Shop OBEX P1 Docs P2 Docs Learn Events
Advice For New Project — Parallax Forums

Advice For New Project

fantabulumfantabulum Posts: 7
edited 2013-10-13 14:17 in General Discussion
I'm still pretty new to the microcontroller scene, so I would appreciate if someone could make sure I'm getting the right parts (or missing something) to accomplish the task. I want to set up a touch screen to control a few things and automate some others.

Break down:
  • The touch screen
    • http://parallax.com/product/28080
    • I have a few warnings that I want to persist until they clear. Do I have to get a separate memory chip or can I utilize this SD card?
  • I have a few lights that I need to turn on for several hours each day. So I picked out this timekeeping chip:
  • I need the fans to turn on if the temp runs too high
    • I'm still picking out a thermometer
  • I have a sump pump that can't run dry (the display tank drains into the sump, does a few things, and pumps it back), so I got this sensor
  • Will just about any board work for this project or can some only handle one task at a time?
    • I have the homework board but was thinking about picking up the "Super Carrier Board" here
I realize this is a pretty laborious question to answer, but I just need a little direction. Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • Invent-O-DocInvent-O-Doc Posts: 768
    edited 2013-10-12 10:08
    don't start with the touch screen, its pretty advanced and requires a lot of knowledge to use.

    The super carrier is great if you want to go with basic stamp. Stamps are easy but are very limited on memory and how many things they can do at once. You need to make a stamp vs. propeller decision.

    My recommendation is to get the Propeller Activity Board and go to learn.parallax.com, using the Propeller C learning system. There are a bunch of small examples online to get you going on the learning curve with the microcontroller. Then, pick up a five pack of propeller project boards for those different things you want to do around the house (they are 5/$100).

    Use an LM34 sensor for temperature and don't worry about the timekeeping chip, the microcontroller can do it just fine.

    An alternative approach would be to get a basic stamp 2e and super carrier or board of education. The benefit to the stamp is that there are several book based kits that you might really enjoy. There is a basic microcontroller book, a process control book (which looks like something you would be interested in based on your prospective purchases) and a good IR remote book/kit.

    If you went propeller, you could still use the book kits but would have to craft your own code by modifying the PBASIC examples.
  • fantabulumfantabulum Posts: 7
    edited 2013-10-12 10:39
    don't start with the touch screen, its pretty advanced and requires a lot of knowledge to use.
    That's unfortunate, it would really tie this project together nicely.
    My recommendation is to get the Propeller Activity Board
    I was looking into those too but didn't know the difference. I'll give it a try.

    Thanks for you help! I think I'm ready to get started.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2013-10-12 10:50
    If you're not already using Stamps, don't buy any!

    The Propeller can do so much more and costs much less.

    Rayman sells several touchscreen setups. I think he's using capacitive touchscreens now, I've only used the resistive version. I agree with the doc on this one. Touchscreens are kind of an advanced project.

    The Propeller Activity Board is a good option but so is the Propeller Project Board.

    A simple LCD would be easiest but a TV screen is also an option. Whenever I've used video (TV, VGA or touchscreen) I've ended up using a second Propeller to control the display. Video display tend to use a lot of RAM and there's not much left over for the program.

    I have an index with a bunch of links. Post #3 of my index (see signature for link) has links to Propeller tutorials. IIRC, post #4 has links to various displays. I think I've listed Rayman's touchscreens in post #4 (they're somewhere in the index).
  • RDL2004RDL2004 Posts: 2,554
    edited 2013-10-12 12:37
    I wouldn't necessarily give up on the clock and touch screen.

    I tend to think an accurate clock would be a good thing to have from the start, but I'd go with the easier to use and more accurate DS323X series. Pre-built modules such as Chronodot are available.

    You should probably get the pumps and stuff working first. Maybe you could start with a 20x4 LCD then, after everything is working well, add the touch screen display.
  • skylightskylight Posts: 1,915
    edited 2013-10-12 13:50
    I hope you are not put off getting a touchscreen, I am also learning but buying a touchscreen was an incentive to learn more and with the help of others here, especially Rayman who sold it, I have learnt a great deal about using it. Good Luck with your project.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2013-10-12 16:42
    RDL2004 wrote: »
    I tend to think an accurate clock would be a good thing to have from the start, but I'd go with the easier to use and more accurate DS323X series. Pre-built modules such as Chronodot are available.

    I recently came across these on ebay.

    I'm going to get a couple for myself unless any of you have a better source.
  • fantabulumfantabulum Posts: 7
    edited 2013-10-12 18:05
    Duane Degn wrote: »
    If you're not already using Stamps, don't buy any!
    I just have the basic stamp homework board and I was wondering how I was going to control multiple things at once. I see that it's time for me to transition.
    You should probably get the pumps and stuff working first. Maybe you could start with a 20x4 LCD then, after everything is working well, add the touch screen display.
    I was just thinking the same thing. I just need to find some controls that I wouldn't mind having in the interim.
    I hope you are not put off getting a touchscreen, I am also learning but buying a touchscreen was an incentive to learn more and with the help of others here, especially Rayman who sold it, I have learnt a great deal about using it. Good Luck with your project.
    Do you have any experience with the 4d model that parallax is selling? They make it sound like it's not too hard. The screens being sold by Rayman are an incredible price, but I'm wondering if they'd be more difficult.
  • skylightskylight Posts: 1,915
    edited 2013-10-13 04:47
    I havn't had experience of that screen but just to say that I have found using Rayman's touchscreen here has been easy to learn to use and Rayman gives very good backup advice on these forums.
  • Invent-O-DocInvent-O-Doc Posts: 768
    edited 2013-10-13 07:39
    the 4d screens are a super pain to use. It's like learning a whole new system. The propeller can output video directly. I often use cheap lcd monitors from ebay sold as car backup monitors.

    Im not sure exactly what you want to build, but recommend, if as you state you are new to microcontrollers, with some basics first. Learn to blink an led, read a switch, then try out every sensor you listed. By then, you should know what kind of interface will work for you.
  • RDL2004RDL2004 Posts: 2,554
    edited 2013-10-13 11:23
    I recently came across these on ebay.

    That looks like a good deal. At that price, there's a pretty good chance that it uses a genuine Maxim chip. :)
  • fantabulumfantabulum Posts: 7
    edited 2013-10-13 14:17
    @Invent-O-Doc It sounds like you're giving me very good advice on holding off on the touch screen. While I'm new to the microcontroller scene, I'm not quite so green on the electrical side so I have a good feel for what I want to end up with. So I'm still gonna pick the screen up but put it on the back burner until I get a simpler setup running.

    Just a thought, how difficult are the WiFi or bluetooth controllers to work with? I have an old Android phone I've been dying to put to good use.
Sign In or Register to comment.