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  • Author Author: R_Phoenix
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The MEGA_Stick

R_Phoenix
My Issue:
Needing an Arduino that is both small in size and “portable”, meaning that it can be used in several different projects.
The Arduino Mini-Pro (to name a few) answers this issue on a smaller scale but I was looking for something in the 2560 size so I developed my own.
 
My Solution:
The MEGA_Stick
image
 
The MEGA_Stick allows me to simply unplug the system from one project and plug it into another.
Two unique things about the MEGA_Stick; all 100 pins are available to the user allowing advanced programmers to utilize the full capacity
of the ATMEGA 2560 chip and the addition of a on board battery backed up Real Time Clock.
This can be turned on or off via a solder jumper (note picture is missing the 2 pull ups).
image
This might be old news to some, but while developing this board I found that Digi pins 45 and 46 can also be used as PWM pins.
Pin 44 should be one as well but it is not yet in the Arduino boot loader.
image
Currently I use the MEGA_Stick for my Phoenix Monitor System, which monitors the fluid levels of up to 4 different tanks.
As you can see in the picture I have the main board with a dual footprint. This board can use the Pro-Mini, or my MEGA_Stick,
depending on the features requested like Automatic water fill, Bay heating, or controlling other outside devices. The info can then be
displayed on a veriety of medium. There is lots of room for expanding on this system. Note that the female headers aren’t soldered in yet.
image
 
Near future plans for the MEGA_Stick is to develop a board for my AeroQuads.
This board also would be dual footprint for multiple types of brains so I can use the same main board in different Quad setups.
At least that’s the plan as I get time to build it.
 
For my use the MEGA_Stick simply makes the Arduino MEGA more portable as well as a more permanent solution in one package.
The biggest issue right now is the cost to build considering the prices of the ATMEGA chip in low quantity.
 
2/21/2012 UPDATE
The MEGA Stick is no longer in production and is being replaced with the even smaller MEGA STICK II
image
The board measures 1"x2.5" and is better suited for embedded applications. The FTDI and RTC is now off board making it a bit more affordable to replace if something goes wrong.
It will also require a regulated 5v supply as the the regulator has also been removed.
 
I will notify when production starts.

  • Your project sounds interesting as well, got any more info on it?

    Feel free to contact me by email if you like.

  • Phoenix,

     

    It would be very handy for an aqua/hydroponics system i designed wich i am building and testing for the moment, i hope to get it ready before winter sets in, as the greenhouse is not finished right now. I will be growing vegetables, herbs and fruit on clay pellets fed by a fishtank or multiple fishtanks At the moment i'm setting up with one Fishtank and two growbeds, one for strawberries and one for vegetables.

     

    The system includes allso a sump and a barrel to add water to the fishtank when i pump out water for the growbeds. The water from that barrel needs to be able to flow back water when the growbeds are drained.

     

    The idea is to keep the water in the fishtank at the same level so the fish have less stress as this is happening whole day long. So your system would be great for administering and monitoring this whole process. Are you going to write software for it? If or when my system is completely finished i want to be able to controll and monitor it on a webapp or software everywhere i am. And i want to add an app that says when a user has to perform certain tasks, like an agenda but allso when things go wrong or there is a problem with the system.

     

    I plan to make the automation in a Raspberry Pi and Arduino configuration.

     

    The system will be housed in a green house and wil have solar or wind energy and hopefully warmed by a system that uses the heat in composting barrels outside the green house, for winter i will be adding a wood or pellet powered heating device (we have temperatures in winter of -20° celsius)

     

    I like the system that you're building especially for the water management of my system, i'll be following all the wayimage

  • in reply to Varenberg

    @Verenberg

    Thanks! and you are correct. This system can be used to messure the depth of any liquid that is non-pressurized and in a vented or open container. Here is a picture of my latest DIsplay panle.

     

    image

    The system can do up to 4 tanks any where from 2" deep to 10 feet and deeper depending on the sensors I use.

  • Very nice work!!!image

     

    If i understand correctly, this system can allso be used in a hydro/aquaponics setup? Or even for an automated aquarium?

     

    grtz and keep up the good work,

     

    Varenberg

  • in reply to billabott

    The intent is to be able to replace the ATMega2560 in the event it gets fried, or I can also send the client a new "chip" as an upgrade. So for field reparability I want it easy to remove and re-insert. Also, there is no socket for the 100 pin 2560 that I know of.

     

    Another intension is so I can switch processor types if need be. For example if i switch to an mbed, I an simply build a carrier board to go between the main and the mbed to utilize the same female headers on the main board and not need to redesign the main, or throw out any unused boards.

     

    I believe in "repair and return" instead of "throw-away and replace" so I make my designs as versatile as possible. Also in case your wondering, the larger boad above is before the female headers were solder in to recieve the MegaStick. At that time I was still using the Arduino Pro, U2, the smaller footprint and again, before the female headers were in place. 

     

    By the way, I also believe that there are no dumb questions.... image

    Thanks for asking!