BeanieBots
Moderator
Finally, I've actually produced a PICAXE project of real use. PLAY
It started off as a datalogger with graphical output.
After I'd done all the standard stuff you need for a datalogger, I still had room to add in data uploads and data downloads.
After that, I still had some spare menu space AND a spare slot!
What else could be added?
Oh yes, some games. (see next post if you are too impatient to read on).
The hardware is pretty basic.
Fancy box from Maplin.
Cutting the square holes was a pain but only took about 30 minutes sat in the garden with a medium sized hand file for the GLCD cutout and a jewller's file for the square illuminated push-buttons. (must use round ones next time!).
The three illuminated buttons are push fit with a drop of superglue to hold them in place.
The GLCD is held in place with double sided tape.
The on/off switch is a round fixing so that was very easy.
The other hole is the stero jack socket which doubles up for programming and data down/up loads to another 28X2 which does the actual logging.
There is also a piezo glued to the back of the metal panel.
At the back is a charging socket and PS2 connector which has 0v,5v I2C and couple of I/O pins on it. This can be used so that it can also function as a stand-alone unit for I2C devices, a DS18B20 temp sensor or 0v to 5v data logging.
Inside, not a lot.
A pack of 6XAA NiMh batteries.
A low drop 5v regulator plus caps.
A 28X2 with D1307 RTC and 24L256 EEPROM on the I2C bus.
Some pull-downs for the buttons and resistors for LEDs.
That about it. Runs for 43 hours with the LCD backlight on.
Never timed it without but should be a lot longer.
I could have only used 5*AA but I don't have any chargers for 5.
It was cheaper to add the extra cell than build a new charger.
Anyway, after selecting the main menu, you are presented with a "Games" option. See second attachement.
Oh, nearly forgot.
It uses the dedicated hardware interrupt inputs for the menu system.
It took me ages to work out why I was getting an interrupt on both the push AND the release. CONTACT BOUNCE.
I've never had issue with those buttons before but the 28X2 hardware interrupts are so blindingly fast it finds the smallest of bounce. Be warned.
I had to add 10k/22nF to suppress the bounces.
The games don't use interrupts so no need to worry if your buttons are bouncy.
ENJOY.
It started off as a datalogger with graphical output.
After I'd done all the standard stuff you need for a datalogger, I still had room to add in data uploads and data downloads.
After that, I still had some spare menu space AND a spare slot!
What else could be added?
Oh yes, some games. (see next post if you are too impatient to read on).
The hardware is pretty basic.
Fancy box from Maplin.
Cutting the square holes was a pain but only took about 30 minutes sat in the garden with a medium sized hand file for the GLCD cutout and a jewller's file for the square illuminated push-buttons. (must use round ones next time!).
The three illuminated buttons are push fit with a drop of superglue to hold them in place.
The GLCD is held in place with double sided tape.
The on/off switch is a round fixing so that was very easy.
The other hole is the stero jack socket which doubles up for programming and data down/up loads to another 28X2 which does the actual logging.
There is also a piezo glued to the back of the metal panel.
At the back is a charging socket and PS2 connector which has 0v,5v I2C and couple of I/O pins on it. This can be used so that it can also function as a stand-alone unit for I2C devices, a DS18B20 temp sensor or 0v to 5v data logging.
Inside, not a lot.
A pack of 6XAA NiMh batteries.
A low drop 5v regulator plus caps.
A 28X2 with D1307 RTC and 24L256 EEPROM on the I2C bus.
Some pull-downs for the buttons and resistors for LEDs.
That about it. Runs for 43 hours with the LCD backlight on.
Never timed it without but should be a lot longer.
I could have only used 5*AA but I don't have any chargers for 5.
It was cheaper to add the extra cell than build a new charger.
Anyway, after selecting the main menu, you are presented with a "Games" option. See second attachement.
Oh, nearly forgot.
It uses the dedicated hardware interrupt inputs for the menu system.
It took me ages to work out why I was getting an interrupt on both the push AND the release. CONTACT BOUNCE.
I've never had issue with those buttons before but the 28X2 hardware interrupts are so blindingly fast it finds the smallest of bounce. Be warned.
I had to add 10k/22nF to suppress the bounces.
The games don't use interrupts so no need to worry if your buttons are bouncy.
ENJOY.
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