Beginner Arduino Question --- "Doubling" Up on the Ground Pin - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Potomac
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2015, 11:00:16 pm
content: Hi all,I just joined the forum after binge watching a few of Dave's excellent videos.I had a beginner level question. I have a little project involved a LED, a photodiode, and a stepper motor being driven by the "EasyDriver" breakout board (bildr.org/2011/06/easydriver/).However, the problem I'm running into is having enough "Ground" pins at the the top. Can I splice two wires as pictured above and put them into the Ground pin? Not sure if this will set my board on fire...See attached picturedmany thanks in advance-Potomac

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2015, 11:05:54 pm
content: This is OK .Why dont you use the breadboard to make all the connections ?Have wires from the arduino to the breadboard, and then the led and the motor from the breadboard.It will be cleaner.

author: naragon1
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2015, 11:07:34 pm
content: You can hook up all your ground wires to one of the rails along the top of your breadboard. The top two rails should be connected, one rail is usually marked '+' and one '-', but your Fritzing breadboard does not appear to have markings on it.Here's a decent intro on how to use a breadboard (https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/how-to-use-a-breadboard), and you'll see what both the previous reply and this one are referring to.

author: Potomac
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2015, 12:24:40 am
content: Thanks Jacques and NarragonIs this any better? In my Fritzing window it says there's 1 connection left to be made? Did I do something wrong?See attachment

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2015, 12:48:49 am
content: There is still space for improvement.- Use only the larger breadboard.- Connect the power rail and the ground rail from the arduino with a single connection- Then power your various devices from the rail with short wires, if possible perpendicular to the rails.- Do not use different colors on the same track. Your cell wire starts yellow and continue red. Same for the ground.I do not see well, but your combination of black, red, blue, black wire is suspicious.If this si ground, you should power the cell directly from the ground rail.I do not see what is your IC.

author: Potomac
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2015, 01:40:58 am
content: Jacques, the IC is actually mislabeled. It was the only IC with that 8 pins in the Fritizing library. The IC that I am using in here. It is an amplifier.http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/LTC1050CN8%23PBF/LTC1050CN8%23PBF-ND/890807Do you have the Fritizing program installed on your computer? I can send you the file I am using if you can show me what changes you'd make. Would be very helpful!

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2015, 08:20:51 am
content: This is more what it could look like.I did it in agreement with the datasheet of the LT1050, but I did not a complete check and there can be mistakes.I attach the file here.PS : The error on your shematic was that the led is not connected. The wires do not connect. Move them, you will see.

author: Potomac
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2015, 01:49:08 pm
content: Thank you so much Jacques! That's awesome. Will study that now. Looks great

author: Potomac
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2015, 05:45:16 pm
content: Ok I remodeled the board slightly.But I am still getting an error message for the LED. Says "1 Connection Still to be Routed." I am unsure what this means. Am I making a simple mistake somewhere?Here is the Fritizing file if anyone can help:http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?file_id=09737931737161143232Also attached is the screenshot

author: Potomac
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2015, 05:46:21 pm
content: High resolution of the board. (Not showing error message as on my screen)

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2015, 09:56:16 pm
content: I will repeat myself here- the left black ground wire is not necessary. You should rather put ground and VCC (5V) to the railsand power (and ground) everything from the rails.For the 5V, it may be OK as you do it, as there is only one thing to power, but as soon as there is another, railsshould be preferred.- You should not use various colors on the same track.- I see that you have an error. I have no time to search why, maybe later. My schematics has no error.- Where did you find your schematics ? The datasheet gives mine, with the 500 k resistors .

author: Potomac
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2015, 11:42:22 pm
content: Jacques, here is the link for the photodiode portion:https://outsidescience.wordpress.com/2012/11/03/diy-science-measuring-light-with-a-photodiode-ii/