Showing posts with label mod. Show all posts

16 February, 2014

ErgoDox build ...

A colleague of mine at GeekHack.org asked me to build one ErgoDox for him - he didn't like to solder SMD components.

After one month I could build his little keyboard:

I'm waiting for his pictures with the Keycaps ...

01 April, 2013

Prusa I3 XL, build log and annotations

Another RepRap blog? Ohhhh YES, more one!

My goal here is not to teach anyone - I'm new to this RepRap world and I'm still learning all this stuff - my goal here is to keep an build log for my own reference and, maybe, help someone in this endeavor. A friend of mine (Gilson) has mentioned some time ago that the Prusa I3's documentation is not so good when compared with the Prusa Mendel - there is no complete manual or book with ALL required info until this date and by what I've saw it seems he is right. So I hope that this build log helps in this documentation too.

The thing is that I'm envy of my friend Gilson's printer - actually I don't like to keep asking him to print parts to me all the time - then I decided to build my own. Right now I'm waiting for a few parts from eBay and AliExpress yet. Maybe in two or tree weeks I will get the Step motors and then I'll send my frame to the CNC shop in order to start the building phase! (after more or less 3 months buying and waiting for these parts I'm kinda bored - it's a real pain to buy stuff from China!)

Until I start this building phase take a look at what I've done so far ...

Official Ramps 1.4b BOM (just in case you need to save money doing your own): here

My Prusa I3 BOM (for those willing to build one Prusa I3): here

My part list (I didn't liked a few parts so I decided to design my own, you can see it here): here

RepRap stuff that I'm kinda dating:

HotEnd
Logged	HotEnd	Price	Notes
2013/05	J-Head, MKV	$60 USD	most used and popular, this one seems to be the latest version. Easily found on eBay.
2013/05	MG Plus	$70 USD	+shipping. MakerGear hotend, good quality by an not so reasonable price. Easily found on eBay.
2013/05	Trinity MetalMagma	$65 USD	+shipping, sold out. It supports 400C.
2013/05	E3D-v4	£39 GBP	All metal and J-Head compatible, SUPER!
2013/05	arcol.hu	€99	Expensive. All metal hotend however I never heard about this one.
2014/01	CB-Printer	€1,830	Super printer, alu made in Poland
2014/01	Bulldog Extruder	to be defined	Another alu made extruder

Extruder Related Stuff
Logged	Extruder	Description	Notes
2013/05	Metal Extruder	RepRap Metal Gear System Extruder.	AWESOME! Build instructions here.
2013/05	Metal Gears	Metal Gear System Hardware Pack for Prusa/i3.	kinda expensive but you can do contact the owner to ask him to send it using a cheaper shipping (without insurance and tracking). I've found this info into this blog.
2013/05	Ponoko Extruder		CNC acrylic parts.

Reference and Usefull Stuff
Logged	Link	Notes
2013/05	book	Getting Started with RepRap by Josef Průša, O'Reilly Sep 2013
2013/05	Prusa I3 Build Manual
2013/05	Prusa Mendel Build Manual
2013/06/23	RepRap Calculator3	by Josef Průša, a must have for all makers!
2013/05	Drive Gears	Drive-gears to be used in direct drive and some other extruders. Only required when using some kind of (like the Adrian's_Geared_Extruder).
2013/06	Mechanical Endstop	Recommended but not required. Simple pull up resistor schematics to connect your mechanical endstop. This pull up resistor is not required - The AtMega already has one internal pull up resistor that just need to be FUSE enabled.
2013/05	Optical Endstop	Recommended but not required. Why they are not using the internal pull up resistor too?
2013/07	Improved Optical Endstop	Recommended but not required. Still not using the dammed internal pull up resistor ...
2013/06/04	RepRapDiscount	Recommended but not required. RepRapDiscount Smart Controller.
2013/06/04	UltiPanel	Schematics for UltiPanel with rotary encoder.
2013/06/04	Touch TFT LCD	Graphical RepRap Touch TFT LCD (mini Pronterface style).
2013/06/04	SynchroMesh Cable	Kinda hard to find it here in Brazil.
2013/07/31	Aluminum frame Prusa i3 RED ANODIZED	Awesome Frame, 69 euros!

Please, fell free to drop a line!

13 March, 2013

Homebrew USB 2.0 Header

How is that old adage? A picture is worth a thousand words?

Okay, it's just a excuse - I'm a lazy bum.

14 January, 2013

New Turnigy 9XR TX

For those whom still remember my previous post about the FS TH9X TX mods there is a welcome news: Hobby King is selling the new Turnigy 9XR TX - it's the resulting of all those mods you saw into my post and a few more.

I'm not sure what came into this TX yet. There are some obvious features in this new version like the new chassis, the AVRISP connector, the ER9X pre flashed firmware, the back light, the JR and Futaba training connectors, the 3S lipo battery, the internal antenna and others.

So, if you are a lazy bum or if you don't fell comfortable with the solder iron this is your chance to get a decent and cheap radio. IMHO this is the best radio in this range of price - even some expensive radios can't match it. Turnigy definitely is moving into the right direction getting all those mods into their project - it's proves they are listening to their customers.

I did just ordered mine and I'm excited waiting for it ...

27 December, 2012

Galaxy Note 2, Quick root & flash guide

Thanks to my wife I just got one new Galaxy Note 2 as Xmas gift. It's one awesome gadget, it came with Android 4.1.1 pre-installed and it has some ugly vendor animations on it that I wanna get rid off so I'm going to root and re-frash it with a custom room (new version 4.2.1, Jelly Bean).

What is root? On many computer operating systems including Unix, Linux and Android, the root account, is a special user with complete access to all files and commands. Various names for this type of account might include, administrator, superuser, or supervisor.

In the context of Android, root access allows the user to have complete control over their device. Root access is commonly granted for developers allowing them access to all files and commands on the device.

With full root access to a device, there is potential for damage. Any user with root access is strongly cautioned to be very careful.

My previous experience with my old and rusty HTC desire tells me that xdev and android geek is the right place to go in order to find the firmware and instructions to do it without bricking my "phablet"...

How to Root Samsung Galaxy Note 2 N7100 with Odin

Rooting the device

The root & recovey package
Odin

This installation has done on a clean PC - no android ADK or samsung drivers were installed before it

The first thing to do is to download the root & recovery package from here.
Save the file on your computer.
On the same PC download Odin.
Extract and install the tool.
On the computer open Odin.
Next, turn off the device as it must be entered in download mode.
For download mode press and hold Volume Down, Center Home, and Power buttons together.
When the download mode is reached, connect the Note with the computer by using its USB cable.
Press Volume Up to continue and then windows will install all required drivers (SAMSUNG Mobile USB CDC Composite Device and SAMSUNG Mobile USB Modem).
Once windows finishes the driver installation the “added” message should be displayed at Odin.
Also, the ID:COM section should be yellow.
If not, install the drivers again and then redo the above steps.
Up next, on Odin, select “PDA”.
Pick the unzipped downloaded file (cwm6-root-n7100.tar).
Don’t make any other changes, just click on “Start”.
The root process will now begin.
Wait until it’s over and in the end unplug the USB cord and reboot the Note2.
If the device does not boot don't panic, you will have to start the CWM, for that remove the baterry, put it back and then press and hold Volume Up, Center Home, and Power buttons together until the SAMSUNG Logo disappears.

You don't need to download and install Rom Manager into the device. You will not see the recovery image for this device into CWM because there is no official support yet. Next time you will only need to flash the recovery image (without root).

Start the Rom Manager App then select "boot into recovery mode".
Select backup, etc.
reboot the device.
Connect the USB cable, open the device and then copy the content of the folder clockworkmod\backup into your computer ...

Last, fixing permissions ...

Android USB Drivers For Windows OS
How To Carrier Unlock Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Permanently

17 July, 2012

AllWinnwer A10 Based Tablets

If you are looking for one cheap android ICS based tablet I would recommend this one below. It's does not came with Bluetooth nor 3G embedded but you can "easily" reflash this guy in order to add the support drivers you need.

I bought mine one eBay by 100 bucks with shipping, it's a real bargain. Where I live the usual "well know" brands are twice or more this price. I bought this guy just to stop to reflash and install code into my HTC desire - it's not a good idea to use your main cell phone to test this kind of stuff right? I don't need a US600 paper weight!

Be warned thought: there are lots and lots of versions of tablets using this microcontroller and It's almost impossible to identify all of then. I liked mine very much but I can't say who is the brand behind mine (even on the package there is no brand name nor label). Well, it's okay, it works and the material is really good for the price that I payed, to be honest it's better than what I was expecting.

I saw this very same microcontroller in one Set Top Box on deal extreme (for those whom doesn't know deal extreme is one ebay/china online seller/importer kinda of store, usually the same stuff that you see on dx you can get from ebay or on china, like the original Set Top Box here). I don't know mandarin but I do know that this Set Top Box has more power than the Raspberry Pi and cost so so 100 bucks on ebay ...

So, if you are, like me, interested on installing, flashing and trying some new roms I would recommend:

18 June, 2012

FS TH9X Common mods

A compilation of the most common and useful Turnigy/FS TH9X/Eurgle mods ...

So this is more one blog with Turnigy mods?

- Yes and no: I'm mostly writing it in order to register my work on my own radio mods and decided to share my experience okay? So I decided to compile the most common mods ...

For my own experience the most difficult part of any of these mods below is that you can get crazy with the amount of info that is available: most part of it is spreaded over a lot of forums with lots and lots of pages to read, it's easy to get insecure with this amount of technical stuff.

1. ISP Programming Cable

Medium mod. This mod is the most common mod and it's required if you do intend to change the default factory firmware that came installed on the stock radio. There are a few videos on youtube teaching how to install this ISP cable but you will spend much more time trying to understand the German/Pollack/Whatever guy's accent than wiring the cables.

The ISP cable (in-system programmer) is a common cable in the AVR microcontrollers world, you do use it to load programs (firmware compiled code, hex files) into the microcontroller.

If you do have any experience with microcontrollers (uC) or any Arduino gadget you will most probably already have the knowledge required to install this cable just looking at the pictures below.

As far as I know, up to today, the FS TH9X main board has two main versions. You can recognize it looking for the extra pad close to the SCK pin - if your board does have this pad your board is version 2, if it hadn't it's version 1.

PCB v2, note the pad close to the SCK pin

The ISP connector wiring

The ISP connector cable

External view of the ISP connector

2. Firmware update

Easy mod. After the mod #1 you will be able to change the firmware that came installed on your stock radio - why would you add one ISP cable if not to change the uC "software"?

One warning regarding those 20 bucks ARVISP MKII clone programmers on ebay: most probably you will face some issues trying to establish communication with the radio uC (it's caused by the capacitor that is wired on the RST pin - I saw a few guys recommending to remove this capacitor but I didn't fell comfortable with this approach). After some huge amounts of coffee I gave up with my clone programmer and then I tried with my Bus Pirate v3b (the Bus Pirate took 30 painful minutes to write and another 30 minutes to read the firmware but it worked!).

3. Battery JST connector

Easy mod. Just change the 3 pins mini jst connector by a male jst connector.

A set with 10 pieces costs less than one dollar at Hobby King.

The JST connector

A 3S lipo battery (11v)

4. 2-cells or 3-cells battery

Medium mod. There are two main versions of this mod: This one (really well written in 2008 by RC Model Reviews) assumes that you will always use a 2-cell LiPo battery. This other adds a switch to let you choose between the 2 available options.

I did mine using one of those voltage selector switches that I got from one old pc power supply and fixed it at the bottom of my radio. This switch and this position is much more secure - you will never bump accidentally on it.

Even if you do already have one 3S lipo I would recommend you to buy the TrustFire pack or a 2S (7.4v) LOW DISCHARGE lipo.

The 3S/2S switch (on the left)

External view of the 2S/3S switch

5. LCD Backlight

Easy mod. This mod is actually a kit that came ready to be used: open your radio, disconnect the cable that attaches the front into the back case, connect this very same cable into the backlight male connector and then connect the opposite side of the backlight cable into the radio where the original cable was installed before.

As always Murphy's law is still present: The "recommended" backlight position will block the menu buttons and the positive and negative wires are too short to let you rotate it to the left. I just got those wires out and rewired a longer pair and added a little connector to make my life easier.

6. LCD Backlight auto turn on/off

Easy mod. After you do install the LCD Backlight kit you will notice that it's always turned on (yes, you read it right, the LCD is ALWAYS TURNED ON). You can easily add a switch to turn it on or off but how about doing it automatically? This mod will automatically turn the backlight on whenever you do press a button and will turn it off after a few seconds without use.

You will need a BS170 transistor to install this mod but you can use a simple 2N3904 PNP transistor instead (the 2N3906 NPN doesn't work - it will invert the on/off signals).

HobbyKing, Backlight mod
YouTube, Backlight Installation turn on the youtube Transcribe Audio - just for fun ...

The LCD Backlight moded

7. Piezo Speaker with Haptic Feedback

Medium mod. This mod is cosmetic but it's useful and cool - I do hate that buzzer that came with the original stock radio.

For those whom doesn't know the difference between one buzzer and one piezo speaker let me try to resume: the buzzer is only capable to make noise and the piezo speaker can be driven by a uC in order to make cool sounds.

There are a few components to solder and you do must pay close attention into the polarity indication on the capacitor and on the diode. For the BOM (bill of materials or parts list) you can easily grab all of them on eBay with china prices. You can also get the piezo from almost any old wireless telephone and the vibration motor can be get from any broken iPhone.

9xForums

8. JR module with selection

Medium mod. This mod is, IMHO, the most useful one - it will enable your radio to use one JR TX module.

Why would you need this mod?

The JR brand is much more reliable
The JR TX has a lot of compatible RX models (micro, 3.3v, etc). I could find only one RX for the fly sky (the very same one that came with the radio)
The JR module has fail safe
The JR module has longer range
The JR module has much better interference resistance

There are, basically, 3 ways to install this mod. At first I was really confused with these options and then, after some reading, I realized that they are almost the same thing as I describe below:

FrSky V8HT 2.4Ghz DIY Module kit

This kit is nothing more than one internal version of the JR TX module followed by the required 6v voltage regulator, a switch, a little PCB with one red led and one button to do the RX bind.

YouTube, Installing the FrSky 2.4GHz DIY Module kit

FrSky DHT 8ch DIY Telemetry Compatible Transmitter Module kit

This kit is almost the same kit described on the item 1 above but with telemetry (this kit will require the FrSky telemetry mod below OR an external DHT system).

FrSky DJT 2.4Ghz Combo Pack for JR w/ Telemetry Module & V8FR-II RX

This option only adds a switch and a 6v voltage regulator in order to attach the JR TX module. I do prefer this option just because it's simpler and use the TX module as it should be used (with the internal version you end up with the TX slot empty).

This option requires the normal JR TX module and it also requires the 2-cells mod installed.

Warning: the second picture, where it shows only two connected pins, is not the final mod - it's just a partial to show the pin 4 isolated from GND. After you do change the pin 4 solder all pins back.

78L06

Pin 1 - ANT
Pin 2 - GND (C - blue)
Pin 3 - + (I - green)
Pin 4 - GND (O - yellow, 6v when ON for the JR TX module)
Pin 5 - PPM

Another warning: after you do install this mod you will have to remember to change the JR/Turnigy switch before you do change the module or you will burn it! And yes, never change the module or the switch with the radio turned on. You can isolate the pin 4 in the TX Module in the same way you did in the TX - see FlySky Module mod to make this change just for precaution.

9. DSM2 module

Hard mod. This mod is expensive - you do need to buy one DSM2 TX in order to grab its internal RF module ...

10. LP4/LP5 module

Medium mod. Same as the DSM2 mod this is one expensive mod.

11. FrSky Telemetry

Hard mod. This is THE MOD, IMHO this is the most difficult and you will require advanced ninja skills to solder two close microcontroller wires.

9x Full Mod Telemetry

How to modify your 9x to support telemetry

12. SD Card ...

The RadioClone firmware requires this mod - the RadioClone code (the hex file) is so huge that it let the radio with memory space for only one model. RadioClone uses the SD Card to save and restore models in order to reduce this limitation.

I'm still looking for a reference for this mod. There is a SD Card mod on the RadioClone forum however the author mention that it's still experimental. I'm not sure if it is because of any firmware limitation OR because of the size of the code that it's required to support this SD Card (SPI/Fat) anyway it should be simple - at least on arduino it's simple as I saw 6 months ago when I got one of those ebay SD Card modules and wired it up and put it to work in less than 2 hours.

Link to the SD Card PRO

Link to the home brew SD Card interface

Seems that ONLY the RadioClone firmware does have SD Card support ...

Dr.Ian.O.Xaman