Dave, is there a reason you run your wireless throttle on two batteries in series? Both the Pro Mini and the HC-12 board will run on 3.3V so I'd think (and hope, for my own sake) that a single 3.7V Li-ON cell hooked to RAW would power the both. The Pro Mini takes less than 10mA to run, and from the HC-12 datasheet it looks like 200mA will run it. A fairly small 2000mAh cell would seem to run the throttle for 8-ish hours. Or are there other factors I'm overlooking? I'm a mechanical engineer and basically faking this electricital stuff... Randy
Good observation, Randy! Yes, the system will work on 3.7 volts and I did some tests with one cell. But the LCD display doesn't give very good contrast at 3.7 vs 5 volts so I opted for the two batteries - Another option would be to use a 3.7 to 5 volt buck converter if you want to use only one cell. I also wanted a circuit where someone could use a single 9 volt battery. dave
Thank you, Dave. For full disclosure re. my question, my own throttle doesn't have a display. The next city over has a 3D printer in their public library and makes prints for $0.10/gram. This is my first prototype which I'll have working this weekend in corded mode. It's using a Bourns mixer-quality (but linear taper) slide pot. I've redone the graphics and I'll machine the ultimate version from aluminum. I'm planning for the radio version when the HC-12's come in, thus my question. Randy
"The next city over has a 3D printer in their public library and makes prints for $0.10/gram." That is a wonderful idea! I will suggest it to our library. Libraries have expended their offerings enormously.
Dave, I have been following all of your vids and pages and have got my dcc++ up and running. I'd be very interested in tackling the wireless control and would gladly pay for a case and circuit board. The laser cutter would be great but beyond my budget at this point. Paul
Paul - I would be happy to cut one out for you - drop me an email (dave@davebodnar.com) and we can work out the details dave
Any problem you see using a pro micro instead of mini ? http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Pro-Mic...843710?hash=item33a9c8d67e:g:D70AAOSwVL1V~1dn
The link you sent doesn't show A4 and A5 pins - those are the pins the library I use wants to see for the LCD display. There may be other libraries that can use other pins (or you might be able to modify the library I use) but you may have some issues. Better to try an Arduino that has those pins (Pro Mini, for example) dave
I finished up building a 3rd wireless throttle just now and tested it and the two others with one radio receiver - all three sent packets successfully to the receiver - no interference, no bad packets - The next time we set up our modular layout I'll have club members give it a proper workout but the tests look very encouraging. dave
Dave in an interest to make things smaller and possibly get some parts locally and faster this seems to be good candidates: http://www.microcenter.com/product/451898/Pro_Trinket_-_5V_16MHz
PGW I tried one of these, did not have any success ...... if you do, please post your results. Steve F
Dave My apologies .... I was referring to another board. My head is spinning, there is so much going on on the board, it's hard to keep up ... I was working on the LoLin NodeMcu ESP8266 board. Too many projects on the workbench, I guess. Steve F
Dave Thanks for the case/misc parts looks great. Now waiting on some of the other items from china. Few observations as I went to compile the Throttle Sketch. As mentioned previously I too needed to add 2 referenced libraries. Also, I noticed you have this line "#include "Arduino.h"" usually that means you are referencing a local version of a header. Did you alter this locally? I needed to add #include <Arduino.h> to my sketch at the very top before the var declarations. Also I am used to having/seeing all includes at the top of code as well.
Dave Got the case etc and assembled a wireless throttle ....... just a few mods to accommodate a 9 volt battery and two buttons as I'm not ready to try the rotary encoder just yet. So far it is working as designed. Thank you Steve F
Steve - good to hear that you got the case & parts - I guess the US Mail does get the job done! As for the code you have to remember that I am not a very experienced C programmer - the code is something of a Frankenstein collection from a number of other sketches, some mine and some examples. I have not yet taken the time to put it all in proper shape - the good news is that it works! I didn't specifically add the "#include Arduino.h" - It was likely part of some example. dave
Steve - good deal on getting things working - Please let me know what modifications the software needs - It is surely not a finished product yet. thanks dave
