🛒 Ducky Cart Pi HAT

The Ducky Cart Pi HAT is a custom-designed Raspberry Pi add-on board created to simplify wiring and improve the reliability of the Smart Cart system. It integrates power management, sensor interfaces, and RGB lighting control in a single compact PCB tailored for smart cart project.

🔌 Power Management

• Dual Terminal Blocks: Accepts both 5V and 12V input voltages.
• Power Filtering:
  • Capacitors: 1000µF and 100nF capacitors near the power lines and GPIO header to stabilize the power supply.
  • 3A Fuse: Inline fuse added for protecting the Raspberry Pi from overcurrent.
• 5V Rail:
  • Powers the Raspberry Pi.
  • Also powers HX711 modules, MCP3008, and LED circuitry.

⚖️ Load Cell Support

• 4x JST Connectors: For direct plug-and-play with 4 load cells.
• Female Headers: Designed to mount HX711 modules—one for each load cell—making the design modular and easily replaceable.

🎨 RGB LED Strip Control

• IRF1010 MOSFETs: Handle high current switching for Red, Green, and Blue channels.
• 2N2222 Transistors: Used for fast and reliable control signals.
• Compatible with standard 12V RGB LED strips connected with JST.

🔋 Battery Monitoring

• MCP3008 ADC: Provides analog-to-digital conversion to monitor battery voltage levels in real-time.

❄️ Active Cooling Support

• Ventilation Hole: A circular cutout is included to allow airflow from an active cooling fan mounted on the Raspberry Pi, improving thermal performance.

🧩 Modularity & Expansion

• Multiple female headers for clean connection of modules and accessories.
• Designed to maintain Raspberry Pi GPIO accessibility.

📦 What's Included on the PCB