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isochronic Guru Joined: 21/01/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 689
Posted: 05:07pm 01 Feb 2013
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In the current issue of SC, Jaycar are advertising an "ideas"
comp. You submit your project and maybe win a nominal prize +
publicity in a catalogue etc. The trouble is, entries close FEBRUARY FIFTH.
I mention it here 'cos many people won't see SC till way
past that date.
I guess that cuts most entries out, unless you have advance notice.
SC etc. seem to be losing the plot these days. Then again, Aus seems to
increasingly be a glorified petri dish for marketing trials...and the
pollies go babble, babble, babble about being clever, and buy
obsolete brit stuff wherever possible. As they say, go figure.
[OK end of whinge !!]
(edited typo)Edited by chronic 2013-02-03
Bill.b Senior Member Joined: 25/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 226
Posted: 12:37am 02 Feb 2013
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The project has to contain only parts supplied by Jaycar.
This is a problem for many projects because Jaycar does not supply
a full range of parts that are requied for some projects.
BillIn the interests of the environment, this post has been constructed entirely from recycled electrons.
djuqa Guru Joined: 23/11/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 447
Posted: 01:04am 02 Feb 2013
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How about a Maximite/MMbasic Based Ideas Contest of our own.
VK4MU MicroController Units
isochronic Guru Joined: 21/01/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 689
Posted: 12:54pm 04 Feb 2013
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It would be good to see an annual thing so
that it could be expected and build up some momentum each year.
IMHO MM is ok but it is dominating the microcontroller thread a bit.
And bring in the renewable/alternative energy/grass roots interests more,
eg the gadget must be related to those fields..I'd like to see
it based on small/local (aus/asia/usa) suppliers too, they could get some publicity
from it.
We need a catchy name like the "summernats" , any suggestions ?
Maybe make it coincide with one of the annual festivals/expos.
Dick Smith as a guest judge maybe ?
James_From_Canb Senior Member Joined: 19/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 265
Posted: 05:05pm 04 Feb 2013
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How about suMMerShed or suMMerComp? It gives people time to develop projects over their Christmas break.
If anyone wanted to visit Canberra they could also visit just after Christmas to see Summernats. Then again, I think they might be different market segments. Maybe the displays at the National Gallery might be better. And maybe after the school holidays finish so the accomodation rates are cheaper.
Given the age profile of many of the members, I'd suggest a project for a solar powered regulator / MPPT charger / conditioner / monitor for multiple batteries in caravans and motorhomes that can also take power from the car's alternator to charge the battery/s and automatically turn on lights etc. It would be a mix of the best of the commercial products out there. I recall a posting a couple of months ago that would be a good start. It also fits in well with the rest of the TBS site. I'd hope for an easily made or available hardware platform that the hardware numpties (like myself) could write routines for, or inexpensive commercially available parts that the MM could control and monitor. Future expansions could include wireless add-ons to link to a car monitor, a refrigerator temperature monitor and an external light timer. Maybe even a PIN code and alarm.
As for the car module, I'd like to see one that includes a digital tacho, a speedo adjustor (for cars like mine that can be 10% out), a fuel economy monitor and a link to a GPS for the speed. And of course the wireless link with an alarm for the fridge temperature and bsttery conditions.
I have a bad mix. Lots of dreams and little talent for hardware.
JamesMy mind is aglow with whirling, transient nodes of thought careening through a cosmic vapor of invention.
Hedley Lamarr, Blazing Saddles (1974)
MOBI Guru Joined: 02/12/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 819
Posted: 06:35pm 04 Feb 2013
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I'd like to see some of that too as one of my near future projects is tinkering with the OBD system - preferrably (to start with) using "discreet" components. i.e MCU (MM?) hadr and software without using OBD specific components (chips).David M.
James_From_Canb Senior Member Joined: 19/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 265
Posted: 07:46pm 04 Feb 2013
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I'm older school than that. I have a pre-obd diesel motorhome and an early obd 1990 BMW. However, with good program design I reckon modules could handle different input methods and pass the values to the main code. I see PICs and other components passing clean values to an MM which would do the high level display and management. IMHO this would get the best value out of the diverse experience on this forum.
JamesMy mind is aglow with whirling, transient nodes of thought careening through a cosmic vapor of invention.
Hedley Lamarr, Blazing Saddles (1974)
Wombat Regular Member Joined: 27/05/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 72
Posted: 09:33pm 04 Feb 2013
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I totally agree with you James.
"I'd hope for an easily made or available hardware platform that the hardware numpties (like myself) could write routines for, or inexpensive commercially available parts that the MM could control and monitor. Future expansions could include wireless add-ons"... I2C... etc... etc...
"I have a bad mix. Lots of dreams and little talent for hardware."
And sadly, so do I... ( and more free time would also be nice.)
Notice. New forum software under development. It's going to miss a few functions and look a bit ugly for a while, but I'm working on it full time now as the old forum was too unstable. Couple days, all good. If you notice any issues, please contact me.
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