Digs for QPID

After many months of thinking about the design, I finally started putting together a housing for QPID. Since it'll be sitting outside all day, it needs to be pretty weather-proof so water resistance and wind resistance are crucial. And the connectors need to be easily accessible but protected from the elements.

I built a basic stand out of black iron pipe. It's cheap, flexible (in terms of design), and it seems to go well with the BBQ smoker aesthetic. And the weight will help to ensure QPID stays put despite wind gusts and rambunctious beagles. The design is also stable when the unit is laid on its back, with makes hooking up the connectors underneath breeze.

The housing itself is made from 1/2" poplar. This part is still a work in progress, and I'll be adding additional panels on the top and side to shield things from the elements. Once everything's done I'll paint/seal it with a textured metallic paint to keep with the overall look.

For the LEDs, I may cover the front with a thin sheet of clear plastic and leave the indicators unpainted or maybe white. The other option is to find some clear plastic plugs or dowels and secure them in the holes with a waterproof sealant.

Arduino Shield Layout

In case anyone out there needs it (you know who you are), here's the basic layout file for ExpressPCB that I created to make the QPID shield. The pins are labeled and positioned to precisely match the Arduino Duemilanove and AsyncLabs' new BlackWidow. Hopefully this will come in handy if you're looking to create a custom shield using the ExpressPCB software.

QPID Shield Hardware Specs

In response to a number of requests I've received during the last few months, I've posted full specs for the QPID Shield. This PDF includes PCB artwork, component locations, and a detailed parts list. The design is provided under the terms of the TAPR Noncommercial Hardware License.

If you print the document, make sure the 'no scaling' option is selected to ensure that the PCB artwork is printed exactly to scale. Everything's been double checked for accuracy and completeness, but please post a comment below if you encounter any discrepancies or have any questions.

With a major winter storm approaching Chicago this evening, it's hard to imagine that we'll be smoking meat again in a few short months...

Enjoy!