In the Maker Shed: Chumby Guts

Technology
In the Maker Shed: Chumby Guts
MKCH1-2 2.jpg

Yep, that’s right, the Maker Shed has Chumby guts all ready for you to hack, modify, or just make a cool enclosure and enjoy. What’s a Chumby? Glad you asked! It’s an amazing little piece of technology that lets you get what’s best on the web and delivers it right to you on it’s 3.5″ touch screen LCD. You can play games, check the weather, twitter, news, and music, even watch YouTube videos. All of this is done via you home’s wireless Internet connection. Get ’em while you can, we have limited stock and we will not receive any more this year…if ever.

Here’s what comes in each kit:

  • 3.5” LCD (320hx240v 16bpp TFT) with Touch Screen
  • Texas Instruments TSC2100 Programmable Touchscreen Controller with Stereo DAC
  • Plastic Front Bezel
  • Gasket
  • Aluminum Frame
  • 4 x Screws to attach Aluminum Frame to Front Bezel
  • 350MHz Freescale iMX21 MC94MX21DVKN3 ARM9 controller Motherboard Circuit Card Assembly with Samsung 64MB SDRAM on 32-bit data path and Hynix HY27US 64MB NAND Flash ROM
  • Kionix KXP74-1050 3-axis accelerometer
  • Daughtercard Circuit Card Assembly
  • Three USB 2.0 full speed ports, one internal, two external
  • Chumbilical Flex Cable from Daughter card CCA to Motherboard CCA
  • Wifi Riser Circuit Card Assembly
  • USB Wifi Dongle based on the Xterasys 3135G 802.11g USB Wifi adapter (ralink chipset)
  • Flex Cable for Wifi Riser CCA to Motherboard CCA
  • 3 x Screws for Wifi Riser CCA to Motherboard CCA
  • 3 x Standoffs for screws for Wifi Riser CCA to Motherboard CCA
  • 2 x 2W StereoSpeakers
  • 4 x Screws for Speaker to Plastic Speaker Holder
  • Plastic Speaker Holder
  • Switch for Bend Sensor
  • Plastic Switch Holder
  • 2 wire cable with 2 pin connector(from Daughterboard CCA to switch)
  • 2 x Screws to Attach Switch to Plastic Switch Holder
  • 12 V DC 1A Power Supply
  • Built-in microphone

(Note: actual parts may vary slightly due to manufacturing and availability)

14 thoughts on “In the Maker Shed: Chumby Guts

  1. pjhenry1216 says:

    I’ve never really worked with crafting an enclosure. I’d like to create one for maybe even a 3D printer or just a laser cutter. What software is available to design that? And has anyone designed on and ran into any hangups that could give me a few things to watch out for?

    1. John Park says:

      My friend Joe designed this Chumby enclosure in CorelDraw, and I cut it for him on a laser cutter: http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/10/custom_chumby_case.html This was a prototype and there are things to change, but I’ll blog about it here on MAKE as we go.

      Here are some more great enclosure ideas: http://craftzine.com/03/hack_chumby/

      And I know Becky Stern sewed her own awesome Chumby case, but I can’t find if for the life of me! Becky?

  2. KentKB says:

    Hi Kids,
    I got a Chumby Guts during the first offering and must say this is something that everyone should have, an easy build of under 10 minutes and WooT! instant satisfaction!
    Yes you do not have to be a TechnoGeek to make, in fact I recommend this to anyone for a first time project,did I tell you , it works great. The widgets are fun and you may find like I did that you will want more than one!
    Signed up at the Web Site http://www.chumby.com/ for a free account, this way you can check out all the widgets.I think the body hacking is a great “get your foot in the door” project.Maybe put it inside that old clock your Momma gave you, or maybe a wall hanger, hey, install one by the toilet paper dispenser so you can check your weather report as you, ahh, “rest”
    As a side note I called the Chumby folks with an issue and they are great to work with and got me up and running again.Yes the Chumby peeps support my lil’ ChumGutz just like any other Chumby….Neat.
    My next one was shipped out to my work place Friday and I am off work today, darn it.

    Thanks, Maker Shed and Chumby.

  3. Simon says:

    OK, you got me. I placed an order. Well, the NZ$ is high and this seems an interesting gadget to twiddle with. Will have to see if I was quick enough to order and if it turns up all the way down here!

    What is the story with streaming video to it? Is that possible? Am just looking at the list of Widgets now and haven’t worked it out yet.

  4. charlie says:

    price hike? wasn’t it $99 last time?

    1. wayn3w says:

      Yes, it was $99. Given that the Chumby One has better specs and an introductory price of $99, I would recommend those that wish to save money and can wait to instead buy the Chumby One.

  5. Takamori says:

    I’m so glad there is a super hackable Chumby now! One of the main reasons I decided not to get one was the leather casing (I’m a vegetarian). But now I can put my own custom hacked version into a recycled wood or plastic case! Keep up the good work and can’t wait to the custom outfits people put theirs in.

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