Programming for noobie

[Deathtouch]

Hello EFX-tek.  My name is Mark and I just bought a prop-1 from you at your booth during the Transworld show in St. Louis this year.  Thank you much.  If I am not mistaken, I bought the trainer, which includes the led test board etc.  I am an Electronics Technician by trade, and I am fairly good at programming.  But I do programming has a hobby.  But I know some basic, Assembly langue, C, C++, and a little php.

1st question:
I was wondering if you could help me with the programming for a project I am working on?  To give you some background on what I am working on, here is a little information.  I have a half torso skeleton that I am planning on animating.  Initially, his head will be tilted to the left hand side.(like he sleeping)  After about 20 seconds his head will turn and face forward.  Not sure if I am using a solenoid or a servo to accomplish this, so in your program if you could write it for both and rem the soldenoid section first, that would be great.  Then if I decide to use the solenoid instead, then I have that option.

Next, after his head faces forward and about 10 seconds after that, the body and his right arm will tilt or move forward.(Like he is reaching out)  This will be done by a dc motor.(Next year it will be done with air)  Planning on using two relays similar to what you show on your website.  I guess I need to use two outputs to accomplish this. So I can have the motor stop or reverse gear.  So basically I need to motor on for a few seconds, then stop, then reserve for the same time when it is returning back to normal..

About 20 seconds afterwards, the prop returns back to normal.   I hope that helps a little.

2nd question.  Was planning on buying your ULN2803A to control motor and 24vdc solenoid.  How is the best way to connect Solenoid?  The common that is listed on the schematic, is that where the 24vdc is applied?

3nd question.  Will the software work on Windows 7 64bit?

4rd question.  Can the outputs of the prop-1 be setup with 12vdc or 24vdc instead of 5vdc?  Or do I need to convert with a transistor or relay?

This is the setup.  Sorry for the cheesy graphics.

[BigRez]

Welcome!

Have a look through the docs for the prop-1 and then just browse through these boards - you'll find quite a few examples and other info for what you need.

Question 2: Not sure about needing the UNL2803... The Prop-1 comes with one.  The solenoid connects to the V+ and an OUTx connection.  The motor connection depends on its specifications.

Question 3: I believe I saw another post where someone said they do have the Basic Stamp editor running on Vista, but I don't see any for Windows 7.  I would think it would work, but perhaps you're gonna have to try unless someone else can confirm.

Question 4: The outputs (OUTx) are the same voltage as that powering the prop-1.  So, if you're using the 12v 1A power supply that comes with the starter kit, the output voltage on OUTx will be 12v.  Yes, it could also run on 24v down to 9v in which case the OUTx connections would be that same voltage.  The PINx connections, as outputs, will provide 5v 0.5a power.

[JonnyMac]

Mark,

Welcome to our forums.  I guess you just forgot to read our forum rules... your first post violates them so I'm going to lock it. 

Please go to this thread and review our simple guidelines: http://www.efx-tek.com/php/smf/index.php?topic=266.0

Please... don't make me do this -- I hate it.  When you post your questions you are to use a Subject line that makes sense to others (i.e., specific to the question enclosed) and, this is the biggie, only ONE question per thread, otherwise threads become a big, awful mess that nobody benefits from.