picdimmer

tconley · Joined: 07 Feb 2007 Posts: 3

I dont suppose there are any of the 16 channel pcb with ssr's remaining from the coop order. I would like to buy one if there are.

Toaster · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 7

I still have not received my boards? Has anyone received theres yet? just wondering what the status.

AI · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Allentown PA

xmus · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 313 Location: Boise, ID

Hi All,

I was on vacation for a week. Now I'm trying to catch up with work.
If you did NOT order kits, you should have received your board already.
If you DID order parts kits, I'm waiting for the kits to arrive.

Check the first post in this thread for more info.

Thanks,
Dave

njamateur · Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 68

Dave,
Since we are delayed in getting the hardware, I decided to spend some time on the software and interface. I read your description. It is very informative but I seem to be missing some things. Embarassed

In your description you mention using the Serial port. You state: The first and simplest is to run RS232 from your computer into the first controller.
How do you actually connect to the serial port?
You also mention an adapter on ebay but the one I see has a serial jack on both ends with a little adapter for the output that has a terminal block. How would I connect the cat5 to that?
Is there a standard adapter serial to RJ45?
Your math mentiions 192 channels possible. Can I just daisy chain all them together. If not, I only have only one serial out. What shoud I do?

Second you mention a pickit1 but I really need to use a ZIF socket because I am not good with chips. Always bend the leads. Is there a reasonable programmer with ZIF?
You provide a link for the firmware but it is just Phil's original description.
The most stable link to the current firmware (and diagnostic firmware) is
http://computerchristmas.com/?link=how_to&HowToId=71
Where is the link to the file?
How do I change the baud rate?

Your math mentions 192 channels possible with your file.
This is what I need and what I purchased.
What Vixen plugin do I use?
Where is it available?
What baud rate and number of channels does it support?
Shocked

Are there any further refinements being considered i.e. using the oscillator?

Thanks in advance,
Mike

xmus · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 313 Location: Boise, ID

Hi Mike,

To connect to the serial port using RS232 , you would need to make a custom cable that has a RS232 connector on one side, connects to the appropriate wires, and then on the other end has a RJ45 jack. Do you have a RJ45 crimp tool? With a RJ45 crimp tool, a RJ45 plug, and a RS232 cable, you would have everything you need. Make your own cable. Remember this should be shorter than 20 feet I believe.

With RS485, you would use a standard RS232 cable, that would just plug into your computer, then attach to the RS485 converter (must be shorter than 20 feet). Or you could just plug the RS485 converter into the back of your PC serial port, eliminating the need for the RS232 cable. The RS485 converter would then have some way of attaching a wire to, for the 2 wires needed for the RS485. So in that case I would start with a regular CAT5 or CAT5e cable, and cut one end off, peal and strip, screw down the appropriate wires, and there you go. 1 kilometer would be the limit of the length of this cable, not a problem Smile

Yes you can just daisy chain them all together. That is the idea at least. I'm not sure if anyone has actually connected more than 3 in a row at this point. But it should work. We are all waiting for parts kits before we can actually try large numbers. But if for some reason we have trouble chaining them, then plan B would be to use (for example) two serial ports instead of one. Vixen can handle it, and no matter how many serial ports your computer has, you can add more (via USB to serial converters) cheaply and quickly. Vixen currently can handle up to four serial ports I believe.

Be sure of this: I think it will take some time for everyone to get kits built, and i'm sure there will be some more debug. I do know of one issue at 115.2KBaud, KC and Phil and I will all work on it to resolve. But I believe 57.6KBaud is working perfectly. You will require an external oscillator to go to 57.6Kbaud and higher. The part kits are shipping with an oscillator, so nothing to worry about. Using the internal or external oscillator literally boils down to changing one single line in the Renard firmware.

I've been promoted at work, I'm a project manager now, life is very busy. I haven't even attempted to follow all of the threads at picdimmer. Phil and I do have code that we consider very good, and easily modifiable. If that is what you are referring to, then you would need to search for "baud" and the change should be fairly intuitive. If not, ask again, and we will help you through it. Having said that, I expect the firmware to change a couple of times over the coarse of the year as bugs turn up, and we learn more, as we actually build more.

I know nothing about ZIF. No comment. I use pickit1.

We are still using the default standard Renard plugin with Vixen. Just configure it correctly (correct serial port, correct baud, correct number of channels). Having said that, you might see a new release in the coming year perhaps.

Now back to your regularly scheduled spring programming. Getting the sprinklers working, mowing, planting flowers, getting the garden started.
Is it Christmas yet?

Smile

P. Short · Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 594

As for zero-insertion force socket programmers, the Microchip programmers with ZIF sockets tend to be more expensive. One example is the DV003001Picstart Plus Kit, which costs $199. You might have more luck with the programmers that people are selling on EBay.

Another possibility would be to take a bare-bones programmer (PG164101 or PG164120) and wire up a small external board with a ZIF socket. Basically what it takes is a small proto-board (such as Radio Shack 276-148 or 276-159), a six-pin header, the socket, and a few wires.

--

Phil

wjohn · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 18

njamateur · Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 68

Dave,
Congrats on the promotion.
Thanks for the info as well.
I'll try to find the items I need.
Mike

njamateur · Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 68

njamateur · Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 68

For Dave and Phil,
Dave,
Yes I have RJ45 crimpers and connectors. My computer for the lights isn't the fastest (500MHZ Pentium3) and only has one serial port. So I guess I'll have to also use the USB port.
SO for the serial port, I don't understand which RS232 pins go to which RJ45 pins.
For the USB port, you mention two wires needed for RS485 - I think I am mixing apples and oranges. Can I just go from USB to RS485 which has a RJ45 output connector? I can't find such a device online reasonably priced; but if I go from USB to RS232, they are just a few bucks on ebay. Some say USB 2.0; some are USB 1.1 Does it matter? Then I can go from RS232 to RS485 with an even cheaper adapter that has a 3 wire terminal block which I can wire CAT5 to - correct? Jeesh - just sounds like a lot of dingles and dongles that don't do anything except change connectors. I wonder if I can just cut a USB cable and wire it to a RJ45 receptacle.
Sorry, I'll bet this is all strighforward to you and I am getting wrapped around the axle connectors - LOL Rolling Eyes

Phil,
Your code file is renard-20061023.asm?
You mention: "There is a new (and incompatible) protocol in the process of being implemented that will provide better worst case performance. This will be be released until next year, though, so as to minimize confusion this year. " Is this avaiable? Now would be the time for me to upgrade. I'm trying to put together a July display.

Thanks,
Mike

P. Short · Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 594

Mike,

The newest operational code is in the 'firmware and protocols' forum.

The newer protocol has been on the back-burner, and has never been released. The switch to higher baud rates has reduced the need for it, and nobody has expressed interest in quite a long time (people are focused on other things, I think).

--

Phil

johnbyrne · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 6:33 pm Post subject:

Hey Mike,

Go find my thread about the programmer I use. I got it off ebay for a little over $20 delivered, has zif, and works fine.

http://picdimmer.17.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=47&sid=d8a8d7a2af49095dc3afc6351e0900c9

Also check out the thread I just started should you want to do this. I'm offering to program your chips for free if you pay shipping to and from me. See here for details. This is about all I can do to help this project Wink

http://picdimmer.17.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=109&sid=d8a8d7a2af49095dc3afc6351e0900c9

....Congrats Dave!! I got one too...MVP Specialist for our plant (combines Lean Manufacturing with Six Sigma). Sounds like we both are very busy. Yep, I'm on garden break right now. Time to cut the grass... Laughing

_________________
"Often Wrong" ... Wife

xmus · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 313 Location: Boise, ID

Jayson called. The co-op parts should be in Jayson's home by Friday May 29th. It will likely take him a week to sort and bag all the parts. Apparently a couple of picdimmer guys live within a 1/2 hour of him, so there will be a part sorting party at Jayson's house this week!

Happy sorting Jayson, we all appreciate your efforts!

Who knows, maybe I'll be able to ship the kits in about 2 or 3 weeks.

Thanks!
Dave

xmus · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 313 Location: Boise, ID

This thread has been abandoned and locked.

The correct link to follow the status of the XMUS coop is now here:

http://www.christmasinshirley.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=450

Thank you,
Dave