Satisfy your data craving with a stylish DIY display that scrolls scores, news, weather and anything else that your computer can feed it
Posted 12.07.2007 at 12:47 pm
13 Comments
SPACE AGE POWERED WIRELESS DISPLAY
COST: $123
TIME: 7 HOURS
DIFFICULTY: MODERATE
PARTS
- Intelligent 1x16 VFD (BG Micro # ACS1385; $15.95; availability is sporadic and unpredictable, watch BG Micro Web site for details)
- Bluetooth modem (Spark Fun Electronics #WRL-00582; $64.95)
- Polymer lithium ion battery 100mAh (Spark Fun Electronics # PRT-00731; $6.95)
- LiPoly charger (Spark Fun Electronics # PRT-00726; $16.95)
- 5V DC to DC step up (Spark Fun Electronics # PRT-08290; $9.95)
- SPST switch (RadioShack #275-406; $2.69)
- Hookup wire 22-gauge (RadioShack #278-1224; $5.99)
Software
- LCD Smartie (FREE) - lcdsmartie.sourceforge.net
1. JUICE IT
Solder the LiPoly battery to the charger. Be sure that you don’t overheat the battery’s solder tabs (do not exceed 350F).
2. PUMP IT UP
The voltage output from the battery is insufficient for powering the Bluetooth modem and the VFD. The voltage must be “amplified” with the 5V DC to DC Step Up board. Solder the output from the LiPoly charger to the input of the 5V DC to DC step up PCB. Add an SPST switch to the step up PCB for controlling power ON/OFF.
3. JACK IN
Connect the TTL serial output from the Bluetooth modem to the TTL serial input of the VFD and fit the finished assembly inside your custom case. Use your PC’s Bluetooth software for pairing and connecting to the Bluetooth modem. Set the Bluetooth port for 9600, 8, N, 1 communication parameters.
4. READ THE STREAM
Fire up LCD Smartie. Select the “test driver” display device driver and enter the Bluetooth COM port number and communication parameters. Set the screen size to 1x16 and apply your changes to LCD Smartie (NOTE: you might have to exit this software and restart it for your configuration to work properly).
Choose the data that you want to stream to your “Feeder Reader” and take a hike…around the house, yard, or office. Just stay within 50 feet of your PC for ensuring a good solid Bluetooth wireless connection.
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I wonder if it would be possible to make it work with a 434MHZ RF transmitter, as those are about $50 cheaper. Which would make it a much cheaper project.
Also, if you didn't case about being away from an outlet, I think you could skip the battery, charger, and step up circuit to shave $30 more off of it.
(Well replace it with a 5V barrel connector and a 5V wall wart.) So down to about $45. Now that would be a great project.
or you could use a no name ipod wall chager and cut a usb cable to use thee power from the wall outlets
you could also buy a parllax ttl to usb and then buy a wireless ub transmitter. delivering better range and cutting the cost by 30$
Is there anything similar to LCD Smartie that runs on Linux?
I wonder if you can use a USB bluetooth dongle instead of a BlueSmirff. i don't think it will work though you need 6 input points, right. well there goes me shaving $64 off of the project.♤
Check this web site for LINUX driver/software.
http://lcdproc.omnipotent.net/
I have been thinking about something like this for years, as I can remember hooking up a led bar to a printer port a long time ago to see cpu load on an old linux box.
Fun project, might have to give it a go.
Yes you can make this with the 434mhz RF transmitter and receiver. Check out the LCDSmarite forums for more projects and information.
The whole 'solder the battery in place' thing? Don't do it. Use some sense. I know it costs a couple pennies more, but get a proper battery connector.
Somebody please build the thing with all the comments given and tell me how it comes out. My dad would probably help me build it if it was cheaper.
The instructions to build the information box is quite confusing. Can someone please post step by step instructions with clear pictures as to what is soldered to what. I cant make sense out of these instructions. I have all the parts. Need help please. Also what battery connectors is X7JAY7X talking about.
rickpgh
Can I use an LCD display instead of the VFD? If so, can someone recommend a suitable one?
This really isn't my area of expertise, but it sounds interesting! I am just wondering if there is any way to create a more visually appealing display? I know the software used in the article only allows 8-bit, is there software available that would allow for a better quality display of RSS feeds, etc. Also, would someone be able to use an OLED display? Thanks so much for any advice you can give me!