Score Score Score!

[Jonpro03]

Snagged these from the trash pile at work today. I got two of them:

http://i.imgur.com/9aaWbl.jpg

That's 24x16 pixels, 1152 LEDs driven by 72 MBI5030 driver ICs which have individual channel dimming capabilities. Also onboard is a Freescale microprocessor and RS485 jacks.

I have no idea what I'm going to do with them yet. If I can grab a controller I'll use that, otherwise I may bypass the uprocessor and wire up a PIC. Or I'll just scrap it for the driver ICs.

[pmcpa]

Very nice... some of those Pix might be dead/out of spec, but still good

[Jonpro03]

These modules were used for UL testing a couple of years back. Everything we use on the engineering team never makes it to the consumer. Some go to the repair team for parts, some go to the trash. Some go home with Jon :D

[CaptKirk]

I like your trash pile- where might it be located, and is it guarded??

;-)

[Jonpro03]

I was hoping there was going to be more thrown out, but not today. Im keeping my fingers crossed though; beginning of the year usually means time to clear out old stuff. We cleared out a lot of obsolete/prototype cases, blown power supplies (surge testing FTW!), and a ton of cabling.

[pmcpa]

ooohhhh... then you might have scored some premo stuff! Me thinks you might work for UL?

[Jonpro03]

I wish... that would be an awesome job. I work as an intern on the EE team at Watchfire Signs.

[pmcpa]

And that's nothing to sniff at! Watchfire makes some very nice products! Lets face it, it's that or Dakatronix around here in pa, and WF has about double the installs over DK

[Jonpro03]

Indeed I love my job. I applied for the internship a over a year before I actually started. Well worth the wait.

[budude]

Not to be a Debbie Downer here - but - make sure you know the rules about "dumpster diving" at your company - some have strict rules against it. Obviously if you asked your boss you're probably OK but you don't want to be fired (even if an intern).

[Jonpro03]

Indeed I did ask, and the only stipulation was that it didn't carry any code with it. However, these modules were coded as 'all on' so there was no need to pull it off.

There is a programming jumper unpopulated on the board, but I do not have the hardware to program it, nor the IDE in which to develop (Code Warrior). I've been looking at some arduino code that was developed for the TLC5940 and been thinking of modifying it for use with the MBI chips.

[Blackbeard]

And I thought I was the only person that see's potential in the trash can. I might drag an old PC power supply home just for the connectors. Hope it all works out for you.

[DIY Sparks]

That is too cool. I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight if I had snagged one of those today.

Whip up a quick sequence to show that thing on Monday, OK?


L O L

[Jonpro03]

I think I'm going to buy an Arduino tomorrow :D

[Jonpro03]

Some more shots to make you guys salivate :D

http://i.imgur.com/K4LuG.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7ctpd.jpg

Yeah, you can see that it is potted. One small challenge added to the queue.

[kychristmas]

Indeed I did ask, and the only stipulation was that it didn't carry any code with it. However, these modules were coded as 'all on' so there was no need to pull it off.

There is a programming jumper unpopulated on the board, but I do not have the hardware to program it, nor the IDE in which to develop (Code Warrior). I've been looking at some arduino code that was developed for the TLC5940 and been thinking of modifying it for use with the MBI chips.

If you find the hardware let me know. I may be able to Dig Up an old version of Code Warrior. I use to use it to develop Palm Application. If I remember correctly, I had way more libaries than just Palm. It was like a 5K package.

[Jonpro03]

I got a bit worried today when I got the numbers off of the uC and found out that it's a custom order. http://assc.avnetasia.com/p-40274-sp115805vfae.aspx

But, it's based off of this: http://cache.freescale.com/files/dsp/doc/data_sheet/DSP56F805.pdf?pspll=1

[ErnieHorning]

Nice find! I get the majority of parts for my controllers from the trash or interception on the way. Oh yeah, working in engineering does have some advantages.

[CaptKirk]

So shiny... :omg:

[Jonpro03]

Maybe, just MAYBE I may have the opportunity to grab some more modules. Tomorrow is official grab it before it goes to the dumpster day. I'm not sure if there'll be more modules, but I fully expect there to be a box of 5V power supples prototypes, maybe a controller or single board computer and some other various electronic goodies. MUHAHAHAAA

[budude]

Now Jon - you know you and I go way way back - we're best friends wouldn't you say? buddy? So.... you know... if you have an extra (or 10) well... ah heck I'll just send you my address - 'nuff said!

[Jonpro03]

What are you looking to get? Modules?

[Jonpro03]

3 boxes of 5V power supplies. 20A i believe. Also some modules available

[fathead45]

oh nice jon,

[fathead45]

if you end of having extra hit me up:)

[Jonpro03]

This will make a nice addition to my lightshow :D

I have 3 of these now.

http://i.imgur.com/VQc0Xl.jpg

[dirknerkle]

This will make a nice addition to my lightshow :D


Only if you can spell something other than OHAI... :lol:

[Jonpro03]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yPxKbDRnOk

:D

[pmcpa]

:cool2: Ohhh man.. I need one of those!!!

[Jonpro03]

Score Score Score!

Walked out of work with these in my hands today :D

3K red green and blue LEDs (9K total). I love my job

http://i.imgur.com/RsK3ql.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/lItRjl.jpg

[CaptKirk]

:blink: whaa.... :omg:

[duramadmax]

oh boy..cant wait for our samples :)

[DIY Sparks]

Betcha some are questioning your honest acquisition of these goodies.

Over the years at my job, I've acquired two slightly used Crown amps, a 5-foot equipment rack, a brand new Peavey PA speaker system, an old audio compressor/limiter, 9 or 10 wireless mics and receivers, audio mixers, and so on.

All sanctioned for the taking by those in charge. Crazy sometimes.

[Jonpro03]

These actually didn't come from work... but they were still free!

http://i.imgur.com/bgaAm.jpg

[Jonpro03]

BUMP!

My latest score:

My first ARM processor. A 32bit Cortex M4 on a ST32F4-Discovery evaluation board. FREE from work :D
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cj60Bes0jko/T3yWqoxxGrI/AAAAAAAAAnw/ABhcIedCn4o/s1445/2012-04-04_10-10-02_132.jpg

Also free, 100 surface mount RGB LEDs :D
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aEIsbT1xl8s/T3yXEHo_rPI/AAAAAAAAAn4/be9D80xtUPc/s1445/2012-04-04_13-39-19_793.jpg

[Lionking_Tx]

You guys hiring ? :wow:

[Jonpro03]

https://jobs-watchfiresigns.icims.com/jobs/intro

Why yes we are :D

[Jonpro03]

More score!

A TI MSP430 LaunchPad ($4)
2 MSP430G2252IN20 Processors to go with it (FREEBIE)
4 SN65LBC173AN RS485 Transceivers (ZERO)
2 TLC59213AIN LED Drivers (ZIP)
4 TLC5940NT LED Drivers (NADA)

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4AhUtGjU6Jw/T3zZi4_cjeI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/p7o3l5g0AMg/s1016/2012-04-04_18-23-23_800.jpg

It's a good day :D

[Jonpro03]

I have too much stuff!!!!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jaRx_YCus_g/T4OfR1X3jnI/AAAAAAAAApQ/bgU4x6zxzPY/s1016/2012-04-09_21-11-14_611.jpg

Serial/RS485/USB to wifi (900mhz) eval boards out the butt!

[Festus]

Perhaps you should share with those "less fortunate" AKA... in the employ of the not so cool

[Matt_Edwards]

This is a non Blinky Flashy Score, but I do promise to use it for Blinky Flashy construction.
I recently purchased a combo battery Drill/ hex driver/reciprocating saw set. it was the last one on the shelf after a Promo sale had finished. I was really happy with the reduced price, being the last unit.
Look what turned up in the post13676 for free. Works a treat.

[Jonpro03]

Anyone interested in buying a pair? I actually have two pairs of the larger boards.

The green is a MaxStream 9xStream 900MHz 19200 baud either RS232 or RS485.
retail: $409
specs: http://store.digi.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=650
Buy it for $40.90

The blue is an Laird Aerocomm prm110
retail: $200
specs: http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Laird-Technologies/DVK-PRM110/?qs=LsPilcdHE7FgL%252bWXnX8vHQ%3d%3d
Buy it for $20.00

The black is an Aerocomm AC4424 with either RS485, RS232, USB, or 40pin header?
retail $278
specs: http://lairdtech.thomasnet.com/item/proprietary-radio-modules/design-kit/sdk-ac4424-200?&bc=100 *I don't have the CD...
Buy it for $27.80