AngusMcDoon
Well-Known Member
That's 52 Israeli Shekels!
Half a YAPP - mini-mast display
- Thread starter AngusMcDoon
- Start date
That's 52 Israeli Shekels!
ghostlymoron
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Angus, LOL
AngusMcDoon
Well-Known Member
I have implemented some backlight stuff. I don't know why I didn't think of it before, but the easiest way to control the backlight without an external button is to use the incoming light control messages via Seatalk. So now when you change the brightness on any of your other displays it changes the brightness on this one too. The now defunct mast display project does just that, so I don't know why I didn't think of of for this one.
(Well that video is just pants, but it does work really. All 3 lighting levels are fairly low as needed on boat instruments and the camera just isn't really capturing it.)
The backlight is controlled by a PWM output from the processor driving a MOSFET. Now I don't have the MOSFET I am intending using and I don't want to make a RS order for one part costing 13p, so if someone else would like to try it I'd be grateful. The MOSFET I am proposing using is RS part 719-2881.
I have also noticed and fixed some copy and paste errors in last week's effort. I sent it out too soon - bug in the schematic and now the software as well. I'll send updates. The schematic will have the new backlight stuff, but it will still work without the extra circuitry.
(Well that video is just pants, but it does work really. All 3 lighting levels are fairly low as needed on boat instruments and the camera just isn't really capturing it.)
The backlight is controlled by a PWM output from the processor driving a MOSFET. Now I don't have the MOSFET I am intending using and I don't want to make a RS order for one part costing 13p, so if someone else would like to try it I'd be grateful. The MOSFET I am proposing using is RS part 719-2881.
I have also noticed and fixed some copy and paste errors in last week's effort. I sent it out too soon - bug in the schematic and now the software as well. I'll send updates. The schematic will have the new backlight stuff, but it will still work without the extra circuitry.
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nigelmercier
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I've got a Farnell account with free delivery and no minimum order, you just have to use a "Corporate" credit card. If you find the item on their site, I'll order you one (RS site is down, so I can't look it up).
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AngusMcDoon
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Thank you for the offer. All I need is a MOSFET that can switch the LCD backlight in a through hole package. I guess Farnell 9845178 would do it, but you have to buy 5 minimum.
testmonkey
Well-Known Member
looking good. So where's the website from where I could buy a ready made kit and pay with paypal?
nigelmercier
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AngusMcDoon
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Patience! I do PCB design work when no-one is looking at work. It looks like real work
Then it will take a month to get them. Then they will probably be wrong so I have to have another go.
AngusMcDoon
Well-Known Member
Thanks. I won't be able to think of anything else until you have clicked the order button.
Saltram31
Well-Known Member
Why not use 4 x16 OLED,then no back light required and easy to read from any angle.
nigelmercier
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What software do you use?
I can make SS boards at home, in low quantities. The most time-consuming part is drilling the holes; one reason why I'm moving to SM components where possible; I can just about manage an 0805, but 1206 is easier.
AngusMcDoon
Well-Known Member
I am not aware of any cheap ones. This 16x2 is nearly £40...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Oled-16x2...onents_Supplies_ET&hash=item5aee2cbc3d&_uhb=1
If you know any 4x16 OLED displays that are less than £10 I would be interested to see details, but maybe not for this project as the purpose was to get the price and power consumption right down but still be functional.
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AngusMcDoon
Well-Known Member
Never made any so far, but I'm trying in DesignSpark.
nigelmercier
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Nice, it's what I use.
AngusMcDoon
Well-Known Member
Its nicest feature is its price, which is in line with the YAPP ethos.
nigelmercier
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Well EAGLE is also free in a limited version, but you have to get your brain rewired to use it.
prv
Well-Known Member
Update - finally got round to building it:
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums...3CD95AE-2085-00000358729A0684_zps9d30361e.jpg
(flying green wires are for a pushbutton to control backlight power, nothing to do with the YAPP circuit as such)
Also managed to build the code (had to tweak a few things to work on MPLAB X on Mac) and program the chip, which appears to be running (according to what the debugger seems to be saying).
Sadly, nowt displayed on the screen
I assume this would be due to a mistake in converting from the circuit diagram to the board layout, or a fault in soldering the board, but I don't really know where to start looking. Unfortunately, not being a real electronics person, I don't have any diagnostic kit more sophisticated than a basic multimeter.
Pete
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums...3CD95AE-2085-00000358729A0684_zps9d30361e.jpg
(flying green wires are for a pushbutton to control backlight power, nothing to do with the YAPP circuit as such)
Also managed to build the code (had to tweak a few things to work on MPLAB X on Mac) and program the chip, which appears to be running (according to what the debugger seems to be saying).
Sadly, nowt displayed on the screen
I assume this would be due to a mistake in converting from the circuit diagram to the board layout, or a fault in soldering the board, but I don't really know where to start looking. Unfortunately, not being a real electronics person, I don't have any diagnostic kit more sophisticated than a basic multimeter.
Pete
AngusMcDoon
Well-Known Member
Where you have removed a Veroboard track section check with a multimeter that there is no continuity across the hole. Also check that there is no continuity between neighbouring tracks. It's very easy for a sliver of copper to cause a short. Then check that there is continuity between each processor pin and display pin. If that doesn't work you will have to wait for this to come back from China...
Jabamusic
Well-Known Member
If that doesn't work you will have to wait for this to come back from China...
...and pray tell us, what is that !! and should we be getting excited !!!!
AngusMcDoon
Well-Known Member
It's too secret to say.
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