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Forum Index : Other Stuff : 2 projects of interest on the go

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Gizmo

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Joined: 05/06/2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 5031
Posted: 11:29pm 08 Apr 2010
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I have a couple of projects that might be of interest. Well I know one will definitely be of interest, save that till last.

First up, I have one of Phills windmills to test out at a fiends ( Bill ) place. Its a 24v model, and we want to see how it performs. The location has never had a wind turbine or solar before, so I needed a windmill controller and some way for Bill to record the power output from time to time. I was going to use a TL084 controller and a couple of multimeter's so Bill could take some readings, but then I remembered I have the Picaxe Charge Controller. It can display volts and amps on its little screen, and work as a controller too. I'm going to rewrite its software to display current watts and watt peak. This means the software will loose the low battery alarm sub routine, and the on screen text will be abbreviated, there just isn't enough memory to keep these features and add watts displays.

The controller will display the watt peak until the controller is reset ( turned off and on ), meaning Bill can go out to the controller once a day and record the peak power from the wind turbine.

The other project on the go is something a lot of people have been asking for, I only hope I can make it happen. An axial flux project. The axial flux windmills built by Gordon and Phill are very good performers, and improve in many ways on the Other Power/ Hugh designs. But they are a very high precision device, and difficult to make without the right tools ( big lathe ). So I wanted to put together a design that can be made without a lathe.

The new design needs no special tools, just like the Other Power / Hugh design, should be easier to make, and uses less epoxy. The smaller stronger stator should also be more reliable.

Will keep you posted.

Glenn
The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now.
JAQ
 
vasi

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Joined: 23/03/2007
Location: Romania
Posts: 1697
Posted: 12:56am 09 Apr 2010
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[quote]...should be easier to make, and uses less epoxy.[/quote]

Just WOW! I can't wait!

Hobbit name: Togo Toadfoot of Frogmorton
Elvish name: Mablung Miriel
Beyound Arduino Lang
 
Gizmo

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Joined: 05/06/2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 5031
Posted: 04:57am 10 Apr 2010
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Thanks Vasi, its good to know someone reads my posts

Discovered today the old 28X chips dont work with the Dick Smith USB to Serial converters. My laptop doesn't have a serial port, so I have to use the adapter to program PicAxe chips. No go with the 28X, it locks up the editor solid, have to use taskmanager to kill the process.

I tried my desk PC, with its real serial port, and no problems, works perfectly.

I dont know if you can buy a laptop with a serial port, or even a parallel port, these days. Its a real shame. The serial to USB adapters are rubbish from what I've heard.

Glenn
The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now.
JAQ
 
sPuDd

Senior Member

Joined: 10/07/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 251
Posted: 06:25am 10 Apr 2010
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Gizmo,

Dontronics has the best adaptor money can buy. Its the only one certified by all out security panel companies to work with their software and hardware:


Dontronics USB-Serial Adaptor

Have used it on everything from 25 year old Honeywell PLC's to grade 1 high security panels and PICAXE chips.

Well worth the ca$h

sPuDd..
It should work ...in theory
 
VK4AYQ
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Joined: 02/12/2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 2539
Posted: 11:45am 10 Apr 2010
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Hi Gizmo

Like the sound of your new alternator, ca it work at low rpm 120 for a VAWT

All the best

Bob
Foolin Around
 
vasi

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Joined: 23/03/2007
Location: Romania
Posts: 1697
Posted: 04:17pm 10 Apr 2010
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Hi Glenn,

Please, see your PM

Vasi
Hobbit name: Togo Toadfoot of Frogmorton
Elvish name: Mablung Miriel
Beyound Arduino Lang
 
Gizmo

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Joined: 05/06/2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 5031
Posted: 01:21am 11 Apr 2010
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OK, this is the new code for the charge controller.

Its now a dump controller, and I've used both mosfet outputs together to drive two dumploads. The dump loads switch .5 of a second apart to smooth out the sudden drop in battery voltage a little.

The screen displays volts, amps, watts and watt peak. Most internal maths is now done using words instead of bytes. I've use the eeprom as a temporary storage of data, meaning I can reuse the word variables for calculations. Using words means I have increased the usable volts and range of the charger, at least in the software. It should now work on a 12, 24, 36 and 48 volt system, but the internal regulator would need to be changed once you go over 30v. Amps is +- 50 with a resolution of 0.1A, instead of +- 12.5 with a resolution of 0.1A.
The watts calculations were a nightmare. Sine we are stuck with integer maths, as an example 26.5v and 30.1 amps is actually 265 and 301 in the software. Watts would be 265*301=79765. That number is too big for a picaxe, its max is 65536. To solve this I divided currents over 20 by 10 and moved the decimal place, reduced resolution but better maths.

]

The watt peak is reset by turning the charger off and on.

I've also added a amp offset zero function to the setup menu. This will zero the amp reading.

The codes below, I'll add it to the web site once its proven itself, there may still be bugs in it.

Glenn


' Charge Controller
' Ver 2010A
' www.thebackshed.com

Start:

EEPROM 0,( $33 )
EEPROM 1,( $32 )
EEPROM 2,( $28 )
EEPROM 3,( $0C )
EEPROM 4,( $06 )
EEPROM 5,( $01 )
EEPROM 6,("V ")
EEPROM 9,("A ")
EEPROM 12,("W ")
EEPROM 15,("Wmax ")
EEPROM 22,("Set Load On V")
EEPROM 35,("Set Load Off V")
EEPROM 50,("Zero Amp Offset")
EEPROM 66,("Press UP")
EEPROM 75,("Done ")

W0=0 ' Set min watt max
write 110, WORD W0
' Check to see if we have any dum load switching values
read 112, WORD W0
if W0=0 then ' if no saved load switch levels, set some defaults
W0=120
write 112, WORD W0
W0=140
write 114, WORD W0
end if
' Check the current offset value.
read 116, WORD W0
if W0=0 then
W0=500
write 116, WORD W0
end if
' Initialise the LCD display
FOR b11 = 0 TO 5
READ b11,b12
pause 15
GOSUB SendCmdByte
NEXT
' start up been and turn off dump load
gosub Beep
low portc 5
low portc 4
goto main

Main:
nap 4 ' Have a little sleep to save some power.
readadc10 0,W0 'Read in the volts and amps
write 100,WORD W0
readadc10 1,W0
write 102,WORD W0
gosub DisplayVolt
gosub DisplayAmp
gosub DisplayWatt
if pin1 = 1 then menu1 ' Is menu button pressed?
if pin6 = 0 then OnLoad ' Is Forced Load switch on?
if pin7 = 0 then OnCharge ' Is Forced Charge switch on?
read 100, WORD W0
read 114, WORD W1
if W0>W1 then SwitchToLoad 'Battery fully charged, switch windmill to Load.
read 112, WORD W1
if W0<W1 then SwitchToCharging 'Battery gettin low, switch windmill to Battery.
goto main

SendCmdByte:
b13 = %00000000 ; Send to Command register
SendDataByte:
pins = b12 & %11110000 | b13 ; Put MSB out first
PULSOUT 3,1 ; Give a 10uS pulse on E
pins = b12 * %00010000 | b13 ; Put LSB out second
PULSOUT 3,1 ; Give a 10uS pulse on E
b13 = %00000100 ; Send to Data register next
RETURN

SwitchToLoad:
High portc 4
nap 5
High portc 5 ' Turn on MOSFETS to dummy load
goto Main

SwitchToCharging:
low portc 5
nap 5 ' Turn off MOSFETS to dummy load
low portc 4
goto Main

DisplayVolt:
b12 = 2
GOSUB SendCmdByte
Read 100,WORD W0
W1=W0/100
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*100
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/10
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
b12 = 46
Gosub SendDataByte
W1=W1*10
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
FOR b11 = 6 TO 8 ' Display "V"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
Return

DisplayAmp: ' Same as above, but adds the - and + symbols for current
Read 102,WORD W0 ' Get Amp Reading
Read 116,WORD W3 ' Get Amp Offset
If W0>W3 then pamp
if W0<W3 then namp
if W0=W3 then oamp
goto d1
pamp:
W0=W0-500
goto d1
namp:
b12=45
GOSUB SendDataByte
W0=W3-W0
goto d1
oamp:
W0=0
goto d1
d1:
W1=W0/100
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*100
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/10
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
b12 = 46
Gosub SendDataByte
W1=W1*10
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
FOR b11 = 9 TO 11 ' Display "A"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
Return

DisplayWatt:
b12 = 192
GOSUB SendCmdByte ' move to 2nd line
Read 100,WORD W0 ' Get Volts
Read 102,WORD W1 ' Get Amps
Read 116,WORD W3 ' Get Amps Offset
W1=W1-W3 ' Subtract the offset, and then we no longer need W3
W3=W1/10 ' Work out watts for peak watt
W3=W3*W0
W3=W3*10/82 ' yucky maths but works. We lost precision so need to fudge the figures
Write 106, WORD W3' Save peaks watts
if W1>200 then
W1=W1/10
W3=W0*W1
W0=W3
W1=W0/10000
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*10000
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/1000
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*1000
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/100
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*100
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/10
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
b12 = 46
Gosub SendDataByte
W1=W1*10
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
else
W3=W0*W1
W0=W3
W1=W0/10000
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*10000
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/1000
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*1000
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/100
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
b12 = 46
Gosub SendDataByte
W1=W1*100
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/10
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
end if
FOR b11 = 12 TO 13 ' Display "W"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
read 110, WORD W0
read 106, WORD W1
if W1>W0 then
write 110, WORD W1
W0=W1
end if
W1=W0/100
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*100
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/10
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*10
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
FOR b11 = 15 TO 21 ' Display "Wpeak"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
Return

Menu1: 'Set the Charge Voltage "CVolt"
GOSUB Beep
pause 500
b12 = 1
GOSUB SendCmdByte
b12 = 128
GOSUB SendCmdByte
FOR b11 = 35 TO 48 'Display "Set Charge Volts"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
read 112, WORD W0
write 100, WORD W0
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
Menu1a:
pause 100
if pin1 = 1 then Menu2
if pin2 = 1 then UpChargeVolt
if pin3 = 1 then DownChargeVolt
goto Menu1a

UpChargeVolt:
W0 = W0 + 1
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
write 112,WORD W0 'save in eeprom
goto Menu1a

DownChargeVolt:
W0 = W0 - 1
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
write 112,WORD W0 'save in eeprom
goto Menu1a

Menu2: 'Set the Load Voltage "LVolt"
GOSUB Beep
pause 500
b12 = 1
GOSUB SendCmdByte
b12 = 128
GOSUB SendCmdByte
FOR b11 = 22 TO 34 'Display "Set Load Volts"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
read 114, WORD W0
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
Menu2a:
pause 100
if pin1 = 1 then Menu3
if pin2 = 1 then UpLoadVolt
if pin3 = 1 then DownLoadVolt
goto Menu2a

UpLoadVolt:
W0 = W0 + 1
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
write 114,WORD W0 'save in eeprom
goto Menu2a

DownLoadVolt:
W0 = W0 - 1
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
write 114,WORD W0 'save in eeprom
goto Menu2a

Menu3: 'Set the Load Voltage "LVolt"
GOSUB Beep
pause 500
b12 = 1
GOSUB SendCmdByte
b12 = 128
GOSUB SendCmdByte
FOR b11 = 50 TO 64 'Display "Zero amps offset"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
b12 = 192
GOSUB SendCmdByte
FOR b11 = 66 TO 73 'Display "Press UP"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
Menu3a:
pause 100
if pin1 = 1 then Start
if pin2 = 1 then ZeroAmp
goto Menu3a

ZeroAmp:
readadc10 1,W0
write 116,WORD W0
b12 = 192
GOSUB SendCmdByte ' move to 2nd line
FOR b11 = 75 TO 82 'Display "Done "
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
gosub beep
goto Menu3a

OnLoad:
gosub beep ' keep beeping to remind us the charger is in a manual state
High portc 4
nap 5
High portc 5
Goto Main

OnCharge:
gosub beep ' keep beeping to remind us the charger is in a manual state
low portc 5
nap 5
low portc 4

goto Main

Beep: 'Make a noise. this pin cant use any tone commands so we need to write our own
for b8=0 to 5
high portc 0
pause 1
low portc 0
pause 1
next
return

DisplayVoltLine2:
b12 = 192
GOSUB SendCmdByte
W3=W0
W1=W3/100
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*100
W3=W3-W1
W1=W3/10
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
b12 = 46
Gosub SendDataByte
W1=W1*10
W3=W3-W1
W1=W3
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
FOR b11 = 6 TO 8 ' Display "V"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
Return

The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now.
JAQ
 
Downwind

Guru

Joined: 09/09/2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 2333
Posted: 02:02am 11 Apr 2010
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Hi Glenn,

Nice work, but what ever happened to using symbols?..Your code dose my head in trying to read it and stay the variables and values

Perhaps you could add a line prior to start with the picaxe use so we know what chip it is, like.....#picaxe 08m........I try to do it as a matter of course nowdays and it also configurers prog. editor for the chip.
Its handy if you are swapping between 2 different chips with program changes.

Why the dump delay and not a second adc value for the 2 stages?

Pete.
Sometimes it just works
 
Gizmo

Admin Group

Joined: 05/06/2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 5031
Posted: 04:17am 11 Apr 2010
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Hi Pete

Didn't use symbols because the variables are used for different things. eg, one second W0 is used to store amps, next its used to calculate a voltage value in the display routine. I'm using the eeprom as storage instead of variables. That way I can free up the word variables to do the maths.

A 2nd dump value could be added but I didnt need it for this application. Maybe later.

The code above ( apart from the facts its got a negative watts bug ) is just for show and tell, I'll add some coments and format it better later.

Glenn
The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now.
JAQ
 
Gizmo

Admin Group

Joined: 05/06/2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 5031
Posted: 07:37am 11 Apr 2010
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OK Pete, couldn't help myself.

This one lets you independantly set the cut in and out voltages for the two dump loads. Also a few other fixes.

So the charger now displays volts, amps, watts and peak watts. You can set each dump load ( or whatever else you want to connect to the output, like a fan or waterpump ) to cut in and out at whatever voltage you set up in the menu. You might set a water pump to cut in once the batteries are fully charged, and a dump load to cut in if the batteries are starting to overcharge.

Not much room left in the chip, using 1662 of 2048 bytes.


' Charge Controller
' Ver 2010A
' www.thebackshed.com

Start:

EEPROM 0,( $33 )
EEPROM 1,( $32 )
EEPROM 2,( $28 )
EEPROM 3,( $0C )
EEPROM 4,( $06 )
EEPROM 5,( $01 )
EEPROM 6,("V ")
EEPROM 9,("A ")
EEPROM 12,("W ")
EEPROM 15,("Wmax ")
EEPROM 22,("O/P 1 On ")
EEPROM 31,("O/P 1 Off ")
EEPROM 41,("O/P 2 On ")
EEPROM 50,("O/P 2 Off ")
EEPROM 60,("Zero Amp Offset")
EEPROM 75,("Press UP ")
EEPROM 84,("Done ")
EEPROM 93,("Wait ")

W0=0 ' Set min watt max
write 110, WORD W0
' Check to see if we have any dum load switching values
read 112, WORD W0
if W0=0 then ' if no saved load switch levels, set some defaults
W0=120
write 112, WORD W0
write 118, WORD W0
W0=140
write 114, WORD W0
write 120, WORD W0
end if
' Check the current offset value.
read 116, WORD W0
if W0=0 then
W0=500
write 116, WORD W0
end if
' Initialise the LCD display
FOR b11 = 0 TO 5
READ b11,b12
pause 15
GOSUB SendCmdByte
NEXT
FOR b11 = 93 TO 97 ' Display "Wait"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
' start up been and turn off outputs
gosub Beep
low portc 5
low portc 4
nap 7

goto main
Main:
nap 4 ' Have a little sleep to save some power.
readadc10 0,W0 'Read in the volts and amps
write 100,WORD W0
readadc10 1,W0
write 102,WORD W0
gosub DisplayVolt
gosub DisplayAmp
gosub DisplayWatt
if pin1 = 1 then menu1 ' Is menu button pressed?
if pin6 = 0 then OnLoad ' Is Forced Load switch on?
if pin7 = 0 then OnCharge ' Is Forced Charge switch on?
read 100, WORD W0
read 114, WORD W1
if W0>W1 then 'Switch on O/P 1.
High portc 4
end if
read 112, WORD W1
if W0<W1 then 'Switch off O/P 1.
Low portc 4
end if
read 120, WORD W1
if W0>W1 then 'Switch on O/P 2.
High portc 5
end if
read 118, WORD W1
if W0<W1 then 'Switch off O/P 2.
Low portc 5
end if
goto main

SendCmdByte:
b13 = %00000000 ; Send to Command register
SendDataByte:
pins = b12 & %11110000 | b13 ; Put MSB out first
PULSOUT 3,1 ; Give a 10uS pulse on E
pins = b12 * %00010000 | b13 ; Put LSB out second
PULSOUT 3,1 ; Give a 10uS pulse on E
b13 = %00000100 ; Send to Data register next
RETURN

DisplayVolt:
b12 = 2
GOSUB SendCmdByte
Read 100,WORD W0
W1=W0/100
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*100
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/10
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
b12 = 46
Gosub SendDataByte
W1=W1*10
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
FOR b11 = 6 TO 8 ' Display "V"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
Return

DisplayAmp: ' Same as above, but adds the - and + symbols for current
Read 102,WORD W0 ' Get Amp Reading
Read 116,WORD W3 ' Get Amp Offset
If W0>W3 then pamp
if W0<W3 then namp
if W0=W3 then oamp
goto d1
pamp:
W0=W0-W3
goto d1
namp:
b12=45
GOSUB SendDataByte
W0=W3-W0
goto d1
oamp:
W0=0
goto d1
d1:
W1=W0/100
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*100
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/10
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
b12 = 46
Gosub SendDataByte
W1=W1*10
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
FOR b11 = 9 TO 11 ' Display "A"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
Return

DisplayWatt:
Read 102,WORD W1 ' Get Amps
Read 116,WORD W3 ' Get Amps Offset
if W1<W3 then
W1=W3
end if
Read 100,WORD W0 ' Get Volts
b12 = 192
GOSUB SendCmdByte ' move to 2nd line
W1=W1-W3 ' Subtract the offset, and then we no longer need W3
W3=W0/10 ' Work out watts for peak watt
W3=W3*W1
W3=W3*10/97 ' yucky maths but works. We lost precision so need to fudge the figures
Write 106, WORD W3' Save for peaks watts test
if W1>200 then
W1=W1/10
W3=W0*W1
W0=W3
W1=W0/10000
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*10000
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/1000
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*1000
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/100
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*100
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/10
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
b12 = 46
Gosub SendDataByte
W1=W1*10
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
else
W3=W0*W1
W0=W3
W1=W0/10000
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*10000
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/1000
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*1000
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/100
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
b12 = 46
Gosub SendDataByte
W1=W1*100
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/10
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
end if
FOR b11 = 12 TO 13 ' Display "W"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
read 110, WORD W0
read 106, WORD W1
if W1>W0 then
write 110, WORD W1
W0=W1
end if
W1=W0/100
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*100
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/10
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*10
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
FOR b11 = 15 TO 21 ' Display "Wpeak"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
Return

Menu1:
GOSUB Beep
pause 500
b12 = 1
GOSUB SendCmdByte
b12 = 128
GOSUB SendCmdByte
FOR b11 = 22 TO 30 'Display "O/P 1 On"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
read 114, WORD W0
write 100, WORD W0
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
Menu1a:
pause 100
if pin1 = 1 then Menu2
if pin2 = 1 then UpOP1On
if pin3 = 1 then DownOP1On
goto Menu1a

UpOP1On:
W0 = W0 + 1
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
write 114,WORD W0 'save in eeprom
goto Menu1a

DownOP1On:
W0 = W0 - 1
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
write 114,WORD W0 'save in eeprom
goto Menu1a

Menu2:
GOSUB Beep
pause 500
b12 = 1
GOSUB SendCmdByte
b12 = 128
GOSUB SendCmdByte
FOR b11 = 31 TO 40 'Display "OP 1 Off"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
read 112, WORD W0
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
Menu2a:
pause 100
if pin1 = 1 then Menu3
if pin2 = 1 then UpOP1Off
if pin3 = 1 then DownOP1Off
goto Menu2a

UpOP1Off:
W0 = W0 + 1
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
write 112,WORD W0 'save in eeprom
goto Menu2a

DownOP1Off:
W0 = W0 - 1
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
write 112,WORD W0 'save in eeprom
goto Menu2a

Menu3:
GOSUB Beep
pause 500
b12 = 1
GOSUB SendCmdByte
b12 = 128
GOSUB SendCmdByte
FOR b11 = 41 TO 49 'Display "O/P 2 On"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
read 120, WORD W0
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
Menu3a:
pause 100
if pin1 = 1 then Menu4
if pin2 = 1 then UpOP2On
if pin3 = 1 then DownOP2On
goto Menu3a

UpOP2On:
W0 = W0 + 1
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
write 120,WORD W0 'save in eeprom
goto Menu3a

DownOP2On:
W0 = W0 - 1
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
write 120,WORD W0 'save in eeprom
goto Menu3a

Menu4:
GOSUB Beep
pause 500
b12 = 1
GOSUB SendCmdByte
b12 = 128
GOSUB SendCmdByte
FOR b11 = 50 TO 59 'Display "O/P 2 Off"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
read 118, WORD W0
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
Menu4a:
pause 100
if pin1 = 1 then Menu5
if pin2 = 1 then UpOP2Off
if pin3 = 1 then DownOP2Off
goto Menu4a

UpOP2Off:
W0 = W0 + 1
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
write 118,WORD W0 'save in eeprom
goto Menu4a

DownOP2Off:
W0 = W0 - 1
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
write 118,WORD W0 'save in eeprom
goto Menu4a

Menu5:
GOSUB Beep
pause 500
b12 = 1
GOSUB SendCmdByte
b12 = 128
GOSUB SendCmdByte
FOR b11 = 60 TO 74 'Display "Zero amps offset"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
b12 = 192
GOSUB SendCmdByte
FOR b11 = 75 TO 83 'Display "Press UP"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
Menu5a:
pause 100
if pin1 = 1 then Start
if pin2 = 1 then ZeroAmp
goto Menu5a

ZeroAmp:
readadc10 1,W0
write 116,WORD W0
b12 = 192
GOSUB SendCmdByte ' move to 2nd line
FOR b11 = 84 TO 92 'Display "Done "
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
gosub beep
goto Menu5a

OnLoad:
gosub beep ' keep beeping to remind us the charger is in a manual state
High portc 4
nap 5
High portc 5
Goto Main

OnCharge:
gosub beep ' keep beeping to remind us the charger is in a manual state
low portc 5
nap 5
low portc 4
goto Main

Beep: 'Make a noise. this pin cant use any tone commands so we need to write our own
for b8=0 to 5
high portc 0
pause 1
low portc 0
pause 1
next
return

DisplayVoltLine2:
b12 = 192
GOSUB SendCmdByte
W3=W0
W1=W3/100
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*100
W3=W3-W1
W1=W3/10
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
b12 = 46
Gosub SendDataByte
W1=W1*10
W3=W3-W1
W1=W3
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
FOR b11 = 6 TO 8 ' Display "V"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
Return


GlennEdited by Gizmo 2010-04-12
The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now.
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GWatPE

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Joined: 01/09/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 2127
Posted: 08:32am 11 Apr 2010
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Hi Gizmo,

I have not gone through your program too carefully, but in the current form, I see the program causing irrecoverable damage to the micro eeprom in a reasonably short time. This could be akin to an inbuilt self destruct. Remember there is a finite number of times eeprom can be rewritten to.

There may be oportunity to store some data in non volatile memory. Perhaps you could mod many of the repetetive memory writes to use the temporary register locations instead, with a "poke" and "peek" command instead.

I doubt that you need to store the last value of the ADC voltage read, for when you repower up. You may want to store in non volatile memory, particular settings, like ADC offsets, and calibration gains, or system voltage user settings. These would not be updated frequently, but every ADC reading would quickly reach the magic maximum rewrite limit.

You will know which commands need to be changed.

Gordon.


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Gizmo

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Joined: 05/06/2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 5031
Posted: 09:39am 11 Apr 2010
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Ah, of course, I forgot about that Gordon.

The manual tells me I can poke locations 192 to 255, heaps of room.

Thanks Gordon

Glenn
The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now.
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Downwind

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Joined: 09/09/2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 2333
Posted: 09:44am 11 Apr 2010
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Hi Gizmo,

My brain still reaches meltdown with reading your code but think it was a good move to make the changes to give better user flexabilty.

It is the wonderfull thing about micros we can just make a program change and alter the whole way things function rather than a complete hardware change requiring a new circuit board.

I very much agree with Gordon, and the use of eeprom.
I often use peek and poke for applications like this.

I set up a Gosub routine for all variables called "Store" (poke) and another called "Recover" (peek)then just call the gosub prior to the routines i need the extra variables for, then call recover as i leave the function.

It saves on a lot of program lines and i dont need to worry about what is needed to be peeked and poked where and when.

At times is a matter of just poking one value prior to calling all registers back.(restore)

It may even shorten the lines of code somewhat.

Sorry to dance on your show and tell but agree you are in for some problems with eeprom.

Pete.

Ps... you still have not denoted what chip it is without checking out the front page
...#picaxe18x....????Edited by Downwind 2010-04-12
Sometimes it just works
 
GWatPE

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Joined: 01/09/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 2127
Posted: 09:45am 11 Apr 2010
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No worries Glenn,

would be a shame to damage the chip, and scratch around, as to what went wrong, with a dead chip. The problem would surface just after you had left to go home. In a worse case, a days drive home.

There is a lot of available memory, when you include the non maths available storage.

Gordon.


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Gizmo

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Location: Australia
Posts: 5031
Posted: 12:48pm 12 Apr 2010
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This is the updated version using peeks and pokes where needed. It also sends the volts, amps and OP1 OP2 states out the serial port. I'll modify the Piclog code to interface with this charge controller as well as the PicLog logger.

I've also made a few small changes to the circuit, will update the web site on the weekend.

' Charge Controller
' 28X chip
' Ver 2010B
' www.thebackshed.com

Start:

EEPROM 0,( $33 )
EEPROM 1,( $32 )
EEPROM 2,( $28 )
EEPROM 3,( $0C )
EEPROM 4,( $06 )
EEPROM 5,( $01 )
EEPROM 6,("V ")
EEPROM 9,("A ")
EEPROM 12,("W ")
EEPROM 15,("Wmax ")
EEPROM 22,("O/P 1 On ")
EEPROM 31,("O/P 1 Off ")
EEPROM 41,("O/P 2 On ")
EEPROM 50,("O/P 2 Off ")
EEPROM 60,("Zero Amp Offset")
EEPROM 75,("Press UP ")
EEPROM 84,("Done ")
EEPROM 93,("Wait ")
' Set min watt max
W0=0
Poke 204, WORD W0
' Check to see if we have any O/P switching values in EEPROM
read 110, WORD W0
if W0=0 then Menu1 ' if not go to set up menu
' Check to see if we have a the current offset value in EEPROM.
read 118, WORD W0
if W0=0 then
W0=500
write 118, WORD W0
end if
' Initialise the LCD display
FOR b11 = 0 TO 5
READ b11,b12
pause 15
GOSUB SendCmdByte
NEXT
FOR b11 = 93 TO 97 ' Display "Wait"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
' start up been and turn off outputs
gosub Beep
low portc 5
low portc 4
nap 7 ' nap to give the amp ADC a chance to settle.

Main:
nap 4 ' Have a little sleep to save some power.
readadc10 0,W0 'Read in volts
poke 200,WORD W0 'Store
readadc10 1,W0 'Read in Amps
poke 202,WORD W0 'Store
gosub DisplayVolt
gosub DisplayAmp
gosub DisplayWatt
if pin1 = 1 then Menu1 ' Is menu button pressed?
if pin6 = 0 then OnLoad ' Is Forced Load switch on?
if pin7 = 0 then OnCharge ' Is Forced Charge switch on?
peek 200, WORD W0 'Get the volage
read 110, WORD W1 'Get the O/P 1 On level
if W0>W1 then 'Switch on O/P 1.
High portc 4
B4=1
end if
read 112, WORD W1 'Get the O/P 1 Off level
if W0<W1 then 'Switch off O/P 1.
Low portc 4
B4=0
end if
read 114, WORD W1 'Get the O/P 2 On level
if W0>W1 then 'Switch on O/P 2.
High portc 5
B5=1
end if
read 116, WORD W1 'Get the O/P Off level
if W0<W1 then 'Switch off O/P 2.
Low portc 5
B5=0
end if
peek 202, WORD W1
read 118, WORD W3
if W1>W3 then
W1=W1-W3
else
W1=0
end if
sertxd("[<V>", #W0, "</V><A>", #W1, "</A><OP1>", #B4, "</OP1><OP2>", #B5, "</OP2>]")
goto main

DisplayVolt:
b12 = 2
GOSUB SendCmdByte
Peek 200,WORD W0 'Get volt value
W1=W0/100
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*100
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/10
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
b12 = 46
Gosub SendDataByte
W1=W1*10
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
FOR b11 = 6 TO 8 ' Display "V"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
Return

DisplayAmp: ' Same as above, but adds the - and + symbols for current
Peek 202,WORD W0 ' Get Amp Reading
Read 118,WORD W3 ' Get Amp Offset
If W0>W3 then pamp
if W0<W3 then namp
if W0=W3 then oamp
goto d1
pamp:
W0=W0-W3
goto d1
namp:
b12=45
GOSUB SendDataByte
W0=W3-W0
goto d1
oamp:
W0=0
goto d1
d1:
W1=W0/100
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*100
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/10
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
b12 = 46
Gosub SendDataByte
W1=W1*10
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
FOR b11 = 9 TO 11 ' Display "A"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
Return

DisplayWatt:
Peek 202,WORD W1 ' Get Amps
Read 118,WORD W3 ' Get Amps Offset
if W1<W3 then
W1=W3
end if
Peek 200,WORD W0 ' Get Volts
b12 = 192
GOSUB SendCmdByte ' move to 2nd line
W1=W1-W3 ' Subtract the offset, and then we no longer need W3
W3=W0/10 ' Work out watts for peak watt
W3=W3*W1
W3=W3*10/97 ' yucky maths but works. We lost precision so need to fudge the figures. Will improve on this later.
Poke 206, WORD W3' Save for peaks watts test
if W1>200 then
W1=W1/10
W3=W0*W1
W0=W3
W1=W0/10000
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*10000
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/1000
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*1000
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/100
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*100
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/10
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
b12 = 46
Gosub SendDataByte
W1=W1*10
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
else
W3=W0*W1
W0=W3
W1=W0/10000
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*10000
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/1000
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*1000
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/100
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
b12 = 46
Gosub SendDataByte
W1=W1*100
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/10
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
end if
FOR b11 = 12 TO 13 ' Display "W"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
Peek 204, WORD W0
Peek 206, WORD W1
if W1>W0 then
Poke 204, WORD W1
W0=W1
end if
W1=W0/100
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*100
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0/10
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*10
W0=W0-W1
W1=W0
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
FOR b11 = 15 TO 21 ' Display "Wpeak"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
Return

Menu1:
Read 110, WORD W0
Poke 208, WORD W0
Menu1a:
GOSUB Beep
pause 500
b12 = 1
GOSUB SendCmdByte
b12 = 128
GOSUB SendCmdByte
FOR b11 = 22 TO 30 'Display "O/P 1 On"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
Peek 208, WORD W0
Poke 200, WORD W0
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
Menu1b:
pause 100
Peek 208, WORD W0
if pin1 = 1 then Save1
if pin2 = 1 then
W0 = W0 + 1
Poke 208,WORD W0
Poke 200, WORD W0
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
end if
if pin3 = 1 then
W0 = W0 - 1
Poke 208,WORD W0
Poke 200, WORD W0
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
end if
goto Menu1b
Save1:
Peek 208, WORD W0
Write 110, WORD W0

Menu2:
Read 112, WORD W0
Poke 208, WORD W0
Menu2a:
GOSUB Beep
pause 500
b12 = 1
GOSUB SendCmdByte
b12 = 128
GOSUB SendCmdByte
FOR b11 = 31 to 40 'Display "O/P 1 Off"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
Peek 208, WORD W0
Poke 200, WORD W0
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
Menu2b:
pause 100
Peek 208, WORD W0
if pin1 = 1 then Save2
if pin2 = 1 then
W0 = W0 + 1
Poke 208,WORD W0
Poke 200, WORD W0
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
end if
if pin3 = 1 then
W0 = W0 - 1
Poke 208,WORD W0
Poke 200, WORD W0
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
end if
goto Menu2b
Save2:
Peek 208, WORD W0
Write 112, WORD W0

Menu3:
Read 114, WORD W0
Poke 208, WORD W0
Menu3a:
GOSUB Beep
pause 500
b12 = 1
GOSUB SendCmdByte
b12 = 128
GOSUB SendCmdByte
FOR b11 = 41 TO 49 'Display "O/P 2 On"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
Peek 208, WORD W0
Poke 200, WORD W0
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
Menu3b:
pause 100
Peek 208, WORD W0
if pin1 = 1 then Save3
if pin2 = 1 then
W0 = W0 + 1
Poke 208,WORD W0
Poke 200, WORD W0
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
end if
if pin3 = 1 then
W0 = W0 - 1
Poke 208,WORD W0
Poke 200, WORD W0
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
end if
goto Menu3b
Save3:
Peek 208, WORD W0
Write 114, WORD W0

Menu4:
Read 116, WORD W0
Poke 208, WORD W0
Menu4a:
GOSUB Beep
pause 500
b12 = 1
GOSUB SendCmdByte
b12 = 128
GOSUB SendCmdByte
FOR b11 = 50 TO 59 'Display "O/P 2 Off"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
Peek 208, WORD W0
Poke 200, WORD W0
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
Menu4b:
pause 100
Peek 208, WORD W0
if pin1 = 1 then Save4
if pin2 = 1 then
W0 = W0 + 1
Poke 208,WORD W0
Poke 200, WORD W0
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
end if
if pin3 = 1 then
W0 = W0 - 1
Poke 208,WORD W0
Poke 200, WORD W0
gosub DisplayVoltLine2
end if
goto Menu4b
Save4:
Peek 208, WORD W0
Write 116, WORD W0

Menu5:
GOSUB Beep
pause 500
b12 = 1
GOSUB SendCmdByte
b12 = 128
GOSUB SendCmdByte
FOR b11 = 60 TO 74 'Display "Zero amps offset"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
b12 = 192
GOSUB SendCmdByte
FOR b11 = 75 TO 83 'Display "Press UP"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
Menu5a:
pause 100
if pin1 = 1 then Start
if pin2 = 1 then ZeroAmp
goto Menu5a

ZeroAmp:
readadc10 1,W0
write 118,WORD W0
b12 = 192
GOSUB SendCmdByte
FOR b11 = 84 TO 92 'Display "Done "
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
gosub beep
goto Menu5a

OnLoad:
gosub beep ' keep beeping to remind us the charger is in a manual state
High portc 4
nap 5
High portc 5
Goto Main

OnCharge:
gosub beep ' keep beeping to remind us the charger is in a manual state
low portc 5
nap 5
low portc 4
goto Main

DisplayVoltLine2:
b12 = 192
GOSUB SendCmdByte
W3=W0
W1=W3/100
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
W1=W1*100
W3=W3-W1
W1=W3/10
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
b12 = 46
Gosub SendDataByte
W1=W1*10
W3=W3-W1
W1=W3
b12=W1+48
GOSUB SendDataByte
FOR b11 = 6 TO 8 ' Display "V"
READ b11,b12
GOSUB SendDataByte
NEXT
Return

SendCmdByte:
b13 = %00000000 'Send to Command register
SendDataByte:
pins = b12 & %11110000 | b13 'Put MSB out first
PULSOUT 3,1 'Give a 10uS pulse on E
pins = b12 * %00010000 | b13 'Put LSB out second
PULSOUT 3,1 'Give a 10uS pulse on E
b13 = %00000100 'Send to Data register next
RETURN

Beep: 'Make a noise. this pin cant use any tone commands so we need to write our own
for b8=0 to 5
high portc 0
pause 1
low portc 0
pause 1
next
return
Edited by Gizmo 2010-04-13
The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now.
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Downwind

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Joined: 09/09/2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 2333
Posted: 02:15pm 12 Apr 2010
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Hi Glenn,

That looks a little better for reliability.
I notice you are not read RPM and wondered if you have a spare input left on the picaxe.
With the use of an inductor to pass 1 phase wire through and an opamp to 1/2 wave rectifier the signal and to square it up you can produce a nice square wave out porportional to the mill frequency for RPM.
or use a CT with opamp.

Pete.
Sometimes it just works
 
Gizmo

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Joined: 05/06/2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 5031
Posted: 06:34am 13 Apr 2010
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This is a side on view of the axial flux design I'm working on.

I wanted a design that could be as easy to make as the Other Power/ Hugh axial flux alternator, but have a more compact and stronger stator. Gordons Axial with the stator mounted internally, instead of externally like the Other Power/Hugh design, I think is the key. And I wanted an Australian design that was unique.

I think a smaller stator, with its mounting holes on the inside, is a stronger, more rigid design. Its less likely to flex as it heats up.

Like the conventional axial flux design, you can finely adjust the position of the stator within the magnets, and adjust the magnet spacing itself.

The diagram below is based on a trailer hub. Yes, I know these have friction losses, but there is nothing wrong with you making a hub with ball bearings, I just wanted to keep it simple with no need for a lathe.

The rear magnet plate is held in place with 6 lengths of all thread. To jack off the rear plate, you would remove 3 threads and fit longer jacking threads. The stator is help in place with 3 or more threads to 1inch box sections welded to the axle.

I hope tis makes sense. Its just ideas at this stage.



This one shows a plate attached to the front of the hub to attach the blades.



I'm hoping to start on this in the next couple of weeks.

Glenn
The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now.
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Bryan1

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Joined: 22/02/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 1211
Posted: 08:01am 13 Apr 2010
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Hi Glenn,
One thing I noticed when I had a good look at your concept is as soon as you release the outer nuts on the inner magnet plate the magnets will on it will plow straight into the stator on an angle. Try holding 2 off 50mm round magnets less than an inch apart and see if you can stop them jumping together.

A suggestion on preventing that would be to weld some boss's and use some round bar in a reamed hole to guide the rear magnet plate in to prevent it trying to skew into the stator.

Cheers Bryan
 
Gizmo

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Location: Australia
Posts: 5031
Posted: 09:03am 13 Apr 2010
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Took me a minute to work out what you meant.

Nah, the rear plate is one big donut, not individual plates for each magnet. It wont bend in. See below.



Glenn
The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now.
JAQ
 
Gizmo

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Location: Australia
Posts: 5031
Posted: 01:28pm 15 Apr 2010
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OK here are some 3d drawings of the alternator. The trailer hub is a dark bronze colour, the stator a light brown, magnets a light blue. Images are from back where the axle attaches to the rest of the windmill, to the front, where the blades will attach to the front of the traler hub with a plate ( not shown ). Not included is the stator support plates, I'll show those in the exploded view, this weekend. There would also be some ventilation/weight saving holes in the front plate.

The alternator is removed by taking off the trailer hub nut ( not shown ) and the 3 read stator support nuts. One removed, the stator will be loose inside the magnet cage. To separate the rear magnet plate, remove 3 ( every 2nd one ) of the 6 outside bolts. Fit 3 long jacking threads, remove the back nuts from the 3 remaining bolts, and jack the rear plate off.

As the magnet plate spacer bolts are on the outside, adjusting the magnet spacing is easily done, you dont need to remove one magnet plate as you would need to in the conventional design. Adjusting the stator to center it between the magnets is done at the 3 mounts at the rear of the alternator.

When I finish the rest of the 3d drawings I'll start a new post.






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