Learning arduino stuff?

[ajlelectronics]

 

[Dev]

Go to instructables.com and search for arduino or esp32 and you’ll find lots of ideas. My automatic servo controlled cat feeder is esp32 based.

The ikea wireless button to manually trigger it to feed the moggy is still the favourite thing I’ve done.
(Includes a 60 minute lockout so it can’t scam food out of everyone)

 

[droopsnoot]

so if it burns down your house, you dont get arrested and the insurance cant wriggle out of paying out because of "homemade electronics"

That's where I came to a halt on my project. I had an "audio timer", basically a digital clock with a 240v outlet socket on it, programmable to come on and off at different times on different weekdays. That was connected to my hi-fi, and turned it into a very large clock radio, waking me up early during the week to go to work, then later at the weekends when I didn't have to. One day it started acting weirdly, the time would advance really quickly as I watched it, causing it to come on and go off at weird times. I swapped it for my backup, which only has one "on" and one "off" time. I bought an Arduino kit and started writing the code, which (as I've been writing code for decades) wasn't an issue, got an LED board for the time display, and had it all working switching an LED on and off, allowing me to program the times, connecting a battery-backed realtime clock to it (the old one had no battery backup), code to automatically change the time for summer / winter, plans for a wi-fi chip to periodically sync the time, and so on.

Then I tried to source a decent, reliable means of switching the 240v mains, and got cold feet. Lots of talk of what was good, but even more talk about how many poor quality copies of everything were out there, and I never really came to a conclusion of where I could buy stuff and know it was OK. The display was an issue too - the original had a nice vacuum fluorescent panel that was visible anywhere in the room, automatically dimmed when it got dark, and I couldn't replicate that. In a further discussion on the forum about what I was trying to do, someone suggested that the problem with the original device was probably that the buttons needed to be cleaned, and I never got around to buying a new aerosol of contact cleaner. I lost interest after that, though I am watching the "Speeduino" project as I'd like to have a dabble with programmable ignition on one of the classics, and maybe fuel injection at some point. I also don't go to work any more, so don't really need different times on different days.

 

[ajlelectronics]

Then I tried to source a decent, reliable means of switching the 240v mains

A relay has been the tried and tested method, over multiple decades. If unsure, reach for a relay which is failsafe on AC.

 

[droopsnoot]

A relay has been the tried and tested method, over multiple decades. If unsure, reach for a relay which is failsafe on AC.

Indeed, though there was some talk of something else being more reliable as it wasn't mechanical - I forget what, it was several years ago.

I didn't think of bringing it up on here at the time. I might resurrect the project at some point, just for the sake of completion.

 

[daleyd]

Indeed, though there was some talk of something else being more reliable as it wasn't mechanical - I forget what, it was several years ago.

I didn't think of bringing it up on here at the time. I might resurrect the project at some point, just for the sake of completion.

Relays are pretty robust, and well proven.

There are limitations on how fast you can switch,!and they do have a finite life, which can be reached fairly quickly if you are switching a lot. But for simple turning stuff off and on at home they should last a long time.

If you have a particularly demanding application there are other solid state devices, but they need a bit more care in selecting the correct type.

 

[ajlelectronics]

The converter board under test. The piggy back board is a Nano with inbuilt display. It means that I can test the board without soldering in the Nano.

These are the penultimate version of the Teensy RTTY boards.

This is how the converter unit is installed in the 'bike.

And all working.

Arduino Nano TTL RTTY terminal. It is feeding off the ST-6 below it for data.

Fuel sender adapter. The sender and gauge were incompatible. Now they are not! Very simple circuit and software.

I have also built a fuel gauge driver for my old LPG / Petrol Scimitar. That used the same Smiths original gauge to read either tank's contents.

 

[jmp49]

This humble bundle offer came up today, thought others would be interested. Dont be fooled by the name, humble bundle isnt the philathropic company any more it once was, its owned by IGN now and still pretends to be a way to fund charity but its all about the money behind the facade. You can pay more and adjust the dontation to the charity at checkout if you want still though.

But the $22.16 version of the bundle is a really good price if you want the arduino and other books. They are usually epub's and DRM free so you can just use them on whatever too.

Humble Tech Book Bundle: ESP32, Raspberry Pi, Arduino and Maker Classics by Make

Pay what you want for ebooks to help you master ESP32, Raspberry Pi, and Arduino—start making your own tech today!

www.humblebundle.com

 

[Scott M]

Has anyone here created a user interface for controlling the arduino from a computer? I've been using Processing IDE with some luck but find it difficult. Is there a better alternative? Something open source/free, just a hobby. I am interested in motor control.

Welcome to Processing!

Processing is a flexible software sketchbook and a language for learning how to code. Since 2001, Processing has promoted software literacy within the visual arts and visual literacy within technology…

processing.org

 

[ajlelectronics]

Has anyone here created a user interface for controlling the arduino from a computer? I've been using Processing IDE with some luck but find it difficult. Is there a better alternative? Something open source/free, just a hobby. I am interested in motor control.

Welcome to Processing!

Processing is a flexible software sketchbook and a language for learning how to code. Since 2001, Processing has promoted software literacy within the visual arts and visual literacy within technology…

processing.org

Unless I am misunderstanding, doesn't that defeat the object? You develop the software on the computer and load it into the Arduino to do the controlling.

 

[Scott M]

Basically, I just want to create an interface that someone with no programming skills can use to change parameters like motor run time, speed, etc... I used to do metal sculpture and am thinking about picking it back up and integrating movement into them. Also I like learning new things.

 

[ajlelectronics]

Basically, I just want to create an interface that someone with no programming skills can use to change parameters like motor run time, speed, etc... I used to do metal sculpture and am thinking about picking it back up and integrating movement into them. Also I like learning new things.

There are various ways that you can do that, from the sublime; physical switches connected to the Arduino, to the ridiculous; a TFT touch screen with all the controls thereon. As you are a beginner, then a simple pot to control motor speed and switches for binary functions will do the job admirably.

It is not normal to try to control the Arduino as you are suggesting, that would be like controlling an iPad from an iMac etc. Doable, but daft.

 

[daleyd]

I’m pretty sure you can add Modbus protocol to an arduino.

If you look at ignition software from indictive automation it’s a compete scada system, with Modbus drivers (and other plc drivers). You can get a couple of “maker” licenses free for home use, it’s a full proper system that’s used for factory automation, very powerful and graphics and templates built in.

I’ve just started playing a round with it for work.

 

[Scott M]

I didn't word that very clearly. I have been fooling around on and off with programming and electronics for quite a while. I'm self taught, but can usually muddle through. What I should have said was: "so others with no programming skills". So they can walk up and interact with a sculpture.

I will look into ignition software, thanks.

 

[daleyd]

You can use Ignition for free to test it, build some fancy graphics and generally play around using your laptop/PC - once you know the modbus part works, if you wanted something more portable then there's all sorts of HMI's that have modbus built in as a standard comms protocol if you wanted something to add to a sculpture.

I managed to pick up a few cheap Samkoon brand ones for a few jobs (I've got one talking to the VFD on my lathe, so I can get motor & chuck speeds, motor & vfd temperatures etc displayed and start/stop from the screen, see faults etc), cheap and cheerful but they work.

 

[daleyd]

This is the sample program from Ignition showing some basic graphics, and user interactions. It's all internal stuff for the sample program, I haven't got round to adding anything of my own yet, I'm still learning!

 

[Scott M]

I'm still learning!

That's the spirit! Thanks for the input. It looks like a souped up version of what I have been attempting to make from scratch. Now I need to do some research.....

 

[daleyd]

That's the spirit! Thanks for the input. It looks like a souped up version of what I have been attempting to make from scratch. Now I need to do some research.....

I do this kind of stuff for a job, but I’ve not used the ignition software (at work we use either wonderware or iFIX). I’m using the ignition stuff for messing around at home as it’s free, but it seems to have a very good rep amongst professional users, there’s some big companies that use it!!

I can help with general Modbus questions (again, never done it in arduino but I use it in other kit on a daily basis) so I’m sure between us we can sort something out!!

 

[Misterg]

Basically, I just want to create an interface that someone with no programming skills can use to change parameters like motor run time, speed, etc...

You can add knobs and switches to an arduino that can be used to control that sort of thing without needing to be connected to a computer.

Most have a built-in serial bus that you could use to communicate with a computer if you still wanted to.

 

[Scott M]

I can help with general Modbus questions (again, never done it in arduino but I use it in other kit on a daily basis) so I’m sure between us we can sort something out!!

I have to familiarize myself with it, I'm sure I will have some questions, it would be nice to have such a resource. That's a great offer, I do appreciate it.

Most have a built-in serial bus that you could use to communicate with a computer if you still wanted to

That's what I have been working with this far, using Processing.