New Chest Light Board (almost ready)

[Fettronics]

My new board design is almost ready to unveil. I will hopefully have the PCBs ordered and tested in a couple of weeks.

The new design will feature a fully customizable sequence, up to 20 'steps'. For reference, my current light boards have 10 steps. I have an application that you will use to design your own sequence. You can get that here: http://www.fettronics.com/downloads/fbsb.zip. Even if you don't want to order a board, the app is still fun to play with Please give me feedback about your experience with the application. Your suggestions will make it better!

I will keep you all posted when the new boards are ready to go. I will be keeping the price at $60 + shipping (replacing the current deluxe boards).

Jon
www.fettronics.com

[FettDad]

how long are going to be doing this project? i am totally interested in doing this for my costume, just dont have the armor of fundage at the moment...i would like to maybe look into getting one of these boards like end of september, middle of october or so...you going to be doing these for awhile? if so, i would like to get on board....oh, i am getting boba maker armor, and i had him to tk409's light slots...how will yours work with these slots? thanks!!

[NovallTalon]

I will most definitely be getting one of these boards for my v3.0 armor. Sounds like a great project!

[Fettronics]

Once I get them going, they will be available from then on. I try to keep supplies in stock to build boards for those who need them.

I will have proper measurements once I get the PCBs in and get the first board built.

Jon
www.fettronics.com

[FettDad]

sounds great!! will you continue to use this thread? just so i know where to find ya...

[Fettronics]

Yes, I will post to this thread when they're ready.

Jon
www.fettronics.com

[MandalorFett]

Pretty cool. I like the sequencing addition.

[mckenic]

Cool!

Must pick one of these up when they are available!

Dave

[TR 4059]

Count me in for one!

[Fettronics]

Just a quick update: I ordered the PCB boards yesterday. They should be in early next week. Hopefully, all will go well and I'll be able to start offering the new boards by next weekend.

BTW, anyone play around with the sequence builder application yet?

Jon
www.Fettronics.com

[Bubba Fett]

Great - Been hoping to get one of these. Glad you are starting a new run on them.

[FettDad]

i am totally in on this run...got prices yet, or did i miss that? please put me down for one...

I see the price...

[Fettronics]

I'll get pics up as soon as I get the PCB boards in and one built

Jon
www.Fettronics.com

[Oddball Fett]

I'm waiting on some armour which is almost ready, so I'll need to make some measurements of the chest slots. Should be getting it in a few weeks.

So um, take your time, no rush!

[Fettronics]

The PCBs arrived today, and they look great! I have yet to build a board with them, but I will later today. Dry fitting the components looks good. I will post pictures as soon as I have a working model.

Jon
www.Fettronics.com

[Fettronics]

I got the first board built. I took some pictures, but my camera isn't very good, so they are blurry. I'll try to get some better pictures taken.


Front of the PCB.

Back of the PCB.


If you can tell from the pictures, there are five lines of holes for the top lights, so it can handle spacing between the top and bottom slots of 4mm to 9mm. Bottom segments measure 48mm accross and are 1cm high. Top lights are 50mm accross and 4mm high. Total board dimensions are 71mm x 42mm

You can PM me if you would like to buy one or go to my web site. $60 + shipping. These will be my new Deluxe version.

Please use my Sequence Builder application if you want a special sequence.

Jon
www.fettronics.com

[FettDad]

hey jon, i am in depending on the size of my slots, and of course when payday gets here... i had Daz do my slots to match tk409's light tutorial...so hopefully my armor will be able to work with these... i know, you gave measurements, just havent gotten over to his site to check what dem's his are...

[FettDad]

nicely done, by the way...

[IrishFett]

Hey just wanted to say that I am very intrested in a chest light when you get to selling them. I have already played with the Application from the top post and it took a while to get use to but it is really fun to just mess around with. Let me know and where did you find the measurment for the light slots? Thanks. Cheers!

[Fettronics]

The new board sets are ready to sell right now. You can order from my web site, www.fettronics.com.

The measurements of the board are as small as the components I use allows them to be. I use .39 inch (10mm) seven segment displays, which makes the total length of the slot opening needed about 5mm wider than if I used the smaller .30 inch displays. IMO, the larger segments look better. I think most armor builders use the 43mm slot opening, but I'm not sure.

Let me know if there are any improvements you thought of whilst playing with the Sequence Builder application. I'm open to comments about it.

Jon
www.Fettronics.com

[Fettronics]

If anyone has uploaded the Sequence Generator application from my web site, please get the most current version of it. I found a problem with the top light order, which caused the top light sequence to be reversed when the code was programmed on to the board.

Thank you,
Jon
www.Fettronics.com

[IrishFett]

What is the difference between the 3 and 4 battery packs? I am assuming the 4 lasts longer?

[Fettronics]

Correct. You'll go for a long time on either (18 hours+). The 3AA packs fit in a belt pouch, so if your blet pouches are functional, that's a plus.

Jon
www.fettronics.com

[Jango 425]

Looks cool!!!!!!!

[Art Andrews]

Fettronics, just downloaded the prog... that is simply AWESOME! I love it! One question: could you darken the unlit elements of the bottom lights? They show up as very light grey and for me (colorblind as can be) it is a bit hard to see the difference between them and the red elements. This really is a SUPER cool tool! You could have all kinds of fun programmming in different things for your chest display to say!!!

[mckenic]

Hi Jon!

Is it possible please, to get a set to me in Ireland? I went thru the order page but Ireland wasnt an option...

How do we program the board with the app? Is it USB or serial (I ask because I know I'll eventually want the board doing a Cylon eye sweep ) and is it set-up to the standard Boba sequence by default (if I cant hook it up to my 'puter)?

Thanks mate!

Dave

[Fettronics]

Art, Click the light bulb button(on the top right of the bottom segments). That will turn the unselected segments on and off.

mckenic, let me know which inputs are missing from the order page and I'll add them. As far as programming the board yourself, that will be V1.2! I had intended to make the chips programmable on-board for V1.1, but a flaw in my PCB design made that not possible. For right now, send me the code generated by the Sequence Builder when you order, and I'll program the chip with the sequence before I build the board. Just click the Code Generator button at the top right hand corner, and cut-and-paste the code into the box on the order form.

For those of you wondering what will be needed to program the boards yourself (with V1.2 boards, once available), you will need a PIC programmer with ICSP interface and an assembly compiler. I will put more details on how to do this on my web site once that feature is available.

[mckenic]

Thanks mate!!!

All thats missing is country I'd still like to order a regular ESB (dont know if there is a difference) sequence if possible

Thanks!

[Art Andrews]

Art, Click the light bulb button(on the top right of the bottom segments). That will turn the unselected segments on and off.

Haha! I feel like a retard! That is tremendously better!!!

[Art Andrews]

OK, here is my one other question... what would it take to do stacked LEDs for the top section instead of the large rectangular LEDs? In my opinion that is the only thing holding this back from being one of the coolest things I have seen in a long long time.

[Fettronics]

mckenic, I added a County field to the order form. Please let me know if there are more fields that should be on there.

Art, Are you saying stacked sideways or on top of each other? I can't do sideways due to the PCB layout, but I can stack them on top of each other. I could stack two or three on top of each other. Two stacked would be 5mm tall, three would be 8mm tall. I could stack one row or two rows above each segment. Let me know if this is something you'd like.

[slave1pilot]

I think Art wants them side by side
That way, they'd be more accurate
see?
http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/showt...light+sequence
In fact, you posted that the lights look individual in post #28
lol

oh yeah, Pm sent for a set of lights

[Bubba Fett]

Zoiks! Are these shipping Jon? If so I would like a set - let me know.

[Fettronics]

Yes, they are in hand and ready to ship, just place an order. You can do that on my web site www.fettronics.com.

Price is $60 + shipping.

Jon
www.Fettronics.com

[FettFanatic]

Along the lines Art was saying, could the leds like these be used for the top lights to make them more screen accurate. I was thinking four of these lined up side by side for each top light.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=family

[Fettronics]

I am working towards that set up as part of the version 2 boards. It seems a lot of people are wanting that style of top lights instead of the large single ones. I'll keep you posted!

Jon
www.Fettronics.com

[Fettronics]

Paging Barry Kemp in the UK. You filled out an order form, but didn't give me your email address. Please PM me.

Jon
www.Fettronics.com

[Art Andrews]

I am working towards that set up as part of the version 2 boards. It seems a lot of people are wanting that style of top lights instead of the large single ones. I'll keep you posted!

Jon
www.Fettronics.com

[FettFanatic]

My sentiments exactly Art. Sounds like the version 2 boards are going to be awesome.

[slave1pilot]

I'm gonna hold out for the version 2

[Bubba Fett]

Yep, sounds like V2 will be the way to go. Any idea on when those might be coming Jon? I am in NO rush. Figure I might finally get my suit done around 2010.

[mckenic]

Im all ready to order AND to upgrade when v2 is out

Just waiting on some Sintra armor I ordered to get here to see if it already has the slots or what... TBH Im not sure what colour or sequence or the slot size for ESB actually should be...???

Ha ha spot the newbie

[Gilmore of OK]

what is your ETA for the V2 boards?

I am needing some chest lights pretty quick, so I'm debating on whether I will order now or wait, so do you have any idea when those new boards will be out the door?

[Fettronics]

I have to get up some funds to order the new PCBs and LEDs. Estimated time will probably be a couple of weeks. I'll keep you all posted.

Jon
www.Fettronics.com

[Fettronics]

Just a heads up. I've odered the PCBs for the new design. They should be in by next weekend. I will post pics of a completed board once I get one built.

Jon
www.Fettronics.com

[Gilmore of OK]

awesome, I actually purchased your V1 off ebay, and got it in, but be ready for me to get a V2 once you are ready for orders...

[marsattack]

when will these be ready?

[Fettronics]

I hope to have the PCB boards in mid this week, and a working model to show all of you by the weekend. They will be ready to purchase once I make sure the PCBs are OK and working the way I expect.

Any of you waiting for BLUE? It's coming...

Jon
www.Fettronics.com

[Fettronics]

The new PCB boards came in yesterday! However, I only have parts on hand to make three of these. My part orders are shipping, but they won't be here until mid next week.

If you would like to place an order (www.Fettronics.com), note the new version 1.2.45 in your order form. The first 3 orders can go out by Monday, others will obviously need to wait until my parts come in.

I will get one built and post pics tonight!

Jon
www.Fettronics.com

[Bossywalker]

Would these fit slots cut to fit a TK409 board? Tk409 measurements are:
Width of slots: 43mm
Height of top slot: 4mm
Distance between slots: 8mm
Height of bottom slot: 8mm

[Fettronics]

The bottom segments are 48mm across, so your slots would be about 5mm too short. However, if you go by the on-screen shots, the last character is cut in half anyways. The height of the bottom characters is 10mm, so you would loose some there too.

If you look at the pictures posted in the 'What is the accepted ESB chest light sequence', you'll see where the last character is cut off.


I think the TK409 boards use the .30 inch tall characters? I'm not sure. I use the .39 inch tall characters on my boards.

Jon
www.Fettronics.com

[Gilmore of OK]

Now will the version 1.2.45 have the stacked LEDs on the top bar?

[Bossywalker]

If the width is the only problem I could possibly widen the slots. But I don't even have my armour yet so I'm getting a bit ahead of myself.

[Art Andrews]

As fettronics stated, the last character should be cut. The width of the slots is slightly less wide than the width of the display.

[Fettronics]

Here is a picture of the new V1.2 light sets. Stacked top lights!


A video of it in opperation is available at
http://www.fettronics.com/videos/v1_...3_sequence.wmv

These new sets have the option of reprogramming the board without removing the chip. I will post instructions on how to do that for those that are interested. It will take a bit of additional hardware, a PIC programmer (not available from me).

Jon
www.Fettronics.com

[Art Andrews]

That is great!!!

[ShocKNurse]

Is it just me, or is that link not working???

[Fettronics]

For some reason, when I copied it, it put in several ... where it decided to shorten my link. That may be causing the problem. Try right clicking the link and cut-and-paster the URL into your browser address bar. When I click on it, it opens up my Windows Media Player to play it. I'm not sure if that is how it needs to play or not.

http://www.fettronics.com/videos/v1_...3_sequence.wmv

Jon
www.Fettronics.com

[ShocKNurse]

Workin' now! Thanks Jon!

[Gilmore of OK]

Jon, do we need to order V2 on the website, or should I just PM you?

[Fettronics]

I would prefer fill out an order form on my web site. That way I have all of your information.

Thanks!

Jon
www.fettronics.com

[Loanstar]

Hey John,

I just want to say :
AMAZING!!!

Your board seems very cool and Im sure I will order one or two of it in the future.

[Fettronics]

Thank you. I wanted to make something versatile that could be used for both Boba and the variants. My design has been through a lot of variations, but I think it's come to its peak

Jon
www.Fettronics.com