Bricks By The Bay - Update #1

 

 

Looks like we will be doing virtual vending at the Bricks By The Bay 2021.  We are starting to work on what we will be showing and what specials we will be offering.  So follow us and Bricks By The Bay to see what is happening and when. 

Twitter

#makerpower  #bricksbythebay

Facebook

@mymakertools  @bricksbythebay

Instagram

#mymakertools  #bricksbythebay_official

 

 

Product Review

Our products are broken down into a few different categories.  These are

• Electronic Building Power Modules
• Electronic Building Tools
• Brick Building Tools
• Model Train Tools 
• Soft Wear

The first three are described below,  The Model Train Tools are still under development.  The Soft Wear consists of themed shirts, pillow cases and quilts we do for shows or special order.  Contact us if you are interested.

Electronic Building Power Modules

These modules all accept a standard USB connection via a USB Mini connector and then generate different voltages to power up your electronic projects.  They are designed to plug into standard bread board with 100 mil spacing.  The modules can deliver a total of about 7W.  More information is available on the web site, here.

Our basic USB powered power system.  The module accepts a standard USB connection and produces the following voltages:

• Pass through VUSB
• 3.3VDC
• 2.5VDC
• 1.8VDC

 

 

 

Our regulated USB powered power system.  The module accepts a standard USB connection and produces the following regulated voltages:

• 5.0VDC
  
• 3.3VDC
• 2.5VDC
• 1.8VDC

 

 

Our higher voltage USB powered power system.  The module accepts a standard USB connection and produces the following voltages:

• 12VDC
  
• 5.0VDC
• 3.3VDC

 

 

 

 Electronic Building Tools

Our voltage and current monitor.  Monitors up to 4 channels.  Comes with PC Windows and Android software, that allows you to monitor and record.  Also contains internal memory storage to collect for hours or up to days (depending on the collection rate) and then download.  Designed to be placed in line with one of our power modules above.  There are two versions, USB only and USB/Bluetooth for mobile applications. 

More information is available on the web site, here.

Our Temperature sensor.  The unit is Bluetooth enabled for mobile monitoring and comes with internal memory storage to collect hours or up to days depending on collection rate and power source and then download.

More information is available on the web site, here.

Brick Building Tools

A modified version of our USB powered power modules.  This provides 9V to power Brick motors, typically Power Functions motors.  It will also supply 5VDC and 3.3VDC that can be used to power smaller motors and electronics.  Comes with an adapter for the Motor Extension cables.

More information is available on the web site, here.

Our Brick Controller.  Use this to power up your MOC and have it control the motors and the lights.  Has a USB and Bluetooth interface and enough internal storage for about 60 instructions.  Will control up to four independent motors and 4 LEDs.  Comes with two adapters for the Motor Extension cables.

More information is available on the web site, here.

 

 

 

 

 

Store Offerings

One thing we have never written about is the online store. 

It can be found here https://store.mymakertools.com/

The store is where you can find all of our inventory that you would normally see at our shows.

Here is our low cost Brick power module.

https://store.mymakertools.com/products/usb-brick-power 

This is the Brick Controller I and it's power module.

https://store.mymakertools.com/products/usb-brick-power-rev-2 

https://store.mymakertools.com/products/brick 

We also have combinations kits where you can purchase different modules together at a discount.  It is a nice way to build up a tool kit for your development.

 

https://store.mymakertools.com/products/maker-pro-kit 

 

https://store.mymakertools.com/products/maker-expert-kit 

 

https://store.mymakertools.com/products/maker-ultimate-kit 

Finally we do take custom orders for our SoftWear line.  But please no large orders.  Remember that each one of these hand made with extra care.

  

https://store.mymakertools.com/products/shirt-with-brick-builder-motif 

Sunnyvale Electronics Flea Market

Last Saturday we were at the Sunnyvale Electronics Flea Market in the Frys Electronics parking lot.  This used to be at DeAnza College for years, but last year moved to Frys Electronics.

This event is put on by the local ham Radio clubs.  Originally it was a way for them to swap equipment, it was a true swap meet.  Now it is a place for old test equipment, just about anything electronic, tools, and excess computers.  One time a vendor was selling 20 Agilent 3G test stations for $100.  At a minimum they were good spectrum analyzers. This event occurs the second Saturday of the month, March thru September. It starts at 5AM and goes to 12PM, but you can always find early shoppers there at 4:30AM looking for the best deal.  You can learn more about it here

https://www.electronicsfleamarket.com/

Why are we here? Good question, well as electronics hacker from way back, I have acquired lots of things.  So we are here to sell of excess stuff that I dont want to end up in land fill and to show our MyMakerTools products.

As the first picture shows we have our normal products (except the Soft Wear since this crowd is not really into that).  Also you can see some of the items we are selling as we downsize my collection of goodies from the past 20+ years.

It is an interesting collection of people.  Ham's looking for the right component for their next project, Makers looking for old equipment that they can re-purpose and  hackers with old computers looking for parts to keep them running. It is always interesting talking to people and the projects they are working on.  There are four more flea markets this year and we will probably be at three of them.  The one in July conflicts with Bricks by the Bay, which we will have more about later.

Planetary Space Base Presentation

I have posted the presentation I gave at Bricks By The Bay.  You can find it here.

 We had a great time and will post some pictures later.

Firmware Upgrades

So my day job really got in the way and had to go to Washington State for a few days.  Have posted new software for the Power Monitor and the Dual LiPO charger to the web site.  Mostly it is cleanup for minor glitches in the USB HID connection and including built in upgrade capability.

Here is how you FW upgrade and this applies to both.

On the side of the module is a button.  Hold this button down while you plug in the module.  When you start the PC software a screen similar to this will appear.

Press the folder speed button and chose the .hex file for the module you are upgrading.  The screen will now look like this.

Now press the program speed button (next to the folder) and the device will program and verify the programming.

It is done.  You can either press the exit speed button or unplug and plug back in the device to use the device.

One change with the new PC software is the ability to place the device directly into upgrade mode.  This is accomplished by either using the options menu and selecting Firmware upgrade or fof the Dual LiPO charge pressing F11.  All modules will enter the Firmware upgrade mode when the button is pressed while plugging in the device to a USB port.

Updating Software

All of the software we provide is being upgraded this week.  Look for new software on the website this weekend.

What changed?
Dual LiPO charger, Power Monitor and BrickBuddy PC software programs and PIC firmware have been upgraded into a common set of software.  Mostly what this includes, other than some HID interface improvements, is a self contained method for upgrading the PIC firmware.

Power Monitor and BrickBuddy Android apps will move to the Play Store for download.  Additionally the TDust temperature probe  will be available in BETA for eventual release in May.

The LightBuddy is still on track for release in late June in time for Bricks by the Bay.  We will be there as a vendor and as s MOC exhibitor.