Sign up for Design News newsletters
Gadget Freak Case #103: New Potato Gun for the French Fryin' LegionGadget Freak Case #103: New Potato Gun for the French Fryin' Legion
DN Staff
June 4, 2007
3 Min Read
This project is definitely not small potatoes - three barrels loaded with spuds and charged with propane! Two PIC microcontrollers handle the User Interface, Azimuth and Elevation Aiming and Fire Control functions. Aiming is controlled with a joystick. The Fire Control subsystem verifies a projectile is loaded in the selected barrel before injecting the controlled charge of fuel and that the barrel is armed before firing. It doesn't verify the operator's age, sobriety or aim - that's your responsibility. The chips will fall where they may. Watch the video!
Download the build instructions | View Parts List | Post a Comment
Amt | Part Description | Allied Part # |
1 | PIC18F452 Microcontroller | 383-0570 |
1 | PIC16F88 Microcontroller | 383-0496 |
2 | 12V Rechargeable Battery | 610-0032 |
3 | LED - Green | 679-3001 |
3 | LED - Red | 749-9839 |
3 | LED - Yellow | 679-4306 |
1 | Buzzer - 5V | 404-0121 |
2 | H-Bridge | 288-1573 |
1 | 4 MHz Crystal | 895-0604 |
Other Parts and Materials: | ||
2 | Voltage Regulator - 5V | |
1 | 3-Axis Hall Effect Joystick with 5 NO Buttons | |
2 | Mechtex DC Motor w/ 750:1 Gear Box, 12V | |
1 | 15" Telescope Base plus Azimuth Rocker and 2 Altitude Rings | |
3 | Propane Torch Head | |
3 | #26 Automotive Spark Plug | |
3 | TTL Controlled Ignition Coil | |
3 | Bosch Solenoid Injection Valves | |
More batteries, plumbing, mechanical & electrical hardware and assorted passive electronic components (see text) |
About the Author
You May Also Like
Editors' Choice
Jan 28 - Jan 30, 2025
Jan 28 - Jan 30, 2025
The must-attend event for chip, board, and systems design engineers. DesignCon is the premier high-speed communications and system design conference and exposition, offering industry-critical engineering education in the heart of electronics innovation — Silicon Valley.
Register Now