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Nerf Firefly Mod: Ammo Counter Nerf Gun Mods
Nerf Firefly Mod: Ammo Counter
Greetings, this is post will cover the basic things needed to add a ammo counter to a Nerf Firefly. This project is not for the faint of heart, requires a lot of time, patience and trouble shooting. Before attempting this you will need.
· A place to work (a decent work bench)
· MSP430 Launchpad by Texas Instruments (as well as Code Composer 4)
· Soldering Iron (and a high quality solder, I recommend something with flux)
· Hot Glue Gun
· Drill
· Dremel (or equivalent tool)
· Multi meter
· About 3 feet of Cat 5e Networking wire (Must be Solid Strand!)
· Breadboard (for testing circuit prior to installation)
· Small momentary switch (optional but highly recommended)
· A few 100k ohms Resistors (you can get 4-5 at RadioShack for 99 cents)
· 7 Segment LED Display (eBay, Digi-key, RadioShack)
· Safety Glasses
· Lots of time!
Here is a Demo of the completed Project.
Step #1: Build the Ammo Counter Circuit
This is one of the most difficult parts of the project. There are a lot of things that can go wrong and it can be tricky figuring out whether or not you have a hardware problem or a software problem.
This is a picture of my prototype circuit using the MSP430G2231 Micro Controller, the TI launchpad and a Breadboard to make sure everything worked. I am not going to cover how I build this circuit, However, I will include the source code…
This is the Code you will need to make the counter work. This assumes that you use P1.7 for the switch and P1.0 – P1.6 for the LED segments. 7 Segment LED displays are labeled A – G, P1.0 is attached to A, P1.1 is attached to B, and so on…
#include
typedef unsigned char u08;
typedef const char r08;
u08 count = 8; //
u08 swnew = 0; // switch logic
u08 swold = 0; // switch state latch
r08 segdata[] = { 0x3F, // '0' -|-|F|E|D|C|B|A
0x06, // '1' -|-|-|-|-|C|B|-
0x5B, // '2' -|G|-|E|D|-|B|A
0x4F, // '3' -|G|-|-|D|C|B|A
0x66, // '4' -|G|F|-|-|C|B|-
0x6D, // '5' -|G|F|-|D|C|-|A
0x7D, // '6' -|G|F|E|D|C|-|A
0x07, // '7' -|-|-|-|-|C|B|A
0x7F,}; // '8' -|G|F|E|D|C|B|A
/*****************************************************************
* main init *
*****************************************************************/
/*
* enable the internal resistor for P1.7 (maintain a '0' bit
* in P1OUT bit 7 to enable the "pull-down" resistor).
*/
void main()
{
WDTCTL = WDTPW + WDTHOLD; // Stop watchdog timer
P1DIR = 0x7F; // P1.6-0 outputs, P1.7 input
P1REN = BIT7; // enable P1.7 resistor
P1OUT = (~segdata[count]) & 0x7F; // display initial 'count'
/*****************************************************************
* main loop *
*****************************************************************/
while(1) // main loop
{ //
__delay_cycles(20000); // 20-ms debounce delay
swnew = P1IN; // sample active hi switches
/*
* parallel switch state logic produces "new press" flags
*
* swnew __---___---___---___ sample active hi switches
* swold ___---___---___---__ switch state latch
* swnew __-__-__-__-__-__-__ changes, press or release
* swnew __-_____-_____-_____ filter out 'release' bits
*/
swnew ^= swold; // changes, press or release
swold ^= swnew; // update switch state latch
swnew &= swold; // filter out 'release' bits
if(swnew & BIT7) // if P1.7 switch "new press"
{ if(count == 0) // if lower limit (0)
count = 8; // rollover to 9
else // otherwise
count--; // decrement 'count'
P1OUT = (~segdata[count]) & 0x7F; // update 7-segment display
}
}
}
Step #2: Installing the Ammo counter
You will need to gut the gun completely before installing the ammo counter, including the battery pack because you have to solder a few wires onto it.
Java: Hello World!
Whenever you learn a new programming language, the first program you write will most likely always be, “Hello World!”. It is a simple command line program that does one thing, displays the words (or string of text rather) “Hello World!” onto the screen.
This program helps you learn the most basic syntax of that language, if you can not get this Hello_World.java program to run, you won’t be able to get any other programs to work either, so pay close attention and make sure you understand how and why it works!
/* This is a comment, this will not be read by the program.
Comments allow other programmers to better understand your code */
public class Hello_World //public class must match program name
{
public static void main(String[] args)
{
System.out.println("Hello, World!");
}
}
Anything between the /* and */ will be considered a comment. This type of comment is able to span any amount of lines, and can contain any type of character. You can also use a // Comment here, the program will start ignoring everything on a given line, starting at the //
For example, if you are the creative type and want to create a header for your program…
/********************************
* mlinton.com
* by Mark Linton
* © 2011
* Thank you for Visiting!
/*******************************/
Everything withing the /* — */ is considered a comment, this is usually used for providing contact or copyright information.
You could also use single line comments, keep in mind, single line comments do not have an end point, so there is no need to place anything at the end of your line.
//******************************
// mlinton.com
// by Mark Linton
// © 2011
// Thank you for Visiting!
//******************************
This next section “public class” need to match your program name without the extension, for example, if I saved this program as “Hello_World.java”, then the public class would be “Hello_World” (without the quotes). This area is also case sensitive, so be careful!
public class Hello_World
public static void main is used later on, if you use a program like Eclipse (which I highly recommend) this will be added for you automatically, every program needs this argument to run, though it can be modified for other programs.
public static void main(String[] args)
System.out.println calls the command to print what ever is placed inside the (” “); and print it to the screen. Note: in java you have “print’ and “println”, the only difference is that when you use “print” it prints everything on that line that the program is currently on. If you use “println” it will print the content on a new line.
System.out.println("Hello, World!");
And, much to our joy, if we run the program, it works!
The Gospel
The Gospel. The Gospel. The Gospel.
God, who lived in perfect unity within the community of the trinity choose to Glorify himself by demonstrating four attributes. Justice, Wrath, Mercy and Grace all while glorifying Jesus Christ the second person in the Godhead. (Micah 5:2, Romans 9:22)
There is no demonstration of wrath, anger or justice when you are in perfect fellowship. Likewise, Grace and Mercy require these opposite demonstrations to be understood. (Luke 7:47, Matthew 9:12-13)
A plan was devised, one where God would be just and the justifier. So God created man. Adam and Eve. In a perfect, glorious state called Eden. No death, No sickness, No disease. A perfect reflection of the creativity of the Creator God, Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:26-31)
With one law. Do not eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:17)
Adam and Eve, unwilling to be submissive to God, choose to be “as God” and because of their rebellion, sin, death, sickness and disease came upon everyone from that time forward as punishment.
Since then, men have become an enemy of God, deserving of wrath and hatred. Liars, Theives, Blasphemers, Adulteress and Autonomous Lifestyles. There is no creation on earth more wicked then a human being, and there is no creature on earth more in need of a Savior then you.
But as part of the eternal decree of God, knowing that just being Just would lead to all men Going to hell. He sought out a people for himself before the foundations of the world.
He, Christ the Lord, descended from his throne in heaven, was awakened to the stench of a manger after forever taking on the flesh of man. He walked the earth for 33 years, the creator and owner of all things took possession of nothing. He retained his holiness and never sinned.
Men, still being enemies of God refused to submit to his kingly rule and plotted against him. They captured the perfect, sinless Christ of God and beat Him, tortured Him, crucified Him and killed Him.
But his death was not the full extent of what Christ took on himself.
While on the cross, in just three hours, Christ the lamb of God became sin, he took the eternal unending wrath of God that wicked rebellious enemies of his deserve in Hell, in just three waking hours before his death for those that repent of sin and trust in him.
Christ was just (he demands punishment for sin) and the justifier (the one who took justice upon himself) The God of the universe demonstrated his wrath and anger on the Cross, why at the same time demonstrating Grace and mercy.
But it didn’t stop there.
He was buried in a tomb and as a sign that the Father was pleased and justice was satisfied. Christ physically rose again three days later proving his deity and victory.
After he arose, he appeared before many men and ascended back into heaven where Christ the great high priest now sits down making his enemies a footstool and restoring all things through the work of his Bride, the Church.
Examine yourself. Beg God to give you a hatred of your sin that leads to repentance so that you might have eternal life. Or else, there will be no satisfied justice for your sins and the wrath of God will be poured out upon you.
Are you created to worship God as a vessel of wrath and anger or as a vessel of Mercy and Grace?
Cry out to God for hope.
This articulation of the Gospel was put together by a friend of mine, Marcus Pittman.
Visit his site!
CrownRightsMedia.com
Visit his site!
CrownRightsMedia.com
Top 10 Free Programs for Windows
1) CCleaner Product Page
My favorite program to use on a regular basic is CCleaner. This free application developed by Piriform is small, simple and easy to use, but best of all it’s free! During installation you do need to watch out for the additional option to install Google Chrome or the Google toolbar if you do not have it already, while I would recommend Google Chrome, be sure to uncheck the box if you would rather not have them.
CCleaner is our system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. It removes unused files from your system – allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. Additionally it contains a fully featured registry cleaner. But the best part is that it’s fast (normally taking less than a second to run) and contains NO Spyware or Adware!
2) Defraggler Product Page
Also made by Piriform Defraggler is a much smarter and more capable defrag utility. It gives you the option of defefragging multiple drives, folders, or files. It is easy to use and works quickly, once again, FREE…
Use Defraggler to defrag your entire hard drive, or individual files – unique in the industry. This compact and portable Windows application supports NTFS and FAT32 file systems.
3) Avira Antivr Personal Product Page
As far as Antivirus software goes, there are better things out there (ESET NOD32 for example) but for FREE, I have not found anything better than Avira. The Avira (Antivr) Personal Edition Anti Virus application does not require any type of registration, although you do have the option to during installation. The only type of advertisement you get is a window that pops up every couple of days that informs you of their premium software versions, there is a “Ok” button at the bottom you can slick to make it go away. Once again, its free, you should expect things like that by know from anything that is free (and legal) on the internet. It is great at catching infections and its non intrusive, highly recommended!
4) K-Lite Codec Pack Product Page
This is for anyone that likes to watch a lot of video! While most of the internet has migrated their video content over to youtube, some have chosen to continue hosting their video on their web pages because of this, there is very little standardization as far as what codec someone will chose to use. K-Lite is the answer, it is a very light weight media player that uses the old “classic” windows media player interface, but it is packed with tons of codec’s, in fact, I have yet to find a video that it will not play.
To Be Continued…
The Google+ Project: My Review
Google+ — could Googles new social networking site dethrone Facebook from its Social Networking empire? In my opinion, “kinda”… Facebook will likely always have millions users at this point, they have grown so large that its hard to imagine a world without Facebook. At the same time, it is hard to imagine searching the Internet without Google.Technology is all about innovation, “Innovate or Die” in fact. This is where Google has made a creative innovation. Rather than being in the “searching and indexing business” they have shown us that they are in the “Internet business (and all that it includes)”. If you have a Google+ account at this point you have likely had a conversation with someone comparing Facebook and Google+. But this really shouldn’t be the main case (for or against, either). Google is creating something much more that just another “social networking” site, they are enhancing the over all Internet experience.By integrating Social Networking into their existing infrastructure of e-mail, on-line office tools, youtube, and a few dozen other things, you don’t have to go to a separate site to do the most commons things, like viewing new notifications and posting replies. This is a very appealing feature that Facebook will have a difficult time matching without a 3rd party add on for web browsers.
Google+ is very stream line, easy to learn, and fun to use! But my favorite thing about Google+ is the privacy policy! While Google has failed at times to maintain their promise of “Don’t be Evil” 100% of the time, they have done pretty well, and the privacy policy for Google+ is no exception, it stands far above Facebook in every way. Google+ has a very easy to use system of “Circles” — these circles can be used to mach how you know and interact with people in the real world. Because there are some things that you will share with anyone, like “We just had a baby!”, but there are also things that you only want to share with those close to you, like,“There is a family get-together at my parents tonight!”… Google+ allows you to easily share information with those you want to, and prevent it from being shared with those you don’t.
As long as Google maintains their strong privacy policy, and continues to enhance the over all Internet and cloud experience, I think that they had a strong chance of taking over as the worlds largest social networking site.
Dell 1907FP Repair
First Video Tutorial! There is a common manufacturer defect on 19″ Dell LCD Monitors, model 1907FP (Vt). This video covers; taking the monitor apart, locating the failed capacitors, soldering in new ones, and reassembling the unit.
Parts, you need two of these!
Digikey model number 493-1497-ND
Nichicon part number: UHE1A102MPD6
The capacitors on the board are labeled, C824 and C825.
