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Danger Shield

Replacement:DEV-11649. We have a new rev of this shield, go check it out! This page is for reference only.

The Danger Shield mounts on top of your Arduino or Arduino Pro and equips it with a variety of fun and useful inputs and outputs. The Danger Shield has so much potential; we can't wait to see what you're able to do with it! The shield's features include:

  • Three linear slide potentiometers connected to the Arduino's analog pins 0 through 2.
  • Red and yellow LEDs connected to digital pins 5 and 6 - PWM pins - so you can easily vary their brightness.
  • Three momentary push buttons connected up to the Arduino's digital pins 10 through 12. Those lines will go low when the buttons are pressed.
  • A photocell and a temperature sensor, both with analog outputs, are connected to the analog pins 3 and 4, respectively.
  • An 8-bit shift register set up to control a blue 7-segment LED.
  • A buzzer - so you can get sound out of your Arduino

  • Capacitive Touch pad - Using the CapSense library to sense touch.

    This new version uses a different temperature sensor. This product comes as a kit of parts, which you'll have to solder into the included PCB. All parts are through-hole so it should go together relatively easily; but always check your component orientation before soldering!

Replaces:DEV-10115

Comments

Looking for answers to technical questions?

We welcome your comments and suggestions below. However, if you are looking for solutions to technical questions please see our Technical Assistance page.

  • Snobbotics / about 13 years ago / 5

    So why call this a danger shield?

  • mmensinger / about 13 years ago / 4

    i want that glowing orb. you know, become a psychic or something

  • Isdale / about 12 years ago / 2

    Instructions on this board are over at the retail version tutorial ... http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/274

  • Member #318000 / about 13 years ago * / 2

    It's May 2012 and I would not buy this item if you care about the temperature sensor -- until they release a kit with an updated pc board. I couldn't get mine to work, poked around and found the TMP36 sensor they used in the kit that was shipped to me is not a straight-up substition for the LM335 or whatever temperature sensor they used to use. I have no idea why they are shipping danger shield kits with the TMP36 without having fixed the pc board to accomodate the TMP36. I had to modify the temperature sensor circuit area to get it to work (remove the 10K resistor next to the TMP36, connect the TMP36 voltage supply pin to the danger shield voltage bus, and tack a 0.1 uf capacitor between voltage supply and ground as shown in the datasheet).

    • donwatkins10 / about 12 years ago / 1

      I agree with your findings. The two devices are not pin compatible and require a completely different wiring strategy. Given the two datasheets, the exising danger shield diagram, and the board itself, the TMP36 cannot simply be substituted for the LM335. I ended up ordering a LM335 online. The board works without modification with an LM335.

      Perhaps a "respin" is coming for this board???

      • Member #378383 / about 12 years ago / 1

        I just ran into this same thing..just removed the 10K resistor and wired up Vcc to the pin of the TMP36 that was not used (+V pin). Didn't bother with the cap but ..not a bad thought. Also..this Danger Shield has no 10K pull up resistors on the push button switches which makes it a pain to use so i added 3 10K pullups one on each switch. Much more reliable.

  • Liny / about 13 years ago / 2

    CapSense lib

    Incase anyone was wondering where to get that.

  • Sciguy / about 13 years ago / 2

    Sign me up for the one with the motorized sliding pots!
    :)

  • donwatkins10 / about 12 years ago / 1

    My package arrived with the TMP36 instead of the LM335 (as noted in the writeup). However, the board has not been updated to work with the TMP36. The two temperatur sensing devices share the same package but are they are not pin compatible. The two devices differ greatly in their usage. This is noted in the forums somewhere also. One person modified the wiring to make it work with the TMP36. I looked at the diagram and board and decided to just order an LM335 and do it correctly. Take a look at the schematic and then check the datasheets for the two sensors and you'll see.

  • Isdale / about 13 years ago / 1

    Danger Shield is an interesting project with lots of parts for experimenting. The DIYCode Shield is similar but has some alternatives http://www.diyode.com/2012/02/building-the-codeshield/ It does not have the cap touch or fancy temp sensor - it has a thermistor instead. What it does have that would be really cool for learning is: * rotary encoder * Servo Motor * relay with screw terminals

    I dont know were you could squeeze those onto the DS, but they have me intrigued. A board with those would pretty much fill out the parts needed for the ARDX series of intro tutorials, plus a few.

  • Jade / about 13 years ago / 1

    Danger shield has a lot of... devices, yet not enough to do anything specific. I wish SparkFun carried the 7-segment shield instead (with 4 digits), or at least made their own equivalent.

    I had to make a programmable thermostat that shut down computers if the server closet got too hot. I made a 7-segment shield equivalent for less than $30. The official version sells for about $50. I'm sure SparkFun could make a cheaper version.

    • MikeGrusin / about 13 years ago / 1

      You might consider our serial 7-segment displays, which are very easy to connect to an Arduino (3 wires) and are in a form-factor that lends itself to more options than a shield.

      • Jade / about 13 years ago / 1

        I bought those too. Made a Back To The Future style server status display to work directly with FTDI link (bypassing Arduino all together). They're great!

        The reason I suggest having a shield still is because lots of people want to code without having to wire. That's the appeal of the danger shield - multiple I/O's, zero soldering.

        A 7-segment shield is easy to put together. One 4511 BCD decoder multiplexed to 7-digit displays. Few buttons, resistors and one LM35 temperature transistor. The cost, not counting the PCB is about $15. The official version is seriously overpriced at $50 for what it offers. There's an opportunity for some competition.

        • MikeGrusin / about 13 years ago / 1

          Fair enough, and thanks for the feedback. The danger shield was meant to be more of a "busy box" than a general-purpose interface, but there's no reason it can't be both. We'll definitely consider a shield with more digits in the future.

  • Ichbinjoe / about 13 years ago / 1

    Just throwing this out there, but next version(or just another product), Motorized pots? It sure does seem like the next step for this board

  • Madbodger / about 13 years ago / 1

    Hmm, the previous version says this one has a new temperature sensor, but they're both listed as TMP36. Weirdly, the schematic shows the LM335, like the Danger Shield of two versions ago.

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