I am waiting for TK to get finished with the updates to compact the firmware to allow for said 30 modes. I am already well over the space allowed and can’t do anything more until I get the code back from her. She has been real busy with the Convoy firmware recently and I don’t want to bug her for this.
As soon as she finishes working her magic I should be able to knock out my changes to the modes ect in a few days.
The biggest thing I need is for people to let me know if there are any other special mode groups that they need/want before I fill up the rest with slight variations on the existing mode groups. Once I have the mode groups set I don’t plan to change them so that the manual for the firmware will remain valid for an extended period of time.
Although I might leave a few modes “blank” at the end for later updates.
I suppose we could move to tiny85’s but I prefer the 25 if it all fits on it, it is easier to fit on the boards and program on board.
The only other features I want to add before releasing a “final” version is get the internal voltage reference code implemented as a definable option for the 15mm boards and any thing that it might be needed later with.
Can’t wait for TK to finish this bistro revision.
Toykeeper and Tom E really brings a revolution in the firmware development. I really admire the work and dedication of then.
Got my first batch of the 15 mm triples in today . Wow, that was like 4 major designs back in this thread, here: Post #318 and here where ordered: Post #325.
Still wanna order those D01 boards too. Also by Friday, I should be receiving the Mouser order I placed for the full set of parts, including SIR400DP's and all the parts in 0603 size.
Yeah, I knocked out a few of the last things I wanted to do pretty quick. Now just waiting for TK to have time to finish up the bistro updates so I can release a final firmware version and I think I can wrap this project up till something new comes along.
The set of parts from Mauser elements includes LDO (MC78LC50NTRG) that does not have reverse polarity protection. MIC5235-5.0YM5 such protection is built-in.
Oh crap! Now I have to track back as to why I ordered those - thought there was a direct link/reference. Maybe I got the part# wrong. I really had no clue how to pick one...
Thanks for checking it out!
Edit: found one reference here: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/31955 by RMM in the OP. Thought these were the ones Richard uses in general, not just this buck driver... Hhmmm.
I have two LDO parts at home. One came directly from Richard, the other I think I ordered from Mouser earlier - that's probably why I ordered these, though I never tried either one as of yet.
Can I beg you guys to come visit a thread and explain how these LDO drivers work? I’m familiar with voltage regulators, but there may be a benefit to explaining those as well. Are different output levels achieved by PWM?
The reason I ask is: Would it be possible to replace the sense resistor in the regulator circuit with a digital potentiometer? Assuming that the LDO regulator is set up in constant current mode, sweeping the value of the sense resistor should sweep the current level accordingly, avoiding the need for PWM entirely. Add a FET for Turbo and it’s done.
BUT, I’m jaded enough to be pretty sure that if this was a good idea, someone else would have done it already, so I assume that I don’t understand how the circuit works well enough to know better.
Huh? Did you post this in the right thread? There is no sense resistor on triples. triples are single 7135, bank of 7135's, and a FET. The LDO replaces the functionality of a zener diode, to reduce the voltage of 2S or higher cells down to 5V or below to operate the MCU within spec.
Actually though, if 7135's were to get 8V or higher, don't think they will work well or last very long. So .... I'd probably not populate the 7135's - maybe the single - I think it survives for a low output - written somewhere on BLF, dunno...
Years back before FET drivers the only way to drive an MT-G2 was with a zener modded 105c. So I am going to say that the 7135’s handle 2s voltage, be it with more heat.
Now 4S voltage would only be for moon mode for sure.
True. Richard's zener mod kit was intended for the 105C driver, and that's what we were doing at the time. Don't think that lasted long before we started doing the comfy style FET mods to 105C's.
I really dunno - don't think there were any long term tests, either for longer run times or longevity of hours of use.
Yeah, the 7135’s seem to hold up fine for 2s voltage when I was researching them, even on those badly heat sinked 105c’s.
Now they might drop the current down when they get hot but they should still work. I figure there is room for them, so why not have them there. If they don’t work it is easy enough to simply not populate them.
Interesting... For the 2S setup I'm look'n to do, I'll keep the 7135's in.
My freak'n order of 20 XHP-50's with Cutter is in shambles -- I'm not happy with Mark Riley there - very poor responsiveness, poor mgt of inventory, seem to care less to tell you what you ordered as "in stock quantities" doesn't exist, for some reason...
Yeah, kinda like the XHP35 GB awhile back. During that I was trying to buy a few other items as well, I ended up giving up as he would not get in contact with me to take my money. lol.
I'm a dumb you-know-what! Why didn't I order these boards yet? Think I noted this all before on Oct 2nd in this thread, then I promptly forgot bout it.
Great, curious to see how the LDO works for you, never used one myself so the component values are obviously just an educated guess. 2x of the 10uF caps in both C1 and C2 should work though.
I keep getting requests to sell these drivers (which is great, it lets me gauge market interest to know if it is worth risking an investment in a larger scale production run of these). I really would like to sell these but I have high standards and making these by hand takes a lot of time.
Does anyone know of a good / cheap place to get PCB’s like this assembled?
Hhmm. Thought someone mentioned where Richard gets his done. I don't deal with the places myself, but guys I directly work with and sit 10 feet from, do. The assembly houses we use, dunno. Our stuff is bigger, much more complicated, so of course the costs are fairly high, and we supply them with some test fixture to test the assembled boards, engineered solely for functional testing, so there's a lot more involved.
Many times, assembly/PCB houses are specialized - some for complex stuff, some for low or high volumes, some for mil/medical/commercial, etc... Takes a bit of research to hook up with the proper place for the volume/pricing. We've found the hard way, a lot of houses won't turn work down they are not good at doing - you find this out later.... It's a joy, lots of fun, and entertaining . I know just enough to get myself in trouble about this biz.
Yeah, I have found a few places that do small run PCB assembly, the prices were just a bit too high to make it reasonable unless a very large quantity were purchased though. Didn’t know if anyone knew of a place that specialized in stuff like ours for good prices.
Hmm, I need to look into “panelizing” the drivers, see if that makes things any better. A lot of the places I looked at made boards the same price all the way up to 50mmx50mm. You could fit four 17mm drivers in that footprint……
. Wow, that was like 4 major designs back in this thread, here: 
. I know just enough to get myself in trouble about this biz.