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Here's the official parts list for the Micromite Companion Kit

1 – Propellerpowered Micromite Companion Kit PCB kit
1 – VGA connector
1 – PS/2 connector
1 – Headphone audio connector
1 - 2.1mm barrel connector
1 – 10pin male header (or two 5pin male headers)
1 - 4pin male angled header
2 – 10uf Electrolytic capacitors
4 – 0.1 capacitors
4 – 1.1k(or 1k) resistors
10 – 10k resistors
2 – 100ohm resistors
3 – 120ohm resistors
3 – 470ohm resistors
6 – 240ohm resistors
2 - Shunt Jumpers
1 - Reset Switch
1 - 40pin socket
1 - 8pin socket
1 - 28pin socket
1 - 47uf capacitor
1 - 5mhz crystal
1 - Propeller Chip
1 - 24LC256 32K EERPOM
1 - PIC32 Micromite Chip
1 - 5v regulator
1 - 3v regulator
2 - 220uf caps
1 - 1N4001 Electrolytic diode
1 - SD socket connector
3 - 16pin female headers
1 - Self-Stick Breadboard  (color picked by the hand of fate)

Note: At times you may find a few extra resistors.  There is nothing wrong with this.
Since we purchase resistors by the roll and cut them for kits, I tend to error on the side of "too many" than "too few".

It is important that you follow the assembly steps as written.  If you try to "build ahead", you will have trouble with this kit.

STEP 1

* Insert & solder both the 8pin and 40pin sockets with their "notches" facing toward the left.
Special Note!  Do NOT solder in the 28pin Micromite Socket until instructed to do so!

* Recommended Improvement: Connect pins 9 & 10 (Vss & BOEn) together at the bottom of 40 pin socket.
This will reduce the possibility of "resets" in noisy environments, or if you brush your fingers across the Propeller chip's pins while it is on.
You can use a small piece of resistor cutting, or a simple solder blob will work as well.   See image two.

* Insert the 3.3v Voltage Regulator into U8 (FAR LEFT, EDGE OF BOARD) and solder.

* Insert the 5v Voltage Regulator into U6 and solder.

The 5v regulator is labelled 7805 -5
The 3v regulator is labelled LM2937 / LM2937ET


Seasonal Electronics Tip:
Due to seasonal conditions, many of us will be turning up our heat, drying out our inside air.
These conditions are ideal for generating static which can potentially damage your MMC.   Always make sure to "discharge" yourself
before working on any electronics.   If you are feeling static shocks when touching door handles, this should heighten your awareness.
A grounded Anti-Static strap is a good way to make sure your chips stay safe during handling.

STEP 3

VGA Output Circuit: *See builder tips below!
* Insert and Solder VGA output resistors into place.
R1,2,4,8,11 = 240 ohm
R6,10,13 = 120 ohm
R5,9,12 = 470 ohm
R3,7 = 1k or 1.1k

We've provided three jumpers.  You'll need two for now to use the unit in 64 color mode.  (See 2nd image for installation.)

EEPROM Circuit:
* Insert and solder two 10k resistors at R23 and R24.

Audio Circuit:
* Insert and solder two 1.1k(or1 k) resistors at R18 and R19.

Keyboard Circuit: *See builder tips below!
* Insert and solder two 100ohm resistors at R15 and R17.
* Insert and solder two 10k resistors at R14 and R16.

SD Socket Resistors:
* Insert and solder four 10k resistors in a row at R25,R22,R26,R27.

A tip from another builder:
"Install R14-R17 with their bodies toward the back (connector end) of the board. Don't match the picture on the PCB silkscreen. I had a resistor bend backward a bit and the bare lead touched the keyboard plug case (which is ground)"

A tip from another builder:
"Note the sequence of the keyboard resistors are 15,14,16,17.  If you move from installing the VGA resistors to installing the keyboard resistors without paying attention it's easy to make a mistake here."

A tip from another builder:
"Be careful of 1k (brown,black,red) and 10k (brown,black,orange) resistors.  The red and orange stripes can be deceptive at a glance.  If in doubt grab a VOM and test the resistance to make sure you are installing the correct values." 

STEP 5

Solder in the power, keyboard, audio, and VGA connectors

STEP 7

STOP RIGHT HERE!  DO NOT ATTACH ANOTHER PART UNTIL YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THIS STEP!

Before attaching the 28pin socket for the Micromite, it is required that you do a quick test to make sure that the SD card socket is attached properly.
Install both the Propeller Chip and the EEPROM.  Both chips should face left (notches), toward the two regulators.
Using an 2GB (or smaller) SD card, connect the Micromite Companion to Monitor, Keyboard, and power with the card inserted.

If the Micromite Companion boots, you will see a Logo screen and the word, READY.  (This is already a good sign!)
Note: You will not be able to type or see characters yet because you've not connected the Micromite.

* Press F8 on the keyboard.   You should see a directory listing of your files on the SD card.

If the system screen stays black, and the keyboard lights flash, recheck your SD card, and SD card connections before you continue to the next step.

Tip from another builder:
"Make sure your SD card is formatted during the step.  The MMC is expecting a 2GB (or smaller) card."

STEP 9

* Insert and solder the three 16pin female headers that surround the breadboard.

* Stick on the self-stick breadboard.

Note: we've noticed that one of our breadboard suppliers has been shipping breadboards with the special "fingers" on two sides to allow you to interconnect more than one.   We've checked them out, and with the fingers it still fits correctly, tightly; but you may still want to eliminate the plastic fingers with a razor knife before installing.

* Insert the Micromite PIC chip into the socket.  It's notch should be upward.


Congratulations!  You have completed the Micromite Companion Build!

Using the Nunchuck Controller with your Micromite Companion:

There is a Wii* Compatible Nunchuck connector below the SD slot on your Micromite Companion.

The Nunchuck plug has both a plastic clip side and a U-shaped metal side.   The Nunchuck should ALWAYS be plugged in U-shaped side up.