Hestia Hacker on Nostr: I'm working on a new #prototype #PCB which should: 1.) Replace the dreaded LCD pins ...
I'm working on a new #prototype #PCB which should:
1.) Replace the dreaded LCD pins with a ribbon cable
2.) Swap the reset switch out for one that is compatible with both the #RaspberryPi Zero W and the Zero 2 W, and
3.) Allow using pi boards with pre-soldered on headers
The first one is the cause of the the most complaints: the cover is hard to put on while aligning the LCD pins at the same time. The other two are about making it more accessible to #DIY & replace parts if needed.
I spent $50 on these prototype boards to learn that 8 holes are too small, 6 are in the wrong location, I don't have double stacked 90° headers that I thought I had, and I shouldn't have soldered that ribbon cable in place.🤦
If I order another ribbon cable ($20 after shipping), I should be able to hack something together with the current version to verify there aren't any other problems. Then another $50 for an updated board design and I will have a candidate for the new design. Hopefully all the changes I make will be perfect. 🤞
Best case scenario: $50 more on boards, and $50 on ribbon cables and headers before I have a functional unit. I already have all the other parts. So probably about $200 in total to make this new revision. #ROI will be about 20 units, which is about 2 years at my current rate. (I make $10 profit per thermostat, which typically gets eaten up by me having to re-ship screens, cases, etc. when things go wrong.)
#electronics #prototyping is expensive! 💸
1.) Replace the dreaded LCD pins with a ribbon cable
2.) Swap the reset switch out for one that is compatible with both the #RaspberryPi Zero W and the Zero 2 W, and
3.) Allow using pi boards with pre-soldered on headers
The first one is the cause of the the most complaints: the cover is hard to put on while aligning the LCD pins at the same time. The other two are about making it more accessible to #DIY & replace parts if needed.
I spent $50 on these prototype boards to learn that 8 holes are too small, 6 are in the wrong location, I don't have double stacked 90° headers that I thought I had, and I shouldn't have soldered that ribbon cable in place.🤦
If I order another ribbon cable ($20 after shipping), I should be able to hack something together with the current version to verify there aren't any other problems. Then another $50 for an updated board design and I will have a candidate for the new design. Hopefully all the changes I make will be perfect. 🤞
Best case scenario: $50 more on boards, and $50 on ribbon cables and headers before I have a functional unit. I already have all the other parts. So probably about $200 in total to make this new revision. #ROI will be about 20 units, which is about 2 years at my current rate. (I make $10 profit per thermostat, which typically gets eaten up by me having to re-ship screens, cases, etc. when things go wrong.)
#electronics #prototyping is expensive! 💸