[Feature]: Driving an Arduino Nano from the wand board.

[The-Y33TER]

What would you like to add in terms of software changes?

I'm aware there's a 5v out, but I'm gonna install the Bargraph. I'm gonna run an Arduino Nano in the wand, with a neopixel jewel (7led) and ring (12led)
We're all aware of how limited the space in the wand is, so I was hoping to run it off of the wand board.
For a Spengler wand, is the Barrel-LED JST used? If not, could it theoretically be made to put out 5v, again, theoretically, powering only once the vent light turns on? 👀

Would this request involve any specific hardware?

Wand Barrel LED JST connector.
Otherwise, I don't believe so?

Homework Completed

• I did my part!

[nomakewan]

This is absolutely not going to happen, so I've converted it to a discussion.

However, perhaps you should think more about why you would want to run a Nano. Is there something the Nano can do that the GPStar wand board's Mega 2560 cannot?

As an example, we have a user who has a full TVG setup on his wand including a completely separate addressable barrel for the slime blower that activates when slime mode is active, then automatically switches back to the regular barrel for the other firing modes. All from the stock GPStar wand board (and updated firmware, of course).

[The-Y33TER]

I have zero idea how to do this. A point in the right direction to resources would be much appreciated.
tysm for the help so far!!

[nomakewan]

What do you mean? You mentioned using a Nano with a Jewel and Ring. Coding for the Nano is almost identical to coding for the Mega 2560. So essentially you'd just do the exact same thing you were already going to do, except instead of writing from scratch for a Nano, you download our source code and code it in the wand INO instead.

If there is something specific you need help with, please clarify so I can try to direct you to the correct resource.

[The-Y33TER]

What do you mean? You mentioned using a Nano with a Jewel and Ring. Coding for the Nano is almost identical to coding for the Mega 2560. So essentially you'd just do the exact same thing you were already going to do, except instead of writing from scratch for a Nano, you download our source code and code it in the wand INO instead.

Did not know this. (Doesn't help I know very little about programming) Never used neopixels before. I'm gonna read up on Adafruit's guides, but where would I start (say, downloading the source code here for the kit, where would that even be?) sorry if I seem clueless (it's because I am)

[nomakewan]

Oh, I thought you already had experience with these and were just looking for a way to do it. I was not aware you had no Arduino and/or NeoPixel programming experience. That might be a bit of a learning curve for you. In that case I would highly recommend that you get yourself an Arduino starter kit of some sort and learn how to use it. And yes, of course Adafruit has excellent and very helpful guides as well.

The source code is available by clicking the green "Code" button on the main repository page, then clicking "Download ZIP".

Then extract it somewhere, and go into the source\NeutronaWand folder and you will find all the source code for the Neutrona Wand.

The main file is NeutronaWand.ino, and this is where things like setting up the hardware are done. So that's probably where you'll want to insert whatever code you made. But again, since you're starting from zero, I highly recommend that you just try to get whatever it is you're trying to do working with an Arduino starter kit first, and then once you have it doing what you want you should then understand how an Arduino program looks and thus how to put the code you just made into our existing code.

Best of luck--we've all been there. None of us are born with C++ in our veins. As long as you want to learn, you will be able to learn. Enjoy!

[The-Y33TER]

Oh, I thought you already had experience with these and were just looking for a way to do it. I was not aware you had no Arduino and/or NeoPixel programming experience. That might be a bit of a learning curve for you. In that case I would highly recommend that you get yourself an Arduino starter kit of some sort and learn how to use it. And yes, of course Adafruit has excellent and very helpful guides as well.

The source code is available by clicking the green "Code" button on the main repository page, then clicking "Download ZIP".

Then extract it somewhere, and go into the source\NeutronaWand folder and you will find all the source code for the Neutrona Wand.

The main file is NeutronaWand.ino, and this is where things like setting up the hardware are done. So that's probably where you'll want to insert whatever code you made. But again, since you're starting from zero, I highly recommend that you just try to get whatever it is you're trying to do working with an Arduino starter kit first, and then once you have it doing what you want you should then understand how an Arduino program looks and thus how to put the code you just made into our existing code.

Best of luck--we've all been there. None of us are born with C++ in our veins. As long as you want to learn, you will be able to learn. Enjoy!

Thank you!! I know some basics of arduino and have a starter kit, but I never went super in depth. This'll be useful!!