Cheap microcontroller using arduino chip

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) General Frequently-Asked Questions
1

I know a few basic things about electronics and I have worked
with arduino before. The language is far easier than C or something else. Now I want to create 3 boxes that can change color (light). The problem is that I don't want to spent over 50 euro on this. I was wondering whether it was possible to create a low performance(since I only need to power some leds, pwm, and read some digital input) version but still use the same programming environment. If possible can you tell me how and which arduino chip to use?

Thx,

2

Make your own arduino clones out of stripboard. The components to build one would probably come out at around 10 Euros apiece. You needn't bother with the programming part if you program the Atmel chip on an existing arduino. A few very cheap components and a 168 with a bootloader from ebay. The performance is exactly the same as a real Arduino with the equivalent chip.

http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1253997649

3

you can breadboard one out of a couple parts and some bits of wire to run @ 8mhz, add a ceramic resonator and your basicly good to go for 16mhz

you can get the avr chips for a couple bucks, or programed with the arduino bootloader for 3-4 bucks

http://www.instructables.com/id/SXKMW7EFB7FYOJT/

4

Just priced up to build 3 out of stripboard with bootloader 168s from ebay and parts from http://www.bitsbox.co.uk. Including niceties like LEDs, regulated PSU, DC socket, chip socket, 16mhz resonator, reset switch and pin sockets, £20 the lot. (around 8 Euros a pop).