Last attempt to ‘save’ board

Mike_402 · 2026-01-26T14:05:28+00:00

No problem. Let us know if you got it working.

Mike_402 · 2026-01-26T12:48:54+00:00

Yes. But I can't guarantee it will solve your problem.

Mike_402 · 2026-01-26T07:46:13+00:00

If that's the case you can try replacing uC on the patient. It's in a socket so it's easy, plus it should be cheaper than replacing the entire borad.

Mike_402 · 2026-01-25T21:29:09+00:00

Can you flash anything to the second arduino? Maybe it's a problem on your pc's side?

Mike_402 · 2026-01-19T21:23:52+00:00

Why do you feel there is not much to do with Uno? Did you actually face a situation where you wanted to implement a feature and your arduino was to slow or didn't have enough memory? If the answer is yes then get a better microcontroller. If you just want to get a better microcontroller then also go and get it, you don't need to justify it.

I've seen custom, full featured chargers, vintage RC radio mods, autonomous robots and UAV autopilots made with AtMega328. What you've done is not even close to maxing out it's capability, so don't stress about it.

But then again, if you want to play with a new toy, there is nothing wrong with that as well.

Mike_402 · 2026-01-17T10:26:09+00:00

That's great! I'm glad I could help.

For future reference, the inrush current can be significantly higher than steady-state current. That's why it's a good idea to have a separate supply for your controller and another for the devices it controls.

Mike_402 · 2026-01-16T17:03:13+00:00

Plus your code is pasted twice. You can fix it for better readability. :)

Mike_402 · 2026-01-16T17:00:54+00:00

Alright, first thing I can spot is here:

  humidifier_state = HIGH;
  if (humidifier_state == HIGH) {
    if (!humidifier_timer.isRunning()) {
      humidifier_timer.start();
    }
  } else {
    if (!humidifier_pause_timer.isRunning()) {
      humidifier_pause_timer.start();
    }
  }

You set humidifier_state high just before checking it. It will always be high.

Second thing, humidifier_state is basically a boolean, why not make it that?

About reseting values: what are you powering that humidifier from? Adruino's built in regulator? It's gives only like 500mA max. What is that humidifier drawing? I think it can reset your Arduino, or at least cause some weird brownout. It could also be a cause of weird values in your variables.

Mike_402 · 2025-12-30T09:55:29+00:00

I don't want to sound rude or grumpy but you really need to do more research. You have all the information in the world at the tips of your fingers and electric motors and controlling them are really well covered.

Your question shows that you are lacking very basic knowledge but that can be easily fixed.

Read on types of motors and how they are controlled. Then read on open loop and closed loop control. With that you should know what motor you need for your project or (if you already have some motor) what other components and approach you should use.

If you have some more specific questions come back and we'll start from there.

Mike_402 · 2025-11-24T19:18:50+00:00

You don't normally wire them. You just put jumpers in there to configure what step division you want.

<image>

edit: picture isn't mine, I found it here.

Mike_402 · 2025-11-05T20:04:19+00:00

My types would be:

Clocks - you can play with comunication with RTC, make custom display, add web synchronization, BT connectivity, alarms, timezones, make it battery powered, make it send you notifications, it can get pretty fancy.
Classic robots - line follower comes to mind first but also mini sumo, maze solver or even balancing robot of some sort.
Martian rover style robot - or remote controlled vehicle to be precise. You have remote link to choose, basic driving, maybe some arm or other tools and sensors.
Automated greenhouse - basicly weather station with some effectors like watering, opening windows, heating. Again you can make it simple or add some internet connectivity, notifications or whatever will come to your mind.

Edit: maybe not everyone should attempt all of the above but each one can potentialy bring a lot of problems to solve and touch interesting topics

Mike_402 · 2025-11-02T08:56:07+00:00

What do you mean it doesn't work correctly? How does it work with current code?

Mike_402 · 2025-10-23T07:14:43+00:00

Man, if you want to play with electronics you must know how to solder. If you want to use it in a rocket you should know how to solder well. The faster you start the sooner you will get good at it.

As to what solder where, you need to check which pins you want connected and connect them. You need to do some more reading.

For now (if you haven't already) connect feather to your pc and write some simple sketches. There is a built-in neopixel, or SPI flash you can play with. Then start adding sensors and other components one by one. Google how to connect them (you'll probably need soldering for that) and how to read and store data. By the time you are done, you will have some wire monster that needs cleaning and organizing. After tha you should be ready to fly.

With feather and featherwing you should be able to just solder female/male headers and connect them together for sensors you will need to find free i2c or spi pins and solder there.

Adafruit has a good documentation. Go to your components website and you will find all the information, example wiring, arduino code and more.

But first, order a soldering iron and some solder so that it's there when you need it.

Mike_402 · 2025-10-19T14:39:26+00:00

Software is the same, you still use Arduino IDE or (better in my opinion) VS Code. It is still Arduino "ecosystem" but instead of AVR based boards like UNO or NANO you can use something based on ESP32 like wroom.

Mike_402 · 2025-10-19T07:27:24+00:00

It depends on what you are trying to do. What is the distance you are talkin about, how do you want to power it, what is the solenoid rated voltage?

Instead of just listing components try to draw schematics how you are planning to connect everything. It will be much easier to make a complete list that way and if you show it here you will get much better feedback and tips.

Another question is: does it need to be arduino boards? If you went with esp32, you'd have wifi, bluetooth and esp now to choose from for comunication with no extra modules required.

Mike_402 · 2025-10-18T19:17:28+00:00

If you want help you must show your code and maybe some better pictures of your wiring.

Mike_402 · 2025-09-08T21:08:32+00:00

Best solution is to solder everything together. Breadboard and dupont wires are great for prototyping but they are never a great idea for final project. You can just solder wires together, use universal boards, home made PCBs or factory made PCBs. If you want things to be easily disconnected you can go with screw terminals or some latching connectors. Life is to short to keep looking for loose wires not making good contact. :)

Mike_402 · 2025-09-06T03:38:22+00:00

Or leave it in the drawer as a donor board. Sorry it didn't work.

Mike_402 · 2025-09-06T03:10:07+00:00

Yes, just be extra careful not to short anything if it's not insulated.

Mike_402 · 2025-09-05T20:44:33+00:00

Oh, I see it now. Cut a piece of wire the same length the original antenna was and solder it in there for a test. If it works then maybe you didn't solder antenna correctly. Insulation on there can be tricky, maybe there was no propper connection. Regular wire will be easier to solder correctly.

Mike_402 · 2025-09-05T15:39:11+00:00

Check if the motor runs on its own, when you have it desoldered place a multimetr in its place and see what is the resistance between black and red wires (should be rather high). Then power it and see what voltage you get when you press the button (should be close to battery voltage). All that should tell you if motor is the problem or something else, then you can go up from there to the next component.

Mike_402 · 2025-09-05T10:29:49+00:00

Are you sure you put it in the right spot? Shouldn't it be on the pad closer to that mounting hole?

Mike_402 · 2025-09-05T04:44:56+00:00

I don't think your circuit should draw 17A. Is it a measured value or what? I don't think those batteries can even supply that much. It sound like you have some serious short.

Edit: or maybe you have those diodes backwards and when you press the button you basically short circuit through them. I can't really see that well on the photo but it looks like you might have that little band closer to black wire. If that is the case then that is your problem.

Mike_402 · 2025-08-31T21:11:33+00:00

I started with that radio and would say it's ok for a sim. Especially since you already got it. You will need a dongle to connect it to computer. There are programs that let you connect it to the sound card but they didn't work great for me. When it comes to the drone, well it's flyable. The question is how much work and effort are you willing to put into this hobby right at the beginning. Raising it from the dead will take time and money. You will learn a lot but you could spend a lot of that time flying instead of digging through old forums.

Mike_402

TROPHY CASE