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=hMQmSUYmvN4More to come......
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Topic: Digital sound modules for models. (Read 2248 times)