Full Arduino Shield!
Over the years, we've had growing interest from Arduino users to control our LEDs and other products using an Arduino Uno. We're happy to announce that we will soon be releasing a full shield with plenty of built-in features:
- Six PWM outputs with onboard FETs to drive large numbers of LEDs
- Two NeoPixel outputs for controlling Adafruit NeoPixel LEDs (and also our forthcoming line of BrickPixel products)
- 4-channel RF remote control input
- Two analog sensor inputs
- I2C output
- Automatic power switching between Arduino (USB, etc.) power and Brickstuff power, so you can use our power supplies to power both your Arduino and its connected lights if desired.
We're currently assembling and testing the first beta version of this shield. Stay tuned for more information-- we hope to have the shield up for sale in our webstore this summer.
Here's a peek at a rendering of the beta 1 version of the shield:
Stay tuned to this thread for more details.
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Very excited!
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This is exactly what I was coming to the forums to ask about.. I was about to put in the preorder for the Bugatti light kit finally, but I'd like to be able to use the lights with some automation (flash the headlights if someone is at the front door, etc). I was figuring on a Pi or Arduino for that. Can this be plugged into the Bugatti controller board? or would this replace it? Thanks for reading my mind on this!
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Jeremy H Glad you're interested in this shield! RE: the Bugatti controller, the current design has the headlights pre-wired to a secondary controller board. You can't get at the lights individually, unfortunately. But we are considering a revised design that would use a control board that provided more direct access to each of the 8 headlights and 8 turn signal lights through the standard 3-wire NeoPixel protocol. If we got that to work, you'd definitely be able to "roll your own" and use the shield.
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Is there a more definitive ETA on this product or a pre-order list?
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Jeremiah Shue Just got the final prototype in the shop this week. Need to assemble it, then if all looks good, we will order the first production batch. Assuming all goes well, we should have them ready to sell by the end of June.
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Hello Arduino fans! I'm sure you are wondering what we've been up to regarding the shield. We had several design challenges with the power inputs and how these are connected to the built-in Arduino onboard power connections, but we finally got things sorted out with the latest version, and we're now moving into production! Here's a look at the circuit board panels-- we will take these in our shop in Minnesota and mount the components by hand and using our assembly machine.
We should have the finished panels back in our shop in the next 2-3 weeks, then it's a mad rush to production so you can get your hands on them! -
Not to sound impatient, but any progress?
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Jeremiah Shue Making the first panel this week!!! Would you prefer to buy them with our without soldered headers? We'd provide the headers in the pack and people could solder their own.
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Rob Klingberg I'd prefer presoldered headers without knowledge of how that affects the price. More info would be appreciated.
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Jeremiah Shue OK, thanks. Probably would add $4 to the price for pre-soldered headers.
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Hi everyone, finally we have the shield up in our webstore! Check it out. We will be adding code samples and other accessories in the coming weeks, but you can get started right away with the shield and any of our lights!
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Wow, I just check out of the blue and I come in four hours after it goes live. Normally it would be an on the spot buy, but Christmas is coming up... :)
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Rob Klingberg "you can power your entire project-- including the Arduino board itself-- using our standard Brickstuff power supplies" -> we just connect the Brickstuff power, and the Arduino is powered? Or this has to be wired? Thanks.
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Rob Klingberg Are all the Arduino PINs occupied? I'd like to connect a motion detection sensor to detect presence and turn on the lights. Thanks
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Pedro C Just connect Brickstuff power and you're good to go with both your Brickstuff lights and the main Arduino board.
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Pedro C There are two sensor plugs on the shield-- SENS1 and SENS2. I'm attaching the instructions for the shield. If you want to use sensors, these are what you can connect to. Since they are plugs, not solder terminals, we will be selling a cable set (should be online later this week) if you want to connect your own things to the shield, this set will include all of the needed cables.
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Can I connect the shield to 6V? Or 12V? Thanks.
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Pedro C If you want to use more than 5V, you need to power through the main Arduino USB connector-- the Arduino has a voltage regulator onboard that converts the voltage to 5V. Never supply more than 5V through the Brickstuff power connector. If you need to use more than 5V as an input voltage, you're best to pick up a step-down voltage regulator like this one:
Then connect its output to the Brickstuff power input.
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You are mentioning "Intelligent Sound Module"; How is this different from the "Stand-Alone MP3 Sound Module"? Is it a real I2C device or? I can't find it amongst your products :)
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Svend Erik Nissen Hi, that is different from our stand-alone module. Will be coming to the website next month!
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When will the shield and the horizontal magnetic connectors be available in your UK distributor? Thanks.
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Pedro C Yes the plan is to have them carry these products as part of their line.
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Hello all Brickstuff + Arduino fans! We've had some requests for cables with our custom connectors so people can connect their own LEDs and sensors to the various outputs on our Arduino shield.
Ask, and you shall receive! Available now in our webstore:
https://www.brickstuff.com/store/p194/Arduino_Shield_Accessory_Add-on_Pack.html
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Hello Arduino enthusiasts! I'm happy to announce that today we have released three new products that work with the Arduino Shield:
The Brickstuff Intelligent Sound Module 
4-Channel RF Remote and Receiver 
Passive Infrared (PIR) Motion Sensor Using these new products, you can now add remote control, sound, and motion detection to your lighting setups.
We have provided detailed instructions and code samples for using the sound module and RF remote.
The PIR sensor connects directly to either the SENS1 or SENS2 input on the Arduino Shield, and provides a standard "HIGH" (3V DC) signal whenever motion is detected, and a "LOW" (0V DC) signal when no motion is detected.
Let us know what you think of these new products!
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For those folks who have been following this thread. I got almost every of product listed here, the shield with BrickPixel connections, BrickPixel 9-connector boards, Intelligent Sound Module, and the 4-Channel RF Remote.
Within three days, using the documention references and the code examples I had everything up and running without any problems. I use the remote to trigger both sound and light effects.
Really...REALLY happy with the Brickstuff Arduino ecosystem, and excited at the possibilities it opens up for being able to create custom light and sound setups for LEGO builds.
If you have any sort of technical bent, this system is a must.
Attached is a video showing lighting effects using different buttons on the remote. 1) toggle lights on and off 2) fade lights in and out 3) toggle individual lights on and off. This video is a real-time recording, there was no editing to make the effects look better. [Note: you may have to download the video to view it]
And no, I'm not a paid spokesperson for Brickstuff, just a happy user of their products.-wrtyler-
