29 replies to this topic

[Edvin]

So I've been messing around with making a digital ammo counter for my LS. Currently it's in initial phase, and I am still working with big, cheap, and power draining transistors (can't just slap a battery on there just yet). This requires a little bit of electronic works: Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Display:
The key here is a 74193 up-down binary counter. This baby works like a charm because you can preload the number to start counting from anything below 15. Naturally I went for 6, and it counts down on every rising edge clock signal.
To prevent digit rolling over after it reaches 0, because you wouldn't want to think you have 15 darts left after you fired 6 shots, I connected all the outputs to AND gates (7408 quad AND gate), and link the output back to the CLR of the 74193. And voila, as soon as the signal reach 0 (0000), the bugger rolls over to 15 (1111), and the whole thing is cleared back to 0 again.
The magazine release switch will load the counter back to 6 again.

Countdown trigger
This part is a little tricky, and I can't really find a way to do it just yet. I'm thinking of using a chain of FF switches with 2 triggers--from the cocking action, and then the pulling trigger. However, I haven't had time to think about this yet.

Loaded chamber indicator
I will be using a 1.5 digit display, which means I will have the decimal dot left unused. I'm thinking I might use the dot to display a cocked and loaded gun, since I will probably place the display right over the "loaded slot" of the gun (which turns orange after the gun is cocked.)

Now here is the big question:
I am a lowly electronics student and have barely any experience in the field--what transistors/displays should I use to keep power consumption low enough to stay on a AA or AAA batteries?

If I do anyone is interested, I will post a circuit diagram later.


**this will be the first step to my larger LS mod, which will include converting it to pump action Nerf, with the slide and connections being fitted within the gun rather than just connecting to the old cocking device.

[Capt Crunch2319]

I think your going to far with this ammo counter, but if it works I give you props for trying!!

[Substance Abuse]

When you say ammo counter you mean that like it has 12(or however many darts) and each time you fire the number goes down?

Wow some real guns dont even have that. Good Luck getting it to work.

[AnyaSeijin]

Take pictures along the way so we can ALL figure out how to do the mods your doing.


Otherwise, I can't wait to see the results.

[Megamannt92]

Cool idea! Good luck!

[z80]

Now here is the big question:
I am a lowly electronics student and have barely any experience in the field--what transistors/displays should I use to keep power consumption low enough to stay on a AA or AAA batteries?

I'm just going to suggest, that if you're having battery problems, you may wanna consider some rechargable lithium batteries. What type of voltages/milliamps are you working with here? Also, you should put the batteries in the stock, seems like it has the most room. Next, you should also rig the battery up to a flashlight in the gun, while you're at it. Lastly, you should make a crank charger, or have a charger set up to attach to the bolt, so you can charge while in battle, with minimal inconvinence.

[blinkycc13]

I think your going to far with this ammo counter, but if it works I give you props for trying!!

I don't know even one that does.
This is cool, but for some reason it sounds familiar like someone did it. I don't know how practical it is during a war, but its cool nontheless

[PvtMcFlurry]

Great Idea! Can't wait to see it. Take pictures please. I will surely do it to my ls if it is successful. Very origional.

[Capt Crunch2319]

i say you should put a counter on something like that new lever action rifle

and take pics.

[CaptainSlug]

Now here is the big question:
I am a lowly electronics student and have barely any experience in the field--what transistors/displays should I use to keep power consumption low enough to stay on a AA or AAA batteries?

The only forum I've received useful electronic diagram and equipment advice from was http://forums.bit-te...isplay.php?f=36
As for specific recommendations there is one thing you could do to simplify the circuit.
If you simply want the decimal to display when the weapon is primed you can wire that part of the segment display directly up to the power source with only a N.O. momentary switch as an interrupt. Then mount the momentary switch so that it gets depressed by the arm that rotates the priming indicator in the top of the gun.

That would also probably be the best way of triggering the counter the cycle as well.

Edited by CaptainSlug, 02 November 2006 - 05:04 PM.

[moubeus5018]

I like the idea, but not for nerf.

If you cant count backwards from 6 go to kindergarden. Thats the only counter i can see needed.

It would be an awsome idea for an airsoft or paintball gun, but serves no real porpus in nerf, especially when 76% of the guns you can turn around and see there is X # of darts left, Y # fired.

You cant do that in airsoft, or paintball, so i can see the idea going over well with those. I like the idea, and give you mad props for it if it works, but not for a nerf gun.

[cire36]

Hello everyone. I am new here. I have been lurking for about a month and must say I like it here. I am replying to this thread because I am doing the exact same thing except mine will show how many rounds are loaded and how many have been fired. A co-worker and I are designing the circuit and hardware (we are both electrical engineers)

I am also doing the side arm intregration but diffrently than what I have been done so far (from what i have seen). i am also including a L.E.D. flashlite and laser. I have the cun intregration pretty much complete. now working on the flashlite. I will post pics (as soon as I figure out how) in a new thread soon. i have been wanting to do the extended mag mod and found a real good thread on here, thanks.

[keef]

Sounds cool. You should make a new thread called "Nerf Longshot Round Counter Part2" or something. You'll just get flamed in here. To put up pics, you have to upload them onto a website. I use allyoucanupload.webshots.com . After that, you click the "Forums" size select, and copy the direct image link, click the tree button on the format bar, and paste the link.

I dont know why someone would want to spend so much on this though... I see it good for airsoft RPM tracking and stuff, but not so much for nerfing, unless playing with so much ammo and stuff.

[bobafan]

I don't agree.
I think an ammo counter would be pretty useful in a war.
I have forgotten how many darts I have left in a clip several times, never ending well.
There is also the coolness factor which is obviously nice.
Also, if anyone thinks you will always have time to look down your barrel to see if there is a shot, you need to nerf more.

[Dayko]

I really like this idea. I can't wait to see it.

[aetherguy881]

The EE major wants to see it too!

Come to think of it, I thought about this earlier today...

*weird vibes*

[One Man Clan]

Can anyone on this board count to 6?

[aetherguy881]

Of course we can!

1, 2, 5, 6! Wait, I think I'm missing something here...

It's just that little electronic gadgets make things in life easier. That's why there's computers, CD's and just way too many things to list off.

Yes, as simple as counting to six may be one can mis count if the battle is frantic enough and adds the coolness factor to it (as stated before).

[saxynerfer]

Yes, and what about people with high-capacity magazines? A double mag holds 13! If I got a longshot I would try to make a staggered magazine to hold nearly 20! Thats alot of numbers to keep up with in a war.

[penguin807]

I agree it would be cool and all, but it's gadgets like this that make us rely on electronics. I bet you anything if you go up to someone and ask them what 7x8 is then they'll have to think about it for a second or two. Calculators are to blame for this. Similar to a calculator, if you over use it, then you won't want to do the work for yourself. "What's the point of remembering where the nearest Wal-Mart is when I have my $700 GPS with 5 million POI?" "Why should I keep track of my ammo when I have electronic devices for that?".

I think it'd be a cool and challenging project, but I also think it'd throw anybody off who has to use another clip fed primary other than their Longshot.

Edited by penguin807, 19 December 2007 - 02:50 PM.

[One Man Clan]

If you can't keep track of how many shots you have left without the aid of an OLED display, you are retarded. What do you do if you misfired and had to fire a couple times to clear the barrel? Seriously, can you just learn to be a better nerfer than rely on stupid ass things like that. Yes, it would be cool, but highly impractical. Why do you think the best players in the NIC use mostly single shot weapons? It's pretty much standard on the East Coast, and the majority of the better players on the West Coast fall into this category.

[Lynx]

Well, you could just take out the mag or replace it just in case.

Or you could be older than 2 to count to 6.....

Sad as hell I say.

Also, if you really have the time to look at the counter, can't you just cut a hole in the side of your longshot clips and look on the inside?

Saaaaaaaad as hellllllll

[cire36]

I agree it would be cool and all, but it's gadgets like this that make us rely on electronics. I bet you anything if you go up to someone and ask them what 7x8 is then they'll have to think about it for a second or two. Calculators are to blame for this. Similar to a calculator, if you over use it, then you won't want to do the work for yourself. "What's the point of remembering where the nearest Wal-Mart is when I have my $700 GPS with 5 million POI?" "Why should I keep track of my ammo when I have electronic devices for that?".

I think it'd be a cool and challenging project, but I also think it'd throw anybody off who has to use another clip fed primary other than their Longshot.

Like the electronic gaget you're using to reply to this forum. If you are so anti-gadget/electronics, why do you have a computer?

[aetherguy881]

I agree it would be cool and all, but it's gadgets like this that make us rely on electronics. I bet you anything if you go up to someone and ask them what 7x8 is then they'll have to think about it for a second or two. Calculators are to blame for this. Similar to a calculator, if you over use it, then you won't want to do the work for yourself. "What's the point of remembering where the nearest Wal-Mart is when I have my $700 GPS with 5 million POI?" "Why should I keep track of my ammo when I have electronic devices for that?".

I think it'd be a cool and challenging project, but I also think it'd throw anybody off who has to use another clip fed primary other than their Longshot.

Like the electronic gaget you're using to reply to this forum. If you are so anti-gadget/electronics, why do you have a computer?

ZING!

Anyway, about using other clips, it could just count how many pass through a specific point in the barrel using photocells.

I agree that calculators are the bane of mental math, there are times when I wish I never had my 83+... However I still stand by my previous answer. And to add to the base of the cool factor, he would have made it himself, that is built it not necessarily design it, and that is where the true cool factor plays in.

I guess the argument would have to end with it just being personal preference.