Steverobey:
My thought there was sag compensation. Since it's only doing 5.02 volts wouldn't I essentially start having under-voltage issues using this to power an ATmega328P and a few additional things? Perhaps a rangefinder and a servo? Or a handfull of various sensors like gyro/compass, thermometer, altimeter? ...Without eluding too much into what I'm intending to build 
I am surprised the 9V carbon/zinc had enough output to power the 328p and LED's
Here is a good treatise on 9v battery output power, The author discharges various batteries at fixed currents, he attempts 100ma from a Panasonic SuperPower Carbon/Zinc. He is only able to draw 52ma max. for a very short time.
9v Battery Tests
Chuck.
chucktodd:
I am surprised the 9V carbon/zinc had enough output to power the 328p and LED's
I was actually surprised too, this was a dollar store battery that I have been using with various bench tests and circuits for a while. I was even able to drive two 6v geared bot motors with one of these for a short while at relatively slow speed. The only reason why I attempted this was to "See for myself" that voltage is nothing without current. My battery of choice is still lithium chemistry batteries, they're rechargeable, above all else, I don't have to throw them away when they die.
Steverobey:
I'm sorry that the title of this thread is somewhat misleading, I did not realize at first that people were going to think I was actually building a 328P itself. Considering it doesn't look like Atmel has published the internal schematic of the controller, I don't see how anybody would think that, but I suppose maybe the schematic is out there somewhere.
you would not be the first to try to make something like that. I can only imagine how many on here have made an IMB-PC-XT clone work alike, from chips and such.
as for the visual, no one would expect it to look like an actual chip.
Yes, I realize I'm not the first person who has set out to make what it is I'm making, so along with the goal of making it and making it different from the others, I'm going to have to try and make mine lower cost or more available.
..Have you guys seen this yet? Arduino At-Heart NEWTC This is a lot like what I'm going for, but I can't seem to find a price anywhere, does anybody know how much they are selling these kits for? I'm asking because I would like to try and beat that price.
Use pre-made USB to serial modul.Install the drivers for it, connect RX to TX and TX to RX and DTR thru 100 nanofarad capaciotr to reset.Notice,that you have to connekt 10k ohm resistor from 5V also to RESET and the GND of the USB to serial to the GND of your ATmega328.
This one works for me just fantastic http://www.ebay.com/itm/321546809495?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
are you trying to make an "assemble it yourself' Arduino UNO ?
for what it is worth, create a spreadsheet of all the parts
get prices for 1/10/100/1000 and 10,000
put in a figure for boards
see what your cost might be.
that is your starting point.
then, look at the market. will it sell for less than an Arduino clone that is pre-assembled. include shipping.
that is your target.
then look at volume. how many do you need to sell ?
this screams kick-starter to get the funding.
pre-paid orders is the difference between your great idea, with it sitting in boxes, un-sold and shipping lots of units.
dave-in-nj:
are you trying to make an "assemble it yourself' Arduino UNO ?
for what it is worth, create a spreadsheet of all the parts
get prices for 1/10/100/1000 and 10,000
put in a figure for boards
see what your cost might be.
that is your starting point.
then, look at the market. will it sell for less than an Arduino clone that is pre-assembled. include shipping.
that is your target.
then look at volume. how many do you need to sell ?
this screams kick-starter to get the funding.
pre-paid orders is the difference between your great idea, with it sitting in boxes, un-sold and shipping lots of units.
Essentially, yes I'm trying to make a DIY arduino board. Though I realize I can't call it that without pissing somebody off. Among other kits / projects I'm planning. If there is enough interest with this first kit, I have other more advanced designs in mind. I'm not planning to drive a business solely with this idea but I do plan to put some of the money raised from sales into a potential maker space, if it ever gets to the point that people can put money into it. As it stands, it's not looking great so this is may be my final effort to get that somewhere. If not, I'll continue this project on by myself.
You've got some great advice and that's pretty much what I was planning to do anyway. So we'll see where it goes.
Nothing wrong with taking your own path to get there. That's what I did with my designs - make a small batch, do that a couple times, then start making larger batches. All self funded.
http://www.crossroadsfencing.com/BobuinoRev17/
I kind of doubt you would piss off anybody by calling it a DIY Arduino compatible board kit.
dmjlambert:
I kind of doubt you would piss off anybody by calling it a DIY Arduino compatible board kit.
Using the name "Arduino" without consent from the company is technically unlawful use of the brand if I'm understanding correctly.
Sparkfun, Adafruit, and other major manufacturers are not getting in trouble for calling their knock off boards like Redboard, Metro, DC Duino, and others "Arduino compatible" or "derivative of Arduino." The Arduino companies just don't want you saying your board "is an Arduino" and using the Arduino logo.