I’m a retired electronics engineer and I’ve never implemented a microcontroller design. I need to control a geothermal heat pump system in my own home. I cannot find a controller that will do the job. The first computer I programmed was an IBM 1401 using assembler in 1956 at Cornell. I know many computer languages but I don’t have the time to learn the various languages used to program different microcontrollers in order to select a controller type or types which will do the job at hand.
The controller needs to repetitively measure the temperature in eight to twelve places and operate relays which will control the off board machinery based on differential comparisons between two temperature readings or on comparisons between a temperature and a setpoint. The controller also needs to repetitively record the temperature readings and the state of the output relays so this data can be transferred to a PC which will statistically validate the controller’s performance.
There is the distinct possibility that this gadget will be saleable if the prototype actually controls the system efficiently.
I am considering using either a PICAXE, PIC, Arduino, or BeagleBone to do this job. I need advice about which controller would be best at controlling relays, making multiple temperature measurements probably using a band gap sensor possibly on a one wire data line, making logical decisions from the temperature data, storing the data in RAM, and transmitting it to a PC probably using a USB.
I know the PICAXE can communicate with a one wire temperature sensor, operate the relays, and make logical decisions. Will the PICAXE store the data in RAM and transmit it to a PC through a USB connection?
Is it also practical to transmit constants from a PC to a PICAXE which will be used to modify algebraic computations, or would it be necessary to transmit a whole new program to the PICAXE in order to change computations?
Paul_L in the Hudson Valley of New York.
The controller needs to repetitively measure the temperature in eight to twelve places and operate relays which will control the off board machinery based on differential comparisons between two temperature readings or on comparisons between a temperature and a setpoint. The controller also needs to repetitively record the temperature readings and the state of the output relays so this data can be transferred to a PC which will statistically validate the controller’s performance.
There is the distinct possibility that this gadget will be saleable if the prototype actually controls the system efficiently.
I am considering using either a PICAXE, PIC, Arduino, or BeagleBone to do this job. I need advice about which controller would be best at controlling relays, making multiple temperature measurements probably using a band gap sensor possibly on a one wire data line, making logical decisions from the temperature data, storing the data in RAM, and transmitting it to a PC probably using a USB.
I know the PICAXE can communicate with a one wire temperature sensor, operate the relays, and make logical decisions. Will the PICAXE store the data in RAM and transmit it to a PC through a USB connection?
Is it also practical to transmit constants from a PC to a PICAXE which will be used to modify algebraic computations, or would it be necessary to transmit a whole new program to the PICAXE in order to change computations?
Paul_L in the Hudson Valley of New York.