Wiring the prop1

[john@thedevils-den]

Is there a good tutorial about the physical wiring of these units? For example, how does the solenoid valves and relays get wired into the prop1 unit? Does the prop1 switch the ground or the positve? When will I need to use the 2 position on the input power? Sorry for all the questions, just dont want to kill these units my first time out. Thanks again.

[JonnyMac]

You mean a diagram like this?  It's in the documentation.




From page 2 of the docs:
A three-position switch controls power on the Prop-1. In position 0, all power is off. In position 1, power is supplied to the regulator and to the BASIC Stamp 1 (BS1); power is indicated by an LED near the power input connector. In position 1, the BS1 is active for programming and control via the 3-pin I/O headers. In position 2, the voltage supplied at the power connector is also routed to the V+ terminal for use by external devices (relays, solenoids, lights, etc.). In position 2, a second power LED (near the V+ terminal) will be lit.

From page 3 of the docs:
Note that the switched outputs connect to ground when active, and ?float? (are disconnected) when not active.

[Dark Shadows]

Well I just fried a prop one some how... I connected a 24 volt DC Relay up and i think i reversed polarity. D'oh!

So I ordered a new one along with a PIR Sensor.

JonnyMac, can you tell me if Im wiring this up right?

Im using a 24 volt DC Power supply for this.

Im using two outputs to control 2 solenoids, which are 24V.

I connect both Positives to the V+ Spot on the top right?

Then the grounds for the solenoids go to output one and two?

I can't afford to keep frying these up.

And about the PIR Sensor, Im using output 6 as the input so it should just plug into the 5vdc pins? I bought a servo connector too just in case.

One last thing, Where should the jumpers be on the set up pins on the controller?

Thanks!!

[JonnyMac]

You really can't kill a board by mis-wiring the outputs --unless it's a heinous direct short or you've SEVERELY overloaded an OUTx pin. 

Questions:
-- Is your supply center positive?  If it's center negative, THAT will kill the board.
-- What is the wattage (sometimes marked VA) of your solenoids.  At 24 VDC, the ULN can handle about 6 watts (VA).
-- If you remove the valves and ULN, will the controller accept a new program?  If yes, it's probably fine.  (The ULN is socketed for a reason)

If you're using the Parallax PIR that we sell then it just plugs in to the P6 header with a servo extender cable.  The SETUP jumper should be in the DN position.

I've updated the image (above) to show a typical Prop-1 configured with a PIR and two valves.

[Dark Shadows]

Ok, Cool thanks for the info!

When I connect power to the board, and have it on #2, both LEDS start flashing. Can you tell my why this is happening?

Also how do I know if my supplys center positive?

I guess to be safe, Ill hook it up like I did last year. Run the board off 12 volt DC and then wire the outputs to relays. The relays will then switch on/off the 24V DC Relays.

[JonnyMac]

You're probably using an unregulated supply -- in a word: DON'T.  Unregulated supplies can overload the regulator and cause it to shut down.

[Dark Shadows]

Ok. So I' guess I'll use my 12 volt regualted supply and have the solenoids triggered by the relays. Thanks for all the help

-Mike

[livinlowe]

To determine if your center is positive you can take an multimeter and put the red lead on the center and the black lead on the outside. You meter should show +24 volts. If not the center is negative.

Or you can look on the back of the wall wort. It should have a diagram that shows

[JonnyMac]

<snip>
I guess to be safe, Ill hook it up like I did last year. Run the board off 12 volt DC and then wire the outputs to relays. The relays will then switch on/off the 24V DC Relays.

The devil is in the details... what is the wattage rating of the 24 VDC relays you're planning to use? 

BTW, you can get  regulated 24 VDC supplies from Jameco:

24 VDC, 500 mA (12 watts) -- wall mount
http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=174861

24 VDC, 1A (24 watts) -- table top
http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=174845

[Dark Shadows]

I got my order in with the new prop 1 and all works well! I teseted the old prop-1 with out the ULN 2803 chip and it took the program! Cool, thanks for that Tip JonnyMac, Guess I'll be ordering a chip soon.

And I dont know the wattage on the solenoids.I'm just going to use the 12V and relay method. Also, I'm going to pick up one of those regulated powersupplies. THanks for that!