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Questions tagged [arduino]

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90 votes
5 answers
327k views

How much current can I draw from the Arduino's pins?

What's the maximum amount of current which I can draw from each of the Arduino's pins without tripping any of the internal fuses? Is there a limit per pin as well as an overall limit for the whole ...
berry120's user avatar
  • 1,937
68 votes
6 answers
273k views

What is the voltage range of a standard headphone jack from a phone?

I want to connect the output from the audio jack of an iPhone to an Arduino. What voltage range can I expect to see on the audio lines from the iPhone? I assume that turning the volume up on the ...
manuelBetancurt's user avatar
63 votes
8 answers
47k views

How do I go from an Arduino on a breadboard to creating a real device?

My first Arduino project: I have made a headlight sensor that will activate an outside light when a car's headlights hit it. I know I could go buy one, but where is the fun in that? Now I would like ...
Steve's user avatar
  • 787
58 votes
7 answers
98k views

How can I get my atmega328 to run for a year on batteries?

Scenario I have created a nice electronic door lock for my dorm room. It is currently an Arduino Diecimila with a servo [un]locking the door. It has a numerical keypad with 3x4 buttons and 5 LED's (2 ...
Pangolin's user avatar
  • 1,055
57 votes
6 answers
140k views

Do I really need resistors when controlling LEDs with Arduino?

I'm just trying out Arduino Uno for the first time with 2 blinking LEDs on a breadboard. All the tutorials on the Internet seem to use a resistor. I do know the function of resistors, but does it ...
40pro's user avatar
  • 891
52 votes
18 answers
38k views

Complete alternatives to the Arduino IDE? [closed]

I'm not that big of a fan of the official Arduino IDE (in terms of visuals), so I've started looking for nicer alternatives. However, most of the projects I've found are in alpha/beta and are ...
nopcorn's user avatar
  • 900
47 votes
10 answers
52k views

Why is AVR used in Arduino?

Why is Arduino using AVR? I understand that they are the official processor but there isn't a reason the code couldn't be ported to an ARM or a Freescale architecture other than cost, right? As long ...
46 votes
5 answers
179k views

How can I use a 12 V input on a digital Arduino pin?

I am creating a controller for a 12 V system using an Arduino Uno microcrontroller. For the outputs I am using a relay shield to switch the 12 V components. I have a 12 V toggle switch that turns on ...
D.W.'s user avatar
  • 633
44 votes
6 answers
187k views

How to connect multiple i2c-interface devices into a single pin A4 (SDA) and A5 (SCL) on Arduino?

I want to add a real time clock module into my little project. I want to display both time and date on my existing i2c 2x16 LCD module. Both i2c-interface real time clock module and 2x16 LCD module ...
banksia's user avatar
  • 441
43 votes
2 answers
93k views

Purpose of the diode and capacitor in this motor circuit

I'm hooking up a small DC motor to an arduino using an NPN transistor using the following diagrams I found online: The circuit works, and I'm successfully able to make the motor run. Now, I'm ...
Paul's user avatar
  • 807
42 votes
6 answers
14k views

Why does my circuit work on a breadboard, but not on a perfboard? I am new to soldering

I'm a total beginner when it comes to soldering, and recently I've been trying (and failing) to solder together a simple circuit I put together for a Raspberry Pi sensor. Although it works fine on ...
Sebastian Villate's user avatar
41 votes
4 answers
5k views

What is "Arduino Optocoupler Disease"?

Another post on this site, when critiquing a pcb design, referred to "Arduino optocoupler disease" spreading across the internet. What type of design mistake does this refer to?
Chuu's user avatar
  • 511
41 votes
8 answers
317k views

Saving Arduino sensor data to a text file

How can I save data retrieved from a sensor to a text file on the computer?
desNotes's user avatar
  • 549
41 votes
2 answers
104k views

What's the difference between INPUT and INPUT_PULLUP?

On newer Arduinos, one can set pinMode to one of three states: OUTPUT,INPUT, and INPUT_PULLUP...
Manishearth's user avatar
  • 2,962
41 votes
3 answers
39k views

Why do some pins have `~` signs next to their numbers?

I was looking at my Arduino Uno and I noticed that symbol by digital pins 11, 10, 9, ...
Anonymous Penguin's user avatar
40 votes
5 answers
6k views

Why should you use two resistors in parallel on an LED?

So I was looking over the Arduino R3 schematics and noticed this little design choice: What is the reason for doing something like this? I mean it's hard to know what the designers were thinking, but ...
Jake Robinson's user avatar
39 votes
5 answers
181k views

Can I use the analog pins on the Arduino for my project as digital?

I am new to using Arduino, and I have an Arduino Uno. For the projects I've done, I've only used the digital pins. I am building a small vehicle that uses stepper motors. I have run out of pins to ...
bogen's user avatar
  • 1,103
39 votes
1 answer
9k views

Why does my AVR reset when I call wdt_disable() to try to turn the watchdog timer off?

I am having a problem where executing a disable watchdog sequence on an AVR ATtiny84A is actually resetting the chip even though the timer should have plenty of time left on it. This happens ...
bigjosh's user avatar
  • 10.2k
38 votes
2 answers
31k views

Selecting a MOSFET for driving load from logic

I'm looking to drive a magnetic door lock from an Arduino. I've found a question about driving a solenoid from an Arduino, which includes a circuit that looks perfect for this kind of situtation: ...
Polynomial's user avatar
  • 10.9k
38 votes
4 answers
11k views

I2C 3.3 to 5.0 V conversion

I'm trying to interface a 3.3V I2C device to a 5V Arduino. I don't have any problem with SCL line. I can use a simple voltage divider but I have an issue with the SDA line as this is bi-directional. ...
JohnC's user avatar
  • 4,819
38 votes
10 answers
25k views

Is an Arduino Uno capable of running 24/7?

I'm curious as to the reliability and durability of the Arduino Uno. Does anybody have experience in "killing" one due to excessive use? If so, how long did it take for the board to fail?
nathangiesbrecht's user avatar
38 votes
3 answers
9k views

Why do Arduinos ship w/ 16MHz crystal instead of 20MHz?

Why do Arduino boards ship w/ 16MHz crystal instead of 20MHz? They are spec'ed for operating at 20MHz, after all. I guess there are a few advantages to running more slowly (lower power consumption, ...
Jellicle's user avatar
  • 659
34 votes
12 answers
55k views

Reliability of the Arduino platform for industrial use

I'm no electrical engineer (just mechanical) but I would like to apply some of my hobbyist experience to my job and implement various automated systems in an industrial (manufacturing) environment. ...
Faken's user avatar
  • 1,728
33 votes
6 answers
46k views

Embedded Programming for Beginners: Arduino or Raspberry Pi? [closed]

I'm a computer science student and I'm eager to expand my knowledge on embedded programming and electrical engineering. I've read here that using tools like the Arduino microcontroller is a good way ...
Matthias Braun's user avatar
33 votes
3 answers
7k views

Arduino pin spacing

How do you get around the annoying pin spacing on the Arduino? Where pin 7 and pin 8 are not standard spacing. Why is it set up like this?
mad_z's user avatar
  • 5,070
33 votes
7 answers
84k views

Arduino Uno R3: Directly supply regulated 5V to 5V pin?

I'd like to use an Arduino Uno R3 battery powered a datalogger. I want do supply it directly with a Step-Up regulated 5V rechargable battery powersource at power ...
try-catch-finally's user avatar
33 votes
1 answer
72k views

Active vs Passive Buzzer

I recently borrowed an Arduino Inland Basic Starter Kit. It includes an active and passive buzzer. What is the difference? I can hear a difference in sound when I use the ...
shurup's user avatar
  • 655
30 votes
6 answers
65k views

How to drive brushless motor with Arduino?

Is it possible to drive a brushless motor directly with Arduino? Or should I revert on controlling a brushless motor ESC with PWM pulses?
tuupola's user avatar
  • 1,657
29 votes
7 answers
2k views

Can I develop with the Arduino using an IDE with more features?

The simplicity of the open source Arduino IDE is great, but a bit limiting sometimes - I like to use Netbeans for instance for other work that I do. Do any plugins exist for more fully featured IDEs ...
berry120's user avatar
  • 1,937
28 votes
5 answers
24k views

Is there anything I should watch out for with cheap "Arduino" copies?

There's a plethora of cheap Arduino copies on eBay and similar sites, usually originating from the far east, that can be had for a significant chunk less than the official boards, especially if you're ...
berry120's user avatar
  • 1,937
26 votes
15 answers
27k views

Controlling 500 LEDs with PWM

I'm considering taking on a project that would involve individually addressing 500 LEDs, optimally with PWM support for each. I'm planning on using an Arduino since I already have one, but I'm open ...
littlebirdceo's user avatar
26 votes
3 answers
200k views

Powering Arduino Nano 12volts

I know that the Arduino Nano can handle 12 volts, and it says it is recommended to power it between 7 and 12 volts. So I am wondering do I just hack together a 12 volt adapter to a Mini-B or is it ...
jason's user avatar
  • 403
26 votes
2 answers
32k views

Can Arduino be used in commercial products?

Is it legal for me to sell a product that's built with an Arduino? I know that it's open source, but does that mean I can sell my product for profit, or only for use in prototyping?
nathangiesbrecht's user avatar
26 votes
3 answers
37k views

How do I extend the number of analog (input) pins available to me?

I already know how to extend the number of digital pins on an Arduino using a multiplexer. I want to increase the number of analog input channels that I have. One solution is to add another Arduino ...
Manishearth's user avatar
  • 2,962
24 votes
4 answers
3k views

Is it advisable to stay stick to Arduino IDE?

Is it better to move to AVR studio (or any other better alternative?) over the Arduino IDE. Feel like it's so simple and childish. I need to know the experts idea and choice..
Anubis's user avatar
  • 1,490
24 votes
3 answers
4k views

Is there any way to simulate a program run before burning it onto the board?

Programs may, at times, have runtime errors. These are sometimes hard to find and can easily be missed. Is there any way to test the program before actually burning it onto the board ?
asheeshr's user avatar
  • 927
24 votes
3 answers
24k views

Measure Lithium ion battery voltage (thus remaining capacity)

What I am working with: I am running my self-made Arduino board (in the sense that I use the Arduino bootloader and code editor) at 3.3V, and powered from a Lithium ion battery, which is USB-charged ...
boardbite's user avatar
  • 4,952
23 votes
3 answers
11k views

JTAG debugging AVR

Can anyone advise what hardware and software is required for debugging AVR in circuits?
JohnC's user avatar
  • 4,819
22 votes
10 answers
109k views

Is there a way to stop servos from "shaking"?

Very simply, I am controlling servos (9g micro servos) based on some data read in from elsewhere. Everything works fine except that the servos will constantly "shake." That is, they vibrate ...
sherrellbc's user avatar
  • 3,461
22 votes
3 answers
5k views

Why am I cooking MOSFETs?

I've made a very simple MOSFET LED driver that uses the PWM of an Arduino Nano to switch a MOSFET which controls the power for about 16 meters of LED strip. I am using STP16NF06 MOSFETs. I am ...
hamsolo474 - Reinstate Monica's user avatar
22 votes
3 answers
21k views

How do I create a permanent application from something prototyped with Arduino?

Part one of a three part series on transitioning from Arduino to a plain AVR microcontroller and minimum supporting components (part two, part three) I've built up a project on my Arduino Uno to ...
user avatar
22 votes
1 answer
59k views

How to properly use a relay module with JD-VCC from Arduino/Raspberry?

[EDIT] A quick benefit of JD-VCC, is that allows you to control the relays that are 5V with 3.3V GPIOs. Check the full answer to understand why :) [Original question] I got two 4-relay-modules and I ...
Carlos Garcia's user avatar
22 votes
4 answers
2k views

Why do we need hardware programmers?

I use a Boarduino and a 30-row bread board to program my ATtiny. I load a not too complicated sketch called ArduinoISP (included by default now in the Arduino IDE), and suddenly I have a working ...
Jack Schmidt's user avatar
  • 2,035
21 votes
9 answers
22k views

How can 8-bit processor support more than 256 bytes of RAM?

If a 32-bit processor can handle approximately 4 GiB of RAM (i.e. \$2^{32} = 4 294 967 296\$) bytes, why does my Arduino Mega 2560 have 8 KiB of SRAM, if being a 8-bit processor allows it to handle ...
ZaqueoAlejandro's user avatar
21 votes
9 answers
6k views

Is Arduino ideal for making a HRNG (hardware random number generator)?

I'm putting together a design for a hardware random number generator that will utilize multiple sources of entropy (combined): Ambient light Ambient sound (and sound levels) Ambient temp Ambient ...
Tim Post's user avatar
  • 753
21 votes
9 answers
15k views

How to graduate from Arduino to using a microcontroller directly?

I've been working on an Arduino project. After I get everything working using the Arduino, I would like to move to a solution that does NOT use Arduino. That is, I would like to use a microcontroller ...
Rick's user avatar
  • 501
21 votes
5 answers
35k views

How can I detect which arduino board (or which controller) in software?

I have a project that I want to work on either a Uno or a Mega (or even a Due) and it would be nice if I didn't need two versions of the software. For example, on a Mega, to use SoftwareSerial, you ...
tooshel's user avatar
  • 539
21 votes
3 answers
16k views

How to water-protect my Arduino?

I am building a watering system with an Arduino. Basically it runs on a track with a hose that drips water down on plants a couple of times every day. Its outside, and water might sometimes get from ...
bogen's user avatar
  • 1,103
20 votes
8 answers
47k views

How many individual lights can an arduino control

I want to use a regular Arduino board to control LEDs - what is the most lights I can control individually from the board? Is there a tutorial on how to hook it up?
mad_z's user avatar
  • 5,070
20 votes
7 answers
12k views

Is it possible to use multi gigabyte DRAM modules with a microcontroller?

I have two leftover 2GB RAM modules that I removed from my MacBook Pro when doing an upgrade. I was just wondering if these were usable with, for example, an Arduino. I'd be too much of a beginner to ...
johndeo's user avatar
  • 201

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