New Items Debut Tomorrow @ Maker Faire
A few new items are debuting at the Maker Faire Bay Area tomorrow.
Didn’t have time to take video to show you what they do, but I will post more info after the Maker Faire.
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Audio Interface for Aurora – Through-hole version
This Interface turns Aurora 9×18 mk2, Aurora 18×18 or Aurora 12 bar into the ultimate color organ. This is the through-hole only version of the same exact circuit as the original Audio Interface.
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Aurora 9×18 and 18×18 Firmware Update
I discovered a bug that prevents start up at the power on. The condition is relatively rare, but if your Aurora 9×18 mk2 or Aurora 18×18 is suffering from occasional lookup at the power up, please reprogram the PIC with the updated firmware.
This firmware (version 1.4) is also revised to keep the speed change setting in the EEPROM (note: speed adjustment is only possible via IR remote), so that your set speed will be restored after power off/on.
Please let me know if there are any issues with this updated version.
- Aurora 9xx18 mk2 firmware: aurora9x18mk2-1.4.hex
- Aurora 18×18 firmware: aurora18x18-rev2d-v1.4.hex
Aurora 9×18 mk2 kit and PCB
(The original Aurora 9×18 video)
The kit includes everything you need to build Aurora 9×18 mk2, plus mounting screws & nuts. Those screws can also help you when you solder in the LEDs, by giving the PCB a lift off the working surface.
The smallest SMD parts are 0603 size, which is quite tiny. Naturally it’s very easy to lose them while assembling. Since it’s not much fun having to buy those little parts because you lose them, I’m including a few extras for all 0603 size parts. There are a few extra LEDs included as well. Hopefully you won’t have to stop the assembly because you’ve lost a few parts.
- View the technical info here.
- View the soldering/assembly guide.
IMPORTANT: You need a compatible PIC programmer such as PICkit 3, ICD2/3, etc. to program the PIC. (PICkit 2 does not support the newer PICs used on those Auroras.) If you don’t have access to program the PIC, you can choose “programmed” option for additional $5. The PIC IC will be soldered to the PCB in order to be programmed.
*** Purchase Here ***
Audio Interface for Aurora
This Audio Interface turns Aurora 9×18 mk2 and Aurora 18×18 and Aurora 12 bar into the ultimate color organs.
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Aurora 9×18 and Aurora 18×18 pre-order deals
*** These pre-order deals have ended on midnight(EST) of April 8th (Sun).
Please refer to the current pricing here. ***
I have finalized the designs of new Aurora 9×18 mk2 and Aurora 18×18. Developing these things takes a lot of effort, time and of course, money.
I really want to make those Aurora’s available as kits, however I need a small capital to do so quickly. Otherwise I’d have to wait.
So here’s the deal, I will offer those kits at 20% discount until I have them shipping. Once the kits are in, the final prices will be $179 for Aurora 9×18, and $289 for Aurora 18×18. (At the worst case where I could not deliver those kits, your money will be refunded. PayPal will offer protection against non-delivery, so rest assured.)
I’m really hoping that with your help, these kits will be shipping within 4 weeks.
IMPORTANT: Like all other kits I sell, PIC microcontrollers are not preprogrammed. You need a compatible PIC programmer such as PICkit 3, ICD2/3, etc. to program the PIC. (PICkit 2 does not support the newer PICs used on those Aurora’s.) This is due to the fact that surface mount PIC need to be soldered to a PCB before being programmed.
Aurora 9×18 mk2 & 18×18 Technical Info
Here are some technical information on the new Aurora 9×18 mk2 and Aurora 18×18.
Aurora 9×18 mk2
Assembly Details
Will be posted on Instructables (instructables.com). Meanwhile please view my Instructables for Aurora 9×18.
Schematics
Parts List
- 4x 47 ohm (0603)
- 162x 150 ohm (0603)
- 9x 220 ohm (0603)
- 13x 1k ohm (0603)
- 4x 10k ohm (0603)
- 2x 0.1uF (0603)
- 2x 10uF (1206)
- 1x 22uF (1210)
- 3x DMP3098L (P-ch MOSFET)
- 9x MMBT2222A (NPN transistor)
- 1x PIC24FV16KA301
- 1x GP1UX311QS or equivalent (IR remote receiver)
- 1x Tactile Switch
- 162x Tricolor LED (common-cathode)
Firmware
Aurora 18×18
Assembly Details
View my Instructables
Schematics
Parts List
- 4x 47 ohm (0603)
- 324x 150 ohm (0603)
- 18x 220 ohm (0603)
- 21x 1k ohm (0603)
- 4x 10k ohm (0603)
- 3x 0.1uF (0603)
- 2x 10uF (1206)
- 1x 47uF (1210)
- 3x DMP3098L (P-ch MOSFET)
- 18x MMBT2222A (NPN transistor)
- 1x PIC24FV16KA304
- 1x GP1UX311QS or equivalent (IR remote receiver)
- 1x Tactile Switch
- 324x Tricolor LED (common-cathode)
Firmware
Aurora 9×18 auction on eBay closing tonight!
Please check it out if you haven’t already.
Aurora 9×18 on eBay
Aurora 9×18 auction has just started on eBay.
If you are interested, here is my auction.
(http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120750388231)
Thank you very much!
Thank you so much – I won the LED contest!
Big thanks to all of you! After the long agonizing wait, the winners were announced. I won the Instructable LED contest!!!
http://www.instructables.com/contest/led2011/?show=WINNERS
Thank you so much!
Aurora 9×18 on Instructables
Aurora 9×18 is now on Instructables! Which means you can learn how to build one of those yourself!
Aurora 9×18 assembled
Just finished assembling Aurora 9×18. Based on the prototype aurora 9, this unit has 18 tri-color LEDs in each of 9 circles.
Because of the number of components (162 LEDs), assembly was quite a chore. Tri-color LED has pins that are close together, very narrow for a through-hole component. Solder bridging can happen very easily. (I’ve been soldering for over 30 years now, and thought I had good enough skill to get through the soldering, but I had a bit of a struggle…)
Now it’s done, and the hard work is worth it. It’s beautiful… LEDs are controlled in 9 groups of 18 each. Each group of LEDs are forming a circle. Each RGB component is controlled by PWM, with effective resolution of about 13 bits.
The colors produced by those LEDs are beautiful, the transitions between colors are smooth. To me this is fascinating…
Here’s the schematic if you are interested.
