Hi

I made the Arbiter and it give me "fine" readings in the Hyperterminal ... but 
The hotbox(2.12 under XP )is finding the probes ok but the temp data is just
cracp i can se differens on the readings when I heat the probes( flickering up
and down ) do I need to use DS18B20 I have DS18S20 probes ... ? enny suggestion

I have tested 2 diferent pc`s

Help will be appreciated

Regards rasmus

Hi

Hotbox works with DS18S20 and DS18B20.

The erratic readings would be from the probes themselves. The hotbox
software ignores corrupt data packets. You must be getting data
packets - otherwise you would be getting no temperature display at
all.

Check you have the 5V supply wire fed to the probes.

Are all the probes erratic?

Can you send screen shots? Email a datastream to this list.

http://www.anotherurl.com/therm/graphics/terminal.gif
Send the characters, not a screen shot of them.

Nick


2009/4/25 ras_har <ras_har@...>:
>
>
> Hi
>
> I made the Arbiter and it give me "fine" readings in the Hyperterminal ...
> but The hotbox(2.12 under XP )is finding the probes ok but the temp data is
> just cracp i can se differens on the readings when I heat the probes(
> flickering up and down ) do I need to use DS18B20 I have DS18S20 probes ...
> ? enny suggestion
>
> I have tested 2 diferent pc`s
>
> Help will be appreciated
>
> Regards rasmus
>
>

Hi Nick
Thaks for the reply:-)
It sems to give me nice readings now !!
I mesured the 5v bus Hmmm.....!!! I have managed to run at to low voltage
...(Too late in the evening) .After fideling back and forthe with the max232
chip I fond some faults on the pcb layout ... mising gnd and the TTL==>RS232
whent the wrong way has anny body else tested the max232 PCB layaout?

can I run DS18S20 and DS18B20 at the same time?

Thanks for a werry nice DIY project!!

Regards Rasmus

--- In TemperatureLoggers@yahoogroups.com, Nick Hubbard <nick@...> wrote:
>
> Hi
>
> Hotbox works with DS18S20 and DS18B20.
>
> The erratic readings would be from the probes themselves. The hotbox
> software ignores corrupt data packets. You must be getting data
> packets - otherwise you would be getting no temperature display at
> all.
>
> Check you have the 5V supply wire fed to the probes.
>
> Are all the probes erratic?
>
> Can you send screen shots? Email a datastream to this list.
>
> http://www.anotherurl.com/therm/graphics/terminal.gif
> Send the characters, not a screen shot of them.
>
> Nick
>
>
> 2009/4/25 ras_har <ras_har@...>:
> >
> >
> > Hi
> >
> > I made the Arbiter and it give me "fine" readings in the Hyperterminal ...
> > but The hotbox(2.12 under XP )is finding the probes ok but the temp data is
> > just cracp i can se differens on the readings when I heat the probes(
> > flickering up and down ) do I need to use DS18B20 I have DS18S20 probes ...
> > ? enny suggestion
> >
> > I have tested 2 diferent pc`s
> >
> > Help will be appreciated
> >
> > Regards rasmus
> >
> >
>

>has anny body else tested the max232 PCB layaout?
I have not tested the layout. I will have to do my own and put it on
the web site.

>can I run DS18S20 and DS18B20 at the same time?

Yes.

> Thanks for a werry nice DIY project!!

Thanks

Nick



2009/4/27 ras_har <ras_har@...>:
>
>
> Hi Nick
> Thaks for the reply:-)
> It sems to give me nice readings now !!
> I mesured the 5v bus Hmmm.....!!! I have managed to run at to low voltage
> ...(Too late in the evening) .After fideling back and forthe with the max232
> chip I fond some faults on the pcb layout ... mising gnd and the TTL==>RS232
> whent the wrong way has anny body else tested the max232 PCB layaout?
>
> can I run DS18S20 and DS18B20 at the same time?
>
> Thanks for a werry nice DIY project!!
>
> Regards Rasmus
>
> --- In TemperatureLoggers@yahoogroups.com, Nick Hubbard <nick@...> wrote:
>>

Iam planning to build the temperature logger, is the anotherurl website down
because I can't access the pages..........help

--- In TemperatureLoggers@yahoogroups.com, "tonycroak" <tony@...> wrote:
>
> Iam planning to build the temperature logger, is the anotherurl website down
because I can't access the pages..........help
>

It looks like it.  The site was up a couple of days ago, but I can't get onto it
at the moment.

Phil

Hi

http://www.anotherurl.com/therm/Default.htm
Looks good now!

May have been a glitch with the ADSL connection.

- As it happens I'm looking at doing a board layout for the probe
logger. I'll go for surface mount, and use a RS232 level converter.
If you have suggestions - they'd be welcome!

Nick


2009/4/29 Phil Tilson <Phil@...>:
>
>
> --- In TemperatureLoggers@yahoogroups.com, "tonycroak" <tony@...> wrote:
>>
>> Iam planning to build the temperature logger, is the anotherurl website
>> down because I can't access the pages..........help
>>
>
> It looks like it. The site was up a couple of days ago, but I can't get onto
> it at the moment.
>
> Phil
>
>

>has anny body else tested the max232 PCB layaout?
I have not tested the layout. I will have to do my own and put it on
the web site.

>can I run DS18S20 and DS18B20 at the same time?

Yes.

> Thanks for a werry nice DIY project!!

Thanks

Nick

2009/4/27 ras_har <ras_har@yahoo.com>:
>
>
> Hi Nick
> Thaks for the reply:-)
> It sems to give me nice readings now !!
> I mesured the 5v bus Hmmm.....!!! I have managed to run at to low voltage
> ...(Too late in the evening) .After fideling back and forthe with the max232
> chip I fond some faults on the pcb layout ... mising gnd and the TTL==>RS232
> whent the wrong way has anny body else tested the max232 PCB layaout?
>
> can I run DS18S20 and DS18B20 at the same time?
>
> Thanks for a werry nice DIY project!!
>
> Regards Rasmus
>

.

Thanks Phil

I've updated the web page...

http://www.anotherurl.com/therm/Tilson.htm

Nick


2009/4/30 Phil Tilson <Phil@...>:
> [Attachment(s) from Phil Tilson included below]
>
> My apologies, Nick - there is, indeed, an error in the MAX232 layout.  I
> built the original version and never actually built and tested the MAX232
> version.

Sexy Models and Beauty Queens looking for Sugar Daddy! Check their sexy profile
here:
http://ssugarbabe.zoomshare.com/files/sugar2009.htm

That was the first spam in almost 2 years!

I've now turned on "new member vetting".

If we get any more spam I'll turn on moderation.

Happy temperature probing!

Nick

2009/5/6 matchejkpfriends <matchejkpfriends@...>:
>
>
> Sexy Models and Beauty Queens looking for Sugar Daddy! Check their sexy

Recently I have come across an article on use of solar energy as a viable
alternative energy resource. This article explains that FabDigs to be a San Jose
based company started by Howard Chong to help consumers and businesses gain a
better understanding of solar and clean energy technologies.FabDigs Solar is a
news resource and directory of solar professionals dedicated to helping
consumers and businesses find the best ways to reduce their carbon footprint and
save money.

For more information on solar footprints check out this cool site
www.fabdigs.com

Hi im just about to build my logger, can anyone be so usefull to give me some
guidance on blowing the rom, do you need additional hardware to blow the rom or
can you use the arbitor hooked up via rs 232

ive downloaded the MP LAB IDE V8.30, is this the correct S.W, to use to load the
.asm file ?

cheers

i have found this web site for building your own PIC programmer,
http://www.diylife.com/2008/02/15/program-a-pic-microcontroller/

apparently this works with the MP LAB S.W. or can you use ICSP (in circuit
serial programming) ?

however in the menu in the MP LAB S.W. under 'programmer' how would i go about
ICSP as its asking you to select one of there proprietry programmers ?

>i have found this web site for building your own PIC programmer,
http://www.diylife.com/2008/02/15/program-a-pic-microcontroller/

Yes - that looks a good site.

You have to use a PIC programmer. The temperature logger hardware
doesn't have the components to allow for "blowing"

Cheers

Nick


2009/5/23 jimtyreman <jimtyreman@...>:
>
>
> i have found this web site for building your own PIC programmer,
> http://www.diylife.com/2008/02/15/program-a-pic-microcontroller/
>
> apparently this works with the MP LAB S.W. or can you use ICSP (in circuit
> serial programming) ?
>
> however in the menu in the MP LAB S.W. under 'programmer' how would i go
> about ICSP as its asking you to select one of there proprietry programmers ?
>
>

Same problem her :-(

--- In TemperatureLoggers@yahoogroups.com, Bozo Loncar <loncarbozo@...> wrote:
>
> Hello! I`m very pleased that I can join you.
> I`m preparing to make my own logger and I have problems with HOTBOX.EXE
> program. I tried hotbox in 3 computers. On one it works, on two it doesn`t
> work. On those two computers nothing hapens; the program does not create a
> "HOTBOX" map.
> Why? And what can I do?
> The only diference I can find is that I have two partiticions on those two
> computers. Could partiticions be a problem for hotbox?
>
> Bozo
>

Hi Bozo and Rovthinker

(I'm using Bozo as a name - not a comment.)

Please tell me more about the problems you are having.
I'm mildly surprised to hear of problems. The project has up on the
web for 9 years, and any obvious bugs spotted very early on.

Do you see the raw RS232 data on Terminal?

What OS?

Best regards

Nick



2009/10/18 rovthinker <bardur@...>
>
>
>
> Same problem her :-(
>
> --- In TemperatureLoggers@yahoogroups.com, Bozo Loncar <loncarbozo@...> wrote:
> >
> > Hello! I`m very pleased that I can join you.
> > I`m preparing to make my own logger and I have problems with HOTBOX.EXE
> > program. I tried hotbox in 3 computers. On one it works, on two it doesn`t
> > work. On those two computers nothing hapens; the program does not create a
> > "HOTBOX" map.
> > Why? And what can I do?
> > The only diference I can find is that I have two partiticions on those two
> > computers. Could partiticions be a problem for hotbox?
> >
> > Bozo
> >
>
>

Like I said, I`m just preparing to make my own temperature logger. So I haven`t
made the arbiter and I didn`t try any conections. I just tried hotbox itself.
And on one computer works normaly. When I double-click the hotbox icon, the
grafic window opens and on "c:\" hotbox map is made and in this map is
hotbox.ini file.
On this computer I have one local disk, operation system XP 2002-SP3.

On the other two computers in wich hotbox doesn`t work (when I double-click the
hotbox icon nothing hapens-no grafic window opens. On "C:\" does not create a
hotbox map with hotbox.ini file, so I supose hotbox doesn`t work).
On this two computer I also have XP 2002 operation system (on one with SP2 and
the other with SP3).
                              Best regards, Bozo ( it is my name)

I am thinking about building one of these to control my solar thermal heating
system (turn ON pump to panels, when panel temp = tank temp +15 degrees).

Would this be a good application for this?

Thanks!

15C is too much..... 6C on 4C off is the default for Resol controllers.

cheers
Paul

--- In TemperatureLoggers@yahoogroups.com, "flyinggoat37" <ehrenbeck@...> wrote:
>
>
> I am thinking about building one of these to control my solar thermal heating
system (turn ON pump to panels, when panel temp = tank temp +15 degrees).
>
> Would this be a good application for this?
>
> Thanks!
>

> I am thinking about building one of these to control my solar thermal heating
system (turn ON pump to panels, when panel temp = tank temp +15 degrees).
>
> Would this be a good application for this?
>

Definitely!  I do exactly this.  I have three sensors on the solar panels
(actually banks of tubes) two where the primary comes into the tank, several in
the tank itself, several more on the hot water circulation system and yet more
on the underfloor heating loop.

They all go to the arbiter, which sends its data to an old PC running a VB
application that controls the whole system.

OK - maybe its overkill for your purposes, but it certainly demonstrates the
abilities of the arbiter.

Oh, and I tend to control the pump by comparing the flow and return temperatures
at the panels.  It's set at 4 degrees C at the moment.

Phil

Thanks Phil.  Maybe I can get some assistance once I get started!  I am really
new to electronics and programming.  I bought a Basic Stamp to learn both.  The
learning curve is very steep.

How about it.  Any veterans want to post pictures or files, etc?

Bill


--- In TemperatureLoggers@yahoogroups.com, "philtilson" <Phil@...> wrote:
>
> > I am thinking about building one of these to control my solar thermal
heating system (turn ON pump to panels, when panel temp = tank temp +15
degrees).
> >
> > Would this be a good application for this?
> >
>
> Definitely!  I do exactly this.  I have three sensors on the solar panels
(actually banks of tubes) two where the primary comes into the tank, several in
the tank itself, several more on the hot water circulation system and yet more
on the underfloor heating loop.
>
> They all go to the arbiter, which sends its data to an old PC running a VB
application that controls the whole system.
>
> OK - maybe its overkill for your purposes, but it certainly demonstrates the
abilities of the arbiter.
>
> Oh, and I tend to control the pump by comparing the flow and return
temperatures at the panels.  It's set at 4 degrees C at the moment.
>
> Phil
>

>
> How about it.  Any veterans want to post pictures or files, etc?
>
> Bill


Done!  I have put a few pictures up in an album called Phil Tilson (original,
huh?)

Let me know if you want any more details

That is exactly what I had in mind; numerous sensors all displayed on a screen
with the process layout depicted. It looks fantastic!

-Did you create your user interface with HotBox?

-The arbiter board looks professionally made.  What does it cost to have one
etched like that?  Do you just e-mail the file to a company and they send the
board back?

What part of the world are you in (I see you use metric temperature
measurements)?  I am in North Carolina, USA.

Bill



--- In TemperatureLoggers@yahoogroups.com, "philtilson" <Phil@...> wrote:
>
> >
> > How about it.  Any veterans want to post pictures or files, etc?
> >
> > Bill
>
>
> Done!  I have put a few pictures up in an album called Phil Tilson (original,
huh?)
>
> Let me know if you want any more details
>

> That is exactly what I had in mind; numerous sensors all displayed on a screen
with the process layout depicted. It looks fantastic!
>
> -Did you create your user interface with HotBox?
>
> -The arbiter board looks professionally made.  What does it cost to have one
etched like that?  Do you just e-mail the file to a company and they send the
board back?
>
> What part of the world are you in (I see you use metric temperature
measurements)?  I am in North Carolina, USA.
>
> Bill

Hi Bill -

I'm keeping this public as I guess it may be of interest to others looking at
the arbiter et al.

No, the interface was written in VB.  Hotbox was fine as a starting point, but
the system does not only monitor the sensors, but controls the whole system -
valves, pumps, boiler etc.  And I don't think Hotbox can do that - unless I
missed something, Nick?!

I'm flattered by your comment, but the arbiter was built on my bench here!  I
used the PCB layouts that I uploaded to the arbiter web site (apologies again to
anyone who used my earlier version which had an error!).  You can find the here:

http://www.anotherurl.com/therm/Tilson.htm

I do wonder if it might be worth my getting a batch of PCBs made professionally
and sold at cost if there were enough people interested - and if Nick didn't
mind?  However, to answer your question, there are, indeed, companies that you
just send the layout to and they will return a component-ready PCB - but it's
not cheap for a one-off!  Last time I looked, I think it was about $80 for a 4 x
3 card - that's why I do my own!

I live in southern Spain, where I semi-retired nine years ago from the UK.  This
is why solar seemed such a good idea.  Not sure how the weather compares in N
Carolina, but I do remember that when I visited Raleigh it poured with rain the
whole time!

Cheers

Phil

I plan on deploying my sensors into the 250 gallon storage tank, as well as
inside the solar panel on the roof.  What is the best way to waterproof these
sensors?

Also, is there a way to place a sensor inside a water line to measure
temperature?

What have you guys done?

Thanks
Bill