Multi minute delay or counter?

Cismontguy · 2014-11-06 13:53

Hello, I am just getting back into the Basic Stamp programming after 10 year of being away from programing. I want to create a routine that will turn a relay on for 10 minutes, off for 5 minutes. I was using a counter (sample for 2000 ms) but am looking for a better method of time interval control? Can you guys point me in the right direction for some instructions on delays? I do not need anyone to write the code for me. I am just trying to learn again the options available for delay?

Thanks,

Cismounguy

'Robotics with the Boe-Bot - Relaycontroller.bs2
'10 minute on 5 minute off timer.

' {$STAMP BS2}
' {$PBASIC 2.5}
DEBUG "Indicates that the program is running"

counter VAR Word

FREQOUT 4, 2000, 3000 ' signal that the program is running.
DO
GOSUB Running
GOSUB N_running
LOOP
Running:
FOR counter = 1 TO 2000
HIGH 13 ' drives pin 13 high
DEBUG ? counter ' displays counter .
NEXT
RETURN
N_running:
FOR counter = 1 TO 2000
LOW 13 ' drives pin 13 high
DEBUG ? counter ' displays counter .
NEXT
RETURN

erco · 2014-11-06 14:10

Sure. Some timing loops with a PAUSE inside can be calibrated for the durations you need. For instance:

' {$STAMP BS2}
' {$PBASIC 2.5}

minutes VAR Byte
seconds VAR Byte

DEBUG "Program is running"
FREQOUT 4, 2000, 3000 ' signal that program is running

do ' start forever loop
high 14 ' relay on
for minutes=1 to 10
for seconds=1 to 60
pause 1000' pause 1 sec
next
next

low 14' relay off
for minutes=1 to 5
for seconds=1 to 60
pause 1000' pause 1 sec
next
next

loop ' repeat forever

JonnyMac · 2014-11-06 14:55

I do this for long delays in the BASIC Stamp

(fixed listing)

Delay_Seconds:
  IF (seconds > 0) THEN
    PAUSE 1000
    seconds = seconds - 1
    GOTO Delay_Seconds
  ENDIF
  RETURN

If seconds is a word, you can create very long delays.

Cismontguy · 2014-11-07 04:26

Thanks for both suggestions! I will try them out. Love this Basic Stamp.

stamptrol · 2014-11-07 04:29

Depending on what else you need your Stamp to take care of, another technique is to have a subroutine loop as Jon described, but instead of PAUSE 1000, make it much shorter (perhaps 100 or 50).

Back in your main program you count how many times you use the 100 ms loop. That way, your main loop doesn't have to sit waiting for a long PAUSE to expire before seeing that something else needs doing.

Cherers,

Genetix · 2014-11-07 07:46

Chapter 7 of Industrial Control uses a Real Time Clock chip to turn a heater on and off.
http://laspace.lsu.edu/aces/Document/Parallax%20Docs/Industrial%20Control.pdf

JonnyMac · 2014-11-07 08:04

If precise, long-term timing becomes an issue, consider the BS2's big brother: the Propeller. It has a multitude of features that allow one to time events. I have a commercial project at the moment that requires timing long and short-duration events, and I'm able to do that withou consuming a processor. Of course, I have apps where I turn one of the processors into a precision clock. If you like the BASIC Stamp, you may come to love the Propeller.

Cismontguy wrote: »

Thanks for both suggestions! I will try them out. Love this Basic Stamp.

JonnyMac · 2014-11-07 08:12

I've built some industrial controllers with the Stamp and it can be a little tricky creating a precise, 100ms loop -- you have to track and time all the possible paths the loop code can take, and pad everything such that the loop always runs at 100ms (I know, I've done this).

This is where the Propeller shines. Need a 100ms main loop? No problem. This loop will always run 100ms -- as long as you loop code takes less than 100ms (that's the only rule).

t := cnt
  repeat

    ' other loop code

   
  
    ' add sythesized RTC to loop
    '
    if (++tix == 10)
      tix := 0
      if (++seconds == 60)
        seconds := 0
        if (++minutes == 60)
          minutes := 0
          if (++hours == 24)
            hours := 0   

    waitcnt(t += (100 * MS_001))	' make sure loop runs every 100ms

You see, Cismontguy, the Propeller is really fun and doesn't take much more effort than the BS2.

For the record, I'm not trying to put you off the BS2 -- when I worked for Parallax I wrote a book called StampWorks. That is to say, I love the BS2 as well.

stamptrol wrote: »

Depending on what else you need your Stamp to take care of, another technique is to have a subroutine loop as Jon described, but instead of PAUSE 1000, make it much shorter (perhaps 100 or 50).

Back in your main program you count how many times you use the 100 ms loop. That way, your main loop doesn't have to sit waiting for a long PAUSE to expire before seeing that something else needs doing.

Cherers,

Cismontguy · 2014-11-07 09:42

Yes, I am trying to make a mixer controller for our investment casting slurry, so the mixer does not have to run 24/7. Next I want to tackle a rotating arm to hold the invested parts as they dry after each dip in the investment slurry.

CismontGuy

Tracy Allen · 2014-11-07 10:28

Since you asked for alternatives, the list should also include the option of an external real time clock chip. Underscoring Genetix' pointer in post#6. There are lots of examples available of how to hook up RTC chips such as the DS1302 or DS1307 to a Stamp and how to write the PBASIC code. Offloading that function to the external chip can help a lot as your program grows.

erco · 2014-11-07 12:11

Jon: Beautiful short routine. Should the code read "seconds=seconds-1" instead of "delay=delay-1" or did I miss something?

JonnyMac wrote: »
I do this for long delays in the BASIC Stamp
Delay_Seconds:
  IF (seconds > 0) THEN
    PAUSE 1000
    delay = delay - 1
    GOTO Delay_Seconds
  ENDIF
  RETURN
If seconds is a word, you can create very long delays.

JonnyMac · 2014-11-07 12:52

Yep, my mistake. I've corrected the listing. Thanks for the catch.

Genetix · 2014-11-07 13:45

Parallax also has a more up to date text, called Process Control.
http://www.parallax.com/sites/default/files/downloads/122-28176-Process-Control-Text-v1.0.pdf

Here is Jon's StampWorks text - Experiment 27 is on controlling a Stepper Motor
http://www.parallax.com/sites/default/files/downloads/27297-StampWorks-Manual-v2.1.pdf

Cismontguy · 2014-11-08 12:55

Here is what I have working so far with a 5V DC relay board controlling 120V AC <5A.

Cismontguy

'Robotics with the Boe-Bot - Relaycontroller.bs2
'10 minute on 3 minute off timer.
' {$STAMP BS2}
' {$PBASIC 2.5}
DEBUG "Indicates that the program is running"

minutes VAR Word
Seconds VAR Word

FREQOUT 4, 2000, 3000 ' signals that the program is running.
DO 'start forever loop
LOW 10 'relay on
HIGH 12 ' Green LED on
LOW 13 'red LED off
DEBUG "Power ON"
FOR minutes = 1 TO 10
FOR seconds = 1 TO 60
PAUSE 1000 ' pause 1 sec
NEXT
NEXT
HIGH 10 'relay on
LOW 12 ' Gren LED on
HIGH 13 'Red LED on
DEBUG "Power OFF"
FOR minutes = 1 TO 3
FOR seconds = 1 TO 60
PAUSE 1000 ' pause 1 sec
NEXT
NEXT
LOOP 'repeat forever

Tracy Allen · 2014-11-08 15:13

If you really do want a granuarity of 1 minute, the delays can be condensed, e.g.,

FOR minutes = 1 TO 10
   PAUSE 60000      ' pause 1 minute
NEXT

There is also a SLEEP command which can be used for long delays in units of seconds. It is quite accurate for long delays. It does have a drawback though, that the pin that is supposed to be a constant output actually turns into an input briefly every couple of seconds. The LEDs would appear to blink every 2.3 seconds. Your external relay control circuit would need a capacitor or something like that to carry it on or off through those glitches.

DO
  LOW 10
  SLEEP 600 ' 10 minutes
  HIGH 10
  HIGH 180   ' 3 minutes
LOOP

Multi minute delay or counter?

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