Paul & Sabrina's cheap DIY 144v motor controller

[mora]

Oh yes, my control board works too (I suppose). Connected it to computer via serial cable and RTD explorer did show moving lines and data.

I can confirm that programming an empty ATmega168 works with selfmade STK200 paraller port programmer. You can find schematics at LancOS Home Page. I used PonyProg for reading/writing the firmware and avrdude for fuse settings. PonyProg worked fine with fuses too, I realized that later, heheh. I didn't know that fuse settings of ATmega168 were not included in .hex -file. I have no idea if they can even be included with files. I had to set them myself. Paul helped me with that. Thanks a lot.

I'll grab a screenshot of PonyProg with correct fuse settings later today. It should help everybody trying to use PonyProg in fuse programming. All these fuses were new to me and I didn't find any info about them from wiki. Time to update wiki with fuse settings also?

[jackbauer]

Hey Paul I just arduino'ed the control board muhahahahahahahaah! (evil laugh)

[Greg Fordyce]

Originally Posted by jackbauer

Hey Paul I just arduino'ed the control board muhahahahahahahaah! (evil laugh)

Very cool Can you post some more details.

Greg

[jackbauer]

Just had a little play today. Replaced the mega168 on the control board with an arduino enabled mega328. Got it running a simple program to o/p pwm dependent on throttle. I have plans for a new series of mods on the controller ............. stay tooned

[dave koller]

Originally Posted by jackbauer

Hey Paul I just arduino'ed the control board muhahahahahahahaah! (evil laugh)

Sweet - now, did you use Arduino source code? (Opps - I see you answered that a bit ) Well so you just PWM mod a signal - not the interrupts etc that the
straight C language addresses - cause you got my "ears" up - we might have to swap Arduino "sketches" LOL

[vectorges]

Spolier alert : I have only made it to page 97 on this thread. Dorry if my novice ideas have been asnwered later.

Since you are already using an Atmel controller was there a reason why you didn't just use an Arduino/Freeduino/Boarduino as the control section? It has the modularity you suggest for a price between $15 and $30. And it would provide an upgrade path as future enhancements are made.

I a programmer, not an IEEE, but I always thought a motor shield could be reengineered with beefier parts. They seem to have the majority of the engineering done but with wimpier electronics. They are usually aimed at the robotics user.

Just my 2 cents.

George
Conway, SC

[vectorges]

Another thought (now I am on page 108). A neighbor runs a trophy shop. They have an old fashioned 2-axis engraving machine. It is basically a computer operated version of your mill. I think it can duplicate any JPG image. I think I can get him to donate some time on the machine if I help with something else. If we get to the point of mass producing PCB's this could be an option.

[JayC]

Originally Posted by vectorges

Another thought (now I am on page 108). A neighbor runs a trophy shop. They have an old fashioned 2-axis engraving machine. It is basically a computer operated version of your mill. I think it can duplicate any JPG image. I think I can get him to donate some time on the machine if I help with something else. If we get to the point of mass producing PCB's this could be an option.

Way cheaper to have a professional board house make them. Also IIRC, Paul CNC'd his mill, I know Adam has.

[MPaulHolmes]

Ya, as soon as I get Eagle, I'm going to send the power board to PCBCart, which does 4 ounce 2 sided boards. In bulk it's like $8 or $10 per board. That would be so wonderful, I almost want to throw up thinking about it!

[justanothernoob]

Just got done reading the entire thread. Wow is all I can say or think. Amazing work Paul! Jack Bauer your variant power is so elegant! Now all I have to do is become financially fluid enough to get my project going. Again thanks to all that helped in this endeavor.