Each battery-powered business card so far has had the same power terminals in the form of some header pin mounting holes. This started as a way to make it easy to find the power terminals while doing the layout but they have been kept around because it would be simple to add a 3V battery pack in lieu of the expensive 2032 coin cells. A hefty double-set of D-cells could power one of these cards for a very long time.
When the very first card was being tested, these terminals were used to check for voltage. As visual proof, a color-changing LED was soldered into the socket because the pin spacing was correct and it was more exciting than a simple red indicator. For a lot of reasons, it made sense to keep the terminals around. The first round with the color-changing LED also prompted this version of the card which uses color-changing surface mount (0805) lights.
These boards require only a few solder joints to add the lights. There are no chips or passives to order or worry. The LEDs aren’t as cheap as single-color LEDs but they’re cheaper than a 555. In fact, the text “You can do that with a 555” was accidentally left on the board when it was ordered. Oops.
There isn’t much innovation in these cards other than anyone can whip one up with a soldering iron, the card, and some lights. It wouldn’t even be necessary to use color-changing LEDs, regular 0805 LEDs would light up perfectly. It is also possible to leave some of the sockets bare and install, one, two, three, or four. Different colors could be used to light up with team colors or national colors. This one is a simple place to jump on PCB business cards with only basic SMD soldering skills and minimal parts.
Project page on EasyEDA
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com/ and 24hourengineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information in this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on a post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2017-09-12 (Tu)
When the very first card was being tested, these terminals were used to check for voltage. As visual proof, a color-changing LED was soldered into the socket because the pin spacing was correct and it was more exciting than a simple red indicator. For a lot of reasons, it made sense to keep the terminals around. The first round with the color-changing LED also prompted this version of the card which uses color-changing surface mount (0805) lights.
Unnecessary but true words about a 555 timer
These boards require only a few solder joints to add the lights. There are no chips or passives to order or worry. The LEDs aren’t as cheap as single-color LEDs but they’re cheaper than a 555. In fact, the text “You can do that with a 555” was accidentally left on the board when it was ordered. Oops.
Card next to battery
There isn’t much innovation in these cards other than anyone can whip one up with a soldering iron, the card, and some lights. It wouldn’t even be necessary to use color-changing LEDs, regular 0805 LEDs would light up perfectly. It is also possible to leave some of the sockets bare and install, one, two, three, or four. Different colors could be used to light up with team colors or national colors. This one is a simple place to jump on PCB business cards with only basic SMD soldering skills and minimal parts.
Cool color cycling card
The second card is based on a conversation with a coworker
where we discussed different projects outside of work. His projects involved
maintaining his house and building functional furniture. My projects tended toward
the whimsical. At the end of the conversation, I said, “I make stupid shit
real.” The phrase stuck.
Vulgar electronic business card
Project page on EasyEDA
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com/ and 24hourengineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information in this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on a post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2017-09-12 (Tu)
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