Hi,
I have 2 mini projects (see Proj1 and Proj2 jpgs). Both involving remote control - and I've never tried remote control before. Now the first one, I'm trying to hook up a simple motion sensor, an alarm button and an on/off switch (to shut the whole thing off by remote control.
The second one, I'm trying to control the micro servo moter again, by remote control.
This maybe filed in 'dumb questions' but all the tutorials and pics I've looked at end with the project running BUT still plugged into a laptop. I need both of these to be standalone units - not plugged into anythnng, getting power from batteries. So I'm not clear on that.
So for the second one for example, OK, I need 2 or 3 channels (pulses), the servo runs 180 degrees, I need a center position and a left and right - that's all. Is that 3 channels or two??? OK, so let's say it works the little servo motor is programmed to turn left and right or stay in the center, it works --- then what? I'm pretty foggy on thaqt aspect of it.
By looking at the pictures, I think I have all the parts (or do I?) I have jumper wires. I'm guessing I would then wire everything up to a printed circuit board??? Not sure.
Sending a servo to 3 positions, left, centre, right (probably 0, 90, 180) is only one channel but 3 commands. Which is just as well because that IR controller only has one channel.
The components, Arduino, servo etc can all be run from a battery without any problems.
For simple circuits like that most people probably start by using a breadboard and plugging things in rather than soldering them anywhere.
Steve
Thanks, that is what I wasn't too clear about. So you use the arduino ide to 'set' the 3 positions, and after that (and you know it works with a breadboard) then you can proceed with moving it from the laptop setup to a printed cicuit baord - a standalone unit (battery powered). Same thing with the motion sensor/alarm setup. I'm guessing cheap printeed circuit baords would also be cheaper than adding arduino shields, etc. although messier with the soldering.
You only need to connect to the laptop to download the program into the Arduino. Then you can unplug it and run the project from battery. That's the same whether it is using a breadboard or some other way to connect the components together.
If you particularly want a soldered version then I would normally use stripboard or perfboard rather than trying to make a specific PCB, unless you're making loads of them.
One thing to note...avoid those little rectangular PP3 9V batteries that show up in so many tutorials. They are very weak and useless for running servos, motors or anything that takes any noticeable power. They cause more "it won't work" problems round here than just about anything else.
Steve