finding short on motherboards with a shorty (with display)

[kripton2035]

sending good with a value from france to outside of europe (even into europe) has become a pain in the a** since january 2021 and new EU VAT rules.
it will be easier for me, and cheaper for everyone, to sell a gerber file of the pcb, and people ordering 5 pcb from jlcpcb or like.
instead of me collecting many pcb's and sending them one by one to the world.

[masterx81]

I'm in Italy, maybe it's easier to send 

[sam_sam_sam]

When are going to make the board file available for sale with the complete source codes and a complete part sheet
Thank you for all your work on this project

[Kean]

it will be easier for me, and cheaper for everyone, to sell a gerber file of the pcb, and people ordering 5 pcb from jlcpcb or like.

You could use PCBWay SharedProject system which allows sharing a design for easy ordering with a (small) commission going to the designer (and I think without sharing the gerbers).

Or... I suspect a better solution is just to share the gerbers and set up a way receive small donations.  Some people will certainly abuse it (like some ebay sellers), but others will be happy to donate and it also doesn't penalise those less fortunate.

Either way, you aren't likely to make a great deal of money from it unfortunately.

[kripton2035]

Either way, you aren't likely to make a great deal of money from it unfortunately.

I was already aware of that !
I've already published the schematic and code on my web site, it's free for anyone wanting do make a little effort in building it with protoboard or else.
a working pcb is quite some more work, and I did it for "glory" so I expect to get some money from it, even if little.

[Mikka]

Hello guys, Hello Kripton, 
Is there any progress with device or code ?
Just collecting all necessary components to build one "shorty" also, so would like to know if you guys found some flaws or problems or you can suggest some improvements. Thank you. 

[kripton2035]

sorry lots of work with other projects. this shorty has been put on the side for some time now...

[slbender]

sorry lots of work with other projects. this shorty has been put on the side for some time now...

Somehow I think there is a market of at least 100 units for over 300 people have viewed a lot of the photos posted.  Myself, I would just want something that either I can solder and complete in less than two hours, to a working product, or a complete wired unit with both audio and display.

Being hard of hearing since a child, the audible part may be of little use for me, but the display should have as much resolution as possible.  I have an older 2 digit “Dick Smith” ESR meter, and a “Cap Wizard” analog meter, these shorty implementations seem to serve a whole other set of needs, just as a function generator, a frequency counter, and an oscilloscope work in conjunction.  I would think these “shorty” units as much like a cross between the $20. Chinese transistor L/C/R tester’s, and a poor man’s Huntron Component Tracer/Curve Tracer.

Obviously several people have done interesting and excellent work on this over the past 18 months, so there are likely a few units gathering dust in a pile, or falling off the edge of a workbench, that could well serve the purpose of someone with half a dozen Windows X86 notebooks and MacBooks in assorted states of failure and decline, as well as other items in need of repair.  So while working on your later and greater versions and revisions, LMK of a working unit either listed on evil bay, or ready to ship out to New York, thanks!

Steven

[FlightMech]

I am also interested in purchasing two of the  PCB's or the gerber file to have some made as you discussed as a possible option.

A version with SMD's would be wonderful.  Nicely designed.

I like your coding style. Elegant!

[jdobry]

Hi all!

I want to refresh this toppic, because I am trying to redesign this tool. Replace Arduino by STM32G030F6P6, replace power source from 9V battery to 2*AAA, make it handy like a pen with wire tail, completely in SMD. It also have electronic power switch with ability to power off on inactivity.
It could be powered from anything between 0.9V~3.3V (2*AAA is perfect compromise. Small enough and will not have problem to provide ~50mA for measure current)
Pen like case will be 3D printed.
Now I have working prototype with incomplete SW (for ex it not have propper beeper).
This is something like reques for comments, I plan to publish it in 1-2 months.

Video demonstration https://youtu.be/Kq8dAxyf5MA (sorry for the czech comment, but it not need any comment. It just works)

Schematics https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hv3r33Petv981_9jP7f_VT0lKGmp4XNd/view?usp=sharing

And some pictures https://photos.app.goo.gl/9pkDtEAfapqZDasC6

Note about battery state measurement. On scematic there are two options.

• R26 - direct connection to battery. This design have minor problem with current leak thru R26 into pin of unpowered MCU
• U7+R24 to cut-off battery from MCU completely

After tests I am using option 1. (R26). Current from battery on power-off state is ~0.5uA (whole device). It is acceptable. Measure error caused by high impedance of R26 is ~3.5% and it could be compensated by SW. It is more than enough for battery indicator.

[kripton2035]

very nice and compact design, I like it !

[nikifena]

Nice PCB. Just wondering what is the function of the signal going to PA2 since there is a 18bit ADC there?

[jdobry]

I am using both ADCs.
External in 16bit mode to get  15 SPS in Continuous Conversion option.
It is fine for the high precisison measurement, but little bit slow for fast scan. I planning to implement "fast" reaction mode, to search where is second end of some wire on the PCB or cable.
This don't need precision, but fast reaction. And internal ADC is lot faster. That is all.
Due to same reason, this input have faster RC filter on input.

[jdobry]

First useful version of the my software.
Video have only czech comment (sorry), but I thing that any comments aren't necessary.


TODO list:

• SW - fast response mode = use internal MCU ADC to detect touch and extent "beep" to 100ms minimum to find second end of any wire
• SW - use internal ADC to measure in 3.5 ~ 10 ohm range (lower precision)
• SW - mode to use "humming" sound intead "tone"
• HW - 3D printed case
• publish it.

[PeterSpie]

Hi all,

I have ordered the parts for the Shorty created by @kripton2035.
Now I have one (maybe stupid question, but I really don't know): how do I connect the 5V which is in the schematic?
I only see 9V which is connected to the battery, but the 5V?

Regards, Peter

[kripton2035]

+5V is made by the arduino.
you input 9v on the Vin pin of the arduino, and there is a 5v regulator and you get the +5V on ... the +5v pin !

[PeterSpie]

Thanks!

Learning every day!
When I finish my version of the short I will post the result, and then I want to start with a PCB en case.

Regards, Peter

[PeterSpie]

I am building a BOM (Bill Of Materials) but it not easy to get all the parts from one shop, and I doubt if can get it for less than $20,-

One (for now) last question: I see 5 wires go to the probes. I understand 2 wires per probe. What about the fifth wire (ground). Where do I connect that one?

Regards, Peter

[kripton2035]

I used audio cables for that. two wires plus ground shield on it
so two wires goes to each probe, and the shield of the cable on the shield of the connector.
and this shield it not connected at the probe side.

[jdobry]

Hello,
I am finallising my work based on this project.





Enjoy it!
Here is complete data files for this project. Include schematics, PCB, model for 3D print and software as open source.
https://gitlab.com/jdobry/shortypen/

Jiri Dobry

[jdobry]

Offer: I have 4 unused new INCOMPLETE PCBs. As you can see on the photo.
Price is 9EUR on piece plus shipping (EU only, I don't know how to help you to pay VAT on import to foreign countries)

Next week I can have few pcs of complete units, but I don't know how many.

jdobry@gmail.com

[ddrl46]

Offer: I have 4 unused new INCOMPLETE PCBs. As you can see on the photo.
Price is 9EUR on piece plus shipping (EU only, I don't know how to help you to pay VAT on import to foreign countries)

Next week I can have few pcs of complete units, but I don't know how many.

I would be interested in a complete board (no enclosure required) if those were to become available.

[clearchris]

Amazing job.  I hadn't considered it could be shrunk like this.

Totally interested in a mostly complete board, no enclosure, no oled, no probe tip.  Probe tip seems like something that would get damaged or damage someone in transit.  I have had the oled in anticipation of krypton's release, also seems like something that could get damaged. 

I'm in the US, there is no vat/customs fee under 800 usd value.
https://usacustomsclearance.com/process/taxes-on-imported-goods/
What is the De Minimis Value?
The de minimis value is the threshold at which taxes on imported goods will be charged. The U.S. has a de minimis value of $800, meaning that imports under $800 will not be charged import duty or tariffs. 

[jdobry]

Problem is't import, but for me is mandatory make custom declaration for anything with weight >50g
I will try it if it can fit into 50g letter.
Price will be same for version with/without case. For me it is same, because you can see on the picture semi-finished pcb. It need some mamual soldering and I can't send it without testing. Therefore you will receive preprogramed tested PCB.
Price will be 35EUR + 7EUR (shipping as 50g registered letter + bubble envelope)
Tomorrow I will post photo what you can receive exactly.

[Martin72]

And what about the complete pen ?