New to Arduino, advice for LED Table Foosball Project

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello everyone,

Looking to make a digital foosball table - quite simple in its features, however I am complete new to Arduino, and havn't the foggiest of where to start!

Features the board will have...

  • 2 LED/LCD screens showing the scores of each goal. Simple 0 - 9 will suffice.
  • Sensors (Presume IR beam breakers?) hidden underneath the goals, which will effectively do a ++ on the variable, and then display.
  • Battery powered
  • Reset button
  • On/Off switch or turns off after x amount of time...

So... Where should I start?! I'm fairly confident that I will have the programming side sorted, its just the physical device I'm confused about!

Thanks for any advice and or comments you may give!

2

Hello!

  1. Which board do you have?

  2. LED/LCD, What brand are you using? Do you have to solder wires to the board, or do you have (for example) A Ywrobot LCD Adapter.

  3. instead of using IR Beam breakers, I would (Personally) Use vibration sensors, when the ball hits the goal?

  4. optional If you have a Arduino UNO, it has a 'slot' or 'input' for a battery pack to connect.

  5. "Where do start?"
    Start by listing the parts you want to use. so the arduino community and myself can help you write a code.

kind regards,
-Goldfile

3

Hi Goldfile - thanks for your reply.

I currently haven't purchased anything, I would like the community to recommend the best and most appropriate bits to get!

I've been spending today dismantling the table to give it a clean!

4

Hi Gelstudios,
I would recommend certain things than other people might do, It is just 'experimenting' if you will, With the items you purchase, but one thing I can guarantee. Arduino boards are good quality.

I would recommend the following:

Purchase a Arduino board from the arduino.cc website. Why you ask? It is 1) Better quality and 2) It helps out the arduino community itself.

You can purchase available kits from The arduino products store, or on ebay, Have a look, and see which one suits your needs.

If you are wondering which board to get, Have a look online, and see what rating they get.

kind regards,
-Goldfile

5

Hey man,

I would start off by researching into the products youd like to use, such as the screens. Theres many brands, sizes, etc. Look at different companies, sizes, compare them and then list the parts you know youll need, and others will certainly pitch in.

6

There are several sites online that one can buy these tables. They are of course, available in brick and mortar stores as well. The advantage of the sport stores or other brick and mortar stores are that the individual will be able to check out the table in the store and can make a decision as to whether or not it will work for them. There are so many tables to choose from that the individual should have no problems choosing a table that will meet their particular needs.