I have created my own version of the EmonGLCD, but instead of the GLCD used a 4 X 20 LCD instead. Main reason is I had these, but the GLCD is costly (compared to what I have) and I wanted to learn.
This is the first photo of it:
It uses alot of the GLCD code for the ways of doing things, but is just the display that is differrent.Currently is only on breadboard as I am wanting to move it from direct IO to running on a 74595 shift register, but the Jeelibs libary is stopping me at the moment, so I need to work on that.
Once all is done, I will upload code and schematic for everyone.
Jimmy
Re: EmonLCD not GLCD
Thank you for your contribution Jimmy,
I have a couple of 2x16 displays I'd like to use in a similar manner and I'm sure your code will be very helpful with that.
May I ask where you goat your breadboard? It looks like something that I would like.
Regards,
Michal
Re: EmonLCD not GLCD
Hi,
The breadboard I got from maplin, it is perfect for the bigger projects. Was close to £20 retail I think, but a little better for me as I work in head offices.
As I have a few jeeNodes doing various measurements around the house / garden, I intend to display their readings on the display also.
This has turned out to be a bigger project than I originally thought out. Next is the renta roof solar.
Jimmy
Re: EmonLCD not GLCD
Here is the Schematic and the board layout (v0.1) that I have laid out. Not really done any checking as it is something I have always wanted to do, nut not sure how to go about it.
When I come to build, it will be on strip board as I have plenty of this at home and work.
Where is the best place to pop up the code? I don't know how to github?
Jimmy
Re: EmonLCD not GLCD
That display looks very clear Jimmy, nice work.
It would be a good idea to add some decoupling capacitors across your power supply when you build your final board (I'm only saying this because there's none shown on your schematic).
Re: EmonLCD not GLCD
Martin, that is a fair comment, I will look into this, i guess a 0.1uF cap would do this fine (need to get a scope to see the ripple).
As promised the code is in the Zip File, it is a blatant hack of the emonGLCD, but I like the way it works and it seems to fill my needs.
Well I make it bed time, and tomorrow if I get chance, after removing mode dirt from the garden I will try again at making it SPI compatible so as to only use 1 extra IO pin, so I can bring in the warning lights I would like to such as (temp warning, consumption warning, hot water tank warnings.
With these I will be able to see the status of just about everything that I see important to me. Really glad I found this community, and can share my ideas.
Jimmy
Re: EmonLCD not GLCD
bugger... the zip file is gone... also have 3 of these displays... one of them with RGB backlight...
any chance that jimmy is still arround?
Re: EmonLCD not GLCD
Hi,
Yes I am still around.
I am looking for the source code myself as I am looking to build another one of these again to put in the office at home so that I can get more info about my energy while coming up with new ideas.
As soon as I find it, I will add the files back here (not sure where its gone) but also on a personal server too so that it should not disappear again.
Jimmy
Re: EmonLCD not GLCD
Found it!!!
Re: EmonLCD not GLCD
thanks a lot :-D
Re: EmonLCD not GLCD
No worries mate, thats the joy of open source.
The code is a little crude, but it all works and you can get it talking to other nodes around the house as well.
As an example I have extended it further to give the following display:
The coloured "zones" show the following...
Red Lef t: Energy Consumption, Generation and import / export.
Red Right : Time
Green : Current Temperature
Yellow : Central Heating / Hot water status
White : Hot Water cylinder Temps.
It is supprising how much data it is possible to get on one screen.
Jimmy
Re: EmonLCD not GLCD
yeah... i still have the files here and just need to figure what data i want..
dont have solar stuff so for me there are 2 areas i can fill up
are the central heating simple on and of indicators?
Re: EmonLCD not GLCD
Q: how long does batterly last? and which do you use?
i am extending the eagle files to hold a 2000mah lipo with charge chip and usb power when it needs a charge
EDIT: attached a image export from eagle. Most is SMD as they are easy enough to hand solder, U3 is a dht22 so we can messure humidity, JP3 is a connector for a 1Kohm resistor that controls the current for battery, connector named therm is for a 10K thermistor attached to the battery, LED2 shows when voltage is ok at charge chip, LED 3 and 4 shows charge process.
thinking of attaching a photo transistor so backlight can be dimmed at night
Re: EmonLCD not GLCD
backlight now controlled by AVR.... and LDR added...
anyone that see this please check for sanity.. ie if connected right
wonder if its possible to write the time with BIG letters on this display... could be usefull at night, only write time and dim the backlight so it does not prevent you from getting sleep but also allows you to see what the time is
and if there are a pin free could it be possible to make it work like an alarm clock? of course requires that a module in emoncms that allows you to enter what time to sound a buzzer