Having the electronics laid out on paper, I can better determine placement for the overall design. Running cables throughout the project can be hidden inside objects, such as pillars, bleachers, platforms, stands, etc. Measure multiple times, and print once.

It should be of no surprise that I’m going through multiple design ideas at this point. The OLED text display will not work in the hands of a spectator in the bleachers. The idea of having people in bleachers is looking to only be good on paper, but not during implementation. This part of the display design is being scrapped, for a better solution. It’s only 4 cables to use the OLED display, but they come from the top of the component, making the cables wrap around the display to come down. This depends on the enclosure, and could be routed differently. The header pins were also removed, to slim the design.

The Arduino Mega is going to need a lot of overhead space, for the placement of the cables to run across the base, and not look like a complete rat’s nest. The basement idea will remain, but will need some modification so the whole project isn’t exaggeratedly elevated. Alternately, the Arduino Mega can be placed in a different position, and possibly work out better for the cables that need to run throughout the project, but that can’t be determined until general placement of the components is finalized.

With the TFT display in landscape mode, the cables will run along the side of the display, rather than coming from the top or bottom. There will be a total of 6 wires coming from the TFT display, making cable management mostly simple. While header pins and ribbon cables seem ideal, they add to the thickness of the enclosure for the display itself.

The base is staying the way I initially designed it, for the most part. I’ve removed the need for 9v battery, and will use an AC power source. The Arduino Mega can take that input, and regulate the 5v voltage to the components. Instead of having to reach into the compartment for the microSD card, it will be accessible through the outside, like any regular microSD card reader. The compartment will only need to be used for changing the coin battery on the RTC module.

The divider between the accessible compartment and the Arduino Mega is no longer needed, as it’s mostly pointless to have altogether. The base will be one open-area design, and have the components held down with pegs or enclosures. Additionally, the design to the base is slightly redesigned with simplicity in mind, as everything can be directly connected without routing through barriers.

 

New Design: Version Something.0

Having come up with a layout, I’ve settled on making this the true, final, “no more changes, I mean it” design. Instead of brain dumping all the back and forth between design ideas, here is my final idea:

• TFT and OLED displays in a Jumbotron style enclosure
• Motorcycle winner’s circle theme
  • Us as riders on raised level
  • Motorcycles on base level
• Electronics in rear base
  • Rear base slides into main display base
  • Rear clips into the front

 

The rear base has a door atop the compartment, for access to the coin battery, and electronics in general. The displays are above on the raised enclosure, and the back screwed into the front of the enclosure. This layout might be minimal, but it’s focused on us and our motorcycles. Overall, I’m satisfied with the layout and design.