PIC

Print

PIC Microprocessor

A while ago a started to program Microchips PIC micro processors.

A long time ago I did some microprocessor programming on school (6502, and a 68000 project), and that particular knowledge was still there I found out..That is also the reason I wrote these projects in assembly.

I've made two projects so far, and both of them are availbale here in schematics and source code. You're free to use it as you like. I think there is still some room for improvements on software level, but agian, I just started, and it does seem to work..;-)

Countdown Timer

The first project is a timer module with a 7 segment display. I use it to supply power to a, for example charger, or light source,  for an amount of time, and then cut the AC power to it.
It powers an AC outlet for max. 23 hours and 59 minutes. Timer countdown can be set by the minute.
Although it uses an internal 4 Mhz clock, it seems rather stable (in 24 hours there is maybe a few seconds difference)

Click here for my Timer project.


Light/Dark timer

My second project is a timer with an light / darkness sensor. I use it for the lights in my garden. Because it doesnt have to be on all night, I made a circut with a seperate darkness sensor and timer. Now this is in one package. a 16F628A drives an LCD for information, and generates an output depending on the setting in the device.
There are two timers that can turn the output on or off. It allows you to specify how the output works.

  • Auto - This means that the output is on when it is dark, and one of the timers is set.
  • Timer - this will ignore the darkness sensor, and set output on when the timers are set
  • Always on - nothing to explain for this setting
  • Always off - same here..
  • On when Dark - this will ignore the timers and set the ouptut on as soon as it is dark, and off when light again.

When your're not in a setup mode, the 'Set MM' key will toggle an hour for winter/summer time.
There is still some room for improvements. The code is rather large, thats why you need a 16F628A, because of its 2K program memory
This project can also be updated by using a DCF module.. maybe I will give that a go in the near future.

Click here for my LD_Timer project.


Version 2
I have als created a version that has no display unit, and can be controlled via RS232 only. It has the same functions as the previous project, except it has no display.

Click here for my Serial LD_Timer project.

Version 3
And a third version of this Timer is available. This time it will control 6 remote sockects (433Mhz). I just used 2 sets of 3 remote controled sockects, and use small relais to simulate the 'push' for on/off. The device is highly configurable. Outputs can pulse (as to simulate a push), or set to toggle (on and off).
Also the Pulse delay can be configured, and with this version the Hysteresis time can be set (form 1 to 155 seconds) as well. Some parts can only be changed with the included software, but most of it also via a simple rs232 Terminal session.

See description for more information about this.
Since I put a lot of effort in this, and used up all 2048 bytes of code memory,
I've decided not to make the source code available..


Click here for my Serial LD_Timer-MO project.

RGB Controller

With some help from Williams code (check this site: Williams Site) I created a RGB color changer. The program is more or less a copy of Williams RGB Controller, only I've added some more options. First of all, you can choose to cycle the color list manually instead of automatic, and I also added an option to display a color from the configuration program. This enables you to find the best suitable colors for the playlist when you have the RGB leds built in somewhere, and want to see how different colors make the difference.

Since I like VBA & Excel, I've created the programmer software in Excel. For more details see williams site, or click the link below for some screenshots, schematics and software.

Click here for my RGD Color LEDS

Code & Sources

If you're not able to program a PIC16F628A, and still wold like to make on of these projects? Send me an email (use the contact button in the menu), and w'll figure out if there is a way to get you a pre programmed PIC.

For others, both Sources and HEX (INHX8M) files are available for dowload