UK: Can anyone spare some unwanted arduinos? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: switchedmodepsu
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2017, 04:04:25 am
content: UK: Can anyone spare some unwanted arduinos?I know I sound like a skinflint, but I am literally, absolutely broke, and I would like to appeal to see if anyone in the UK can spare an arduino or two - I'd like to have a play with them so I can better understand ATMega MCUs.I am appealing, not begging, so I wouldn't want people to think I am being mean - I have stuff I can swap too.Many thanks folks

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2017, 05:43:26 am
content: Have you looked on ebay? You can get clones of the Arduino mini for like $2 from China. Unless you find someone next door, it would be cheaper for someone to buy one and have it sent to you than to pay the postage to send you one they already had.

author: SingedFingers
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2017, 07:17:29 am
content: +1 for the clones. Zero problems with them here. The CH340 based ones are actually spot on.

author: Codemonkey
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2017, 08:00:42 am
content: For what it would cost you to post something as a swap, you could just buy one from here, already in stock in the UKhttp://hobbycomponents.com/184-development-boards

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2017, 03:10:48 pm
content: ch340 nano for the win

author: SingedFingers
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2017, 03:23:30 pm
content: For ref, these are the ones I buy:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152018588562The headers are soldered on by a drunken monkey but you can run an iron up the side and sorted. They are cheap and do the job.

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2017, 04:55:44 pm
content: Another vote for the CH340 nano. Crazy cheap, and have a sensible pin layout. Very little reason to use a Uno.

author: SingedFingers
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2017, 05:05:35 pm
content: I only use a Uno because it's a PITA getting a Nano out of my breadboard afterwards. That'll teach me for buying a round holed POM one

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2017, 07:50:09 pm
content: If you replace the pin strips with the machined pin type it's much easier to get in and out of a breadboard. You do have to be a bit more careful not to break the pins though.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 27, 2017, 12:00:22 am
content: Quote from: artag on January 26, 2017, 04:55:44 pmAdd my vote also.At first, the CH340 driver requirement threw me a bit until I worked out that little mystery. Once I found the driver, it worked beautifully - and it completely avoids the FTDI fiasco. I bought half a dozen some time ago and they worked out at AUD$1.97 each - delivered. That's just insane.The ones I got had the pin headers supplied unfitted, so that was a little job to do. They also had mini USB connectors, so I had a dig through my cable stash to find a couple of suitable cables.All in all, from my (limited) experience - cheap as chips and good as gold.

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2017, 12:49:33 am
content: I just looked and was surprised to see that now even the Uno R3 clones can be found for as little as $3 shipped (to US) on Aliexpress and eBay. I just ordered one for a project. I've been using the pro mini clones but I have a motor shield I picked up cheap at the Radioshack closeout and need a full Uno to plug it into.

author: Bakunin
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2017, 02:51:33 am
content: Depending on your experience level, you might also want to give the "STM32 minimum development board" (AliExpress/Ebay) a go. They're even less expensive than the standard Arduino clones and use a relatively much more capable STM32F103 Cortex-M3 uc. They've got support in the Arduino IDE, but you can also use them straight as the Creator intended. You won't be able to follow the "plug X into Y"-style tutorials, but you don't want to either in my view. They're inexpensive because they're mass produced (used in the ST-Link v2 clones), not because there's anything wrong with them.

author: Fortran
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2017, 05:46:23 am
content: I've got a few CH340 Nano's laying about.PM your address and I'll send you some.

author: 3db
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2017, 04:24:07 pm
content: Why not sell your vast stock of old/new IBM and SUN hardware.Then you can buy a few.3DB

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2017, 05:03:05 pm
content: Quote from: SingedFingers on January 26, 2017, 07:17:29 amYeah, best thing about the CH340, you get free BSODs with their driver. You think that I'm joking, but sadly no.

author: SingedFingers
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2017, 06:26:31 pm
content: Not had a BSOD out of a CH340 driver yet. Only use the Microsoft update provided signed drivers though.

author: bingo600
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2017, 08:27:51 pm
content: Quote from: NANDBlog on February 06, 2017, 05:03:05 pmI've never seen a BSOD when using a CH340 ... On Linux/Bingo

author: 3db
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2017, 01:00:04 am
content: Same here, ZERO problems with CH340 on Arduino clones.I've also had ZERO issues with another product that uses the CH340.

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2017, 01:03:41 am
content: Yep, me as well. Never a BSOD or other issue after using several CH340 products over the past few years.

author: mikeys
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2017, 08:59:44 pm
content: What gear do you have already? You could get the microcontroller in a dip package and breadboard it out. It'd probably be a better learning experience too.They can be programmed with an older pc with a parallel port and about 5 wires.

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2017, 05:52:49 pm
content: Quote from: mikeys on February 12, 2017, 08:59:44 pmI think the OP, has been banned. Because they were found out to be a previously banned user on this forum.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2017, 06:02:47 pm
content: Oooooooo interesting....... it was a weird request anyway. I presume the OP is known for such unusual behavior.I have found the different Arduino boards that come out of China to be amazing value for money. For one-off projects I must admit I use the Nano as-is and just graft it into the main PCB. A bit like a daughter board. They are just soooo inexpensive 🙂

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2017, 08:56:23 pm
content: Quote from: Fraser on February 13, 2017, 06:02:47 pmhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/moderation-reports/msg1131657/#msg1131657From admin EEVblog:Quote