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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Silicon Chip USB Datalogger Kit
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norcold Guru  Joined: 06/02/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 670 |
Had believed USB cables could be no longer than 5m, until I came across an article that showed how to extend that limit. The cable can be much more than 15m too, they are built with a "booster"(little black box) in the middle of the cable. Also have my inverter plugged into the hub and computer has no trouble accessing both logger and inverter simultaneously. The Western World cannot knock China, just tell them something cannot be done and they`ll do it, cheaper, easier and drama free. They are the world leaders whilst we are the Nero`s. We come from the land downunder. Vic |
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| garthwimbush Newbie  Joined: 12/04/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 7 |
I manage to fix the post sleep problems, but I had to modify the firmware to do it. It seems that after the sleep, the oscillator was clocking at a slower rate, which matched what I was seeing. There may be a higher current draw now (I haven't checked), but at least it works. I have had it logging continuously for 24 hours without a hitch on battery alone. Does anyone here know of a kit forum where I could post the modified firmware? I note that Silicon Chip haven't got one, which is poor - their excuse is they can't afford the staff to moderate the forum, but it leaves kit builders in the dark after the build. |
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| BobD Guru Joined: 07/12/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 935 |
Make it available here as a file for download and refer Sil Chip to this thread and send them a copy of the code. Put it out here first. |
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| norcold Guru Joined: 06/02/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 670 |
I think this forum is probably as good as any, to leave the firmware update, from my googling there does not seem to be much interest in the datalogger. That is a shame as it seems to be quite capable, maybe those that have been built have been put aside because the kit builder has believed he has done something wrong as I believed initially. The firmware update will be most welcome by me, and as BobD suggests refer Sil Chip to this thread. Many Thanks We come from the land downunder. Vic |
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| JohnS Guru Joined: 18/11/2011 Location: United KingdomPosts: 3805 |
Post it here with some useful keywords so that google will (in time) find it and allow people who don't think of here still to find it :) You could put it on github or sourceforge etc, of course. Over time I suspect more and more will find it useful so take heart. John |
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| garthwimbush Newbie Joined: 12/04/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 7 |
OK, here is the updated firmware. No guarantees etc. I suggest you save your current image before uploading this one, in case it doesn't work for you. I'm new to PIC's, so I will see if any of you have problems before I point SilChip here. The fix was specifically for oneWire for me, but it will probably fix any other time-critical functions as well. I have updated the version to 9.93. As noted previously, you may find that the idle current has gone up. I measured 780uA, which should get you up to a month and a half on 900mAh batteries, depending on your duty cycle. Incidentally, this seems to be about half of the 1.5mA stated in the documentation! 2012-04-24_185516_Data_Logger.zip |
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| JohnS Guru Joined: 18/11/2011 Location: United KingdomPosts: 3805 |
Oh. I didn't realise it would be only a HEX file. John |
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| garthwimbush Newbie Joined: 12/04/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 7 |
JohnS, the hex file was generated from the source - I'll put the source up on GitHub once I have done some more beta testing. Not sure of the code licensing though - I need to look into it before I put the code up. Garth |
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| laurief Newbie Joined: 31/07/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 1 |
I liked the look of the datalogger and got the last kit from Altronics - couldn't believe that more people didn't want one of these. Having the same problems with it going to sleep under battery, but I'm going to do some testing to see if an external supply can hold it up. I have downloaded, but haven't tried Garth's new firmware as yet. I did find an error in one of the sample scripts, so if you're trying them, don't assume they are 100% . Good to see a couple of others are using it too. - Laurie |
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| paradigm Newbie Joined: 03/03/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 7 |
The USB Data Logger seems to be a most attractive design and I am very tempted to build one (it has subsequently been featured as a constructional project in the UK's Everyday Practical Electronics (EPE) Magazine, Dec 2012 to Feb 2013 issues). However, judging from this thread, there seem to be a variety of issues with the design. May I ask if ANYONE here has succeeded in getting the unit to operate in accordance with its published features? The author of the articles has obviously devoted a great deal of time and effort into developing the design (which looks as if it might have been heading for production as a commercial unit). I am a little puzzled why the author has not come back with updates/solutions to the evident issues. I wonder if we can expect any further updates e.g. to the software? I expect the author is 'uncontactable' and Silicon Chip/EPE are unlikely to be able to assist with technical queries, e.g. on the firmware. I suppose there can be no guarantee that a unit like this will be free from problems - which is a great pity. In a situation like this it may unfortunately not be wise to construct the unit? What do people have to say? paradigm |
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CircuitGizmos Guru Joined: 08/09/2011 Location: United StatesPosts: 1425 |
I don't get the magazine that had the article in it, so I don't know the details of the data logger. A Maximite like the CGMMSTICK is small, has 20 I/O lines, and a micro SD. I would think it could be pressed into service as a datalogger quite easily. There is a lot more life to the maximites here at TBS. Micromites and Maximites! - Beginning Maximite |
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| norcold Guru Joined: 06/02/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 670 |
Mine runs OK whilst conx by usb to PC, seems to have a problem when run by internal battery. Did not try the updated firmware above as use it powered by usb. Like you I also wonder why the author didn`t follow up, with development believe it would have been a hot seller. We come from the land downunder. Vic |
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| garthwimbush Newbie Joined: 12/04/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 7 |
Mine appears to run almost perfectly, however, it needed the firmware update I posted earlier, and it seems to be really sensitive to the flash storage you use - most cards I tried ended up with corrupted files. I finally settled on a Verbatim 4Gb card, which has no problems. I have run it for 3 days continuously on batteries, taking 9 separate temperature readings every minute, and am very happy with the result. The only problem I have is that it stops logging of its own accord after 4 or 5 days, goes into sleep mode and has to be restarted. |
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| paradigm Newbie Joined: 03/03/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 7 |
Thanks to everybody for the replies which have inspired confidence to have a go at building this unit! Looking at the PCB images (.pdf file) the maximum copper side appears to be the copper bottom. This must be the case in order for the surface mount regulator and card holder to position on their lands on the top side which has most of the tracks. However, this means that parts like the IC holder will have their solder joints on the bottom side and there will be no connection to the top-side tracks unless the holes are plated-through. I believe the boards available via the EPE magazine do not feature plated-through holes - in fact I read that the holes are all drilled to a uniform minimum diameter and will require to be opened up as necessary. I do not immediately see how an IC holder can be used with this design and there will be problems with many of the other parts where leads will require to be soldered on both top and bottom layers. The photographs in the original articles show the IC in a holder. Maybe the earlier kit boards featured plated-through holes or employed inserted VIAs? Is anyone able to shed light on this? Best regards, Alan |
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| BobD Guru Joined: 07/12/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 935 |
Alan Have a look at the attachment. I think it will answer the questions in the last line and provide a source for the PCB. Good luck. Bob 2013-03-17_164344_Universal_USB_Data_Logger_PCB.pdf edit Just had a look at Jaycar and Altronics and the latter is still showing the kits. http://www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?area=item&id=K2572 As the link implies, the catalogue number is K2572. ALTRONICS INTERNATIONAL ORDERS 174 Roe Street, Perth, Western Australia 6000 PO Box 8350, Perth Business Centre, Western Australia 6849 RETAIL Telephone: +61 8 9428 2188 Fascimile: +61 8 9428 2187 |
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| isochronic Guru Joined: 21/01/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 689 |
An IC socket can be used with non-plated-through boards: a socket is placed and left slightly clear of the board so as to leave room for soldering connections on the socket side. Machined-pin sockets are best. It is easiest to heat the pin and feed the solder wire through underneath the socket. Not exactly perfect I agree but it works ok. |
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| paradigm Newbie Joined: 03/03/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 7 |
Thanks for the useful information and suggestions. It is confirmed that the original board has plated-through holes but there seems to be a issue with the non-availability of the card socket which matches the board. I am an experienced user of the Cadsoft Eagle PCB layout package and I have made a start to doing my own layout. I can incorporate a few alterations to suit my application, e.g. placing the USB socket horizontally and providing a facility to (re)program the PIC 18F27J53 in-circuit (ICSP). The board may be slightly larger but will not need plated-through holes. I originally wanted to save time and buy a board but I have changed my mind on this! Thanks to all. Alan |
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bigmik Guru Joined: 20/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2914 |
Gday Alan, Do you have any specs on the card socket you need? Regards, Mick Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<< |
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| paradigm Newbie Joined: 03/03/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 7 |
Hi Mick, Thanks for your message. The articles in EPE Magazine only quote "Altronics P5722". However, the photos show a socket similar to the Multicomp part 412D02F-09PC0035V (Farnell 2226409) but I suspect the PCB may now require a different socket? I would have to make an Eagle part for the Multicomp part as I can't see an existing one anywhere. The alternative I was planning to use is the Wurth Elektronik part 693 063 020 911 (Farnell 2081361) and I have the Eagle part file for this (available from the Wurth website), although I do see an issue with it which I am raising with Wurth. The Farnell site has links to the specs for these sockets. Thanks for your interest, Alan |
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| bigmik Guru Joined: 20/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2914 |
Hi Alan, The Multicomp part looks a fair bit different size wise but the Wurth part is that close I don't think you would have to change anything to fit... the differences are fractions of a mm and I feel would fit perfectly on the existing foot print Here is an overlay of the Wurth part and Altronics parts one in red the other blue and aligned on the location holes they are near perfect... 2013-03-20_233147_SD.pdf Regards, Mick Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<< |
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