Microcontroller PI Treasure Hunter NEW PIC CODE

[NoDad]

I've just finished a complete re-write of the PIC assembler code for this design. I've put in facilities for 2 memories as well as a power on default (also customisable), with save and recall as well as adjustment of all parameters, indication of memory in use etc. Would this be of use to others, or is this design not considered good?

[simeon webber]

Re: Microcontroller PI Treasure Hunter NEW PIC CODE

send me a copy please

i adjusted the code to work on a 20 mhz cpu

but i didnt rebuild it

i was going too and so were several other nicko etc

but knowone seams interested or has never built one

short of a reworked pcb it is pretty lame though in detector terms most i have had out of it was about 30 - 40 cm

and 60 - 80 in air with a 2p

let see your code... email at the top

[simeon webber]

Re: Microcontroller PI Treasure Hunter NEW PIC CODE

i also added a button on rb7 for pulse enable disable pull rb7 high the pulse runs

so i can use a tilt switch {dont forget to cover it in tinfoil and gnd it to the pcb gnd

[NoDad]

Re: Microcontroller PI Treasure Hunter NEW PIC CODE

Simeon,
Thanks for the info. I haven't built the detector yet. I found several bugs in the original code and so re-wrote it from scratch with added features memories and indicators. The code is finished except for limit checks on the adjustments (to make sure that long coil on time is not combined with short wait between pulses, which would damage the FET). I can also see improvements which could be made to the circuit but I need to build it first.
Is it quite stable and how does it compare to other PI detectors?
I'm quite happy for you to have a copy of the code but it has not been tested (except by software emulation). Let me get the unit made first (should take about 4 weeks) then I'll let you have all the mods to the circuit as well.

[Carl]

Re: Microcontroller PI Treasure Hunter NEW PIC CODE

I think there are a number of experimenters who would like to try your code. If you want, I can add it to the Stuart project page.

- Carl

[Nicko]

Re: Microcontroller PI Treasure Hunter NEW PIC CODE

Hi,

I should point out that I lost interest in this design as there were aspects of it that seemed rather obtuse...

Instead, I'm now building a completely new design (my own), sorry.

I agree that the PIC code is "not good" and needed re-writing from scratch - I didn't do that as I had to finish a robotics project for my kids (just got a new milling machine to make stepper motor bits etc. - great fun - my xmas present to myself ;-)

Nicko

[NoDad]

Re: Microcontroller PI Treasure Hunter NEW PIC CODE

Thanks Nicko,
I'm pretty confident that the PIC code will be robust but I will not know until I have built the rest of the hardware what changes need making. I may experiment with two outputs on the pic to better capture the wanted signal and seperate it from the op-amp, which I notice does not have any current amplification on the output. A complimentary pair of transistors would better capture the peak signal rather than the simple R/C in the existing circuit. I wonder if anyone has tried this?
Anyway good luck with the milling machine, enjoy your xmas pressie.

[simeon webber]

Re: Microcontroller PI Treasure Hunter NEW PIC CODE

thanks let me know...


i also added a pair of fets to the 555 stage
set up as a squelch {with a variable to set it} when there is zero output the "squelch switches in to dampen the audio" the amount is adjustable


so this is a little fix too add to a built stuart.....

you can also mod the detect freq using a lower cap on pin 3 gives a higher freq ...


so... many mods for the guys like me own a stuart design can be done
{like surgery } some of these would be good too add as a topic list with diagrams

ill add a couple one to give a dual tap coil and added fet with beefed up pump

[salasm]

Re: Microcontroller PI Treasure Hunter NEW PIC CODE

where is the web page for this project?

pleasa apologiza my english