Du-z

Hey guys, this is my first Mod EVER! So I am sort of nervous about how it will turn out. for the last two weeks I have been putting allot of work into making this ‘get onto it feet’ before posting here.

Basically This is going to be a Homemade Fan Controller, i will be able to control the fans speed using Software

There will also be a LED Controller as well read the Specs for more info.


CattleRustler - For developing the software on the PC side

oliverw92 - For developing the mounting hardware for the PCBs

maXim - For soldering the small parts, Thanks mate!




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Du-z

1. The Plan
2. The PC's GUI (BETA) (Graphical User Interface)
3. PCB Design Revision
4. PCB Design Revision (Again)
5.1. Picture of Prototype 60-70% finished
5.2. Video about the Parts in the Prototype.
6. Latest PCB Version
7. Final Version?
8. PCB Version 1.0!!! (sent of for Verification before manufacturing)
9. PCBs back from manufacturing!
10. oliverw92's Renders for the PhantomLED's case
11. maXim soldering the one of small parts (A resistor array)
12. The First completed mainboard (this one had a dead chip)
13.1. Starting to swap out the LEDs on fan
13.2. Finished the first fan
14. Oli's first prototype PhantomShield

Hey guys, this is my first Mod EVER! So I am sort of nervous about how it will turn out. for the last two weeks I have been putting allot of work into making this ‘get onto it feet’ before posting here.

So as the title suggests, this mod is going to be swapping out those boring blue LEDs in my Antec 1200, with some slightly fancier RGB LEDs (they can make any colour in the rainbow basically). These LEDs will be driven by a custom made Circuit on a PCB (Printed Circuit Board). Which will in turn be driven by a great piece of open source hardware called Arduino. And then the software on both the Arduino and my rig will tell it which LEDs will turn on at Certain Temperatures. I will eventually have Manual control of the LEDs via the computers software.

For a good half of week 1, I was trying to figure out the best way to accomplish this. In the end i decided to go open source. Here is the basically outline of the Software/Hardware interface

1. Everest Gets the CPU temperature data and put it into the Registry.
2. This data is then read by a piece of software, which converts the data into something that is easier for the Arduino to read. For example

<40⁰C = 1
41-55⁰C = 2
56-60⁰C = 3
61-65⁰C = 4
66-70⁰C = 5
71-75⁰C = 6
>76⁰C = 7

3. the program then send this info via USB to the Arduino.

1 = Purple
2 = Blue
3 = Green
4 = Yellow
5 = Orange
6 = Red
7 = Red 1 second, white flash 0.2 second

4. The Arduino then turn on the power to the right LEDs to get the desired colour.

So with all this done I set about creating my PCB that will fit happily on top of the Arduino (otherwise known as a shield). My first job was to Chose which Arduino to use. And I chose the Duemilanove.



Now for the PCB, This took around a week to design, and i still haven’t sent it of to be professionally manufactured .

First step was to design the schematic.



Then Design the PCB. (FYI Silk Screen is the white text you see on you Mobo.)

Top Traces, Bottom Traces and Silkscreen:



Top Traces and Silkscreen:



Bottom Traces and Silkscreen:



Silkscreen:



as you should be able to see my prototype PCB should be able to slide straight onto the pins of the Arduino. all of the green rings in the middle of the board is were the wires for the LEDs come from.

And now we are up to the present day.

Crooksy

wow subb'ed. looks like a great project.

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CattleRustler

my brain went "bzzzzt bzzzzzt, fizzzzz, pooof!"
looks cool, hopefully I can learn something about electronics from this project
carry on sir

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[Current Project] PolymorphiX v2 (alu & steel alu hybrids)
[Pending finish] Butcher's Hook (Slipknot tribute bench in steel)
[mod2hardware] All Modding Projects by CattleRustler
[mod2software] WorklogCreator 1.0.1.6 visually build postable worklogs, quickly & easily with drag and drop

Du-z

haha thanks guys

CattleRustler; i was like you not 2 weeks ago, i only knew the basic fuctions of a resistor ect. now i know about them and more.

still need to figure out this crazy C++ Stuff though.

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Shiryu_Libra

awesome...

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"Are You Part of the problem, Part Solution or part of the background"
Hi from Altar Desert, Sonora, MX.
Shiryu_libra

Du-z

Thanks, i have finalized the order for some of the parts now.

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robbo2

I like kittens but seriously this sounds friggin awesome! mads props to you an i really wish you the best of luck in pulling this off

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Du-z

Thanks mate, i will have 4 extra PCBs if anyone wants one once i get this going, just pay for the cost price of the parts.

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OmegaNemesis28

Arduino FTW!!!!

I must see how this project turns out, for it will be my deciding factor on me using the arduino in my future LED project in my rig. I've been watching Make Magazine's coverage on the arduino and its given me ideas on using it very similar to this. But I've been skeptical. I can't wait to see how this turns out.

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