i don't know why. I bought a batch of 5, and only three 3 work.

Jim

[Reply #9 on:]

Dear Jim,

Really sorry, I just saw this.. i got somehow banned for bad passwords and no one has ever been able to resurrect me..

The bottom of the referenced page shows some "waterproof DS18b20 sensors" connected to a terminal "brick" connected by a 3-pin cable (to Arduino).

Do you have 5 of those stainless steel probes with the cable with 3 wires on the end?  Where did you get them and approximately when??

Let's try to figure this out...

Regards, Terry King
...On the Mediterranean in Italy
terry@yourduino.com