Re: My home-built DIY gear position indicator - includes plans
How do you get the code into the chip?
JD
How do you get the code into the chip?
JD
Article [13] ST1300 - Gear Position Indicator (Do It Yourself)
- Thread starter pdfruth
- Start date
OP
OP
pdfruth
P.D.Fruth
Re: My home-built DIY gear position indicator - includes plans
That's a long story.... and one of the things I learned on my journey.
There's a ton of free stuff out there on the net.
Here's a good starting place to read all about it;
http://www.electro-tech-online.com/...wcomers-please-read-pic-regarded-upd-0xd.html
The short story... there's a couple bits of software running on my laptop;
1) A development environment/debugger/assembler/compiler. It compiles the assembler source code into a .hex file (aka machine code).
2) A programmer application. It interfaces with a programmer device connected to the laptop (via USB cable), which in turn has the micro-controller chip plugged into it. The .hex file is downloaded to the programmer device, which them burns the code into the micro-controller's flash memory.
The bottom line... there's just a ton of free stuff (and support) out there for MicroChip's (www.microchip.com) PIC micro-controllers. These things are incredibly versatile, incredibly easy to use, and incredibly cheap.
That's a long story.... and one of the things I learned on my journey.
There's a ton of free stuff out there on the net.
Here's a good starting place to read all about it;
http://www.electro-tech-online.com/...wcomers-please-read-pic-regarded-upd-0xd.html
The short story... there's a couple bits of software running on my laptop;
1) A development environment/debugger/assembler/compiler. It compiles the assembler source code into a .hex file (aka machine code).
2) A programmer application. It interfaces with a programmer device connected to the laptop (via USB cable), which in turn has the micro-controller chip plugged into it. The .hex file is downloaded to the programmer device, which them burns the code into the micro-controller's flash memory.
The bottom line... there's just a ton of free stuff (and support) out there for MicroChip's (www.microchip.com) PIC micro-controllers. These things are incredibly versatile, incredibly easy to use, and incredibly cheap.
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Re: My home-built DIY gear position indicator - includes plans
Great Job P.D.! Your write up and pictures are excellent.
I'm an Instructor teaching a 1st year Electronics Technician program (Common Core Electronics) and the microprocessor portion of our course has recently been updated to use a PIC microcontroller as opposed to the old LabVolt trainers. Therefore the PIC controllers are pretty new to me and I've got a lot to learn regarding the programming of them. I'm looking forward to having a good look at your programming code. I may have to actually build one even though I'm not all that worried about having a GPI. It looks like it would be fun to build and program.
On second thought, this might make a great year end project for one or more of our students. (I love real world projects.) Would you have any objection if we were to use your write-up and pictures in our course? We would of course ensure that you received all credit for the device.
Great Job P.D.! Your write up and pictures are excellent.
I'm an Instructor teaching a 1st year Electronics Technician program (Common Core Electronics) and the microprocessor portion of our course has recently been updated to use a PIC microcontroller as opposed to the old LabVolt trainers. Therefore the PIC controllers are pretty new to me and I've got a lot to learn regarding the programming of them. I'm looking forward to having a good look at your programming code. I may have to actually build one even though I'm not all that worried about having a GPI. It looks like it would be fun to build and program.
On second thought, this might make a great year end project for one or more of our students. (I love real world projects.) Would you have any objection if we were to use your write-up and pictures in our course? We would of course ensure that you received all credit for the device.
Re: My home-built DIY gear position indicator - includes plans
I'm not sure what you said but I like it.
I'm not sure what you said but I like it.
Re: My home-built DIY gear position indicator - includes plans
Excellent job pdfruth! I'm a former E.E. type but got out of the business almost 20 years ago (played with 8051s, Z-80s, & 6502s at the time). The PICs are fairly popular item in ham radio circles...
You might have created a marketable item although I know that wasn't your intent.
Bravo!
Tony
Excellent job pdfruth! I'm a former E.E. type but got out of the business almost 20 years ago (played with 8051s, Z-80s, & 6502s at the time). The PICs are fairly popular item in ham radio circles...
You might have created a marketable item although I know that wasn't your intent.
Bravo!
Tony
OP
OP
pdfruth
P.D.Fruth
Re: My home-built DIY gear position indicator - includes plans
I'd be honored to have it used as a teaching tool... although I'm not so sure there's much value in providing the completed solution to the problem, if it's used as a year-end project And I'm not so sure this represents an implementation using all the best practices. But sure, that's one of the reasons I GPL'd it (open-sourced). I found so many great code samples out there on the net during my R&D effort for this thing. This is just my way of contributing back to the community. Hopefully, other talented innovators will enhanced/improve/change/comment. We (myself included) all benefit from others contributing to the effort. All constructive criticisms are welcome.
This is just a hobby for me. You could say I'm a hacker of sorts. Actually, the GPI is my 3rd PIC project. My 1st was a clock, interfaced to my garage door opener, to close the door at night, if it's open. My second was a high resolution, low frequency, frequency counter.
I'd be honored to have it used as a teaching tool... although I'm not so sure there's much value in providing the completed solution to the problem, if it's used as a year-end project
And I'm not so sure this represents an implementation using all the best practices. But sure, that's one of the reasons I GPL'd it (open-sourced). I found so many great code samples out there on the net during my R&D effort for this thing. This is just my way of contributing back to the community. Hopefully, other talented innovators will enhanced/improve/change/comment. We (myself included) all benefit from others contributing to the effort. All constructive criticisms are welcome.This is just a hobby for me. You could say I'm a hacker of sorts. Actually, the GPI is my 3rd PIC project. My 1st was a clock, interfaced to my garage door opener, to close the door at night, if it's open. My second was a high resolution, low frequency, frequency counter.
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NCrider
Andrew Seawell
Re: My home-built DIY gear position indicator - includes plans
If no one else has stepped up, I'm pretty sure I can get my boss to let me make these.
Would take a couple of weeks to get my supplies and techniques down and I could make them as they are ordered.
If no one else has stepped up, I'm pretty sure I can get my boss to let me make these.
Would take a couple of weeks to get my supplies and techniques down and I could make them as they are ordered.
Re: My home-built DIY gear position indicator - includes plans
As a teaching tool, the best value of this may be as an excellent example of what kind of project can be done with some imagination. There may not be many of my students who have motorcycles in need of a GPI, but often the hardest part of getting a student interested in a project is finding something that piques their interest. I'm trying to build up a bit of a library of suggestions and the more ideas I can discuss with them the more likely they will find such a project. Having them analyze and understand the code has a value as well. Who knows, one of them may actually improve upon it, or adapt it to another purpose.
Again thanks for your efforts on this.
I'd be honored to have it used as a teaching tool... although I'm not so sure there's much value in providing the completed solution to the problem, if it's used as a year-end project
As a teaching tool, the best value of this may be as an excellent example of what kind of project can be done with some imagination. There may not be many of my students who have motorcycles in need of a GPI, but often the hardest part of getting a student interested in a project is finding something that piques their interest. I'm trying to build up a bit of a library of suggestions and the more ideas I can discuss with them the more likely they will find such a project. Having them analyze and understand the code has a value as well. Who knows, one of them may actually improve upon it, or adapt it to another purpose.
Again thanks for your efforts on this.
Re: My home-built DIY gear position indicator - includes plans
Could you post the procedure for teaching the device when first installed on the motorcycle?
Phil
Could you post the procedure for teaching the device when first installed on the motorcycle?
Phil
Re: My home-built DIY gear position indicator - includes plans
The tech mode instructions are imbedded in the .txt source code files that were posted.
Lines beginning with ; are comments and not part of the code.
Basically turn unit on push button and hold for one second
push button based on flashes to program 5 or 6 gears.
run thru the gears on the center stand pushing button each time.
I think it also looks for valid data in eeprom memory and if it does not find anything it defaults to teach mode.
The tech mode instructions are imbedded in the .txt source code files that were posted.
Lines beginning with ; are comments and not part of the code.
Basically turn unit on push button and hold for one second
push button based on flashes to program 5 or 6 gears.
run thru the gears on the center stand pushing button each time.
I think it also looks for valid data in eeprom memory and if it does not find anything it defaults to teach mode.
Re: My home-built DIY gear position indicator - includes plans
Are you going to install also? I could ride down for the weekend!
Are you going to install also? I could ride down for the weekend!
NCrider
Andrew Seawell
Re: My home-built DIY gear position indicator - includes plans
Well since I don't have an ST you could be the guinea pig.:
Well since I don't have an ST you could be the guinea pig.
:
Re: My home-built DIY gear position indicator - includes plans
Took the words right out of my mouth , Tommy.
Took the words right out of my mouth , Tommy.
Re: My home-built DIY gear position indicator - includes plans
You let me know when you get one ready and pick a weekend an I will be there.
Would have to find a different location for one as my GPS mounts in the center there. I would think would could be but in the dash some place. Think I saw one on the dash once.
Well since I don't have an ST you could be the guinea pig.
You let me know when you get one ready and pick a weekend an I will be there.
Would have to find a different location for one as my GPS mounts in the center there. I would think would could be but in the dash some place. Think I saw one on the dash once.
OP
OP
pdfruth
P.D.Fruth
Re: My home-built DIY gear position indicator - includes plans
For now, I've attached a draft version of the document to post #4 at the top of the thread. Section 2 should tell you what you need to know.
I've been working on an Installation & Setup document.
For now, I've attached a draft version of the document to post #4 at the top of the thread. Section 2 should tell you what you need to know.
Re: My home-built DIY gear position indicator - includes plans
Here it is! This is what I think would be an ideal location! Could you do it Andrew?
https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showpost.php?p=109519&postcount=17
Here it is! This is what I think would be an ideal location! Could you do it Andrew?
https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showpost.php?p=109519&postcount=17
PizzaHog
Still Bikeless, More Pathetic
Re: My home-built DIY gear position indicator - includes plans
Wow - what an incredible job!
P.D. - my hat is off to you, sir!
NCrider, depending on price, count me in - I do a lot of 2nd-4th gear riding, and this would be a big help.
FWIW - I like the polished mounting in the linked pic, but I'd prefer a little display [like in P.D.'s prototype] that I can mount as high as possible (windscreen edge?) so I don't have to take my eyes off the road. [I lane-split a lot, and this is a *big* deal.]
Again - awesome job!
PH
Wow - what an incredible job!
P.D. - my hat is off to you, sir!
NCrider, depending on price, count me in - I do a lot of 2nd-4th gear riding, and this would be a big help.
FWIW - I like the polished mounting in the linked pic, but I'd prefer a little display [like in P.D.'s prototype] that I can mount as high as possible (windscreen edge?) so I don't have to take my eyes off the road. [I lane-split a lot, and this is a *big* deal.]
Again - awesome job!
PH
Re: My home-built DIY gear position indicator - includes plans
This one may even be better. It looks a bit smaller and would fit the location. I suppose different sized digital read outs could be gotten.
https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showpost.php?p=109354&postcount=14
This one may even be better. It looks a bit smaller and would fit the location. I suppose different sized digital read outs could be gotten.
https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showpost.php?p=109354&postcount=14
OP
OP
pdfruth
P.D.Fruth
Re: My home-built DIY gear position indicator - includes plans
Oh ya.... I remember seeing that, back when it was originally posted.
And I considered doing that too. But dismissed the idea (for my own selfish reasons) because I wanted my GPI to be portable. I know I'm gonna want to move it to another bike some day.
It's a great idea, tho.... see, look at all the great ideas we come up with... I love this place.
Oh ya.... I remember seeing that, back when it was originally posted.
And I considered doing that too. But dismissed the idea (for my own selfish reasons) because I wanted my GPI to be portable. I know I'm gonna want to move it to another bike some day.
It's a great idea, tho.... see, look at all the great ideas we come up with... I love this place.
NCrider
Andrew Seawell
Re: My home-built DIY gear position indicator - includes plans
Actually that would be better, wouldn't have to worry about weather-proofing it that way.
Actually that would be better, wouldn't have to worry about weather-proofing it that way.