AutoTop DIY

[Polaris]

Got the Arduino Nanos on Friday. I ordered the nanos that don't have the on-board USB to serial to save space and complexity. The only problem is I can't for the life of me find my "ftdi friend" usb to TTL converter to program them. I just ordered a replacement, I'll update when it gets here and I can program the nano. It'll undoubtedly be at least a week for it to get here.

[Pdwight]

Could you give us a pinout (EBC) on the transistors...the voltage regulator is pretty self explanatory.

[JayG]

the transistor is acting like a switch and switching ground. It doesn't matter which way they are connected as long as the base is connected via the resistor to pin 2 or 3 as applicable. The middle pin is the base.

Polaris,

Can you email the actual Arduino sketch file? I would like to try what you got working before.

[jb92563]

JayG I took a look at the code and it seems fine and compiles, however I am using the Arduino v1.1 software on a Win7 PC.

With this and other projects I have worked on it seems that the newer versions of the Arduino software has more bugs.

Try Arduino version 1.1.x

Also, the transistor orientation is important since a transistor can act as a diode and only allow current to flow in 1 direction.
If the transistors are backwards you may only be able to raise , lower or do neither.

Does anyone see any benefit to making the Arduino boards any smaller?
If so I may try to implement this on a TI EZ430-F2012 which is smaller literally than your thumbnail.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by jb92563

JayG I took a look at the code and it seems fine and compiles, however I am using the Arduino v1.1 software on a Win7 PC.

With this and other projects I have worked on it seems that the newer versions of the Arduino software has more bugs.

Try Arduino version 1.1.x

Also, the transistor orientation is important since a transistor can act as a diode and only allow current to flow in 1 direction.
If the transistors are backwards you may only be able to raise , lower or do neither.

Does anyone see any benefit to making the Arduino boards any smaller?
If so I may try to implement this on a TI EZ430-F2012 which is smaller literally than your thumbnail.

I can compile and load perfectly, its just it does not seem to work properly
Good catch on the transistor. Like I said, it been a very long time since I played around with electronic components

I don't see where I can download 1.1, but I have tried 1.5.6 and 1.0.5

Hopefully Polaris will be able to shed some light on this when he is able to try a NANO

[jb92563]

Give the Arduino 1.05 a try.http:// http://arduino.googlecode.com/files/arduino-1.0.5-r2-windows.exe

[JayG]

Originally Posted by jb92563

Give the Arduino 1.05 a try.http:// http://arduino.googlecode.com/files/arduino-1.0.5-r2-windows.exe

That's what I have been using. I tried 1.5.6 today as well

The problem I have is not compiling or loading the code, its that it doesn't work properly

The top motor only runs as long as I have the switch pushed, just like stock. A momentary push does not keep the top moving

[Polaris]

Can you post a nice high res, close up picture of your arduino?

The code works, I've been using my setup for over a year and 2-8 times a day (when the weather is good) without a single issue.

[Polaris]

JayG, any update on getting a picture of your setup?

I'm still waiting on the usb to serial programmer to get here.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by Polaris

JayG, any update on getting a picture of your setup?

I'm still waiting on the usb to serial programmer to get here.

I'm traveling currently and will be back on Monday. I'll take some pics then

[Leebherron]

Polaris please send me a note if you can make me an auto-top . I would like to buy one from you. Thanks, Lee NY

[JayG]

OK, finally got a chance to take a few pics

Polaris,

A few questions

Have you been able to get a NANO to work ?
Do you have any special libraries loaded?
the reason I ask, is that you define some variables and I dont see them referenced anywhere in your posted code
#define openTime 15600;
#define closeTime 16400;

I have double and triple checked my wiring. I did make 1 modification, the pins used for the outputs so I could use the header cable I had. I changed the pins in the code as well

The header cables also make a great transistor socket

[Polaris]

The MovementCount veritable should definitely be getting set to either openTime or closeTime depending on the button pressing. Maybe I posted the wrong version of the code....like a bone head. I'll have a look through my files when I get home from work.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by Polaris

The MovementCount veritable should definitely be getting set to either openTime or closeTime depending on the button pressing. Maybe I posted the wrong version of the code....like a bone head. I'll have a look through my files when I get home from work.

Thanks

I have brain farts all the time

[Polaris]

well craptastic. Looks like the final version got overwritten with the second to last version. I'll go over the code and figure it out and let you know.

On a side note, they are sending me "another" ftdi friend as it's now been 20 days since I ordered the previous one. Looks like USPS ate it.

[JayG]

Thanks, I appreciate it

[Polaris]

I'm pretty sure the last switch statement should just look like:

default: //no movement currently
if(openBtnCount > 0) {
openMode = 1;
movementCount = openTime;
digitalWrite(closeBtnOut, LOW);
digitalWrite(openBtnOut, HIGH);
} else if(closeBtnCount > 0) {
openMode = 2;
movementCount = closeTime;
digitalWrite(closeBtnOut, HIGH);
digitalWrite(openBtnOut, LOW);
} else {
allStop();
}

I'm also pretty sure the "movementCount -= loopInterval;" lines shouldn't be in the case 3 and case 4 and default switches. They are unnecessary in case 3 and 4, and constantly decremented when there is no motion in the default case.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by Polaris

I'm pretty sure the last switch statement should just look like:

default: //no movement currently
if(openBtnCount > 0) {
openMode = 1;
movementCount = openTime;
digitalWrite(closeBtnOut, LOW);
digitalWrite(openBtnOut, HIGH);
} else if(closeBtnCount > 0) {
openMode = 2;
movementCount = closeTime;
digitalWrite(closeBtnOut, HIGH);
digitalWrite(openBtnOut, LOW);
} else {
allStop();
}

I'm also pretty sure the "movementCount -= loopInterval;" lines shouldn't be in the case 3 and case 4 and default switches. They are unnecessary in case 3 and 4, and constantly decremented when there is no motion in the default case.

just tried those changes and the output still does not stay high except for the time when the switch is closed, in other words no auto operation.

I am using the onboard LED (pin 13) as the output for testing as it is easier than uploading the code and installing in the car to test

[Polaris]

do you still have your delay(50) removed?

[Polaris]

...and delay(50) should be delay(loopInterval)