This controller is made as a prototype tool to test mechanics from a stepper motor. On the controller, there is a button which is used to change the state of the motor. The controller can have 2 states set, one while the button is pressed ad one while the button is not pressed. The controller can be set using a serial user interface. There are 4 different states that can be set; stop, move to a position, move amount and continuously moving. Stop is stop to stop the motor. Move to a position is to move to a set position. Move amount is to move a set amount no matter what the other set state is. Continuously moving make the motor continuously move at a set speed in a direction.

2 different or the same state can be set, for example; state 1 (button = 0) is continuously moving and state 2 (button = 1) is Move to a position. This will make the motor continuously run but when the button is pressed, the motor will go to the set position. This means that the motor will return to the same spot even tho it has moved away at a random distance.

Another example would be setting the same state but with different speed setting or position settings.

To access the menu, plug the controller into the USB and the menu will appear in the serial console. This menu allows you to set how the controller reacts to the button press.
<pre>Welcome v1.0 Stepper motor controller
Commands:
P - Program (ON Type, ON Distance, ON Speed, OFF Type, OFF Distance, OFF Speed)
A - Move amount (Distance)
T - Move To positon (Distance)
S - Set setting (m1, m2, m3)
D - Display details
H - Help


Type:
0 - Stop
1 - Move to position
2 - Move amount
3 - Continuously moving

</pre>
The Arduino program and PCB is available from <a href="https://github.com/tinkersprojects/Stepper-Motor-Prototype-Tester">https://github.com/tinkersprojects/Stepper-Motor-Prototype-Tester</a>

Stepper Motor Prototype

The MQ Plotter is a machine that plots points on a grid. It is made from a 3D Printer Frame and mechanism with different electronics and additional items. It uses a 12V DC power supply to power the system and motors and is complete with a 16 x 2 LCD and Encoder for the user interface. The electronics are based on a different but similar project. The ATMEGA328P Microcontroller has the Arduino UNO Bootloader installed on it. The USB at the back uses a CH340 chip which can be used to program the ATMEGA328P through the Arduino IDE.

Every point the machine plots on the grid, it moves upwards, pauses while the plot is active and then moves downwards. This process is repeated for every point. When the plot is active, a relay is activated. The relay output switch ports can be accessed from the back of the machine. Each point on the grid is spaced out evenly by a pre-determined Pitch.

The LCD and Encoder are to navigate the menu system. In this menu, settings can be changed to change the operation of the Plotter. By pressing the Encoder, the menu will select the current item or perform the current command (select “Run” to start and run the machine). The back button enables navigation back through the menu.

MQ Plotter

This device was made to irritating and annoy someone so that they would remember to return it quickly.
This is a keyring device that beeps every 5 minutes and alarms every 15 minutes. The alarm will sound for 5 minutes or when someone disables it then resets to beeping every 5 minutes and alarms every 15 minutes.
This device works but was never finished. When it gets finished it will have a charging dock that disables it while charging.

RIB (Really Irritating Bug)

After finding out that a new controller for the solar heating will cost $500, i got to work building my own. As it is going into winer, the controller will go into 'winter' mode. This simply means that the controller will turn on the pump once a day for about 5mins. This helps to stop the damage being done while its not being used.
The old controller is using 2 sensors (one on a pipe close to the pool and one on the roof) to see if the solar can heat up the pool. I'm hopping the the sensors are in good condition so that I can use them for my controller. My controller will similar to the old controller but with better readouts and more control over the pump.

Solar Pool Heating Controller

The device generators mores code from an input string and were made for the Bayview sea scouts for scout hike 2016. It uses a number pad to input codes for letter and then used to generators the Morse code. Entering 1 with a return (the star key) from the keypad with entering 'a' into the string, entering 2 with a return from the keypad with entering 'b' into the string and entering 26 with a return from the keypad with entering 'z' into the string. All lower case letters, number and some symbols can be entered into the device. Entering 44 with removing the last letter, number or symbols from the string and entering 45 will remove all from the string. By pressing the '#' key, it will send the code through the 3.5mm jack on the side of the device.

Tinkers Projects

Tag: atmega328p

Stepper Motor Prototype

MQ Plotter

RIB (Really Irritating Bug)

Solar Pool Heating Controller

Morse Code Generator