PTSolns

09/28/2026

Time to say bye to wiring hell.🔌
We’ve all been there: a desk completely buried in jumper wires, a breadboard that only works if you hold it at just the right angle, and a prototype that looks like a bowl of spaghetti. It’s a great way to test an initial concept, but you can’t scale a tangled mess.

Our latest Tinker Thoughts Blog breaks down key steps in the workflow from a chaotic breadboard prototype to a professional, production ready custom PCB.

Whether you're tackling your first layout in KiCad, figuring out custom component footprints, or housing your final microcontroller design in a 3D-printed PETG enclosure, we’ve mapped out practical insights to help you move forward.

👉 Read the guide here: https://ptsolns.com/blogs/tinker-thoughts/from-breadboard-to-production
💬 What’s the messiest breadboard circuit you’ve ever built and actually got working? Let us know in the comments!

08/28/2026

If you need to log environmental data for an IoT project, your first instinct is probably to grab a microSD card module. But if you are just recording temperature and humidity readings every few minutes, an SD card is actually a terrible choice. They consume a ton of power and demand complex SPI wiring.

We just published a new Tinker Thoughts guide on how to ditch the SD card entirely and use an I2C EEPROM instead.

We walk through setting up a completely solderless, low power data logger using the I2Connect AHT20 sensor and 2Mbit EEPROM. By daisy chaining them with Qwiic cables, you keep your GPIO pins totally free. Even better? A 2Mbit EEPROM can store over 113 days of continuous data if you sample every 5 minutes.

We’ve included all the hardware diagrams and the exact C++ library code you need to get it running in minutes.

Read the full breakdown here: https://ptsolns.com/blogs/tinker-thoughts/how-to-log-temperature-data-without-sd-card-using-i2c-eeprom

What is your go to method for storing sensor data on your embedded projects? Let us know below! 👇

08/05/2026

When you're trying to build remote sensors or outdoor monitors, WiFi and Bluetooth range limitations get frustrating pretty fast. We put together a new guide (TTB #36) on the blog covering exactly how to set up an SX1276 LoRa node for long range IoT projects.

Getting a point-to-point link or a LoRaWAN connection running is actually pretty straightforward once you break it down. You really just need five core things to make it work:

- The transceiver module itself (the SX1276).

- A microcontroller to talk to it over SPI (Arduino Uno, ESP32, etc.).

- An antenna (go with SMA for durability, or IPEX if you're crammed for space).

- A solid power supply. This is a big one—your power source needs to handle short current spikes during transmit bursts without the voltage sagging.

- A bit of elevation. Line-of-sight is everything for radio range.

If you want to skip the messy breadboard wiring and just start testing your code, our PTSolns LoRa Shield paired with an PTSolns Uno R3+ gives you a really solid, plug and play development base. We used this exact hardware combo a while back to push a signal over 6km, so the hardware can definitely go the distance.

Check out the full setup breakdown here:
https://ptsolns.com/blogs/tinker-thoughts/ttb36-how-to-set-up-a-sx1276-lora-node

07/21/2026

Ever ruined a perfectly good set of female header pins trying to snap them to size?

Unlike male headers, breaking female headers requires a specific technique. If you just try to snap them or cut straight through, you risk cracking the plastic housing and ruining your PCB connections.

In our latest Tinker Thoughts Blog (TTB #35), we walk you through the exact method to get a clean cut for your 2.54mm pitch headers every single time.

Here is the secret to a factory-clean edge:
1️⃣ Extract: Pull out the pin at your desired break point using pliers (yes, you will sacrifice one pin for the greater good!).
2️⃣ Cut: Use flush cutters or a hobby knife to cut straight down the newly created empty slot.
3️⃣ Smooth: Finish the edge with 120+ grit sandpaper.

Whether you are building a custom PCB, setting up an Arduino shield, or doing general electronics prototyping, mastering this simple hardware hack will save your components and keep your boards looking professional.

Read the full tutorial on the blog here: https://ptsolns.com/blogs/tinker-thoughts/ttb35-how-to-break-female-header-pins

07/15/2026

How much current can the Arduino Nano 3.3V pin actually supply? (Hint: It’s not determined by the ATmega328P microcontroller!) 🤔

Many makers don't realize the classic Nano relies on its USB chip for the 3.3V rail, strictly limiting it to just 50 mA. That’s fine for basic I2C sensors, but it will quickly crash if you try powering wireless modules or motors.

Want to avoid wiring up external regulators? The PTSolns Nano Flip was designed with a dedicated LDO regulator to deliver a reliable 160 mA directly from the 3.3V pin. Perfect for power-hungry IoT projects! ⚡

Learn more about these current limits and the difference between 3.3V and GPIO power in our latest Tinker Thoughts Blog 👇

🔗 https://ptsolns.com/blogs/tinker-thoughts/ttb34-arduino-nano-3-3v-pin-current-limit-how-many-ma-can-it-supply

07/06/2026

Plug it in. Install the library. Start building. 🚀 It really is that simple with the new PTSolns I2Connect Series.

If you're building embedded systems, connecting your peripherals should be the easiest part of the project. Our new family of I2Connect modules uses standard Qwiic & STEMMA QT compatible connectors so you can skip the tedious wiring, install the library, and get right to coding.

Here is why they belong in your next project:
🔌 The Perfect Pairing: Our PTSolns microcontrollers (UNO R3+, Leonardo+, Mega 2560, and more) have a built-in Qwiic connector right on the board. You can plug any I2Connect module directly into the MCU right out of the box—no shields or adapters required!
🔗 Zero Soldering: Daisy-chain multiple modules together on the same bus and go.
⚡ 3.3V & 5V Compatible: Designed to play nice with PTSolns microcontrollers, Arduino, ESP32, and Raspberry Pi Pico.
🍞 Breadboard Ready: Pre-soldered right-angle headers keep them sitting perfectly upright for clean prototyping.
💻 Plug-and-Play Code: Native, open-source libraries available for the PTSolns IDE and Arduino IDE.

We’re kicking off the family today with:
🌡️ AHT20 (Temperature & Humidity)
💾 EEPROM (2 Mbit Non-Volatile Memory)

and we already have displays, ambient light sensors, multiplexers, and motion sensors in the works!

Read the full breakdown on the Tinker Thoughts blog below to see the hardware in action. 👇

P.S. What module do you want to see us build next? Drop a comment below or come chat with us over on the r/PTSolns subreddit!

https://ptsolns.com/blogs/tinker-thoughts/ttb33-introducing-the-i2connect-family-of-i2c-modules

06/29/2026

We're on Reddit !!! Come join us at r/PTSolns 🎉
We've been wanting a dedicated space where the community can actually have real conversations, and Reddit felt like the right fit. The docs site remains the go to for datasheets, Fritzing files, and 3D models, but for everything else, this is it.
Whether you're troubleshooting a PTSolns IDE issue, looking for project inspiration, or want to show off what you've built with our boards and shields, r/PTSolns is the place to ask questions, share your projects, and connect with the team and fellow makers. We're also genuinely interested in your feedback . If there's something you'd like to see from us, that's the place to say it.
No question is too basic here. Everyone starts somewhere.
👉 https://www.reddit.com/r/PTSolns introduce yourself, ask something, or share a photo of what's currently on your bench.

06/26/2026

We have been asked many times which MCU is good for my development?

Honestly, it’s probably the most common question we get, and it’s easy to get lost in the endless debates online. Do you go with a classic UNO, step up to an ESP32, or look at something completely different?

Our team put together a new Tinker Thoughts Blog (TTB #31) to walk through exactly how we pick the brains for our projects here at PTSolns. A lot of people jump straight to looking at clock speeds or flash memory, but we usually start by looking at the physical constraints and what the board actually needs to connect to.

Give it a read and let us know what your go-to microcontroller is right now!

https://ptsolns.com/blogs/tinker-thoughts/ttb31-how-to-select-the-right-microcontroller

06/24/2026

Yes, the rumors are true ;)

https://www.reddit.com/user/PTSolns/comments/1uej29c/the_diy_uno_is_finally_here/

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06/23/2026

is coming up on .ca, and it is a good reminder of why we at do not participate in this type of promotion.

A common practice on large marketplaces is to raise prices before a major sales event, then advertise a large discount during the promotion. The final selling price may end up being very similar, but shoppers are left with the impression that they are getting an exceptional deal.

We do not believe this approach is fair or transparent, and it is not something we participate in.

Instead, we focus on offering the lowest sustainable prices we can, all year round. Our pricing history is publicly visible through third party tracking tools, and we rarely increase prices unless circumstances genuinely require it, such as significant increases in supplier costs or tariffs.

This Prime Day, consider supporting a small business that values honest pricing over artificial discounts. You may not see our products marked as "50% off," but you can be confident that the price you see today is intended to be a fair price every day.