Model Boat Mayhem

Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length.
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: XRAD'S REAL LASER BLASTER  (Read 3459 times)

xrad

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 603
  • Keeper of the Sun Dried Tomato
  • Location: Ohio USA
XRAD'S REAL LASER BLASTER
« on: October 27, 2016, 02:07:36 am »

Thought I would title this appropriately.  Moving the build here.
Logged

xrad

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 603
  • Keeper of the Sun Dried Tomato
  • Location: Ohio USA
Re: XRAD'S REAL LASER BLASTER
« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2016, 02:08:08 am »

Thought you would like to hear about a cool product. Adafruit FX sound module. Really cheap, super small, super easy to program. 2mb memory. Can load 10 different sound tracks, each with 4-5 sounds.  you can use ten switches to activate the sounds, or play them in random. Many different options. Easy drop and load via USB.  Just add an amp. can run it all off 7.4 2s lipo.  I have a background loop running on closed 'ground,' and then this is interrupted by a 'laser fire' sound. Only drawback is that one loop has to finish before the next can play, unless you wire like I did with C-NC switch.Here is my current project for a 'laser blaster.'    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1YbbmdHNFc



Made some more progress.  I needed a timer for the laser so that it stays on for about 1/2 second, matching the 'fire' sound. I could have used a 555 timer circuit, but I did not have enough room, AND it would not be easily adaptable.  For example, if I wanted a longer or shorter light blast, I would have to calculate resistors, or use a POT. Or I could go all digital and write a new program whenever I want to.  So I went with an Adafruit 'trinket' 8mHz which is a 2mb programmable mini processor. It is super small.  Needs 5v, plugs into desk top via USB port for programming.  These are great little programmable units but they do have some limitations. You can use them for all sorts of LED lighting, counting, timers, sampling, running servos, motors, etc...


They have bigger ones than 2mb with nearly the same footprint.  You can use Arduino IDE to program them with c, c++, etc. It took a bit of effort to find the correct steps in my program. Some corrections will have to be made to get everything to work.  For example, you will need to set the input and output pins, and download Adafruit trinket specific software so that the arduino IDE can 'see' the trinket. Pretty straight forward.  My program takes about .8mb.

If you have not checked out Adafruit website, give it try. Their prices are very low for what you get.  It was 7$ for the trinket. plenty of online resources.


https://www.adafruit.com/

When the gun trigger is pulled, the Trinket will instantly turn on the output pin #1 and keep it hot for 100msON, 10msOFF, and repeat this cycle 4x and then turn off until triggered again (unless the trigger is held, then the cycle repeats.


BUT, there is only 20ma of 5v current at the digital output pin #1. So I added a transistor, resistor , diode to allow more current to the laser. Got the parts at radioshack and built the little board bottom left in top pic. 


So now the Trinket triggers the mini power board, which then runs the wide beam laser at about 4v. Perfect! I am still fitting the modules, which include Adafruit WAV board (which has been programmed with 2 WAV files which I revamped myself on 'Audacity' freeware (if you don't have it, you will need it for the programming). This allowed me to cut, add, amplify, fade, echo, and otherwise make this sound exactly where I want it for the background and 'fire' sounds.


Other modules/parts include a very steady 5v supply, mini on/off toggle board, LED 'running' module adapted from Vellman kit, 3.3v regulator, 20w amp (for x2 10w speakers), volume control, 1300ma 2s lipo, and momentary DPDT.....


Had to machine the plastic housing to accept all the parts, and remade the side of the housing so that the running 'blue' lights could show, and somewhat increase the chamber volume for the larger speaker.  A few extra 3mm screws and locknuts hold it all together.  Had to machine two aluminum housings for the laser, more like adapters so that it sits nicely into the original clear plastic light housing.

VID:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMQmSUYmvN4

More to come......

IMG_0857 (300x225).jpg (71.24 kB, 300x225 - viewed 46 times.)

Logged

xrad

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 603
  • Keeper of the Sun Dried Tomato
  • Location: Ohio USA
Re: XRAD'S REAL LASER BLASTER
« Reply #2 on: October 27, 2016, 02:16:57 am »

Finished wiring. Just need to assemble the halves and tuck it all up.  Plenty of loud sound from the amp two the two aluminum speakers (10watt rms each). The amp is the largest module located just behind the aluminum laser tube. Also machined the barrel tip. Everything works fine.  Was a real fun project and many uses for these modules in our boats and other models .


I used a push button to activate a fet power module which turns on the entire system and can handle 6 amp or so.  Cool little device from the 'Robot Shop.'  They have larger version that can handle 16 amps. These are smaller than a quarter and super cheap.


Bottom pic is machined aluminum housing for momentary switch and volume control...about 1.4x1 in.


video of sound and light. Amp is turned down..at about 1/4 volume.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpQu31ht5mM



Logged

Martin (Admin)

  • Administrator
  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 24,074
  • Location: Peterborough, UK
    • Model Boat Mayhem
Re: XRAD'S REAL LASER BLASTER
« Reply #3 on: October 27, 2016, 01:16:55 pm »


"Han shot first!"
   %)
Logged
"This is my firm opinion, but what do I know?!" -  Visit the Mayhem FaceBook Groups!  &  Giant Models

xrad

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 603
  • Keeper of the Sun Dried Tomato
  • Location: Ohio USA
Re: XRAD'S REAL LASER BLASTER
« Reply #4 on: October 27, 2016, 05:07:03 pm »

Nice!  I think we have a few Star Wars fans on this site. 


Can anyone guess the two sounds I used in the blaster?


They were modified moderately (sped up, pitch change, reverb/echo added, and other mods) from Empire Strikes Back and Episode I



Logged

xrad

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 603
  • Keeper of the Sun Dried Tomato
  • Location: Ohio USA
Re: XRAD'S REAL LASER BLASTER
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2016, 10:44:25 pm »

Finished, except for some weathering....
Slide cover to expose 2s lipo charge cables


Function(power/volume/action):


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuRCv_8eQVo


In the darkness:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrpTWzOm2_s

Logged

Plastic - RIP

  • Inactive
  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1,255
  • Bobbing Along!
  • Location: Watford
Re: XRAD'S REAL LASER BLASTER
« Reply #6 on: October 30, 2016, 05:52:59 am »

Awesome - but another, simpler way would be to use an old LM3915 LED VU meter chip with the laser trigger line connected to the appropriate LED output - that way, whatever sound was used, the volume envelope would control the gating for the laser.

http://uk.farnell.com/texas-instruments/lm3915n-1-nopb/ic-driver-led-3v/dp/1468965

You would only need one initial adjustment of setting the trigger threshold. You could then change the sound anytime and it would always work correctly.
Logged

derekwarner

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 9,576
  • Location: Wollongong Australia
Re: XRAD'S REAL LASER BLASTER
« Reply #7 on: October 30, 2016, 05:59:29 am »

So xrad asks..... "Can anyone guess the two sounds I used in the blaster?"

A twin cylinder double acting converted steam engine sound?  {-).......... Derek
Logged
Derek Warner

Honorary Secretary [Retired]
Illawarra Live Steamers Co-op
Australia
www.ils.org.au

xrad

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 603
  • Keeper of the Sun Dried Tomato
  • Location: Ohio USA
Re: XRAD'S REAL LASER BLASTER
« Reply #8 on: October 30, 2016, 04:47:26 pm »

thx for replies!  Yes, many ways to trigger sound and light. Admittedly, a common electronic trigger would have been nice, but the sound board (all 10 pin outs)is triggered by (-) and the laser board/power diode (Trinket AND my home made diode power relay running off pin 4 on the Trinket) are triggered by (+).  I really wanted to learn about the Trinket programming, hence the exercise.  Best way would be to design a (-) trigger breakout off the Trinket to fire the soundboard. Also, I could probably knock off a 110ms from the laser timer....


fun stuff.....


To make even easier: I can use the 'original hasbro' sound/light board which is about 3/4 inch square, feed that sound to a mini amp(original amp ~2w) and fire my home made diode module(thereby firing the laser), and run it all off a 7.4v lipo...maybe I do the next one in red!
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
 

Page created in 0.022 seconds with 22 queries.