HOW TO: Order your own consult boards

Calum · 09-20-2005, 07:43 PM

Ok, since I regularly get requests for these so I figure'd I'd write a little how-to on getting them. I posted this earlier, but not in the consult thread so I'm reposting this information.

I am not selling the boards or parts. Do not ask me for them (unless I owe you a favor, your on the tn list, or you've got something really intresting to trade), I do not need the money. Instead, order your own boards direct! I have made the design and artwork completly open source, royalty free. Sell them to your friends and become a millionaire!

Seriously, it would be nice if someone stepped up to the plate and started selling these, but I understand.

Anywho, the board artwork files are attached in the HOW TO: Build a consult box thread here:

http://www.sr20forum.com/showthread.php?t=117848 (contributor account required)

They are in the CONSULT_R1.ZIP file. What is board artwork? Its the drawing files needed to manufacture the boards. These boards are specifically designed to be manufactured on whats called a 'barebones' process. What this means is that there is no silk screen writing or solder mask layers inculded, so this is not suitable for automated manufacturing. What this really means is that the boards are cheap and intended to be hand assembled. Yee-haw.

How do you get them manufactured? My prefered (read cheapest) barebones pcb manufacturer is Advanced Circuits, and their website for barebones submissions is www.barebonespcb.com. Uploading the board artwork is easy, just upload the CONSULT_R1.ZIP file. The board size is 3.15" x 2.0" (theres a txt file in the zip that gives the board details btw). After you upload the zip file IIRC it will ask for a description of each file in the zip file. Here's the breakdown:

CONSULT_R1.TXT text file
CONSULT_R1.TOP top copper
CONSULT_R1.BOT bottom copper
CONSULT_R1.TAP excellon drill file (nc drill)
CONSULT_R1.DRD drill drawing (misc artwork)
CONSULT_R1.DTS drill tools and sizes (misc artwork)
CONSULT_R1.GTD Gerbtool support file (misc artwork)

If you have any problems just let me know, but Advanced Circuits can usually figure out anything you give them.

So how much will this cost you? Advanced Circuits has a neat quoter on the submission page, but here's the breakdown:

5 boards - $12.83 each
10 boards - $8.43
15 boards - $6.97
20 boards - $6.23
25 boards - $5.79

I usually order in batches of 25, but whatever floats your boat.

Enjoy!

MarcTheNarc · 09-21-2005, 05:11 AM

Lemme be the first to say THANKS!!!

RobertspecV · 09-21-2005, 01:30 PM

Well, I need a PCB for myself because it beats adding the schmitt trigger to the zcontrol board...

How many people want one? email me at rybowen@gmail.com and I would be willing to put together an order. I'll probably submit an order this week regardless, but I don't want to have to sit on a pile of PCBs for the next year.

RobertspecV · 09-21-2005, 03:52 PM

You know what I would like to see is a USB-enabled board. An expensive, although easy solution would be to incorporate something like this:

http://www.dlpdesign.com/usb/usb245.shtml

erick212 · 09-21-2005, 04:04 PM

I have all the stuff to order the board, I am going to order a lot of 25 as soon as I have enough intrest.... and money.......

Calum · 09-21-2005, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertspecV

You know what I would like to see is a USB-enabled board. An expensive, although easy solution would be to incorporate something like this:

http://www.dlpdesign.com/usb/usb245.shtml

But the FTDI brains behind the dlp board isn't that expensive. Assembly would be a bit harder because it would involve a fair amount of surface mount components. I've used both dlp stuff and just the ftdi chips before, they're pretty easy to work with. FTDI supplies a reference design so the board design isn't very hard. However, I actually prefer using rs-232 for this application because I like to have the laptop at a table away from the car when dyno tuning. With rs-232 you can run a 25ft cable, but with usb it gets expensive. Eh.

Now what would be sweet is sticking a bluetooth serial thingy on it. Thats on my wish list.

Thursday · 09-23-2005, 03:50 PM

Hey guys this is deviousKA from the ka ecu forum.

Thats cool that your open sourcing your info Calum, I have been thinking about doing more of the same myself and I think your attitude (good) has made my decision easier.

Ive been working on putting together my own idea of a good consult connector. The enclosure im working with is similar to nProbe, and is available cheap. Ill be getting some boards made up soon, but havent finalized a design.

Are there really that many issues with the DIY consult designs (like zcontrol for instance)? I personally have had no issues with this design, as long as I use proper 232 and caps. I have had really good success using intersil hin232cp, and 1uf caps.

I remember reading a while back that you had done some "ugrade" work on your design Calum. I dont mean to press, but did you ever finalize this design (board above, schematic?). I would like to make my boards as upgradable as possible, and was going to implement some proto area for design changes.

Im a beginner and using Eagle layout editor for my board designs. I get these made up at Futurlec ($15 setup, 2.xx per board daughterboard size, no minimum order). Last time i ordered from them they sent me 3 times as many boards as i ordered and didnt charge

Edit: NM, I found what I was asking for, maybe i should look next time

I seem to do that quite often.

RobertspecV · 09-27-2005, 01:35 PM

Devious - the zcontrol board doesn't work on some ECUs because of the tx voltage issues. I had to add a 10k between the ECU tx and gnd to get it to talk to my 16-bit Q45 ECU. Calum's board is a great improvement in this area.

I am ordering boards today. I'll sell them at cost plus $5.00 for shipping and packing.

RobertspecV · 09-27-2005, 10:00 PM

Boards ordered....

Please email me if you want one. I'll make another top posting when they get here.

El Gabito · 10-06-2005, 12:31 AM

What is your cost (ie how many did you order)?

RobertspecV · 10-10-2005, 09:45 AM

I did the full 25-piece order so they came out to just under $6.50 each with shipping to me. Here's what I'm asking:
1 board = $10.50
2 boards = $17
3 = 25.50
4 = 32
5 = 38.50
6 = 45

Etc. etc.

El Gabito · 10-14-2005, 11:55 PM

That's including shipping?

RobertspecV · 10-15-2005, 12:25 PM

Yes.

The $4.00 per order is shipping/paypal/my time sorting.

I also bought parts kits. Add $9.00 for one of them (without the Consult connector and case).

El Gabito · 10-15-2005, 07:02 PM

I'd probably take one, with all the parts. How hard are these to solder together? I've never really soldered much.

edit: doesn't look too bad according to this:
http://www.seas.upenn.edu/ese/rca/fu...oldering2.html

La_Noche · 10-15-2005, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Gabito

I'd probably take one, with all the parts. How hard are these to solder together? I've never really soldered much.
edit: doesn't look too bad according to this:
http://www.seas.upenn.edu/ese/rca/fu...oldering2.html

Yeah its not too hard. Just make sure not to get any cold joints aka let the solder fully cool before moving anything.

RobertspecV · 10-16-2005, 02:48 PM

Real easy. Just take your time and do the resistors first (because they aren't very heat sensitive). When you've done all the resistors, move on to the caps, then the diode and transistors. Then finish up with the ICs.

Send me a PM or paypal me $19.50 if you want me to send you a kit of PCB + parts.

Oh, and for any beginners out there - if you try it and fail, or can't get it working, send it back to me and I'll fix it.

El Gabito · 10-17-2005, 05:57 PM

I just sent $19.50

edit: Okay, so I swear I've read all these threads, and I can't for the life of me find out where to get the consult plug? Anybody know?

RobertspecV · 10-17-2005, 07:42 PM

The best one is from Atek. Here's a link:

http://store.yahoo.com/atek/audica.html

Expensive, though.

And they won't give me a discount on qty. less than 100.

SentraDET · 10-17-2005, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertspecV

The best one is from Atek. Here's a link:

http://store.yahoo.com/atek/audica.html

Expensive, though.

And they won't give me a discount on qty. less than 100.

Yeah Robert, thanks for that link last week....I received my 14 pin connector today and already have all the stuff from mouser...just waiting on your board. Although expensive, it appears to be a very well made plug. Thanks again for all your help!