Hi, I recently developed an addiction to your videos, I love to buy techie stuff from China and try it out, but I have to say you are indeed a true master. The Lm324, which I have often used,t is a quad op amp, not a comparator. Just had to mention that as in all other aspects your knowledge of which chip does what is vastly superior to mine :-) Keep up the good work!
Julian, I suspect those MOSFETs were intended to be placed on the other side of the board originally. Maybe they had heat issues and soldered them at the back? Very strange indeed
Honestly on most of the stuff you buy the likelihood you're getting some Chinese IC or MOSFET stamped with popular part numbers is pretty high. so realistically getting a completely blank component is just as useful as most of the labeled components since the values you'll find on the data sheet for the real part are almost useless when working with a Chinese cloned part.
Hi Julian, Curious on the OSD and how the MAX7456 has become DP7456 as marked on this chip? Have you powered this module up and got video in and out as yet? Thanks for your interesting videos. Mike.
The transmitter may be setup to expect an automatic ACK packet from the receiver depending on how it is configured by whatever library you are using, so the receiver may need to be just as powerful. I believe this can be disabled in software but you will have to do your own error correction and not mind packets going missing.
Good point. Missing packets shouldn't be a problem - I'm just going to send a set of data repeatedly - if it occasionally corrupts, it probably won't matter.
love ur videos mate, as an spaniard your accent is perfect for me to understand, Id like to ask you if you can put in the description the links for the stuff that you buy and show on postbag videos , cheers !
Absolutely cool, what you are doing here. Entertaining, educational and reminded me of how much fun it is, to warm up the iron and make something. I really think we should exchange some knowledge, but I cannot find sort of an email address where I can contact you?
Interesting, I have five similar charge controllers, but they DO have the LED display. All it does is shows what setting the light timer is on and nothing more. The battery status is just a couple ov LEDs. I "liberated" them from the backs ov some folding solar panels I bought for a bargain price in late 2012 due to the seller believing they were faulty. My ones have a similar Mosfet configuration and are rated for 10 amps. The exact same dodgy pressure mount heatsink system. However, they actually perform pretty well. I have one on my 250AH 24volt AGM battery bank with about 180 watts ov panels. It's really just a place filler until I get a really good controller there, but nevertheless it seems to do the job. It does this crazy oscillation thing every 20 seconds or so, even if it is in the bulk charge stage. I am starting to wonder if this is actually some desulphation cycle because it makes similar tones to a commercial desulphation unit that my partner gave me for the Winter Solstice. When it hits actual regulation though the PWM is quite "stuttery". More like a raoid on-off than true PWM perhaps. I did originally have it on a circuit (using a add-on I built to allow it to handle at least 30 amps) controlling a 400AH 12volt AGM bank that supplies my recording studio. However those tones I mentioned managed to find their way through a very high quality pure sine inverter and into my recording rig - especially distorted guitar ov course...! So from that situation it had to go! I'm looking forward to receiving the PWM5 by the way..! :)
Yeah, I don't think it's proper PWM. I'm expecting it to switch rapidly between two voltage points. Looking forward to hearing that 20s oscillation thingy. PWM5 should be with you soon - shipping to NZ is usually pretty quick.
I've got a few NRF24L01+ last week (again something I weirdly ordered just to see you make a video about it a week after that). Two of the simple ones (integrated antenna), one with an antenna U.FL connector (the type that the internal laptop wifi antennas connect to; take care they are only rated for a few connects before they need to be replaced) and one with the same connector and including the LNA and PA. I've tested them with the Arduino RF24 library. They worked through two 30cm cinderblock walls but failed at 3. The signal of the PA version could be received through 3 walls, but the return packet of the non-PA version was not seen by the PA.
Julian Ilett I've used the "RF24" library from here: github.com/maniacbug/RF24 . I don't know if any others are better or support more options. The main reason was that I wanted to check out if the modules I got in the mail are working. Of all the pages that explained Arduino+NRF24 I liked arduino-info.wikispaces.com/Nrf24L01-2.4GHz-HowTo best (it's very good documentation including photos, NRF24 caveats - the modules are picky with their power - and examples; and btw. has a few other Arduino projects/howtos). It used that library, so I used it, too. One thing with the library that cost me an hour or two and a few hairs of those I've left: the RF24 GettingStarted example (in principle a ping-pong setup for two Arduinos) did NOT set a node to pong (i. e. reply) by default (it did in a sense, but it was not set up correctly). So you have to set a node to transmit role and then back to receive role again via a serial connection for it to reply to pings. Or you can just activate two lines in the setup function, which are there but commented out for some reason. You're then ready to go as soon as you connect power (I ran around with a single cell LiPo connected).
Julian Ilett Just wanted to add: a newer version of the above library can be found here: github.com/tmrh20/RF24 It's a fork of the RF24 of maniacbug library, but more maintained. I haven't used it yet, but from the source it looks like everything should still work the same. The library is now also linked on the NRF24L01 page on Arduino playground: playground.arduino.cc/InterfacingWithHardware/Nrf24L01
superdau Thanks for that. Tomorrow, I'm thinking of doing a 1-day project to get one Arduino sending data to another using the nRF24L01+ modules. I'll be using some of these links you've provided to try and get it all up and running.
I think it is PWM? It starts to limit current when its up to voltage? Have a look at my video of my scope on the output, see what you think? CMTP02 does seem to be pwm
Julian you will not have much joy with the minimOSD until you reflash the firmware with the KVOSD variant. Out of the packet these things are flashed to suit the ardupilot flight control board using the mavlink protocol. Without the mavlink heartbeats from the ardupilot nothing useful will be displayed. For a very comprehensive intro to the minimOSD see here How to Setup KV OSD MinimOSD Naze32. If you are not fussed by the full autonomous funtions of the ardupilot I can recommend the Naze32 board. This is more of a pilots board and can be run under multiwii or baseflight firmware. For safety sake alone I recommend you learn to fly ypur multicopter before using any autonomous control. You may not know it yet but you have opened a large can of worms, interesting can of worms though, with this stuff.
Yes, I can see that this is a catering-sized can of worms, but that's fine, it'll sit comfortably next to all the other cans in my hobby projects larder. I'm leaning toward the ardupilot at the moment, simply because it has the autonomous functions, FPV and all the other bells and whistles. Also I'm a sucker for anything with "Ardu" in the name. But I will check out the Naze32.
Ha! I just bought load of the lower power NRF24L01+ modules. The price is astonishingly low for those - £2.67 including postage for FOUR of them from joytownonline. If I can make these work it knocks the zigbee into a cocked hat. I _was_ going to use a hacked TP-Link TL-WR703N to send wireless data from my remote 'garden controller' with Arduino Mega, but now it looks like NRF24L01+ all the way!
When I receive goods from ebay and it' either damaged or the wrong item even if it's $1.00USD I write them and insist they credit me or send me the right one. I don't mind them making a fortune, but some of these sellers have a room full of damaged goods and if they sell 100,000 that's a $100,000.00USD in their pocket for nothing but your waiting and they'll never stop.
I Love Julian!! Ready? "You are making a Vocoder. I am from the Future. 5 Years. The Cosmos Loves You". (Deep Outer space Sounding Voice, English Accent). We Like What We Have Seen. Daughter Boards, Genius. Component Placement and Securing..Exemplary. Your Soldering skills are, well....you solder awesome. The temp is right, you flow alright, it's just that you call it "SOUL..DER"! I'm alright with that. Carry on, Mate. 😃 (USA). Don't change a thing.
Okay thanks .... Want to do the same with a rd boat I'm smacking but unsure if it would be usefully to use the arduino as I think the APM 2.6 can do it.
Hi, I recently developed an addiction to your videos, I love to buy techie stuff from China and try it out, but I have to say you are indeed a true master. The Lm324, which I have often used,t is a quad op amp, not a comparator. Just had to mention that as in all other aspects your knowledge of which chip does what is vastly superior to mine :-) Keep up the good work!
Is it just me, or is that SMD capacitor WAY off it's pads on the NRF2401+ module?
Julian, I suspect those MOSFETs were intended to be placed on the other side of the board originally. Maybe they had heat issues and soldered them at the back? Very strange indeed
best title on youtube
I have been using the NRF+ PA LNA for my Shop Alarm for about a year now. It work Great
Honestly on most of the stuff you buy the likelihood you're getting some Chinese IC or MOSFET stamped with popular part numbers is pretty high. so realistically getting a completely blank component is just as useful as most of the labeled components since the values you'll find on the data sheet for the real part are almost useless when working with a Chinese cloned part.
Hi Julian, Curious on the OSD and how the MAX7456 has become DP7456 as marked on this chip? Have you powered this module up and got video in and out as yet?
Thanks for your interesting videos. Mike.
The transmitter may be setup to expect an automatic ACK packet from the receiver depending on how it is configured by whatever library you are using, so the receiver may need to be just as powerful. I believe this can be disabled in software but you will have to do your own error correction and not mind packets going missing.
Good point. Missing packets shouldn't be a problem - I'm just going to send a set of data repeatedly - if it occasionally corrupts, it probably won't matter.
4:58 LM324 is a quad op-amp, op-amps could be used as comparators in a PWM circuit. Not saying it is, just a clue. Cheers.
As far as charging with the solar cell, try building a juelthief circuit I have seen this done successfully before.
love ur videos mate, as an spaniard your accent is perfect for me to understand, Id like to ask you if you can put in the description the links for the stuff that you buy and show on postbag videos , cheers !
Looking forward to seeing the OSD in use!
Just investigating FPV for my first tricopter build. :)
I'm going to have a play with it first - loading different software to see what works.
Absolutely cool, what you are doing here. Entertaining, educational and reminded me of how much fun it is, to warm up the iron and make something. I really think we should exchange some knowledge, but I cannot find sort of an email address where I can contact you?
Interesting, I have five similar charge controllers, but they DO have the LED display. All it does is shows what setting the light timer is on and nothing more. The battery status is just a couple ov LEDs. I "liberated" them from the backs ov some folding solar panels I bought for a bargain price in late 2012 due to the seller believing they were faulty. My ones have a similar Mosfet configuration and are rated for 10 amps. The exact same dodgy pressure mount heatsink system.
However, they actually perform pretty well. I have one on my 250AH 24volt AGM battery bank with about 180 watts ov panels. It's really just a place filler until I get a really good controller there, but nevertheless it seems to do the job. It does this crazy oscillation thing every 20 seconds or so, even if it is in the bulk charge stage. I am starting to wonder if this is actually some desulphation cycle because it makes similar tones to a commercial desulphation unit that my partner gave me for the Winter Solstice. When it hits actual regulation though the PWM is quite "stuttery". More like a raoid on-off than true PWM perhaps.
I did originally have it on a circuit (using a add-on I built to allow it to handle at least 30 amps) controlling a 400AH 12volt AGM bank that supplies my recording studio. However those tones I mentioned managed to find their way through a very high quality pure sine inverter and into my recording rig - especially distorted guitar ov course...! So from that situation it had to go!
I'm looking forward to receiving the PWM5 by the way..! :)
Yeah, I don't think it's proper PWM. I'm expecting it to switch rapidly between two voltage points. Looking forward to hearing that 20s oscillation thingy. PWM5 should be with you soon - shipping to NZ is usually pretty quick.
I've got a few NRF24L01+ last week (again something I weirdly ordered just to see you make a video about it a week after that).
Two of the simple ones (integrated antenna), one with an antenna U.FL connector (the type that the internal laptop wifi antennas connect to; take care they are only rated for a few connects before they need to be replaced) and one with the same connector and including the LNA and PA.
I've tested them with the Arduino RF24 library. They worked through two 30cm cinderblock walls but failed at 3. The signal of the PA version could be received through 3 walls, but the return packet of the non-PA version was not seen by the PA.
Interesting. I just haven't got round to playing with them yet. Which library did you use?
Julian Ilett
I've used the "RF24" library from here: github.com/maniacbug/RF24 . I don't know if any others are better or support more options. The main reason was that I wanted to check out if the modules I got in the mail are working. Of all the pages that explained Arduino+NRF24 I liked arduino-info.wikispaces.com/Nrf24L01-2.4GHz-HowTo best (it's very good documentation including photos, NRF24 caveats - the modules are picky with their power - and examples; and btw. has a few other Arduino projects/howtos). It used that library, so I used it, too.
One thing with the library that cost me an hour or two and a few hairs of those I've left: the RF24 GettingStarted example (in principle a ping-pong setup for two Arduinos) did NOT set a node to pong (i. e. reply) by default (it did in a sense, but it was not set up correctly). So you have to set a node to transmit role and then back to receive role again via a serial connection for it to reply to pings. Or you can just activate two lines in the setup function, which are there but commented out for some reason. You're then ready to go as soon as you connect power (I ran around with a single cell LiPo connected).
Thanks for that very detailed reply. I think I'm suitably inspired to have a play with these now.
Julian Ilett
Just wanted to add: a newer version of the above library can be found here:
github.com/tmrh20/RF24
It's a fork of the RF24 of maniacbug library, but more maintained. I haven't used it yet, but from the source it looks like everything should still work the same. The library is now also linked on the NRF24L01 page on Arduino playground: playground.arduino.cc/InterfacingWithHardware/Nrf24L01
superdau Thanks for that. Tomorrow, I'm thinking of doing a 1-day project to get one Arduino sending data to another using the nRF24L01+ modules. I'll be using some of these links you've provided to try and get it all up and running.
The higher price on the 20amp one is purely to cover returns.
Did I miss an episode ? Is there a copter / model plane project in the plan ? I hope so, I'd love to see such a project.
In my '10k thanks' video I said I'd start looking at quadcopters and 3D printing - quads first.
Julian Ilett Excellent. Looking forward to that series.
I'm looking to get a NRF module as well. Maybe I will get some of those.
those 2 solar controllers are all over ebay/amazon, all the selllers claim it as mppt, and it's highly probable they are all exactly the same inside
It's a minefield. Seems pretty much all of the cheap solar charge controllers are fakes.
Hey Julian, have you actually measured if the SCC uses PWM or not? Maybe you could take a quick look at your scope, would be interesting I think :)
I'll do that
I think it is PWM? It starts to limit current when its up to voltage?
Have a look at my video of my scope on the output, see what you think?
CMTP02 does seem to be pwm
Hi
I was trying to find the flathead pen that u were using but I can't find it can u tell me the name thanks.
Julian you will not have much joy with the minimOSD until you reflash the firmware with the KVOSD variant. Out of the packet these things are flashed to suit the ardupilot flight control board using the mavlink protocol. Without the mavlink heartbeats from the ardupilot nothing useful will be displayed. For a very comprehensive intro to the minimOSD see here
How to Setup KV OSD MinimOSD Naze32.
If you are not fussed by the full autonomous funtions of the ardupilot I can recommend the Naze32 board. This is more of a pilots board and can be run under multiwii or baseflight firmware. For safety sake alone I recommend you learn to fly ypur multicopter before using any autonomous control.
You may not know it yet but you have opened a large can of worms, interesting can of worms though, with this stuff.
Yes, I can see that this is a catering-sized can of worms, but that's fine, it'll sit comfortably next to all the other cans in my hobby projects larder.
I'm leaning toward the ardupilot at the moment, simply because it has the autonomous functions, FPV and all the other bells and whistles. Also I'm a sucker for anything with "Ardu" in the name. But I will check out the Naze32.
are you just random buying this stuff on ebay, or do you even use it someday?
gamerpaddy Hopefully, I'll use it all eventually
Soon he'll have a space ship.
@@MrBrymstond Oh Ya! Solar Powered, of course. :-)
Ha! I just bought load of the lower power NRF24L01+ modules. The price is astonishingly low for those - £2.67 including postage for FOUR of them from joytownonline.
If I can make these work it knocks the zigbee into a cocked hat. I _was_ going to use a hacked TP-Link TL-WR703N to send wireless data from my remote 'garden controller' with Arduino Mega, but now it looks like NRF24L01+ all the way!
They are super cheap, and there's a library for them - somewhere
When I receive goods from ebay and it' either damaged or the wrong item even if it's $1.00USD I write them and insist they credit me or send me the right one. I don't mind them making a fortune, but some of these sellers have a room full of damaged goods and if they sell 100,000 that's a $100,000.00USD in their pocket for nothing but your waiting and they'll never stop.
LNA stands for low-noise amplifier. :-)
PA = Power Amplifier for TX LNA = Low Noise Amplifier for the RX.
Love you and your "Videos"!! You Digital Information Re layer.
I Love Julian!! Ready?
"You are making a Vocoder. I am from the Future. 5 Years. The Cosmos Loves You". (Deep Outer space Sounding Voice, English Accent). We Like What We Have Seen. Daughter Boards, Genius. Component Placement and Securing..Exemplary. Your Soldering skills are, well....you solder awesome. The temp is right, you flow alright, it's just that you call it "SOUL..DER"! I'm alright with that. Carry on, Mate. 😃 (USA).
Don't change a thing.
Thanks - I will :)
Really like your videos!
LNA = Low Noise Amplifier
Thanks and thanks
did you do anything with the OCD ???
Bryce Davey I'm starting my quadcopter build soon, so I'll take another look at the OSD.
Okay thanks .... Want to do the same with a rd boat I'm smacking but unsure if it would be usefully to use the arduino as I think the APM 2.6 can do it.
Rc not rd
Tidied your office? :)
Thanks for all the effort you put into the channel - re-awakened an interest in building stuff instead of just coding
I hope you demanded a refund for that solar charger.
LNA: Low Noise Amplifier?
+Marc Jacobi
yes, Low Noise Amplifier.
Heat Sinks, Shrinky Dinks! Yes, I suppose we need them.
That fuse was a 15 amp
SCAM!!!
Isn't it fun getting 'postbags' from China? It's one of the best things about buying this stuff.
Normally great fun, occasionally disappointing - got about 20 more items in the pipeline
LNA = Low Noise Amplifier :D