(Perhaps) Free eval boards/Arduino shields/sensor boards etc. from Maxim

[The Soulman]

Whoohoo! today I received a shipping notification from maxim! 
Although the parts already arrived, a week ago... 

[The Soulman]

Maybe we could start a project to create a DAQ with the 24 bit ADC? Would there be interest in such project?

Yeah sounds neat, but first a thread to provide some documentation and some basic input (protection) circuitry.
And then, more advanced software to setup easy data logging over the multiple inputs with some half decent resolution.
A dac sounds useful as well as a accurate signal source from dc to 1KHz?

Anyone care to start such a thread?
My adc has to live in the pizza box a bit longer before I get some other projects off the bench..

Pre post edit:  DAQ as in data acquisition, not DAC as in digital to analog converter... never mind..

[jasonbrent]

I received an email from them apologizing for the delay earlier today. Mine is apparenty now in the queue for shipment. Perhaps they are just wayyyy behind.

[Cloud]

Anyone else received Civil end-user statment to fill out?

[Ysjoelfir]

Anyone else received Civil end-user statment to fill out?

Sure. And since you live in one of those evil eastern states which are located geographicaly close to russia you are a potential danger for the poor US economy!
(Meaning: sure, just write that you don't intend to sell that stuff to anyone and everything is fine.)

[bitwelder]

Do they *require* a company/business address, or any humble hobbyist private address would be ok?

[The Soulman]

Do they *require* a company/business address, or any humble hobbyist private address would be ok?

You only have to think of a imaginary company name, address and such can be your personal.

[bitwelder]

You only have to think of a imaginary company name, address and such can be your personal.

Thanks. I think "Acme Bomb Inc." would do it 

[Brumby]

Been meaning to post this for a bit ....  I recently received an SMS from DHL notifying of a shipment from MAXIM PHIL OPERATING.

Delivery is estimated for Friday 13th.  I Hope that's not an omen.

[CJay]

I managed to lay my hands on one of the LED Matrix demo boards (traded with a friend) in addition to the 24 bit isolated ADC board I ordered and received.

It's, umm, not fantastic shall we say.

The demo is uninspiring and it doesn't seem to be a particularly useful board at all but, worse, it's now dead.

I loaded the code into an Arduino, it ran, I reset it after making a few changes to get a feel for how it works, it ran and worked how I expected it to.

Then it died, I've not been able to bring it back to life at all, reloaded the original sketch, reset, tried a different Arduino, checked power supplies etc.

It's dead Jim.

Not impressed, so that's one for the bin.

[Brumby]

Received a tracking update over my morning cuppa - scheduled for delivery today!!

Checked the tracking and saw it was in the hands of the delivery driver at 7:37.  It was delivered exactly one hour later ... just a few minutes ago!


Have to clear a spot before I can open it...!

[soubitos]

Received a tracking update over my morning cuppa - scheduled for delivery today!!

Checked the tracking and saw it was in the hands of the delivery driver at 7:37.  It was delivered exactly one hour later ... just a few minutes ago!


Have to clear a spot before I can open it...!

When did you apply for this?

[Brumby]

I recorded that here in this thread.

Here it is...

Well, I've just put in for the 24 bit ADC eval kit.

Will it come?  If so, will I get it before or after Easter?

So, 72 days by my reckoning - and only 3 of those days were for transit.

[soubitos]

I recorded that here in this thread.

Here it is...

Well, I've just put in for the 24 bit ADC eval kit.

Will it come?  If so, will I get it before or after Easter?

So, 72 days by my reckoning - and only 3 of those days were for transit.

Well then... i might just have a chance to get something after all.. although i am sure i placed my order about a month earlier well.. anyway...

[Brumby]

Still haven't opened the box yet.

It patiently sits behind me ... just beckoning ... teasingly.

[jasonbrent]

Still haven't opened the box yet.

It patiently sits behind me ... just beckoning ... teasingly.

Make it wait as long as you did....

[Brumby]

Twice tortured!

(It's still skulking in the shadows, but I shall prevail - tomorrow maybe.)

[Brumby]

It is done.

Neat boards - with rubber feet, no less - 24 bit ADC evaluation board and a 5.5V 5A power modules evaluation kit.  (I just know I'm going to have fun with finding out just how noisy things are around my bench...)

Also included was a very nice 192 page notebook with 5mm grid; a silicone credit card pouch you can stick on something (they suggest your mobile device); a black pen with Maxim logo - which stares at you if you are right-handed (southpaws are spared this); a 1.8m micro USB cable and a pack of 12 alligator clip cables from Adafruit.

Took its time getting here - but you can't argue for the price.

[Macbeth]

Blimey - I ordered this last year and got nothing, but then an email from Maxim congratulating me on my EV kit (not received) and telling me how I must have had so much productive use with it that I should go and ask for a free MAX11410 EV kit. Which is exactly what I ordered back in December and not received... 

That was February. I sent a mildly snarky email back and had no response and wrote of Maxim.

I've just got a DHL notification that my kit is coming from the Philippines. Tracked. Priority Airmail. WTF? 

[nidlaX]

Again, it takes a long time, but I think you can't complain given the amount of goodies they actually send you. It's above and beyond what you can get from most component manufacturers these days.

[stevelup]

I got my shipping notice yesterday (and hadn’t sent any snarky e-mails) so I guess they’re just working through them slowly.

[timelessbeing]

I got my Maxim stuff today. First impression is disappointment.

The output cap on the 17503 DC-DC board came pre-exploded. Is it a used module or something?

Then there's the 7219 LED array. The pins were bent up, and they didn't line up the emitters, which would have kept the spacing between LEDs consistent. So instead there's an ugly cross-shapped gap in the middle. There's a switch on the back with no marking showing what is on or off. There is what looks like an indicator LED, but it stays on in both switch positions. Do I have to read a manual to find out how to turn it on?

I know it's free, and it's rude to look a gift horse in the mouth. But these kits are supposed to get people excited about using your product. People will be evaluating them (and Maxim).

[Brumby]

Nice crack in the top of that cap.

As for the LED modules, those tabs and slots are meant to link the modules, so there is no gap.  As they are, the emitters are not equally spaced between the modules (as they are within each module).

Fitted properly, they should look something more like this:

[timelessbeing]

Nice crack in the top of that cap.

And what's that gob of solder doing underneath it?

those tabs and slots are meant to link the modules, so there is no gap.  As they are, the emitters are not equally spaced

That's exactly what I said. They should have made it look nice.

[Brumby]

Nice crack in the top of that cap.

And what's that gob of solder doing underneath it?

An excess of solder paste.  I doubt it would do anything to affect operation ... but it isn't pretty.

those tabs and slots are meant to link the modules, so there is no gap.  As they are, the emitters are not equally spaced

That's exactly what I said. They should have made it look nice.

Sorry - I didn't quite read it that way.  Besides, there are always going to be joints between any sort of modular display - but it is normal for these to be behind a covering panel, which will hide this - especially if there is any sort of tint.