Easter Weather

So far the easter weather has not net us down. As usual its been wet, though not too cold round here anyway.
Still, its been a good excuse to stop in the pub ;)

Simple PIC Voltmeter

PICs can have an input line configured as an A-D converter. The input voltage is 0 to 5. By using a pair of resistors a potential divider can be set up. By having several of these connecting by means of a switch to the input and a bit of flowcodesoftware, a simple multi-range DC voltmeter can be constructed.

Set up the development board to test the programming using the on board pot and the push switches on port c to change range. It works as expected. Will try and build it on the breadboard next ad test it in a real world application.

Not worth actually going any further, not when a basic (el-cheapo) multimeter can be bought for about £5.
Just enjoy playing with the software.
I'm realy chomping at the bit now to get hold of the full version of flowcode, come on you guys in Halifax, release V4 and relieve me of some cash :)

Flowcode for "NOT" switching

Simple loop, reads the state of a switch (PortB Bit 1) in this case.
Uses a decsion if the switch is pressed, invert the bit. Small delay is needed to prevent keybounce.

Easter

Had an extra day off today, makes a 5 day break over Easter.

PIC Projects

Been a long time since I built a project from an electronics magazine.
Found this on the Elektor website, downloaded the article.
Its is 4 channel PLC controlled by an ECIO pic module.
4 opto-coupled inputs , 4 relay outputs & a CAN controller.
Worked first time. Programmed using flowcode.
Getting interested in PICs / microcontrollers has resparked my interest in building.
Will try to finish the SSB transceiver I started last October soon.