I think last year, I posted that I was going to build one from an ESC programmer. I bought a cheap programmer, but I wasn't able to ID the microcontorller. I was also going to convert my AT-180 to electric start... but it's already a heavy engine... so I'm just going to keep it air start.

This one is easy to build, and you are more than welcome to my code.

You will need:

1) an "OEM" basic stamp 2 ($29)
2) a 20x4 display ($13)
3) A serial to LCD converter. ($14)
4) Misc parts. battery, switch, wire, solder, serial cable (for programming), etc.

You can save $14 if you don't want to use the serial to LCD converter... but the code needed to make the BS2 talk to an LCD is a pain in the butt. It's well worth the $14 to simplify the code, and to remove some of the overhead from the BS2. This is one place an Arduino is better. It can control an LCD directly, with simple code.

Anyway....

The BS2 isn't a very powerful microcontroller... but the "OEM" version is set up where you don't have to buy any other carrier boards, power supplys, or own a "Chip Programmer". If you want to build it... let me know what engine you own, and I'll tweak the code. The only real differences in the AMT engines is how the math is handled in the output of the ECU. Once you get your parts, I will walk you though a build.

Oh... the above prices are retail from a couple shops I buy from. You may be able to get stuff cheaper local, or on eBay. (BS2 @ Parallax, and the other parts from Gravitech)