Game Designer: Unknown
Game Designer: Unknown
Wireless Communication
NRF24L01+PA+LNA Transceiver
The models available for download and information on this page is licensed under the Creative Commons - Attribution - Noncommercial - ShareAlike license.
I did not orientate the files for printing as there are a few ways you can do it, so you may need rotate them in your slicer. I chose to place the hole for the antenna on the bed plate and just use tree supports for the opposite over hang but you could also probably just lay it on it's back and get away with no support. I was able to print all parts using a Ender 3.
There are two options:
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Option 1 is if you did not install the MP3 layer. In this case you will need to print a spacer to provide an opening for the wires to come out and the antenna cage that goes with it.
Option 2 is if you do have a MP3 layer in which case you have to print a new MP3 drawer and the corresponding antenna cage.
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This guide assumes you have already used the V5 housing video and the electronics guide to build a V5 FrankenTimer. I have not created files for the V4 housing but may in the future.
Wireless communication.
So getting wireless communication to work has turned out to be a major hassle. I thought I had it solved back in 2022 but it turned out to be extremely unreliable. I've been taking it on and off the shelf to tinker with since that time and think I finally have something that will work but have not been able to do a lot of testing let. In the true spirit of this timer and our hobby it is a bit janky but seems to get the job done.
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Right now the code is fairly basic and allows you to remote start the timers and it will also add all the times for you. I hope to add more functionality but wanted to share sooner rather than later.
Parts (affiliate links)
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Zip Ties
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Electrical Tape
Prepare the Transceiver
Step 1: Solder a 10 uF capacitor to the transceiver GND and VCC pins (my capacitor had a grey side which was the negative and soldered to the GND)
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Step 2: Attach the antenna to the transceiver
Step 3: Wrap the transceiver, capacitor and static (non-moving) portion of the antenna in electrical tape. Make sure to not cover the pins that plug into the regulator.
Step 4: Wrap tinfoil around the portions of the transceiver, capacitor and antenna that are covered in electrical tape. Make sure the tinfoil doesn't touch pins that plug into the regulator. The tin foil helps protect the transceiver from electrical noise.
Step 5: Cover the tinfoil with electrical tape. Make sure to not cover the pins that plug into the regulator.
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Print the new files
Step 6: You will either need to print the spacer or new MP3 drawer
Step 7: Print the antenna cage.
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Wire the Transceiver
Step 8: Remove the core from the shell housing.
Step 9: Plug the DuPont wires (I just use the 30 cm ones from the original build even though they are too long) into the Arduino pins per the figure below. You should be able to do this without disassembling the core.
Step 10: Snake the wires as shown in the picture.
Step 11: Reassemble the core into the shell. You will either need to add the spacer or use the new mp3 drawer. The wires come out the gap created.
Step 12: Plug the DuPont wires into the regulator per the figure below.
Step 13: Plug the transceiver into the regulator
Step 14: Group the wires together and zip tie them so they are not all over the place.
Step 15: Feed the antenna through the hole in the cover and squeeze the rest of the transceiver, regulator and wires into the cover. Make sure the hinge of the antenna is positioned so the antenna can bend away from the shell.
Step 16: If you haven't already done so put heat inserts into the shell where the transceiver cover attaches.
Step 17: Bolt on the transceiver cover.
Step 18: Load the Arduino code above.
Step 19: Test out the unit. Make sure the antenna is pointed up.
