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Pico Eurocard Rev 2.0 - Free (just pay shipping)

shabaz

EDIT: all gone, but it is easy to build your own, using the more recent (currently rev 2.2) files on GitHub.

(Hoping it is OK to post this, since it's a not-for-profit thing!).

Hi,

I have three Pico Eurocard Rev 2.0 (it's a recent version, with no known issues so far!) build-as-you-go-and-bring-your-own-Pico package : )

A fully populated Rev 2 looks like this:

image

However the build-as-you-go-and-bring-your-own-Pico version requires you to bring your own Picos', and it can be immediately used, but it is missing stuff that can be added later, such as the voltage regulator modules and microSD card socket. 

The board has all surface-mount Rs, Cs and the single MOSFET pre-soldered, since they would be a pain to ship unassembled, due to the small size.

The package includes a bag of through-hole parts, but it doesn't include header pins/sockets and DC-DC converter, DC jack and microSD socket. Those are all easy to locally source, and are not essential, to use; just a Pi Pico is required, but you may wish to also get some header pins as well. Then, if you need (say) more 3.3V capability, then you could buy a 3.3V regulator (it's just a couple of £) and add it on.

These are spare boards, I don't want to charge anything for them. If you feel uncomfortable with that, then I'll accept the cost of the raw PCB and components, which let's say is £5. But I will only accept that so people don't feel uncomfortable accepting a free item : ) but there's no obligation to pay - just pay for the shipping. I will have to declare the nominal £5+shipping on the customs form however.

There's no warranty, and no returns since this wouldn't be a very good business venture to sell at no profit : ) and it's an experimental board and I'm not charging or warranting the SMD assembly either : ) However as mentioned, it's unlikely there will be any fault (and I took ESD precautions soldering the SMD parts).

The photo here shows everything that is included.

image

This is the contents of the bag of through-hole bits:

image


Tracked shipping (from UK) will be £15 USA, £10 in Europe, and let's say £5 UK, and I will use parcel2go.com.

Example, USA shipping:

image


Please use the parcel2go.com website to see the quote for any other country (courier collection, tracked please!).

If you're interested, please leave a comment telling me, and then send me a private message with the shipping address (or click to connect and then send me the shipping address). There are only three boards as mentioned (one per person), and I'm unlikely to build more by hand : ) 

In terms of payment, I have no convenient mechanism for this that I wish to use, but instead we could barter for say coffee vouchers : ) for instance costa e-gift using https://gifting.costa.co.uk/
I'll send you my e-mail address for that.

  • in reply to gabejo

    Hi,

    Sorry, all gone, but if you're interested, there are more recent (rev 2.2) files on GitHub, and if you upload them to a PCB manufacturer, then the board that arrives is pretty much usable with no components added, and you can add features as you go. For instance, if you need button/LED then they can be soldered on. And if you need 5V/3.3V supplies they can be added too.

    The rev 2.2 is very similar to the older rev 2.0, but rev 2.2 is simpler to solder, and has larger easy-to-read text. 

    This is rev 2,2:

    image

    image

  • Hi      

    Here are photos of the three boards, just so you know what is fitted and what optional stuff is missing, in case you wish to order anything while you're waiting for them to arrive. Missing things are in bold.

    All three boards are missing the Picoprobe debugger (XIAO RP2040) which is only useful if you're using the (non-Arduino) C/C++ SDK. If you're using Arduino IDE, or Micropython or CircuitPython, then it's not used. This is easy to solder if you wish to add it. All boards are also missing the 3.3V DC-DC converter (only needed if the 3.3V output from the Pico is insufficient for your projects), and a 10uF capacitor for the 3.3V output from the regulator. These are of course easy to solder whenever you want the higher-power 3.3V capability.

    Top-left board is for Sean, it is missing the rotary encoder (Alps EC12E range), and the actual Pi Pico (you could plug in a normal Pico, or a Pico W, both will work).

    Top-right board is for James, it is missing the rotary encoder, but is also missing the 5V DC-DC converter and 10uF capacitor for that. The 5V regulator is only needed if you wish to power the board from the DC barrel connector or screw terminals. Otherwise, it can just be powered from the USB connection on the Pico. It is missing the actual Pi Pico too.

    Lower-left board is for Cris, it is missing the micro SD card socket, and also unfortunately missing two SIL sockets for the Pico, because I had annoyingly run out of those. So, I've added a Pico instead to the package, so you won't need to order the Pico. I've also added a spare rotary encoder I had, so no need to obtain that either. I did not solder that in, so that the shaft doesn't poke out of the box, but it is in the bag. Also, the header pins are unsoldered but are in the bag too, because it's easier to solder them after you've done the SIL sockets.

    The box includes a printout of the 1-page quick start guide which was written yesterday and Jan kindly reviewed.

    image

    Links to the various parts:

    3.3V DC-DC converter: R-78E3.3-0.5

    Picoprobe for C/C++ SDK projects: XIAO RP2040

    5V DC-DC converter : R-78E5.0-0.5

    Capacitor (one needed per DC-DC converter): Any approx. 10uF 16V electrolytic

    Rotary encoder: Alps EC12E series, for example: EC12E24104A6

    micro SD card socket: Molex 502774-0891   

    SIL sockets (2 required): low-cost option: 2212S-20SG-85 or turned-pin (low-cost at Newark, expensive at Farnell!):  801-87-036-10-001101

  • in reply to shabaz

    Thanks for the additional info.

    Now I sincerely regret haphazardly taking the lid off of my XIAO 2040!

    image

    (I was in a hurry for an article and carelessly de-soldered it.)

    Good thing they are cheap.

  • in reply to Jan Cumps

    I haven't cleaned it up yet. There could be some shorts on the QFN and I lost the decoupling caps for the internal regulator. Since it hasn't been plugged in yet though, I can probably get it working fine.

    It was sitting aside until future-me had a real need.

    Which, might be in a few days. hah.

  • in reply to baldengineer
    baldengineer said:
    I lost the decoupling caps for the internal regulator

    They flew away, didn't they Slight smile ?

  • in reply to shabaz

    It took me some time but I have drawn up the courage to ask the question "What is a rotary encoder?"

    image

    From the drawing in the spec sheets, it looks like the device can provide a two-bit truth table as it is rotated. I assume as you rotate them they click as they move to other values.

  • in reply to shabaz

    A Pico newbie question or better a confirmation of what I think I might understand.

    The XIAO RP2040 is a Pico with limited pins?

    In looking at pricing it is $4 for a Pico and $5.60 for an XIAO RP2040 If size matters it cost more for smaller:)