Stamp capability questions from a n00b
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Posts: 46,084
Assuming I get my stamp sorted out and working, I'm wondering just
what can this stamp do?
My motivation for buying the stamp kit is about 80% entertainment
(I'm the type that installs Linux and spends 6 months playing with
it just for kicks) and 20% practical use.
My electrical training was fairly basic. I was a Marine Engineer in
the Canadian Navy. Left after my TQ5 (1988). We were taught all the
basic electrical and electronic theory but did very little practical
(had a two week lab on motors but didn't get into building circuits
etc). So I know (or at least knew!)the difference between a diode
and a thermister. Damned rusty though so I'm reading some books.
I do simple electical at work but its basically just diagnosing
problems with motors and relays. We have a for-real electrician for
more complex work.
My experience with micro-controllers is from the user end of the
spectrum. At work I deal with Honeywell, Delta and Johnson DDCs
(three different complexes). I operate and program them (well, can't
program the Johnson stuff without laying out a buttload more for
thier compiler). So far the honeywell is my favorite as a programmer
and Delta as an operator. Started on Honeywell and was trained by
them so I may be biased somewhat [noparse]:D[/noparse]
What I'd like to do is set up a stamp based system as a home DDC. I
have a swimming pool I'd like to control - ORP and pH sensors,
Metering pumps for Sodium hypochlorite and muratic acid, as well as
circ pump and furnace power (water temp is handled by the furnace
just fine so I just want on/off. I also have a basement crawlspace
that likes to flood periodically and roast my furnace... So a
moisture detector, sump pump and alarm would be a good addition.
I plan on writing my own GUI for this system as well. So I need to
be able to get data back from the DDC to display it and modifying
variables (ORP and pH readings drift with changes to pool water
conductivity so I need to adjust periodically).
Not going to jump into building that right away though, I want to
play first [noparse]:D[/noparse]
I'm not worried about cash outlay either. While I wasn't about to
shell out $3k+ canadian for a honeywell mini-sac and software, $1K
or so for learning and playing with the Stamp is not a problem. The
Home DDC setup would be a seperate cash outlay (get it back in
property value after all). I don't want to throw money away but,
this is still cheaper entertainment than hitting the bar!
So couple of questions to start. I'll have many more later of course.
1) The stamp docs mention that it can take analog and digital inputs
on any of the I/O pins but only mention digital outputs. Can it
output analog as well? (Dont know what I'd use that for, no
modulating motors at home - but ya never know).
2) The BOE breadboard output is 5V, are there relays for 110vac that
can be operated by that output? could the BOE handle operating 4-5
such relays or would I have to get a bit fancier (not scared of
getting fancier, just wondering if I need to or not). If there are
any web pages you could recommend on this topic, please let me know.
I have no idea what resources are out there in this field.
3) Is the supplied editor actually good or is there another
editor/compiler I should have a boo at?
what can this stamp do?
My motivation for buying the stamp kit is about 80% entertainment
(I'm the type that installs Linux and spends 6 months playing with
it just for kicks) and 20% practical use.
My electrical training was fairly basic. I was a Marine Engineer in
the Canadian Navy. Left after my TQ5 (1988). We were taught all the
basic electrical and electronic theory but did very little practical
(had a two week lab on motors but didn't get into building circuits
etc). So I know (or at least knew!)the difference between a diode
and a thermister. Damned rusty though so I'm reading some books.
I do simple electical at work but its basically just diagnosing
problems with motors and relays. We have a for-real electrician for
more complex work.
My experience with micro-controllers is from the user end of the
spectrum. At work I deal with Honeywell, Delta and Johnson DDCs
(three different complexes). I operate and program them (well, can't
program the Johnson stuff without laying out a buttload more for
thier compiler). So far the honeywell is my favorite as a programmer
and Delta as an operator. Started on Honeywell and was trained by
them so I may be biased somewhat [noparse]:D[/noparse]
What I'd like to do is set up a stamp based system as a home DDC. I
have a swimming pool I'd like to control - ORP and pH sensors,
Metering pumps for Sodium hypochlorite and muratic acid, as well as
circ pump and furnace power (water temp is handled by the furnace
just fine so I just want on/off. I also have a basement crawlspace
that likes to flood periodically and roast my furnace... So a
moisture detector, sump pump and alarm would be a good addition.
I plan on writing my own GUI for this system as well. So I need to
be able to get data back from the DDC to display it and modifying
variables (ORP and pH readings drift with changes to pool water
conductivity so I need to adjust periodically).
Not going to jump into building that right away though, I want to
play first [noparse]:D[/noparse]
I'm not worried about cash outlay either. While I wasn't about to
shell out $3k+ canadian for a honeywell mini-sac and software, $1K
or so for learning and playing with the Stamp is not a problem. The
Home DDC setup would be a seperate cash outlay (get it back in
property value after all). I don't want to throw money away but,
this is still cheaper entertainment than hitting the bar!
So couple of questions to start. I'll have many more later of course.
1) The stamp docs mention that it can take analog and digital inputs
on any of the I/O pins but only mention digital outputs. Can it
output analog as well? (Dont know what I'd use that for, no
modulating motors at home - but ya never know).
2) The BOE breadboard output is 5V, are there relays for 110vac that
can be operated by that output? could the BOE handle operating 4-5
such relays or would I have to get a bit fancier (not scared of
getting fancier, just wondering if I need to or not). If there are
any web pages you could recommend on this topic, please let me know.
I have no idea what resources are out there in this field.
3) Is the supplied editor actually good or is there another
editor/compiler I should have a boo at?