DIY Anchor Chain Counter Project

When last tested on JW it worked really well, only trouble was, when we connected and activated a relay coil, the inductive load blew the chip. A diode was installed across the coil, but that didn't help. Probably needs a cheap opto-isolated relay, something like:

http://yourduino.com/sunshop2/index.php?l=product_detail&p=218

Come on Mike, don't abandon this project just because someone blew-up your last module, I'm sure it was your dodgy soldering on the veroboard.... Great fun!
 
As John said - it all worked well - until.....
Actually, I think it was that the power supply wasn't up to it and didn't protect it from big fluctuations.
Anyway, the project was put on hold this summer whilst we enjoyed the boat - cruising round Mallorca and more recently a run to Denia.
I may pick it up again but I've got lots of other stuff to do this winter.
 
I would be happy to help in any way with this project as I found it while considering starting a Raspberry Pi project for this same purpose but this looks far more evolved. I would be prepared to fund parts or join a list of "interested punters" prepared to commit funds toward the first prototypes or proven working kits. Its a great idea for those of us anchoring short-handed. Personally I would prefer a dedicated digital display somewhere near the helm but I may have to join you young-uns and buy a phone that is smarter than my age 10 Nokia.
Happy Christmas
 
Mike,

sorry for reviving this thread, wondering if you got it working in the end and how.
Considering the "proper" plug and play alternative (AutoAnchor 601) at 900AUS or so, I guess a homebrew solution would be nice.

Especially if someone could get it to talk the NMEA0183 sentences that GMI10 (and I guess others!) knows and therefore broadcast on the marine network!

I can get my BMS to read a magnet, run a counter up or down, work relays et al without much of a problem.
The latency of a wifi app is a slight issue and the lack of integration to the various onboard displays a definite minus.

cheers

V.
 
vas said:
Mike,

sorry for reviving this thread, wondering if you got it working in the end and how.
Considering the "proper" plug and play alternative (AutoAnchor 601) at 900AUS or so, I guess a homebrew solution would be nice.

Especially if someone could get it to talk the NMEA0183 sentences that GMI10 (and I guess others!) knows and therefore broadcast on the marine network!

I can get my BMS to read a magnet, run a counter up or down, work relays et al without much of a problem.
The latency of a wifi app is a slight issue and the lack of integration to the various onboard displays a definite minus.

cheers

V.
Click to expand...


No, I gave up on the project and sent all my bits to John100156 on this forum.
There is a lot of electrical activity around a 12/24v windlass - lots of back emf etc.
So it has become more of an electronics project than a software one.

Actually, the latency wasn't the problem.
The software used AJAX which allows communication between a client's browser and a web server without refreshing (GET/POST) the page.
In my tests, the actual communication bit was (as far as mattered) instantaneous.
It was the robustness of my electronics that finally killed the project for me.

Maybe John will be able to do something with it.
 
Hurricane said:
No, I gave up on the project and sent all my bits to John100156 on this forum.
There is a lot of electrical activity around a 12/24v windlass - lots of back emf etc.
So it has become more of an electronics project than a software one.

Actually, the latency wasn't the problem.
The software used AJAX which allows communication between a client's browser and a web server without refreshing (GET/POST) the page.
In my tests, the actual communication bit was (as far as mattered) instantaneous.
It was the robustness of my electronics that finally killed the project for me.

Maybe John will be able to do something with it.
Click to expand...

thanks, let's see if John managed/manages anything.

Wonder though how all these boat/car projects work with batteries changing current up to 10-15% over time, emptying, being recharged etc. Shouldn't it be a matter of setting up a stabilized supply and get a couple of relays to signal the windlass relay switch?

Actually was just now reading the autoanchor NMEA sentences and I'm planning to send them over to my friend that builds and develops the BMS I'm using (both at home and in MiToS) If I can persuade him to make a patch to his code and export these sentences, he could even market a marine lite version with SMS, relays and voltage sensors for half the price of the autoanchor ;)

cheers

V.
 
Not had a chance to look at this yet, I set up an emulator on my Windows PC to run VMWare and OS X Mavericks with Xcode. I have developed an App, I hope to link it to a Raspberry Pi (B+) which can be used to control this and many other functions - it will take me ages to complete though as I am very busy indeed at work at the moment, so its all just for fun, I will publish results complete as it was Mike's idea that kicked it off.....!
 
John100156 said:
Not had a chance to look at this yet, I set up an emulator on my Windows PC to run VMWare and OS X Mavericks with Xcode. I have developed an App, I hope to link it to a Raspberry Pi (B+) which can be used to control this and many other functions - it will take me ages to complete though as I am very busy indeed at work at the moment, so its all just for fun, I will publish results complete as it was Mike's idea that kicked it off.....!
Click to expand...

Only developed it, John
Now the fun comes - making it work/distributing it on the Apple platform.
BTW - the reason for my design using a web interface was that it would then work on any platform - not just Apple - sorry I hate iCrap
 
Hurricane said:
Only developed it, John
Now the fun comes - making it work/distributing it on the Apple platform.
BTW - the reason for my design using a web interface was that it would then work on any platform - not just Apple - sorry I hate iCrap
Click to expand...

Well, and wrote some code in Python for the RasPi controlling LED's/inputs/outputs (very easy bit). Have the LED's and outputs sorted, to avoid any issues with voltage spikes/surges. Goodness knows when I will get time to play around with the App to RasPi Get/Post and Wlan and all that, may get an idea from what you have written but not had time to look yet.... If I get it sorted on the iPhone/RasPi you can do the Android/RasPi bit, which will probably take me months and you 5 mins......Ohhhhh if only I were retired, I could play around with this for weeks ;-)

Busy at work designing all services for a containment level 3 lab at the OU, a Chemistry test lab facility for Imperial at SKen (building adjacent to where your family member works), a development lab for Professor Kucernak and two large high potency complex Pharmaceutical building extensions one in Barnstable and one in Brighton.... Then trying to learn to code(s) and building the above in my spare time, not to mention overhauling a 3.4m Avon tender, 25hp 2T motor, getting the external cushions recovered, etc., etc. I am hoping to fit-in a visit to the boat too at some stage, suffering from boat withdrawal symptoms at the moment, exacerbated by both Keith and Lester sending me daily updates telling me how nice it is in SCM at the moment.....! Definitely should have saved harder when younger....
 
reviving yet again this thread :D

how's your workload John?
Would you have any time/interest/chance to work on this project?
Just learnt from the electronics friend that tried to sort out my AutoAnchor 500C controller that it's completely dead :(
so now i'm stuck with the toggle switch for my windlass and I'm not happy at all.

cheers

V.
 
V.Busy so not even had a chance to look at this yet. Box still sitting on my desk in the study.!
Projects on for GSK in Chittagong-Bangladesh and Casablanca-Morocco and this morning kick-off meeting for an operating theatre in Spire Southampton hospital. Was hoping to at this over Xmas, I'm out to boat next week but then we booked to go out Xmas too.....

Bought a Rasberry Pi to play with, I have the app making software and the emulator to run it on a Windows PC which is good, but that's as far as I ever got...!

Think I may need to hand it back to Mike, or a retireeeeeee
 
Hello
Thanks for your reply. I tried to send you a personal email but am not sure it worked. I have never used this forum before and I am already getting messages that my mailbox is full!
I just wanted to know how it was going with your chain counter project. Do you have a design for something I could build?
Richard
 
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