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propelller fan
member
Reged: 08/08/09
Posts: 30
Loc: PNW...the wet side
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Hi,
I'm currently building a Dew heater controller which has a micro-controller(MCU) generating the PWM outputs. A micro-controller is a programmable IC chip, and they're in almost all consumer electronics. I'm doing all the programming, so I can program it to do whatever I want it to.
I'm only using a portion of the MCU, so I'm looking for ideas for telescope related electronic features that can be incorporated into the controller.
The features thus far:
A. 4 PWM outputs adjustable from 0 to 100%
B. 4 12V outputs
C. LCD display that will show each channels status.
The features I'm considering adding:
A. Telrad auto shut off.
B. Low battery indicator for 12V portable power supply
C. Time/temperature display on LCD.
D. Temperature sensor that will automatically turn on/off dew heater outputs when the optics temperature goes above or below a certain level.
E. Telescope red light on/off for reading charts at the telescope.
F. Motion detector for burglar alarm (I sometimes leave the scope in the yard overnight).
Thanks in advance
--------------------
Meade 5.25" ETX-125
Meade 8" LX200
Meade 10" LX200
Meade 6" LXD55 Refractor
Orion 10" classic DOB
Meade 16" Lightbridge
Nagler 5mm, 7mm, 13mm, 16mm and 17mm
Ethos 10mm and 17mm
Custom built DEW prevention system
5.6 magnitude backyard skies
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ccs_hello
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/03/04
Posts: 3300
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IMHO, other misc features aren't key selling points.
However, "D":
using a thermister feedback to control/stabilize the temperature might be helpful.
Clear Skies!
ccs_hello
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tjmck
super member
Reged: 10/06/07
Posts: 156
Loc: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Propelller Fan,
You may be interested in this thread on the IceInSpace forum. There are a few of us workin on similar projects (at least the Dew Heater portion) using the Arduino or more correctly the ATmega328 as the platform.
IceInSpace_Link
Regards,
tjmck
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And at night the stars they put on a show for free
- James Taylor
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propelller fan
member
Reged: 08/08/09
Posts: 30
Loc: PNW...the wet side
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Ccs_hello, tjmck,
Thanks for the suggestions.
Ccs_hello, the thermister feedback is a great idea. I was going to order a couple of temperature sensors for a feedback circuit, I have a handful of thermisters in my electronic's part box.
tjmck, thanks for the link; it has some great ideas.
I haven't tried programming the ATmega328, at least not yet. I'm using a Parallax Propeller MCU as the platform. It's a bit of an overkill, but I've got a bunch of them laying around, and I really like this MCU a lot. Propeller info
--------------------
Meade 5.25" ETX-125
Meade 8" LX200
Meade 10" LX200
Meade 6" LXD55 Refractor
Orion 10" classic DOB
Meade 16" Lightbridge
Nagler 5mm, 7mm, 13mm, 16mm and 17mm
Ethos 10mm and 17mm
Custom built DEW prevention system
5.6 magnitude backyard skies
Edited by propelller fan (10/04/09 08:46 AM)
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tjmck
super member
Reged: 10/06/07
Posts: 156
Loc: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Propeller fan,
Agreed, the Parralax people make some great products! Just like the Arduino, the Proppelar seems as easy to use based upon the reports from a friend. He especially likes the programming interface. I am using the Arduino as the development platform with plans for a custom board using only the ATmega328 (with or without the Arduino bootloader). My original thought was to use some old 8515's that I had laying around until I was introduced to the Arduino through the IIS thread. One of the other things I do is help run a Province wide robotic competition for schools. I get exposed to a wide variety of controllers and a lot of ideas that can be ported to astronomy. (If you want, check out MRG LINK)
tjmck
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And at night the stars they put on a show for free
- James Taylor
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