13 replies to this topic

[nhbb]

Hello all, I am thoroughly excited because I managed to find some netduino plus boards on amazon, and managed to grab one of the last ones. yesterday I saw they had 8 left, this morning 5, and only 2 when I pulled the trigger. a bit about myself: I am a C# programmer (sometimes in minor professional capacity, mostly novice hobbyist work). I always been fascinated by working directly with and building embedded systems but wasn't sure how to go about it until I did some serious research. the netduino really appealed to me cause I really didn't want to learn a whole new c derivative just for this hobby... to be able to take what you are familiar with already is an awesome thing and an opportunity for people like myself to cross over into the hardware development realm. anyways, I have the board on the way, but I know there is various other things I am going to need to get it off the ground. I assume it doesn't come with a power adapter, so I would really appreciate it if some of you folks here could please make a few recommendations to me as to what I should have on hand for starters. I have read the numerous threads on here regarding the topic, but it's hard to get a comprehensive list. -power supply -breadboard recommendation -resistor type and quantity -wire bundles -buttons, LEDs various I/O elements these are all things I would really appreciate suggestions on as to how many and which ones. also is a soldering iron necessary to implement the cooler aspects? I have done some soldering before, but had a crap iron so if I am going to do it I am going to get something decent... just wondering if it is worth the expense. I apologize for the long winded nature here, but please bear with me. I am excited to be a part of this community, and hope to learn a lot and explore an element of electronics that I always admired, but felt was out of my league. I am older these days, and less afraid of failure... can't wait to get started! Regards

[Stefan]

Congratulations on your Plus! Want one myself as well, got the regular one atm.

-power supply
-breadboard recommendation
-resistor type and quantity
-wire bundles
-buttons, LEDs various I/O elements

these are all things I would really appreciate suggestions on as to how many and which ones.

It totally depends what you want to do, I got a lot of leds, buttons and resistors (10kΩ for pull-up buttons, 220Ω for leds), an LCD, and, well, really a lot of junk
A breadboard and wires is nice to prototype stuff, so you won't need to solder things to test it. There we are arived at the next question:

also is a soldering iron necessary to implement the cooler aspects?

When you got something prototyped on your breadboard and want to make it permanent, it's required. Also some break-out boards come without pins, so then you need to solder pins on them. I got a very cheap and old solder iron which still does the job.

The netduino doesn't come with a power supply if I'm correct, but with a microUSB-cable you can also power the thing.

[Mario Vernari]

Stefan got you a very good illustration. I'd add that for most of your experiments you don't need any additional supply, because any USB 2.0 port must be able to feed at least 500mA, which are enough even for several leds. If I were Stefan, I would have told you to buy some shift-registers ICs, like the 74HC595 (serial to output) and the 74HC165 (serial from input). As soon you'll enjoy this game, then you need more I/O ports. Cheers

[Stefan]

If I were Stefan, I would have told you to buy some shift-registers ICs, like the 74HC595 (serial to output) and the 74HC165 (serial from input). As soon you'll enjoy this game, then you need more I/O ports.

Haha good point! Mario, I just received two additional 74HC165, to test them in serie of each other, so my documents about SPI and multiplexing are almost finished.

Indeed, you should also try to get two 74HC165 and two 74HC595's. I'm currently writing a paper about those two IC's, in which I got loads of help from Mario. They increase the amount of input and output ports (simple said).

[Bloemhof]

Hi,

Sparfun is a good place to browse for things (even if you not going to buy from them - gives a good idea of what is available out there).

A few things that I found usefull:


Nice holder that fits the Netduino: Arduino and Breadboard Holder

Breadboard that fits in the holder: Breadboard (small projects)

Means for external supply: 9V to Barrel Jack Adapter

A few switches (fits nicely on the breadboard): Mini Push Buttons

Note: Depending where you order from, your Netduino may not come with the USB cable.

Although not directly for the Netduino and maybe you already know all the stuff, but this gives a short description of all the type of interfaces: TinyCLR Beginner Guide Ebook

Hope this helps.

Enjoy

Albert

[Mario Vernari]

Sparfun is a good place to browse for things

That's true indeed, but for EU people is not so convenient purchasing overseas (or outside EU-union).
When I bought my Netduino+ (priced 60US$ = 40Eur) I had only not-so-convenient choices, and I had choose a canadian company.
Once arrived, I had to pay VAT, Customs, extra-shipping...gross total over 60Eur, that is about 100US$.
I really hope to find some EU company also.
Cheers

[Stefan]

I live in Europe (Netherlands) and I normally order by: - Local electronics store two streets from my work - www.freeduino.eu - www.coolcomponents.co.uk - www.dealextreme.com (remember quality costs money, but for cheap solutions, it's a great site)

[Mario Vernari]

I buy often stuffs from Germany, but it's much like as buying here in Italy. The VAT is almost the same and the shipping is usually a low fare. I have found that purchasing from UK (outside Euro-zone) is pretty much expensive than other solutions, even overseas. Does the NL having low customs?

[Stefan]

I buy often stuffs from Germany, but it's much like as buying here in Italy.
The VAT is almost the same and the shipping is usually a low fare.
I have found that purchasing from UK (outside Euro-zone) is pretty much expensive than other solutions, even overseas.
Does the NL having low customs?

Within the EU (Italy is also a member of our big family ) there are no additional custom fees.
Where do you order in Germany? Always interested in new addresses
(although this might go a bit offtopic)

[Mario Vernari]

Ya!...I'm proud of our-Eur (notice the work play) That's probably off-topic because I never ordered electronic parts, but computer hardware and housewares. Even adding VAT and shipping is much more convenient than purchasing here. If you're interested in, I may send you some address via private email. Nothing secret, but here is not the right place, I guess. Italy is a very strange place: we have maybe the best foods in the whole world, sea, mountains, tons of other beautiful things (women too!). (Yes, I know there's also a lot of bad things) But it's odd: Arduino has been created and developed in Italy, but there are almost disappeared any electronic stores. None is taking care the hobbistic face of electronics anymore, and we must purchase stuffs from a 6000-miles far store. That's absolutely shameful!

[nhbb]

thank you for the responses everyone, I ended up buying most of what you folks suggested and I am anxious for everything to arrive so I can get started. btw it looks like amazon has some more in stock now, the count is back up to 13 at the moment... so if anyone needs one, go for it

[Dan Morphis]

thank you for the responses everyone, I ended up buying most of what you folks suggested and I am anxious for everything to arrive so I can get started.

btw it looks like amazon has some more in stock now, the count is back up to 13 at the moment... so if anyone needs one, go for it

Like others have said, SparkFun is great for figuring out what you might want, but if you need anything in quantity, order from Mouser/Digikey. As an example, SF wants $0.35 for a SPST mini-push button, equivalent on mouser is $0.11.

The *big* downside to Mouser though is their catalog is immense. You want a SPST-NO mini-push button? There are 174 different kinds in stock. One thing I really really like about Mouser though is they have a "project manager" feature. So you can essentially name your shopping cart around a particular project, and re-order (and edit it) at any time. Its been a *huge* help for me. I've used it a couple of times already.

If I just need a couple of something, or want parts proven to work with one another, SparkFun is the way to go. Plus they take a ton of pictures of the items they sell. And a picture really is worth a thousand words. On Mouser, your lucky to find 1 picture of the item your looking at, usually all you get is a line drawing out of the manufactures data sheet.

[nhbb]

Like others have said, SparkFun is great for figuring out what you might want, but if you need anything in quantity, order from Mouser/Digikey. As an example, SF wants $0.35 for a SPST mini-push button, equivalent on mouser is $0.11.

The *big* downside to Mouser though is their catalog is immense. You want a SPST-NO mini-push button? There are 174 different kinds in stock. One thing I really really like about Mouser though is they have a "project manager" feature. So you can essentially name your shopping cart around a particular project, and re-order (and edit it) at any time. Its been a *huge* help for me. I've used it a couple of times already.

If I just need a couple of something, or want parts proven to work with one another, SparkFun is the way to go. Plus they take a ton of pictures of the items they sell. And a picture really is worth a thousand words. On Mouser, your lucky to find 1 picture of the item your looking at, usually all you get is a line drawing out of the manufactures data sheet.

I appreciate all the help and suggestions. yes I ended up using sparkfun for all the reasons you listed above. I had been looking at the various supply sites and was overwhelmed with the amount of components. I just needed a little guidance to get some starter gear until I become more familiar with this stuff in general.

It really is fascinating stuff, and I am glad I stumbled across the netduino and the forum here, you guys are very supportive and helpful.

Thanks again

[Fred]

One thing you'll definitely need is a project. Having something to aim at really helps.