Component Testing

• Spectra Symbol flex sensor
  Type: Resistive
  0 deg bend: ~8k ohm
  180 deg bend: ~16k ohm
  
  
• Vibe motor (manu?)
  Seemed like the operating voltage range was between:
  1.5V@60mA - 3.0V@200mA
  -> The motor would quickly heat up (within 10 secs) while running at 3V
  -> Can the Arduino supply this much?
  
  
• Regal mini speaker
  8 ohm, 0.1 W
  Very good high freq. response @ 1 Vpp
  
  
• Crouzet SSR - M-0ACS-315, ELE-0937
  Input: 3.0V@3mA - 8.0V@27mA (15mA@5V)
  Output: 1A, 24-140 VAC
  Freq Response: Start to see roll-off @ ~1MHz
  
  
• Thermister - 103 (?)
  Normal Temp (~70 deg): R = ~10k
  Between fingers for 10 secs: R = 7.3k
  
  
• Photoresistor
  Completely dark: ~1 Mohm
  Indoor flourescent light: ~700 ohm
  Finger over device while indoors: ~4k ohm

Connector Search

Almost all my components are 2-conductor.
Exceptions are:
-IR rangers
-Pots
-Multi-colored LEDs

I'm thinking because this is the case, and because we have limited board space, I was going to use 2.5mm submini phone jacks and plugs for connecting all the sensors and actuators.




Pros:

• I can buy them in mono or stereo, giving 2 or 3 conductors each.
• I can buy the cable assemblies already made up for ~2.60 ea. Then I will only need to attach the sensor/actuator, plus an inline resistor for some sensors that require it.
• I can also buy very small jacks that are either SMT or through-hole, allowing for 14 digital I/O and 6 Analog inputs.

Cons:

• Just like headphones, the molded plug can become loose on its wires, possibly loosing connection.

Another option would be to use board connectors, similar to what is used for connecting computer fans to motherboards, or really any board to board connection. Only problem with these is that the crimp-style wire connection tends to be a little fragile.

Tomorrow will be tracking down one or two more solutions so that I can order these to have a mock-up, and also to get a feel for the durability of these solutions.

~JWilly