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Best method of revealing a signal? — Parallax Forums

Best method of revealing a signal?

Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
edited 2009-03-24 11:01 in General Discussion
I got a older treadmill so that I can improve my health.
It works perfectly, except that it is missing whatever electronics panel was
attached to the handle. There are two wires with a connector hanging there.

I doubt I will be able to locate a manual, much less a repair guide for this
unit being that it is at least 10 years old.

I would have no problem building my own Propeller based board for it,
but what methods should I use to determine the signal?
Need some advice for working in the dark, so to speak.

Any educated guesses or recommendations?

OBC

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Comments

  • $WMc%$WMc% Posts: 1,884
    edited 2009-03-22 00:52
    OBC

    Can You put an ohm meter across those two wires? And then walk on the treadmill?

    Is this a trick post?

    ______$WMc%__

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  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2009-03-22 01:09
    I have a feeling that there may be more to it than simple voltage.
    But that having been done, did not reveal anything interesting.

    OBC

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    New to the Propeller?

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  • Beau SchwabeBeau Schwabe Posts: 6,568
    edited 2009-03-22 02:05
    Oldbitcollector,

    What make and model? do you have any pictures?· Have you traced where the two wires go? .. are they the·tachometer wires?



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    Parallax, Inc.
  • Carl HayesCarl Hayes Posts: 841
    edited 2009-03-22 02:09
    Two suggestions:

    (1) Try to examine any signals on the two wires with an oscilloscope.· There may not be any signals, of course, depending upon what the wires are connected to at the end that's still connected.· This leads to --

    (2) Examine as necessary to see what the wires are stilll connected to.· It might be a switch that closes once per revolution of a shaft, or some other kind of rotation sensor.· It might be any number of other things, too, but it's reasonable to find out, wouldn't you say?

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  • $WMc%$WMc% Posts: 1,884
    edited 2009-03-22 02:30
    OBC

    This is why I ask for an ohm meter and not a volt meter across the two wires You have!

    I suspect that theirs nothing more than a REED switch and a flying magnet, since its only two wires and its 10 years old

    ___________$WMc%_________

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  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2009-03-23 02:02
    I have also seen a coil connected to the two wires with a flying magnet to induce pulses.
  • Carl HayesCarl Hayes Posts: 841
    edited 2009-03-23 15:55
    kwinn said...
    I have also seen a coil connected to the two wires with a flying magnet to induce pulses.
    That's what my exercise (stationary) bicycle has, and it's what I'd consider most likely for OldBitCollector's treadmill too.· But I'd take off the covers and look.

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  • mikedivmikediv Posts: 825
    edited 2009-03-23 19:36
    could it just be the pulse monitor I know my old treadmill has the pusle monitor 2/wires on the handle bar, do you trace out where the go
  • GadgetmanGadgetman Posts: 2,436
    edited 2009-03-24 11:01
    Does it still have the 'regular' controls?
    (Speed, incline, whatever?)

    If they are there I'd guess that it used to be some sort of pulse sensor.
    There are a couple of metal pads on the handlebars on my exercise bike, for just that purpose.

    And yes, I've considered yanking them off as they're not exactly making the grips more comfortable.
    Not that I ever use the darm bike...
    (I usually strap on a heavy backpack and head out into the woods or mountains... Then I sometimes use one of those wireless pulse sensors strapped around my chest and a watch-type receiver. )

    If you have the rest of the controls, is there a LCD and possibly some buttons to change between what is displayed?

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