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Help plzzzzz; First Time User — Parallax Forums

Help plzzzzz; First Time User

IbrahimIbrahim Posts: 8
edited 2009-02-08 23:13 in Propeller 1
Hello Everyone,

I bought the 32100 demo kit couple months ago. Now, I'm trying to do a project that connects a carbon monoxide detector to a garage door. It should make the garage door open automatically. The garage door has already gotten a remote control system.
My question, is the kit that I have able to do this for me if I construct the circuit? Can I connect it to battery operated CO detector? What do you recommend to buy in order to make this project success? Is their any project that can help me to start since this is my first time to use your product?
Please guide me since I'm really lost in the middle of no where?

Thanks alot for your help
Abe

Comments

  • rjo_rjo_ Posts: 1,825
    edited 2009-02-06 21:13
    Abe,

    First... in my opinion, the development board is the creme of the crop... So, you definitely have good taste.

    Second... you can do just about anything the demo board... the answer to all of your questions is "yes."

    Where to go first?... the learning labs, they are excellent and you will find several labs that will directly help you with your project.

    The only real issue is what exactly do you want to do... for instance your demo board could sit there listening for the the alarm to go off with no physical connection at all... and when it hears the right sound, it could then signal the door to open by pushing the remote control button... or by emulating the remote control itself...

    The sky is the limit, you just need to choose a path.

    The more specific your questions... the more responses you will get.

    Rich
  • IbrahimIbrahim Posts: 8
    edited 2009-02-06 21:29
    Thank Rich for your info....I will definitely start with the learing labs and I hope it will help.

    For my project, I have already bought a CO detector that works on 2 AA batteries. I can get two wires out of the batteries and get them connected to the I/O ports. What I exactly lookin for in this project is to make the chip recieving a signal from the CO detector and based on the signal, I want the door to open or to remain closed. No push button or remote needs to be physically touched in order to open the door.

    This means, if the CO level went up, then the garage door will open automatically based on a signal form the chip. I really don't care how the garage will get signal "through wire or wireless" although I prefer to have it wireless.

    I really appreciate your help to get me through this.

    Thank you so much

    Abe
  • JasonDorieJasonDorie Posts: 1,930
    edited 2009-02-06 21:58
    You'll need to figure out a couple things:

    1) How to interface with the CO detector.
    2) How to interface with the garage door opener
    3) (added bonus) How to tell if the garage door is already open, so you don't close it accidentally

    If the CO detector has a beeper in it, you can probably just tie in to the signal that goes to the speaker/piezo unit, though you'll need to figure out what kind of power it gets so you can interface with it safely. You may also just be able to pull a digital signal out of the detector from somewhere, depending on how they work.

    The garage door opener probably has a physical switch on it like a doorbell (Mine does). In that case, you could use the Prop connected to a power transistor to drive a small relay connected to the switch lines to emulate pushing the button.

    For the third part, most garage doors have optical sensors on them to tell if something is blocking the path to the door, as well as limit switches to tell the thing when it's fully open, or fully closed. You could tie into something like that, or just add a sensor of your own to the door and the rail to tell when the door is closed.

    From there, the actual programming of the chip should be relatively simple.

    Jason
  • IbrahimIbrahim Posts: 8
    edited 2009-02-06 22:14
    Jason,

    Thank you so much for taking the time to repond to my post. Yes, the CO detector has a beeper in it. Also the garage has a physical switch "actually it is a key pad combination" where you enter some digits to make open or close.

    I'm not familiar with the programming part and spin language in particular, can anyone write me a sample that I can follow and modify as needed? Thx

    Abe
  • JasonDorieJasonDorie Posts: 1,930
    edited 2009-02-06 23:49
    Your best bet is to start with the simple examples provided with the Propeller tool, the sticky threads about interfacing with hardware, and perhaps some of the online tutorials on using sensors. It's unlikely that anyone here will write it for you, but we'll help when you run into problems. If you've done any programming before, you shouldn't find Spin difficult. Learning to interface with the outside world will take a bit of learning if you've never done it.

    Jason
  • IbrahimIbrahim Posts: 8
    edited 2009-02-07 01:32
    Thank you all, I'll try my best but I'm sure ur help guys to finish my project.
    ttyl

    Abe
  • rjo_rjo_ Posts: 1,825
    edited 2009-02-07 04:13
    I burned up my demo board... one of the worst days of my life. At last count I had 7 other boards and an equal number of Prop Chips sitting around so I have absolutely no excuse to order another demo unit but I wish I did[noparse]:)[/noparse] ... Don't let this happen to you.

    All you have to remember is that the pins only handle about 3 volts and can only source a limited amount of current... that's it! But if you ignore these little facts, you will be slapping yourself in the forehead.

    You will get lots of suggestions if you are more specific about your problems as you go along and supply technical details about exactly what you are trying to interface.

    The Prop has the highest smile/dollar quotient of any device ever made. So, don't let the learning curve get you down... there is a whole universe of unexpected facts waiting for you[noparse]:)[/noparse]

    The easiest path is the one you have chosen... find something you really want to do and then do it with a Prop[noparse]:)[/noparse]

    Rich
  • IbrahimIbrahim Posts: 8
    edited 2009-02-07 08:27
    Rich.......you are awesome!!!

    I promise I'll take into account every advice from you guys.......and I'll get back to you with more specific questions..

    Any more suggestions....please post here....Thx a lot

    Abe
  • william chanwilliam chan Posts: 1,326
    edited 2009-02-07 09:13
    Why open the door?
    Isn't it easier to turn on the exhaust fan?

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  • IbrahimIbrahim Posts: 8
    edited 2009-02-08 01:27
    Exhaust Fan!!! That is also a smart idea....Thanks for the suggestion....Do you think it is going to be easier that way in terms of constructing the project?

    Abe
  • rjo_rjo_ Posts: 1,825
    edited 2009-02-08 02:18
    half of one six of the other... switches.

    if you decide to go the fan route... let me suggest putting the fan on a motor controller (hb-25)... you will be killing three birds with the same stone... (1.) you will be ready to hook up a thermostat (2.) to keep your robot cool (3.) as well as safe [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    the hb-25 and object work straight away... no tricks or traps, perfect for a first effort.
  • IbrahimIbrahim Posts: 8
    edited 2009-02-08 03:55
    thanks again!! is something you can buy from Parallax or any suggestion "hb25"

    I really don't know where I can get from. I most likely will go for the fan.

    Abe
  • rjo_rjo_ Posts: 1,825
    edited 2009-02-08 04:07
    yes...http://www.parallax.com/Store/Accessories/MotorServoControllers/tabid/160/ProductID/64/List/1/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName,ProductName

    my Hebrew name is Abraham, which my Palestinian friends found endlessly fascinating.

    peace.
  • IbrahimIbrahim Posts: 8
    edited 2009-02-08 06:12
    Oh yeah!!! That is my real name.....so we are in the same ship....hahaha....I've just ordered the motor controller and will get probably next week "UPS"...but man, be around I'll have a lot of questions for you and the fellows....

    Thanks guys for everything

    Abe
  • rjo_rjo_ Posts: 1,825
    edited 2009-02-08 23:13
    No problem.

    Welcome aboard
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