Debugging Code

Over the past week (on and off), I’ve been slowly assembling the motivation player on the breadboard. I soldered all the parts I could and debugged the code after uploading it to the Raspberry Pi. Can’t say it didn’t take awhile…

Luckily, I got the code working and the speaker to function. Unluckily, I had a brain fart and decided minimum voltage = optimal voltage. The audio amplifier works but is kind of scuffed because there isn’t enough voltage and current. I think it works well enough that I won’t solder in an extra battery container to increase the voltage and current (especially because the PCB doesn’t have any regulators)

Basically just waiting on the PCB at this point…

Finished Programming :D
I finished the firmware! I decided to move to Circuit Python since it works better with the Pi Pico. The project is almost done and ready to be reviewed. Some things I need to do before that:

• Create a BOM
• Add more info in the README
• Add a folder with all the files with the libraries

Finished CAD!
I finished the CAD for the enclosure and got everything assembled in CAD. Luckily everything worked out! :D Might’ve put too much space for the SD card on the PCB…

I also started working on the firmware. Originally, I wanted to use Arduino IDE but it might not be the friendliest for the Pi Pico. I plan on looking into circuit python to see if it is better for reading SD cards and playing audio.

Cadding Enclosure (pt. 3)
I finished adding the holes, fixed a few issues with not giving enough tolerence, and started adding the rest of the parts in an assembled CAD model to give an idea of the finished product and double check that everything will fit together. Some parts (currently the potentiometer) I couldn’t find the right model for so I’ll be using a stand in model for them. I used the “thread” feature in Fusion and I’m hoping the tolerence won’t be too tight for the screws I have… worst case hot glue will save me XD

Cadding the enclosure (cont.)

I’m almost done with CAD!… at least I think so. I finished up the cutouts in the top and adjusted a few things for the bottom part to better sit the PCB. Decided to go with a 30 mm diameter Gikfun speaker and just have it at the very front.

The last part I need to add are the holes for the screws to keep the top and bottom together. Not sure the size for that so I’ll need to do some more research. Hopefully I didn’t make the sides of the container too thin…

Cadding the enclosure
Started using Fusion360 to CAD the enclosure for the project. I got the bottom part mostly done and got 2 of the holes needed for the lid done. I still need to do the holes for the other buttons, display, and screws to put together. At some point, I’ll also need to finalize the speaker I want to be able to decide where to have it in the CAD.

PCB Finished (Actually)

Turns out I forgot to do some steps… oops haha? Luckily it was just running the DRC, adding a few wires between the ground references and adding a rectangle in the cut layer. Onto making the CAD for the box!

PCB Finished! (I hope…)

I finished the PCB design! For the most part, it was smooth sailing to rearrange all the components into a neat-ish rectangle and to wire everything up. There were a few issues with the parts being wired wrong in the schematic that I had to fix… Hopefully no more of that comes up. I’ll be doing final touches and double checking the PCB before moving on to making a 3d print for its case.

PCB Design (2)
I finished up the schematic for the PCB and assigned all the footprints for the parts I’m using. I decided to stick with the LM386 and to use 3 AA batteries to achieve the minimum voltage needed for the audio amplifier.

For the power toggle switch and the speaker, I decided to just use connector wires as a comprise for not knowing which one I will be using (gives me more flexibility for where I want them to be on the final build)

Next steps I need to do:

1. Design the PCB
2. Write the code/firmware
3. Design the CAD model for the finished project and any 3D printed parts I need

PCB Design

Using KiCad, I wired together most of the components I plan on using. These include:

• A play button
• A random button (to give a random motivational audio)
• A rotary encoder (to scroll through all the available audios)
• A Raspberry Pi Pico (the microcontroller to read the SD card and do all the logic)
• SSD 1306 (oled display – 1.36 inch)
• SD card module (to hold the audio files)

Some things that I still need to add:

• Audio amplifier
• Speaker
• Potentiometer (for volume adjustment)
• Battery container (idk what to call it) w/ a power switch

I was originally going to use the LM386 for audio amplifying but it runs above 3.3V according to online research. If anyone has reccomendations, please let me know! (I have no idea what I’m doing to be honest)