Another home built controller (Arduino)

[Npntransistor]

Decided just to start my own thread instead of hijacking another :rolleyes:.

About halfway threw building my 64 Q Arduino controlled scripted controller.
64 Q's driven by 16 relays.
each Q has its own continuity LED
can fire any Q sequentially at any speed
Bluetooth will allow control from laptop or smartphone

options will be to fire any Q on demand or run a pre installed script.

I will upload pictures this weekend as I should be done with mock up by then.

[chriskrc]

Sounds like a cool firing system can't wait to see pictures.

[Npntransistor]

Mockup complete. Next more wiring.
894

[Npntransistor]

895896 communication cable between controller and relay board complete. Coming close to running some test :)

[displayfireworks1]

I wish I understood everything in the pictures but I don't. LOL I can tell the work is neat. Please keep posting the pictures or video and tell us about your progress along the way.

[Npntransistor]

Pleased to say that I ran my first system test and successfully set off a talon on demand. Hardware Is 90% completed and will post a demo video this weekend or early next week.

[Npntransistor]

Got a video, I have a sinus infection so sorry for the uber geek voice lol.

https://youtu.be/eBEVmJ4CqpI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBEVmJ4CqpI&feature=youtu.be

[displayfireworks1]

I like the way you did the key and switch at 49 seconds in your video. That was thinking ahead. Your putting a lot of hard work into your project and your making progress.

[djsmurf]

Awesome work Npntransistor!

[PapaBearPyro]

Great job, Thanks for the update video, greatly enjoy watching a plan come together. Get well soon on the nasal infection.
PBP

[Npntransistor]

Thanks guys,

Quick update:
I was working on a display to show what q is being fired since the system lacks indicator lights. Got it all hooked up and functional last night.
916

[PapaBearPyro]

Sweet, you'll be able to put on a bad a$$ show with that set up. :cool:
PBP

[Npntransistor]

Ok, update. Did a live test with some small effects and it went smoothly. 2 problems so far. 1. Bluetooth range is about half of what I was hoping. 2. Coding complex scripts is more time consuming then desired.

So, version 2 is in the works already. Ditching the relay board all together and going 100% solid state. Shrinking to 10 q with future expansion possible.

Started prototyping, what I have so far is an arduino triggering a monostable 555. The 555 hooked to a optocoupler hooked to a tip120 darlington.
The Adriano triggers the 555. The 555 is pre set to hold the q on for 2 sec. This allows the arduino to switch on each q very quickly (10-20ms) and scripting will be a cakewalk after the main code is written.

[PapaBearPyro]

Thanks for the update. I'm a e-match to fuse , hit 1, 2 etc. on the remote kinda guy so the engineering aspect of it is over my head. But I love following your project. Looks like you
got this stuff down cold. Keep us posted:cool:
PBP

[Npntransistor]

Update:

For right now I'm Ditching any kind of wireless or networking on the second version. I purchased a 4q china module off ebay as seen in one of dave's video. The new module is simply going to be a sequencer. I am also adding a "q input" to the original module retaining it's capabilities but making it trigger able from another system.

I would be hard pressed to make an rf remote and receiver for 15 bucks.

When it's all said and done I'll have a 64q sequence on 1 channel and a 10 q sequence on the other channel of the Chinese unit.

[Npntransistor]

Update:
Learning visual Basic and working on a graphical user interface. I Can now start music simultaneously with the script with one button click from pc woot! Did a test and I think I can pull off a crude pyromusical.

Video of progress coming soon......

[Npntransistor]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LZOqmNkJ274

Short update video

[Npntransistor]

https://youtu.be/ckI9yG6zd6g

Above link not working on my pc, take 2

[PapaBearPyro]

Watched the vid-cool. Thanx for the update. Are you going to name your system H.A.L (a nod to your background music) LOL. Loved that movie.
PBP

[Npntransistor]

Watched the vid-cool. Thanx for the update. Are you going to name your system H.A.L (a nod to your background music) LOL. Loved that movie.
PBP

H.ome built
A.utomated
L.ighter

That could work lol

[PapaBearPyro]

"Will I dream"-you sure will buddy in pyrotechnic glory :cool:
PBP

[Npntransistor]

Update:

Solved the range issue with the help of ebay. I picked up a set of Xbee pro modules very cheap. What this equates to is 2.4ghz RF communications with an advertised line of sight range of 5000+ feet. Got all the hardware mocked up and so far so good. This also means I can integrate the "V2" module along side this module on the same RF network.

[PapaBearPyro]

Keep at it Bro. PBP

[Npntransistor]

Update:

Unit works fine with talons, I tried plugging in more sensitive devices and all hell broke loose. 1 whole row has a (leak?) To ground. After 2 days of troubleshooting the problem is 100% the 16 channel sainsmart relay board.....
.05v of frustration :mad:........
I'm writing this one off as talon only and moving on to version 2 with built from scratch control circuitry.

[pyrohioman]

"Up from the ashes of disaster grow the roses of success":)

[Npntransistor]

Well I just got po'd enof to rip the relay board out and have a look. The copper traces are gummed up with solder everywhere around the optocouplers. There are also some solder skid marks across the back that are hair thin. Spent 30ming cleaning everything up. I am ordering a new board tomorrow and using this one in a simple controller that should be going this weekend. I'll call it v1.5 lol. Really ticked iv been working on this for 4 mo.

O well.

[Npntransistor]

Replaced the relay board and made new interface cables while I had it apart. The previous issue is now resolved!!

Continuing tests :cool:

[ilovecrackle]

"Up from the ashes of disaster grow the roses of success":)

I like that! :D

[Npntransistor]

Version 1.5 complete save adding binding posts and key switch.
998999

[Npntransistor]

Ok ran into another glitch on the 64q module,
I didn't take into account relay switching speed. When rapid firing multiple lines of the grid had ground simultaneously. A 200ms delay after each q eliminated the problem. I'm sure the time could be reduced but with a 300ms on time a total of .5sec per que is just easy math for me.

Working on integrating the 2 modules onto one mesh network. Allowing to fire say q1 mod1. Then q1 mod2. Ect.

Try to get another video of progress this weekend for those interested.

[djsmurf]

Keep it up and keep us posted man, looks awesome.

[PapaBearPyro]

Keep at it Brother and Thanks for the update. PBP

[Npntransistor]

Completed successful field test of 16Q module today.
https://youtu.be/1TdV29oit_E

[PapaBearPyro]

Nice Job PBP

[Npntransistor]

Update:
Building a reliable program in visual is a little beyond my abilities at this point, so I scratched that idea.

While searching the Internet for ideas I stumbled upon a program called VIXEN. It is used to script music to Christmas light displays. After spending a whole day finding and modifying an arduino sketch to fit my needs, bolth mods on 2 completely different radio channels are playing nicely with the software.

In the new configuration each mod operates completely independently, only common component being the software.

The software allows graphical scripting, real time playback and ability to pause/stop/rewind show.

I highly recommend anyone wanting to build a firing system to check out Vixen lights for a simple scripting solution.

I will post a new video when I do some field testing.

[JmFnG]

Thanks for sharing your ongoing project with us. Very interesting!

[PapaBearPyro]

Cool, can't wait for the vid. Bro. PBP

[Npntransistor]

simple script to test it all out, 8 small mines in 2 locations. 6 on the large mod, 2 on the small. I was very happy with the results.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBPni0SsRno&feature=youtu.be

[Npntransistor]

Well tomorrow is this little guys bid day. Using all 64 q's on the large module and 14 on the small. The final test!

Hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable holiday celebrating the birth of this awsome country.

[Npntransistor]

Show went well last night, Couple items didn't fire and it was a little slow at times but everyone seemed to enjoy it.
This video is unedited, it is of the first part on the show, show starts @30sec.

[Npntransistor]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB1VuR9kM4c&feature=youtu.be

[Redwood]

Npntransistor I've sent you a pm let me know if interested if not I'll just post it

[laquil]

Man you are a genius,

how can i can a schematic of this thing and the software i have arduino and i am a Fireworks grassy from Malta

[Npntransistor]

I never really made a schematic. When I get time I'll post the arduino sketch I used and links (with dave's permission) to sites where I accumulated it all from.

As a start http://www.vixenlights.com is the software I used to script the show. The sketch I will post will work with all versions of vixen lights. In a long and roundabout way I just built the same thing they use to script Christmas light shows. Wish I would have thought about that to start instead of reinventing the wheel.

I used xbee pro modules for wireless control.

Hope that gives you a starting point.

[PapaBearPyro]

Love it when a plan comes together-Nice job Brother PBP

[djsmurf]

Well done man!

[laquil]

Well done nice job ,,

waiting for a schematic and software ask Dave tp post it here,

if you need something from Malta just let me know,

We wish we have your technology, we can start firing from the moon
We have good fireworks but no good technology like USA

How can i visit your Country, is it that expensive there in USA were can I stay for a week?

[laquil]

Well Done good job brother

i have an Arduino in a box, but I need some one to give me a schematic and some scripts, the rest in the mortars no problem I have plenty
who can help me please

[laquil]

This video I can't watch why ?