Commercial users typically expect battery backed clocks to remain powered even if they turn off their device for months.
Take a device that may be fitted to my boat. Boats typically do not get used for long periods. Even my car often does not get used for periods of more than a month.
Slightly different problem, but... I had a user who was not happy that their battery backed memory failed after 5 years. It was one of those SRAM/battery combo chips that were guaranteed for 10 years - they had a catastrophic failure after 5 years. I had 100+ units spread all over Australia. It was a slightly different problem - they were never turned off, and it was only after power failures that the code failed. Fortunately I had built the units so they could remotely download the code simply from head office. But we did have to recycle 100+ units.
But, as a hobby device, the supercap is a great choice. That way users dont have to worry about replacing batteries. I seriously considered a supercap on my RamBlade3 RTC. I chose a 1225 battery finally, but may still provide the holes for a supercap option.
I wasn't really trying to revive it. I was going to make up ~25 boards and put them up for sale if a few people still had a need for them. Maybe I got carried away with the design, but I was having loads of fun.
I looked at the GG Ethernet board and it seems in order to do what you describe one has to cut traces and install jumper wires. If people are willing to whip out the X-acto then surely they're okay with moving a few blobs of solder? Let me try one more idea for the SD, and then I need to get back to my wiki.
Comments
Why not commercially? Not that I'm shooting for that, but I am curious.
Thanks, Roy. You're on the list!
Take a device that may be fitted to my boat. Boats typically do not get used for long periods. Even my car often does not get used for periods of more than a month.
Slightly different problem, but... I had a user who was not happy that their battery backed memory failed after 5 years. It was one of those SRAM/battery combo chips that were guaranteed for 10 years - they had a catastrophic failure after 5 years. I had 100+ units spread all over Australia. It was a slightly different problem - they were never turned off, and it was only after power failures that the code failed. Fortunately I had built the units so they could remotely download the code simply from head office. But we did have to recycle 100+ units.
But, as a hobby device, the supercap is a great choice. That way users dont have to worry about replacing batteries. I seriously considered a supercap on my RamBlade3 RTC. I chose a 1225 battery finally, but may still provide the holes for a supercap option.
Anyway, just my opinion.
Put me down for one as well please... and I'll pick up one of your ASC+'s at the same time.
@Bill, you're down for one and thanks heaps!
The PCB has been sent off to be printed. In about two weeks I'll have a prototype soldered up and will start a new thread on the subject.
I can't contribute anything useful technically, but you can sign me up for one. If it's anything like your Propeller ASC, it will be a winner!