Arduino + Altoids = Altoiduino

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) General Exhibition
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I had a freeduino with a faulty usb socket that I couldn't remove. So I built a serial level converter for it.
Just for kicks, I built a minimal arduino on a breadboard. Realizing that I had everything to make a permanent arduino clone, I got to planning.
I really disliked how breadboards and 9v batteries would dangle off the side of normal boards. I was determined to squeeze them all into an altoids tin.
After days of planning and re-planning in eagle cad, it all fit.

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The jumper on the top right is to select/deselect a capacitor on the reset line. The left jumper is power select. Hidden under the battery connector, is the pin 13 led. Also a resistor is tucked under the rs232 plug.

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This is the mental wiring done with wrapping wire.

Almost all the components are extremely easy to source. 3906, 3904, 7805, resistors, caps, etc. The odd ones are; the tall ips header, tall push button and the bent non-.1" header.
The schematics are sloppy as they are my first ever.
They can be found here http://www.mediafire.com/?0gh5mmdyny2.

So, whadda ya think? How could it be improved?

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So, whadda ya think? How could it be improved?

Maybe some more red wire on the bottom?

Seriously, using more than one color makes tracing and troubleshooting much easier.

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I can't argue with that. All I have on hand is red though. I only flubbed the a few resistors on the serial shifter and it was easy enough to get straight.

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that is a very cool idea. tho the bottom of the board makes me cringe a little inside. maybe a good time to try your hand at etching a board. even so, its amazing to see what perseverance can accomplish

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Etching is certainly an idea. Never even fiddled with it. I have a couple single sided copper board that I've yet to touch. I might try etching another atTiny13 board and work my way up. My current board is using the same messy wire wrap.

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I'd love to see you keep at this. Get the layout finalized and see about manufacturing this as a compete product. Or you can get several batches of the PCBs made up and then sell it as a DIY kit. At the very least offer the final layout in a printable format so that others can print it and etch there own boards.

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Yeah, a kit would be fantastic. I'd love to see a printed board come of this. If anyone else is determined enough, they should be able to make a pcb from the schematic and board layout. I've never tried laying out traces or anything but I'll give it a shot.

Serial/db9/rs232/com port is ok right? Other boards range from bluetooth to relying on external level converters. So I figured rs232 is acceptable. Usable rs232 to USB adapters only case $2-$3 anyway.
Also, what is a good rating for the decoupling caps? Microfarad wise and voltage wise.

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My only question is the spacing of your pins the same so that you can still use arduino shields? Cause it sure doesn't look like it.

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Yes, the spacing is the arduino standard of pin 8 and 7 begin offset.
I used this http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9374. It lets you attache the headers to a normal .1" and have arduino spaced headers.

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Very nice job!

Had the idea once too (as I have bazillions of Altoids tins lying around), but i always felt uncomfortable (well let's say I was too lazy...) with isolating the bare metal to prevent shorts.

Great though!

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Thank you! I have to say, I was definitely inspired by this project --> Doing The Projects in Making Things Talk: Arduino + Altoids Tin
Just like them, I use electrical tape on the floor of the tin. It's a two minute job if you aren't a perfectionist. :wink:

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kool :slight_smile: i did something similar with a nintendo mints tin :slight_smile:

tho not as nicely done as ures XD

under wirering is the same tho XD just with more colours (old paralell cable makes for good wire stock)

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Wow, that's very cool. I love to see that overlap in thinking.
I almost got a wiimote tin and had plans to make an ide-plug-breadboard.
A printed pcb would make the floppy connector breadboard stable and really easy to build. You could even build in the power rails. Possibly something to look into?

On a side note, I noticed your project used bitlash. Would you recommend it? I was just looking into it but I don't have a feel for it's capabilities. Do you have access to libraries from it? Can you feasibly write say, a 30 line program?
I was thinking of using it with a microvga board. Add a monitor and keyboard, and you have a running environment. :smiley:

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Nice work! It will be interesting to see an Altoids tin all closed up with an Arduino shield stuck to the top of it. :wink:

Try fish paper for isolating the PCB from the metal can. It's tough against abrasion and sharp points. Electrical tape is easy to scratch through.

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No way, no how. Anything low enough to fit would scrape the reset switch and power select header. In fact, that might be an issue. The only shield I have uses really long pins and therefor sit way above the arduino board. I assume lower shields exist and those might not work. :frowning:

I've never heard of fish paper before but it sounds like the stuff. Do you know of anyplace to get it cheaply?

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Here's a couple places:

Just do a search for "fish paper" at your favorite supplier and they'll probably have it.

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Nice work! It will be interesting to see an Altoids tin all closed up with an Arduino shield stuck to the top of it. Wink

That's a good idea and would require a redesign. Flip the thing around so all the components are on the bottom and the pin headers are on top. The either have the board on standoffs so the pin headers can stick out the top of the tin or mount it to the top cover.

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@Skidlz:
I didnt get round to using the bitlash thing muck and had to use the board for other project tests that had to be done.
The IDE breadboard was replaced tho with a mini breadboard from sparkfun mounted to a pcb with power rails down either side, much more stable and relaiable.

I also have a wiimote tin and another NES controller tin :stuck_out_tongue: was lucky the shop had them because they were not going to get any more the last time they had them.

Bitlash is good if you get the hang of it.. and if u have a pocket PC type device with serial out then it is handy for bit bashing small test circuits on the go..
maybe a chip with (eprom?) would be good for that. especially if u make larger codes.