Comments on: Build Your Own Digital Setting Circles http://eksfiles.net Putting the "Ek" in "Geek" Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:52:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Dave http://eksfiles.net/digital-setting-circles/comment-page-1/#comment-316 Dave Mon, 22 Feb 2010 01:41:01 +0000 http://test.eksfiles.net/?page_id=3#comment-316 Mike, thanks for the info, and glad the system is working for you. It's possible that the LED doesn't work because you installed it backwards. Or possibly it just isn't very bright and you need to check it in a dark room (I intentionally specified a 10K resistor so that the LED was not terribly bright, and so the current consumed would be less). Thanks for the link to the terminal software, too. Dave Mike, thanks for the info, and glad the system is working for you. It’s possible that the LED doesn’t work because you installed it backwards. Or possibly it just isn’t very bright and you need to check it in a dark room (I intentionally specified a 10K resistor so that the LED was not terribly bright, and so the current consumed would be less). Thanks for the link to the terminal software, too.

Dave

]]> By: Mike http://eksfiles.net/digital-setting-circles/comment-page-1/#comment-315 Mike Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:56:11 +0000 http://test.eksfiles.net/?page_id=3#comment-315 Dave My bad. that link is still good just click on Tech notes then scroll down to software tools to get to the comtest download. Mike Dave
My bad. that link is still good just click on Tech notes then scroll down to software tools to get to the comtest download.
Mike

]]> By: Mike http://eksfiles.net/digital-setting-circles/comment-page-1/#comment-314 Mike Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:49:43 +0000 http://test.eksfiles.net/?page_id=3#comment-314 Hi Dave, Well it is all done and tested works great only trouble is the LED do'nt light up. But no biggie. Oh by the way I found a hyperterminal program that works fine for Vista systems it is called Com Test found at www.bb-elec.com/tech_articales/faq_cerrent_loop_loopback.asp To test slect com port then type Q works great and it s free. I also used a USB to serial adapter from best buy this is a good adapter and comes with software download to make it work. I'll keep you informed if I find out more. Thank You Mike Hi Dave,
Well it is all done and tested works great only trouble is the LED do’nt light up. But no biggie. Oh by the way I found a hyperterminal program that works fine for Vista systems it is called Com Test found at http://www.bb-elec.com/tech_articales/faq_cerrent_loop_loopback.asp To test slect com port then type Q works great and it s free. I also used a USB to serial adapter from best buy this is a good adapter and comes with software download to make it work. I’ll keep you informed if I find out more.
Thank You Mike

]]> By: Dave http://eksfiles.net/digital-setting-circles/comment-page-1/#comment-313 Dave Sun, 21 Feb 2010 14:34:03 +0000 http://test.eksfiles.net/?page_id=3#comment-313 Craig, I don't have any plans to do that. Not sure, however, why making my board work directly with bluetooth (vs connecting it to a bluetooth adapter) would make a difference to the iPod Touch. Dave Craig, I don’t have any plans to do that. Not sure, however, why making my board work directly with bluetooth (vs connecting it to a bluetooth adapter) would make a difference to the iPod Touch.

Dave

]]> By: Craig http://eksfiles.net/digital-setting-circles/comment-page-1/#comment-312 Craig Sun, 21 Feb 2010 03:12:52 +0000 http://test.eksfiles.net/?page_id=3#comment-312 Hi Dave! Thank you sooo much for all of your efforts. I was wondering if you have any plans to provide a version of your design to communicate directly through Bluetooth so that a Bluetooth to serial adapter is not necessary. I have an iPod Touch and I would like to use StarMap Pro on my iPod Touch with your encoder interface board and apparently there are no "made for iPod" Bluetooth to serial adapters. I could create a new circuit board layout. Thanks! Craig Hi Dave!
Thank you sooo much for all of your efforts.
I was wondering if you have any plans to provide a version of your design to communicate directly through Bluetooth so that a Bluetooth to serial adapter is not necessary.
I have an iPod Touch and I would like to use StarMap Pro on my iPod Touch with your encoder interface board and apparently there are no “made for iPod” Bluetooth to serial adapters.
I could create a new circuit board layout.
Thanks!
Craig

]]> By: Mike http://eksfiles.net/digital-setting-circles/comment-page-1/#comment-306 Mike Fri, 05 Feb 2010 02:40:46 +0000 http://test.eksfiles.net/?page_id=3#comment-306 Hi Dave I just ordered a DSC project kit from Farcircuits. Gona give it a shot and DIY. Thank you for the information and I'll keep you updated on my progress. Mike Hi Dave
I just ordered a DSC project kit from Farcircuits. Gona give it a shot and DIY. Thank you for the information and I’ll keep you updated on my progress.

Mike

]]> By: Dave http://eksfiles.net/digital-setting-circles/comment-page-1/#comment-291 Dave Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:11:32 +0000 http://test.eksfiles.net/?page_id=3#comment-291 Hi Mike - The encoders will probably work. What's important is that they use 5 volts, and that you can tell how to connect them to the circuit. Try looking on the web for a datasheet for them, if they're labeled with any part number or something. Or maybe Meade can tell you something about them. Dave Hi Mike -

The encoders will probably work. What’s important is that they use 5 volts, and that you can tell how to connect them to the circuit. Try looking on the web for a datasheet for them, if they’re labeled with any part number or something. Or maybe Meade can tell you something about them.

Dave

]]> By: Mike http://eksfiles.net/digital-setting-circles/comment-page-1/#comment-290 Mike Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:44:40 +0000 http://test.eksfiles.net/?page_id=3#comment-290 Dave, I purchased a kit made by Meade back in the late 80's. This kit is lacking the pcb's to decode the encoders, but every thng is brad new. Do you think these encoders will work with your decoder, thay were made by HP and have 4 prongs on the bottem, I have all the wireing and these are powered by two AA batteries. I really want to make this work. Any ideas? Thank You Mike Dave,
I purchased a kit made by Meade back in the late 80’s. This kit is lacking the pcb’s to decode the encoders, but every thng is brad new. Do you think these encoders will work with your decoder, thay were made by HP and have 4 prongs on the bottem, I have all the wireing and these are powered by two AA batteries. I really want to make this work.
Any ideas?
Thank You Mike

]]> By: Dave http://eksfiles.net/digital-setting-circles/comment-page-1/#comment-247 Dave Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:50:26 +0000 http://test.eksfiles.net/?page_id=3#comment-247 Arlen, thanks for that info--makes perfect sense when I think about it. Dave Arlen, thanks for that info–makes perfect sense when I think about it.

Dave

]]> By: Arlen Raasch http://eksfiles.net/digital-setting-circles/comment-page-1/#comment-246 Arlen Raasch Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:15:55 +0000 http://test.eksfiles.net/?page_id=3#comment-246 Dave: You mentioned that you were uncertain of the function of the capacitors for the MAX232. These capacitors are used to make voltage inverters and doublers to provide the necessary voltages for RS-232 transmission while only requiring +5VDC as a power source. By charging each of the four capacitors to +5V and then connecting a pair of the capacitors in series you get 10V across the pair. By connecting each of the pairs correctly you obtain two new power supply rails internal to the MAX232 of +10V and -10V. These are then used to output the serial transmit data. BTW, I too am a former MECC user. -Arlen Dave:

You mentioned that you were uncertain of the function of the capacitors for the MAX232.

These capacitors are used to make voltage inverters and doublers to provide the necessary voltages for RS-232 transmission while only requiring +5VDC as a power source.

By charging each of the four capacitors to +5V and then connecting a pair of the capacitors in series you get 10V across the pair. By connecting each of the pairs correctly you obtain two new power supply rails internal to the MAX232 of +10V and -10V.

These are then used to output the serial transmit data.

BTW, I too am a former MECC user.

-Arlen

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