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A SparkFun PCB, three BlinkM LEDs, three LilyPads and a PICAXE USB Programmer walk into a bar. The bartender looks up and asks, “What is this, a newspost?” The answer to that question would be YES! Chekkit oot:BlinkM Smart LED

Those are all pretty neat in their own way, but the BlinkM units deserve some special attention. They consist of three LEDs (RGB), that combine to make a wide array of colours. We’ve used them in a variety of projects so far (did see us at Maker Faire? We were using these guys in our lamp posts), and the results are absolutely fantastic. They’re so fantastic that we even made a quick little video for it:


Good news! We just got in a big ol’ shipment of Getting Started with Arduino, so not only is the book back online but all of our Arduino Bundles are now available! Huzzah!

And that does it for another week at Solarbotics. Remember, you filthy bilge rats: Tomorrow, September 19th, is Talk Like a Pirate Day, so don’t forget to let out your inner scurvy sea dog!

This I2C level translator is an easy way to convert you low level 1.0V-3.6V I2C signals into Arduino-friendly 5.0V signals. It follows the same pinout as the commonplace BlinkM which allows you to plug it directly into the Arduino’s analog 2~5 pins for simple and effective connection.

Why should you care? The most common place we see I2C interfacing with microcontrollers lately is with a Wii Nunchuck. It’s a great controller, with fabulous supported libraries… but it’s a 3.3V device. We’ve experience mixed results with using the Nunchuck straight into a microcontroller, like the Arduino. Often, all is well, then suddenly the Nunchuck is dead. If you’re leery about plugging in your valuable 3.3V I2C accessory into a 5V signal line, pop this unit in-between, and you’ll be fine. We sampled and tested several level translators before settling on this one as the best bang for the buck…except there’s no bang (or pop, or smoke…).

We’ve also made it footprint compatible with our Wii Nunchucky adapter board so that you can either direct solder to the pins or use one of the included headers! 

Features:

It’s an ideal interface for using your Nunchuck with an Arduino / Freeduino SB, and a BlinkM! (Not included)

Note: This product was designed for the Nunchucky, Wii nunchuck adapter board. If using with a breadboard, the pins will need to be bent outwards a bit to accommodate the 0.1″ hole spacing of the breadboard. 

ONCE upon a time, there was a little event called the “Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show”, and the fine costume designers (Angela Dale of Fabricadabra) at the show walked into Solarbotics and said “We need RGB strip lights, and they must blink, and be small, and run multiple strips – can you help us?”

So the geeks at Solarbotics went into a huddle, discussed options, ate a cookie, and came back and said “Why yes, we think we have a solution for you”. And amongst the cookie crumbs and whiteboard diagrams, the “Double Rainbow” RGB LED strip light controller was created!

Features

Our RGB strips are rated to draw 3.25A per 5 meter reel at 12VDC (producing FULL white) and we designed this board to be able to run 2 (60 LEDs/meter) 5 meter reels. Due a bit of a voltage drop on the MOSFETs the overall current draw is less than the normal 6.5A so you can easily drive 5 meters (~10′) per side. If you’d like to run 2 reels constantly at full white (or run longer strips) we’d suggest to bypass the power switch & try not to snuggle up to the FETs! The PCB temperature can reach ~52°C (in a room of 22°C ambient) so it also will get a little warm, not too hot but great for night-time costumes! We also carry this power supply that may help you on your way to creating your own bright and colorful double rainbow.

Please Note: Arduino-compatible Ardweeny module is not included but available here!

Turn your Arduino-compatible Ardweeny into a portable powerhouse! This small form factor, open source hardware design allows for a fully-functional Arduino application board to fit into some tight spots. Capable of driving continuous rotation and regular servos as well as reading analog sensors, the Ardweeny plus MultiPack is an awesome combination for all kinds of robotic and mechatronic applications.

 Features:

Applications:

Please Note: There are some limitations with the Multipack. The printed circuit board is designed for 5A, and the voltage regulator / heat sink can push 5A (for a while). The switch (0.2A @ 30VDC) and barrel jack (2.5A @ 16VDC) can’t handle this current, however. Although limits may be pushed on these parts, be aware that a hard-wire jumper will be safer than the switch/jack at higher currents. Our 12-servo exercise lasted 4min45s on 8V input, surging to 3A before the VReg went into thermal shutdown.

This Project pack will allow you to toss your Ardweeny into an application and you won’t have to worry about needing regulated voltage as the Backpack will take care of that, and plus it breakouts out the Ardweeny pins in a clean and orderly fashion. Solder wires directly to the Backpack PCB or plug-in jumpers into the female headers and connector up your sensors and actuators. Install this pack into a R2D2 toy and make him launch small lightsabers and make light projections, it’s only one idea, we leave it to you to make something even cooler!

Ardweeny Features

TTLyFTDI Features

Ardweeny Backpack Features

This pack is 18.72% off, buying the items separately, You save $6.90!

Included Parts

Had a different Ardweeny application in mind? Well check out our other Ardweeny Bundle types which include: The Ardweeny Starter Pack, Ardweeny Prototype Pack, & Ardweeny Triple Pack.

When used with the CtrlM transmitter, the FreeM creates an invisible, wireless, & low-power method to control BlinkMs, MiniMs, or any I2C device up to 45 feet (14m) away (and can be easily modified for much greater range).

It’s designed to work transparently with the rest of the BlinkM product line. Plug a CtrlM into a LinkM, point it at a FreeM, fire up the BlinkM Multitrack sequencer, and start programming it from afar.

It’s perfect for wearables, architectural lighting, stage sets, mood lighting, RC car lights, or anywhere else that’s difficult to get to.

Plus, as a bonus, it works with any TV remote that supports the SICS (Sony remote control) protocol, which includes nearly every universal remote made, such as our SYSTEM Universal Remote. Using basic TV remote keys it’ll turn BlinkMs off and on, change their brightness and hue, and run user-definable scripts.

Downloads

Note: To program the SYSTEM Universal Remote to a Sony remote code in order for it to work with the FreeM just press and hold the SET button for 4 seconds until the LED becomes solid, then hit TV, 0, 0, 0, 1 and the LED should blink 4 times to let you know it’s been programmed.

The Ardweeny has proven to be a very popular Arduinotm compatible microcontroller because of it’s tight package and cost-effective performance. But without a breadboard or power supply, it’s not going to see much of the world. Give it an Ardweeny BackPack, which offers:

While this is the plain version, the Ardweeny Backpack also comes in an LED version (available in red, blue or green), where the bottom; has 8 surface-mounted LEDs pre-installed to lines D0 to D7. Ideal for building a POV (persistence of vision) device, or use it as a linear bar graph. The LEDs can be isolated individually (or as a group) with a simple knife cut.

So free your Ardweeny from the breadboard, give it a backpack, and send it on its way!

The Ardweeny has proven to be a very popular Arduinotm compatible microcontroller because of it’s tight package and cost-effective performance. But without a breadboard or power supply, it’s not going to see much of the world. Give it an Ardweeny BackPack, which offers:

RED LED VERSION(also available in green & blue): The bottom of the BackPack has 8 red surface-mounted LEDs preinstalled to lines D0 to D7. Ideal for building a POV (persistence of vision) device, or use it as a linear bar graph. The LEDs can be isolated individually (or as a group) with a simple knife cut.

So free your Ardweeny from the breadboard, give it a backpack, and send it on its way!

The Ardweeny has proven to be a very popular Arduinotm compatible microcontroller because of it’s tight package and cost-effective performance. But without a breadboard or power supply, it’s not going to see much of the world. Give it an Ardweeny BackPack, which offers:

BLUE LED VERSION (also available in red & green): The bottom of the BackPack has 8 blue (surface-mounted) LEDs preinstalled to lines D0 to D7. Ideal for building a POV (persistence of vision) device, or use it as a linear bar graph. The LEDs can be isolated individually (or as a group) with a simple knife cut.

So free your Ardweeny from the breadboard, give it a backpack, and send it on its way!

The Ardweeny has proven to be a very popular Arduinotm compatible microcontroller because of it’s tight package and cost-effective performance. But without a breadboard or power supply, it’s not going to see much of the world. Give it an Ardweeny BackPack, which offers:

GREEN LED VERSION(also available in red & blue): The bottom of the BackPack has 8 green (surface-mounted LEDs preinstalled to lines D0 to D7. Ideal for building a POV (persistence of vision) device, or use it as a linear bar graph. The LEDs can be isolated individually (or as a group) with a simple knife cut.

So free your Ardweeny from the breadboard, give it a backpack, and send it on its way!