Half a YAPP - mini-mast display

[AngusMcDoon]

(Yet Another Pointless Project)/2

This is just a re-hash of a Seatalk repeater that I did before. I knocked it together at lunchtime one day this week in response to this thread by prv...

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?348576-YAPPish-(home-made-or-very-cheap)-Seatalk-display

Last time it used a more expensive colour high resolution display to no good effect, so I have re-hashed it to use a cheaper text display. It could be fitted near your chart table, or as a mast display for a model yacht for the model crew to look at. The data displayed is fixed and cannot be changed without changing the code. There are no buttons to control what's shown. The contrast adjust is a potentiometer. It's using a PIC18F26K22 processor, but a cheaper 18F24K22 would do just as well.

Here it is...

This is the display...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271137734300?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Total component consts are about £12 at 10-off retail prices, Seatalk only. Could do NMEA as well for another 50p.

It uses 15mA at 5V with no backlight with no power optimisation. With optimisation I could probably get that down to 5mA, so low enough to leave on all the time.

I might tack this on to the RF stuff I did for the mast display and make the Seatalk 2-way so it could be a pocket repeater and autopilot remote control.

Sauce code and schematic to anyone who wants it. I might make a PCB and an easy-to-assemble no-soldering-required kit if anyone is interested.

 

[ianj99]

I asume its powered via the Seatalk conenction? In which case a few ma shouldn't be a problem?

 

[AngusMcDoon]

I asume its powered via the Seatalk conenction? In which case a few ma shouldn't be a problem?

It is and it isn't, in that order.

 

[ianj99]

I'm sure there would be plenty of interest in a easy to build kit - it would make a compact and useful repeater for anyone with Raymarine gear.

 

[nigelmercier]

I might tack this on to the RF stuff I did for the mast display and make the Seatalk 2-way so it could be a pocket repeater and autopilot remote control...

Now that would be awesome! I've been thinking about building a NMEA/SeaTalk repeater into a modified Nokia 3100 phone case, using the display and battery. Personally I'm mainly interested in depth, SOG, and COG for anchoring, in big letters so I can read it without glasses! Having autopilot control would be a good addition.

 

[ianj99]

Now that would be awesome! I've been thinking about building a NMEA/SeaTalk repeater into a modified Nokia 3100 phone case, using the display and battery. Personally I'm mainly interested in depth, SOG, and COG for anchoring, in big letters so I can read it without glasses! Having autopilot control would be a good addition.

Looks like he's going to have to use a bigger display or fit a switch to select an alternate data set!

 

[ghostlymoron]

That's brilliant for 9 quid. All it needs now is a suitable box to mount it in. What do you need to program the text in?

 

[testmonkey]

I'm sure there would be plenty of interest in a easy to build kit - it would make a compact and useful repeater for anyone with Raymarine gear.

+1

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Now in 3 flavours...the original 4 lines of text, a 2 page version, each page with 4 different readings, swaps between the 2 every 5 seconds, and now...the scrolling version. 8 lines which move upwards every couple of seconds.



The japes I have on dull rainy days know no bounds.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

That's brilliant for 9 quid. All it needs now is a suitable box to mount it in. What do you need to program the text in?

The software is flashed into the processor with a PICKit2 programmer. These cost about £13 on Ebay. If I made a kit it would be done already so no programmer required.

 

[prv]

Sauce code and schematic to anyone who wants it.

Yes please! Crazy not to, since it's built to my specific personal requirements

Pete

 

[CreakyDecks]

Nice. However, I think it would be better if you scrolled everything horizontally, after a static display of a few seconds, so that the various parameters always show on the same lines.

 

[prv]

Nice. However, I think it would be better if you scrolled everything horizontally, after a static display of a few seconds, so that the various parameters always show on the same lines.

Personally, I think the right answer if you want to display more stuff is to get a bigger screen. Angus's original seatalk display shows about a dozen items with no scrolling or paging.

I just wanted a specific set for below-decks navigation purposes. Log reading for putting on the hourly plot. True wind direction to sketch on the chart and see if we're likely to lay XYZ on this tack. Depth to check on the tide during the night (though it's just occurred to me this matters a lot less now I have a fin keel and won't be drying out!). Then, since the screen is there, let's add speed and heading in case I decide to engage in a bit of trad nav.

Pete

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Nice. However, I think it would be better if you scrolled everything horizontally, after a static display of a few seconds, so that the various parameters always show on the same lines.

I need my palm crossed with silver to do swanky tricks like that.

 

[onesea]

So what do you charge boxed & ready to go? Sorry not very techy here but that is one neat bit of kit...

 

[RAP77]

I'd buy a kit - fantastic device

 

[Jabamusic]

Waterproof boxes to mount it in ??????????

but count me in for a kit if possible

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Waterproof boxes to mount it in ?

I don't think prv intended mounting it outside, so it could go in any old box or even a cout-out somewhere near the chart table.

 

[ianj99]

Waterproof boxes to mount it in ??????????

but count me in for a kit if possible

http://www.rapidonline.com/Mechanic...osures/Polycarbonate-Boxes/IP66-Polycarbonate

The clear lidded ones avoid the need for cut outs and by using a cable gland, the IP rating should be retained.

 

[Jabamusic]

Waterproof boxes to mount it in ??????????

but count me in for a kit if possible

You're right.......it was the mini-mast display bit in the title that confoooosed me....Still interested though !