Wifi boat data monitor - what's left to measure!

  • Thread starter Thread starter GHA
  • Start date Start date
GHA said:
Anyone used micropython for esp programming? Thinking of moving that way...
Though maybe nobody on here even knows what it is ;)
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I have done some ESP32 development in micropython, but I find that the runtime uses so much memory that there is not enough left for my code. That said, my application is complex - coded in a combination of C and assembler, it only just fits into the poor little ESP32 - no room for a reasonably fully featured Python environment in there too!
 
P.S. don't be scared of surface mount - just put away the soldering iron. We do plenty of short-run assembly using just the oven in the kitchen... Get a syringe of low temperature solder paste from RS Components and place a small blob on each solder pad on the board. Drop the components on by hand with needle nose forceps - you don't need to worry too much about exact positioning - the solder mask on the board plus surface tension in the melted solder takes care of that. Once all the components are in place, pre-heat the oven to 180C, put the board on a wire rack and give it three minutes - our success rate is over 99%.
 
maby said:
P.S. don't be scared of surface mount - just put away the soldering iron. We do plenty of short-run assembly using just the oven in the kitchen... Get a syringe of low temperature solder paste from RS Components and place a small blob on each solder pad on the board. Drop the components on by hand with needle nose forceps - you don't need to worry too much about exact positioning - the solder mask on the board plus surface tension in the melted solder takes care of that. Once all the components are in place, pre-heat the oven to 180C, put the board on a wire rack and give it three minutes - our success rate is over 99%.
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When jlcpcb will do it all for you it seems a lot of work with no real gain..
 
AngusMcDoon said:
£25 for a tiny tube. Ouch!
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It goes a long way, guv! I'm sure there are cheaper alternatives, but it's a small part of the cost of our boards and it's convenient to be able to pick it up from RS just down the road when we need it...

Actually, given its short shelf life, we end up throwing more away than applying to boards.
 
At last!!! Turned up today.
sQfcPAM.jpg


Top left is measure things, 40 and a bit quid for 5, below that, about 20 quid for 5 fridge thermostats then 10 condtant current LED boards for £3.84 :cool:
Delivery added up though, should have just stuck with cheapo china post.

Will they work......... :unsure: :unsure:
 
gregcope said:
@GHA what are the fridge and LED ones? Look smart. I use chinapost and wait... ages.
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Fridge is a replacement for an Arduino that's been running the fridge for years, measures a couple of thermometers and switches on/off the compressor. Also put an ammeter in there as it cost pennies, and a few outputs with differing resistance, apparently you can run the compressor at various RPMs. The LEDs have a constant current of 150mA think it was, designed to take cree c503 LEDs as a replacement for nav lights.

Fired up the main boards, Barometer, ds18b20 temperature, both current sensors & both voltmeters seem to be working straight away, still need to check NMEA multiplexer, DAC & RPM. But looking good so far. Oh so much fun :cool:

Python code slowly coming along, must stick it up on github with the PCB files.
 
gregcope said:
Can you post the design and code for those?

Especially interested in the fridge one
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Will get there :) Fridge is currently ( ;) ) written in arduino C++ so needs porting over to python, shouldn't be too painful, python seems so much more friendly :)
GHA said:
Python code slowly coming along, must stick it up on github with the PCB files.
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GHA,

sorry to drift the thread a bit, got a fridge related Q for you.

now, since I've got a few in/outs left on my nice JLCPCBs (blue btw looks so much better than green :p ) I was thinking of monitoring my two fridges and sending output to my Garmin 4in displays.
Both fridges use the typical danfoss controller and they both have functional thermostats :rolleyes:
Would the idea be to monitor freezer as well as fridge with normal DS18B20s?
And then turn on and off the right pins on the danfoss controller? (would pull up or down work on teensies, or I need transistors or suchthings though?

my custom teensy3.5/6 board:
GVD_NMEA2K_v1.55.jpg

and populated:
GVD_NMEA2K_v1.55_2.jpg


cheers

V.
 
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