Here are the pictures of Aurora 9×18 mk2 and Aurora 18×18 kit contents.
The kits include everything on the parts list, plus mounting screws & nuts. Those screws will 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.
As I should be able to start shipping those kits early next week, the pre-order deals will end this weekend.
This video is not done by me or someone I know, butI thought that it would help a lot of people who are new to surface mount soldering. I’ve been soldering SMD for a while now, but was very impressed with the technique shown in this video.
The best part of it is that this guy uses regular soldering tip to do most of the jobs.
Here’s a video showing how Aurora 18×18 works with the audio interface. I’m still tweaking the firmware to add more animation patterns, but it’s working quite well.
Aurora 9×18 mk2 will work the same way, except with only 9 channels of colors, so the range of animation is limited.
The audio interface hardware is still being finalized. I’m waiting for the final candidate PCB to be fabricated, so that I can make the final prototype. It’s only hardware/cosmetic that I’m working on now – the circuit itself is finalized and working well, as you can see from the video.
Here are some pictures of the final version of Aurora 18×18. Production PCBs will be here in 2 weeks time, and I will start shipping the kits as soon as I have the PCBs.
I know I just announced the Aurora 9×18 mk2 to be arriving soon. However I’ve also been working on this big brother to Aurora 9×18 – Aurora 18×18. I’ve finished the prototyping and finalized the design. The above is the composite image of the final design. (outside diameter is 7 inches)
I couldn’t wait any longer to share it with you.
Please note that those are prototypes in this video. Two of them are slightly different, and the final version will be very much like between the two (as far as the LED layout is concerned).
Like Aurora 9×18 mk2, Aurora 18×18 has infrared remote control receiver, so you can use any remote controllers that can control Sony TVs to control Aurora 18×18 – mode/pattern change, speed control, pause, and power on/off. (All universal remote controllers I know can control Sony TV)
Provision for the optional audio interface is also there. (Update: here’s the video and the pics.)
Here are the specs:
PIC24FV16KA304 microcontroller
GP1UX311QS or equivalent IR remote receiver
324 x 5mm RGB LEDs (common-cathode)
3 x MOS FETs
18 x NPN BJTs (Transistors)
A push button switch
Requires DC 5V, 500mA power supply (1A capacity recommended. USB power is ok)
Now I need your help to bring Aurora 18×18 into self assemble kits like other Aurora’s. In order to do that I need a small capital to start the production of PCBs, etc. So I’m offering a “pre-order” deal to speed things along.
*** 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.
The “new & improved” version of Aurora 9×18 is almost ready to be released.
The overall dimension (4.3 inch diameter), LED layout, PWM capabilities are all exactly the same as the original. However the PIC microcontroller has been replaced with a newer one (PIC24FV16KA301), which simplifies the driver circuit a bit. The new version also has an IR (Infra-red) remote receiver, so you can control it via any universal (or Sony TV) remote controllers.
There is another, new function that adds new excitement to Aurora – audio interface. With an optional Audio Interface (will be available as a separate option), you can connect Aurora 9×18 mk2 to any audio sources. Aurora 9×18 mk2 will then give whole new dimension to your music listening experience.
Photos and video of the working prototype will be posted very soon…
The original Aurora 9x18
Now I need your help to bring Aurora 9×18 mk2 into self assemble kits like other Aurora’s. In order to do that I need a small capital to start the production of PCBs, etc. So I’m offering a “pre-order” deal to speed things along.
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