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Newbie Programming question — Parallax Forums

Newbie Programming question

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2003-02-06 23:34 in General Discussion
Hello All,

Newbie Bob here with a couple questions, I have a little elect
knowledge and have some plc ladder programming experience.

I would like to design a project that given a certain input will
turn on/off about 20 relays (12 volt very low micro amps ) in a
timed programmed pattern or sequence. It would need several inputs
that would run different programmed patterns.

My question is is this some thing I can do with a stamp ?? and if so
please point me in the right direction, book, examples page, example
program code.

Please keep in mind that I'm a retired Mechanical Engineer and not
to smart with electrons :-). Please keep it simple !!

Thanks
Bob

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-02-06 14:38
    Yes, Newbie Bob, that is something you can do. Since you are new, let me
    suggest that you download our StampWorks book and work through the
    experiments [noparse][[/noparse]even if just by reading]. StampWorks will help you learn PBASIC
    and various methods for handing inputs and outputs that will be appropriate
    for your project.

    You can download the StampWorks manual from this link:

    <A
    HREF="http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=27297">http://www.parallax.c\
    om/detail.asp?product_id=27297
    </A>


    -- Jon Williams
    -- Parallax




    In a message dated 2/6/2003 8:16:40 AM Central Standard Time, robertp@v...
    writes:

    > Hello All,
    >
    > Newbie Bob here with a couple questions, I have a little elect
    > knowledge and have some plc ladder programming experience.
    >
    > I would like to design a project that given a certain input will
    > turn on/off about 20 relays (12 volt very low micro amps ) in a
    > timed programmed pattern or sequence. It would need several inputs
    > that would run different programmed patterns.
    >
    > My question is is this some thing I can do with a stamp ?? and if so
    > please point me in the right direction, book, examples page, example
    > program code.
    >
    > Please keep in mind that I'm a retired Mechanical Engineer and not
    > to smart with electrons :-). Please keep it simple !!
    >
    > Thanks
    > Bob



    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-02-06 14:48
    Is "12v / low micro amps" the spec for the signal you are switching or the
    relay coil. If the signal, I wonder if you really need to use a relay. The
    current draw sounds too low for a relay coil.

    I'd suggest that you start with a smaller number of relays in order to keep
    things simple, controlling one relay with each Basic Stamp output Pin.
    Depending on the relay you will need either a transistor or a driver IC such
    as ULN2003/ULN2803 between the stamp pin and relay. The transistor circuit
    also needs a diode to protect the driver from reverse-EMF from the relay
    coil. This diode is built into most driver ICs. When you are ready to step
    up to 20 relays, you can either use a multiplexer chip or upgrade to a
    BS2P24 or BS2P40 Basic Stamp to get the required pins.

    You will get a more specific answer if you describe more of your
    application, including what you are trying to accomplish and the part
    numbers of any specific components you have or are considering. As an
    engineer, you know that the details are what really matter.

    Good luck with your project!

    -- Al Margolis, founder
    www.hobbyengineering.com
    The WEB's newest source for robotics supplies and information

    Original Message
    From: bobsail_2002 <robertp@v...> [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=FGrnUV9vu2PlEXxR1Bhwq5w-WMXk3eThWPsxxQ6vsDSaJC2SZsqaXChVzSjJz_eLe4PzArp72A]robertp@v...[/url
    Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2003 6:15 AM
    To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Newbie Programming question


    Hello All,

    Newbie Bob here with a couple questions, I have a little elect
    knowledge and have some plc ladder programming experience.

    I would like to design a project that given a certain input will
    turn on/off about 20 relays (12 volt very low micro amps ) in a
    timed programmed pattern or sequence. It would need several inputs
    that would run different programmed patterns.

    My question is is this some thing I can do with a stamp ?? and if so
    please point me in the right direction, book, examples page, example
    program code.

    Please keep in mind that I'm a retired Mechanical Engineer and not
    to smart with electrons :-). Please keep it simple !!

    Thanks
    Bob






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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-02-06 16:04
    Bob,

    Should be easy beans, even I could do it ;-)

    What are you driving with your relays? Driving relays with a Stamp is easy.
    If the relay draws more than the Stamp pin can handle, which most
    conventional relays do, you will need to operate the relay with a
    transistor, or more conviently a device like the ULN2003 Darlignton array. A
    diode is required across the coil of the relay to protect the Stamp form the
    back EMF genrated when the realy opens/closes.

    As you say a "very low micro-amps", perhaps you are using SS relays. If this
    is the case, no "silicon steroids" are required for the Stamp to run it, and
    no diode is required.

    Hope this helps,

    Jonathan

    www.madlabs.info

    Original Message
    From: <robertp@v...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2003 6:15 AM
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Newbie Programming question


    > Hello All,
    >
    > Newbie Bob here with a couple questions, I have a little elect
    > knowledge and have some plc ladder programming experience.
    >
    > I would like to design a project that given a certain input will
    > turn on/off about 20 relays (12 volt very low micro amps ) in a
    > timed programmed pattern or sequence. It would need several inputs
    > that would run different programmed patterns.
    >
    > My question is is this some thing I can do with a stamp ?? and if so
    > please point me in the right direction, book, examples page, example
    > program code.
    >
    > Please keep in mind that I'm a retired Mechanical Engineer and not
    > to smart with electrons :-). Please keep it simple !!
    >
    > Thanks
    > Bob
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-02-06 22:49
    The ULN2003/2803 already has diodes built in does it not? No need for an
    external one?

    Original Message
    From: "Al Margolis(TX)" <al@b...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2003 6:48 AM
    Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Newbie Programming question


    > Is "12v / low micro amps" the spec for the signal you are switching or the
    > relay coil. If the signal, I wonder if you really need to use a relay.
    The
    > current draw sounds too low for a relay coil.
    >
    > I'd suggest that you start with a smaller number of relays in order to
    keep
    > things simple, controlling one relay with each Basic Stamp output Pin.
    > Depending on the relay you will need either a transistor or a driver IC
    such
    > as ULN2003/ULN2803 between the stamp pin and relay. The transistor
    circuit
    > also needs a diode to protect the driver from reverse-EMF from the relay
    > coil. This diode is built into most driver ICs. When you are ready to
    step
    > up to 20 relays, you can either use a multiplexer chip or upgrade to a
    > BS2P24 or BS2P40 Basic Stamp to get the required pins.
    >
    > You will get a more specific answer if you describe more of your
    > application, including what you are trying to accomplish and the part
    > numbers of any specific components you have or are considering. As an
    > engineer, you know that the details are what really matter.
    >
    > Good luck with your project!
    >
    > -- Al Margolis, founder
    > www.hobbyengineering.com
    > The WEB's newest source for robotics supplies and information
    >
    >
    Original Message
    > From: bobsail_2002 <robertp@v...> [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=ErueWxM5EFjAIccfyGU0SCtSAliLnfL--RGpeCGX-ULqrnM1NA5px76LxWSX9zh8vMXe5Fw]robertp@v...[/url
    > Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2003 6:15 AM
    > To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Newbie Programming question
    >
    >
    > Hello All,
    >
    > Newbie Bob here with a couple questions, I have a little elect
    > knowledge and have some plc ladder programming experience.
    >
    > I would like to design a project that given a certain input will
    > turn on/off about 20 relays (12 volt very low micro amps ) in a
    > timed programmed pattern or sequence. It would need several inputs
    > that would run different programmed patterns.
    >
    > My question is is this some thing I can do with a stamp ?? and if so
    > please point me in the right direction, book, examples page, example
    > program code.
    >
    > Please keep in mind that I'm a retired Mechanical Engineer and not
    > to smart with electrons :-). Please keep it simple !!
    >
    > Thanks
    > Bob
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    > Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-02-06 23:34
    Correct. A diode is needed with the discreet transistor design. It is
    built-in with the ULN2003/2803 IC design.

    -- Al

    Original Message
    From: Pat M [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=Zb3SrQIeugPH1Y6SndCpi2jmPZekhfOIwoh0gVmdqyPPMcjzslAuq00EcEiYy0X_S7W62ksp]pmeloy@s...[/url
    Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2003 2:49 PM
    To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Newbie Programming question


    The ULN2003/2803 already has diodes built in does it not? No need for an
    external one?

    Original Message
    From: "Al Margolis(TX)" <al@b...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2003 6:48 AM
    Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Newbie Programming question


    > Is "12v / low micro amps" the spec for the signal you are switching or the
    > relay coil. If the signal, I wonder if you really need to use a relay.
    The
    > current draw sounds too low for a relay coil.
    >
    > I'd suggest that you start with a smaller number of relays in order to
    keep
    > things simple, controlling one relay with each Basic Stamp output Pin.
    > Depending on the relay you will need either a transistor or a driver IC
    such
    > as ULN2003/ULN2803 between the stamp pin and relay. The transistor
    circuit
    > also needs a diode to protect the driver from reverse-EMF from the relay
    > coil. This diode is built into most driver ICs. When you are ready to
    step
    > up to 20 relays, you can either use a multiplexer chip or upgrade to a
    > BS2P24 or BS2P40 Basic Stamp to get the required pins.
    >
    > You will get a more specific answer if you describe more of your
    > application, including what you are trying to accomplish and the part
    > numbers of any specific components you have or are considering. As an
    > engineer, you know that the details are what really matter.
    >
    > Good luck with your project!
    >
    > -- Al Margolis, founder
    > www.hobbyengineering.com
    > The WEB's newest source for robotics supplies and information
    >
    >
    Original Message
    > From: bobsail_2002 <robertp@v...> [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=JHk6q8_Z3cyU2YW_fd1WfGX27ywsCl6uc-EjxpteJtPs65S-xf9k_VBV6A0D9l5i77nGUpNGInX7pA]robertp@v...[/url
    > Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2003 6:15 AM
    > To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Newbie Programming question
    >
    >
    > Hello All,
    >
    > Newbie Bob here with a couple questions, I have a little elect
    > knowledge and have some plc ladder programming experience.
    >
    > I would like to design a project that given a certain input will
    > turn on/off about 20 relays (12 volt very low micro amps ) in a
    > timed programmed pattern or sequence. It would need several inputs
    > that would run different programmed patterns.
    >
    > My question is is this some thing I can do with a stamp ?? and if so
    > please point me in the right direction, book, examples page, example
    > program code.
    >
    > Please keep in mind that I'm a retired Mechanical Engineer and not
    > to smart with electrons :-). Please keep it simple !!
    >
    > Thanks
    > Bob
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    > Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >


    To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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