Hello all,
I have a simple setup to control a solenoid, I am using Arduino Uno to control and power a 5v Solenoid. Arduino Uno is pretty large and I was wondering if you can recommend a smaller substitute for it (if there is a Feather alternate). I am trying to get as small as I can so my enclosure gets small also, I got rid of the breadboard and soldered everything and if I can get a small controller, my footprint will be pretty small. I would appreciate any recommendations. Thank you.
Smallest micro controller to substitute Arduino
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- alpkan
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2022 3:48 am
Smallest micro controller to substitute Arduino
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- dastels
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- michaelmeissner
- Posts: 1822
- Joined: Wed Aug 29, 2012 12:40 am
Re: Smallest micro controller to substitute Arduino
Or slightly smaller would be the Itsy Bitsy line: https://www.adafruit.com/product/3727 for the M0 based (there are other ItsyBitsy variants).
While most of the ItsyBitsy boards run at 3.3v, they do have one pin (pin #5) that is level shifted to 5 volts in case your solenoid needs 5 volts to control it. If it can run on 3.3 volts, then you have various other possibilities (Trinket, QT PY, ItsyBitsy, or feather in terms of increasing size).
You could solder the boards on to the small mint tin perma proto boards for a small footprint: https://www.adafruit.com/product/1214 (and of course use an Altoids small mint tin for the enclosure if you cut holes for the wire). In terms of size, the trinket and QT PY would fit on the small mint tin size.
If you go for the ItsyBitsy or Feathers, you likely need the larger mint tin perma proto board: https://www.adafruit.com/product/723. There you can use the plain tin for an enclosure: https://www.adafruit.com/product/97.
I assume there is some way to control the solenoid from the Arduino. I didn't see any control lines in your schematic.
While most of the ItsyBitsy boards run at 3.3v, they do have one pin (pin #5) that is level shifted to 5 volts in case your solenoid needs 5 volts to control it. If it can run on 3.3 volts, then you have various other possibilities (Trinket, QT PY, ItsyBitsy, or feather in terms of increasing size).
You could solder the boards on to the small mint tin perma proto boards for a small footprint: https://www.adafruit.com/product/1214 (and of course use an Altoids small mint tin for the enclosure if you cut holes for the wire). In terms of size, the trinket and QT PY would fit on the small mint tin size.
If you go for the ItsyBitsy or Feathers, you likely need the larger mint tin perma proto board: https://www.adafruit.com/product/723. There you can use the plain tin for an enclosure: https://www.adafruit.com/product/97.
I assume there is some way to control the solenoid from the Arduino. I didn't see any control lines in your schematic.
- alpkan
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2022 3:48 am
Re: Smallest micro controller to substitute Arduino
Thank you. I really appreciate the help.
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.