I got my Duemilanove & starter kit + some other components today. So far it has been great, and I've gotten pretty much everything working. I've made the KITT -scanner and my own variation of it, a dimmer and LDR controlled LED-array.
My question is: when I decide to make changes to the layout of my board (eg. add a LED etc.) should I just unplug the USB? I've been doing that, and I feel like it might eventually damage my laptops USB port. When I was working on the KITT -scanner for example, I had to unplug the board several times to make minor changes. I guess I can't touch the components when the board is plugged in and is running a code?
I've been doing that, and I feel like it might eventually damage my laptops USB port.
I know what you mean. I use an old USB 1.1 hub that was laying around. It sits between the arduino and computer and takes whatever abuse I throw at it as I plug and unplug the USB connector
The USB "standard" includes the requirement that the "software" understand excessive current drawn from the port and the ability to shut them off in SOFTWARE.
also
Nearly ALL USB ports (unless they were made real cheap) include a resettable fuse that prevents excess current draw from damaging the laptop components. I've taken a few dead laptops apart and found resettable fuses on the USB plugs on all of them.
I was more concerned about wearing out the connector.
A standard USB connector is rated for 1500 insertion/removal cycles.
In the three or four years I have been playing with arduino I would not be surprised if I have exceed that.
