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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : CMM on the road
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panky Guru  Joined: 02/10/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1101 |
Headed out from the Central Coast recently in the caravan to Alice Springs then across the desert to Kalgoolie, on to Perth, Albany and loop back across the bottom. With only 5 days out my CGCMM2 Caravan Battery Monitor has only just started to earn it's keep but already proving usefull. A couple of cloudy days limited the solar input to the system but I could see at a glance that my overall amps into the batteries was less than my running usage so a few hours running the generator brought me back to par. The 7" VGA display I use is just big enough for the info I want access to but is limited in the distance from the CMM ( up the front of the van ) and it would be nice to be able to interact with the system. For the quiet times on the trip, I am working on an Android de re BASIC program to be a display and user interface linked to the CGCMM data collection backend via Bluetooth ( using TZ's producer-store-consumer concept). Will keep a post of my whereabouts and love to catch up with any MM folks or 'vanners on the way, Cheers, Doug. ... almost all of the Maximites, the MicromMites, the MM Extremes, the ArmMites, the PicoMite and loving it! |
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MicroBlocks Guru Joined: 12/05/2012 Location: ThailandPosts: 2209 |
Doug, How do you supply the Maximite with power? I am doing some research what kinds of Maximite power needs are wanted and would like to know your experiences with powering the module itself and added hardware. Cheers, Jean Microblocks. Build with logic. |
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| panky Guru Joined: 02/10/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1101 |
Jean, I just use an LM317 adjustable voltage reg to take the input down to about 8.5v to feed the CGCMM2. The voltage at the battery varies from 14.5v under charge ( noisy and with pulses ) down to a minimum around 12v. I have been running the system for about 3 months in the van at home with no problems at all as far as power. The pre-reg seems to work perfectly to isolate the CGCMM2 from any trouble. Cheers, Doug. ... almost all of the Maximites, the MicromMites, the MM Extremes, the ArmMites, the PicoMite and loving it! |
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centrex Guru Joined: 13/11/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 320 |
Hi Doug That is some trip. Have a good one Regards Cliff Cliff |
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| panky Guru Joined: 02/10/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1101 |
Hi MM'ers, Made it to Alice OK, the desert becons next week. My little CGCMM2/MMBasic powered Caravan Battery Monitor is working a treat - a couple of cloudy days on the trip over showed up clearly with net loss of amp hours in the battery - an hour on the geny one evening soon fixed that up. Any MM folks in Alice Springs, Docker River, Warburton, Lenora, Meekatharra, Mt Magnet? My wife feels that I tend to be a little eager in supporting local coffee shops on our trip but coffee and a fellow MMer to chat with - doesn't get much better than that! Look forward to hearing from anyone round those places. Cheers, Doug. ... almost all of the Maximites, the MicromMites, the MM Extremes, the ArmMites, the PicoMite and loving it! |
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Geoffg Guru Joined: 06/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 3194 |
Warburton ??? You must be kidding!! For anyone who does not know, Warburton is in the middle of the Great Victoria Desert. While you are travelling through Doug, don't miss Giles Weather Station near the WA border (most days they have an interesting tour starting early in the morning) and Gwalia (an amazingly restored 1900's mining town near Leonora). Geoff Geoff Graham - http://geoffg.net |
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Bryan1 Guru Joined: 22/02/2006 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1344 |
Hi Doug, if your traveling thru the Adelaide Hills on your return trip you're quite welcome to come over and stay the night. Got an 85 acre farm here so plenty of room for your van and we can put on a BBQ/Bonfire for you too. Well if any other Adelaide guys want to meet up we can make it a party too and sit around the bonfire telling wild MM stories... Cheers Bryan |
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| paceman Guru Joined: 07/10/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1329 |
Cliff, do you have a file of the board you made for the Allegro sensors. I'd like to have a go at making one. I've set up Dip-Trace, been reading up a bit on it and now I've gotten the gear together to use the toner transfer system - modded laminator and all. I thought this one would be a good challenge but maybe not too hard - famous last words 
Greg |
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