Computer Monitoring Software

[JohnC]

Hi guys,

Just finished building 2 windmills, one from Hugh's plans and one simmular to Ed's.

Will post some pics as soon as I can borrow a digital Camera, along with test results.

My question is there a homebrew computer tracking software and hardware plans for recording voltage output,rpm and wind speed.

I know there are comercial ones but they are a arm and leg.

THX,

John E Cox

Ottawa, ON

Canada

[wdyasq]

http://www.dataq.com/ - has 4 channel A/D converters starting at $25 - I suggest looking at the $50 DI-148U for $50.

Ron

[JohnC]

Has anyone tried this product. Is user friendly. {for dummies}

[jimovonz]

Checkout the picaxe (based on the pic micro). I can get a picaxe 08M + proto board including all components to interface to my PC for around $US10. Uses very simple BASIC programming (or even program using graphical flowchart editor!). I'd be happy to help with programming. I highly recomend these chips - I have based many projects on these (+larger) chips.

Website: http://www.picaxe.co.uk

My local supplier: http://www.sicom.co.nz/xurl/PageID/2214/function/pgrplist/grpid/10984/style//picaxe-product.html

Picaxe 08M:

• Based around MicroChips new PIC12F683 (8 pin DIP)
  
• Drop-in replacement for PICAXE-08, allowing all classic commands.
  
• 8MHz or 4MHz operation
  
• Twice as much program/data memory ( 256 bytes, 80 lines )
  
• Interrupts supported (SETINT)
  
• PEEK and POKE to 48 bytes "RAM" (SFR)
  
• Three Hi Res 8-bit/10-bit analogue inputs
  
• IR receive and transmit ( enhanced SIRC protocol )
  
• Up to 4800 baud serial using SERIN/SEROUT
  
• Up to 9600 baud serial transmit using SERTXD
  
• Continuous PWM out ( 1 channel )
  
• Continuous Servo outputs ( 4 channels ? )
  
• DS18B20 temperature sensor support
  
• One-Wire Serial Number support
  
• TUNE and PLAY command
  
• 2.0V to 5.5V operation
  
• 1-4 Digital inputs
  
• 1-4 Digital outputs
  

[RE Pod]

Checkout this page...

http://thebackshed.com/Windmill/charger1.asp

This is for a charge controller based on the PICAXE chip.  It can out put data through a serial link to a pc. (Only voltage at present)

Shouldn't be too hard to add current monitoring in the software and hardware, to calculate Watts.

regards Terry.