Paul & Sabrina's cheap DIY 144v motor controller

[MPaulHolmes]

Holy cow, I wish I knew about that sucker before. I can supply you with the .HEX files, and you can do your worst! I don't know what software you can use to transfer the .HEX files. Maybe AVR Dude? I don't know. AVR Studio only lets you transfer files from specific devices made by Atmel I think.

Yes, you can program it in circuit. That's the 6 pin header on the control board. Pin 1 is MISO, Pin 2 is Vcc (5v), Pin 3 is SCK, Pin 4 is MOSI, Pin 5 is RESET, and Pin 6 is GROUND.

The AtMega8 is FLASH.

[jackbauer]

I'll build up that little programmer during the week and get you to email the .hex files.it uses a program called ponyprog. I used it in the past for reading eeproms. I noticed a little ringing on the gates during switch on today. Have to nail down the cause for that.

[MPaulHolmes]

ringing on the gate during switch-on. hmm... Does it do it when you are driving a single IGBT? How about at various gate resistor sizes? How long is the path from driver output to gate input?

[jackbauer]

I havent really investigated it at all just thought i'd mention. It a crazy layout on the bench as you could see with power and signal wires mixed up everywhere. I can look into it once the power stage is more tidy.

[bones007]

Originally Posted by jackbauer

I'll build up that little programmer during the week and get you to email the .hex files.it uses a program called ponyprog. I used it in the past for reading eeproms.

That little programmer looks super simple and requires only a few components.

If it works, could future versions of the controller board incorporate those components "on board" such that the controller can be re-programmed from any computer with a standard serial port? Or is there a compelling reason to separate the programmer from the controller that I haven't considered?

[MPaulHolmes]

Hey Bones007! I have never thought of that! There will be a bootloader soon so people will be able to program the microcontroller through the serial port with any computer, and no programmer.

[sawickm]

Hey Pual,

How much harder would it be to make the bootloader you are talking about use a USB connection to program the microcontroller ? It seams that most of the computer communications today use a USB interface. My laptop does not have a serial port.

- Mark

[adamj12b]

Hi Mark,

This is the programmer I use for my boards :SparkFun Electronics - STK500 Compatible USB Programmer

I love it. Its USB and has isp leads for 6 and 10 pin connections. It works on a mac and windows, and I've read it works on linux too. The only problem is that whoever laid out the connector on the revolt control board, laid the signals to pins that are not the isp standard. so a little bit of flipping the wires on the end is necessary to make the signals line up.

I also cant wait to see your controller design.

-Adam

[adamj12b]

O, I also forgot, To add USB to the controller might not be worth it. You would have to source an FTDI serial converter chip, and there not all the same. Some work better then others, and drivers are usually necessary. Also, Im don't think I have ever seen one that wasn't surface mount. I dont mind soldering that, but it is tough to solder 40 pins around a square 1/2".

-Adam

[sawickm]

Hi Adam,

Good to hear from you again. How is the testing of your new power PCB going ?

Hey would this work for a USB bootloader ? fischl.de - USBasp - USB programmer for Atmel AVR controllers



- Mark