A while back I started making my own microprocessor controlled hand-controllers and this is the latest wireless version.
It has two parts the hand controller and the powerbase. The powerbase simply plugs into the 3pin socket and carries out the instructions for power and braking sent wirelessly from the hand controller. The hand controller has the trigger plus all the settings you may wish to make such as max power, braking level, trigger map and sensitivity on potentiometers.
These versions allow a standard Scalextric digital controller to be plugged in which means its possible to pick up a new one for about £8! I have also modified other commercial hand-controllers which are much nicer to hold/use but not so cheaply/readily available and need working on. This version allows the buttons on the back of the controller to do things in this case I have made one do full power and the other does full brake.
So far it is similar to the previous versions but I have added an infrared input to both so that the less frequently needed settings can be accessed such as wireless channel, pipe names for binding a powerbase to a hand-controller, PWM frequency (for adjusting current delivery and hence torque) and anything else I might dream up.
Also these now have small screens so I can see internal settings and allow the user to interface with the system without having to connect to a PC as per the previous versions.
The internal wiring of the hand controller has been modified and also to allow me to squeeze in all the extra bits.
The powerbase is completely new and I have shown the previous version for size comparison. Not a bad bit of squeezing in especially as it has all the extra features. Some of the bits have been attached to the outside of the project box though! The MOSFETS and power are now integrated and seem to be holding up well. LEDs let me know it has power, is running and is receiving signals from the hand-controller. I can also see all the hand-controller settings on the powerbase screen which I use to ensure everything is running okay.
The firmware for both has been completely rewritten and has better prioritising for the trigger reading, wireless sending, receiving and ultimately power control than before. Tuned after much time spent watching my logic analyser to see where the microprocessor was spending its time and where it has some to spare.
Everything is still in semi prototype form so the internals consist of some breadboards but Im getting towards a PCB mounting which should result in smaller units still. I try to use readily available components from eBay and Farnell. Its amazing how much functionality you get for example a protected battery charger, stabilised voltage supply and micro USB charging port with LEDs is relatively simply reworked from a 18650 power pack for a few quid (including a battery which I dont use I use a small 3.7v one usually found in drones).
Cheers Alan
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It has two parts the hand controller and the powerbase. The powerbase simply plugs into the 3pin socket and carries out the instructions for power and braking sent wirelessly from the hand controller. The hand controller has the trigger plus all the settings you may wish to make such as max power, braking level, trigger map and sensitivity on potentiometers.
These versions allow a standard Scalextric digital controller to be plugged in which means its possible to pick up a new one for about £8! I have also modified other commercial hand-controllers which are much nicer to hold/use but not so cheaply/readily available and need working on. This version allows the buttons on the back of the controller to do things in this case I have made one do full power and the other does full brake.
So far it is similar to the previous versions but I have added an infrared input to both so that the less frequently needed settings can be accessed such as wireless channel, pipe names for binding a powerbase to a hand-controller, PWM frequency (for adjusting current delivery and hence torque) and anything else I might dream up.
Also these now have small screens so I can see internal settings and allow the user to interface with the system without having to connect to a PC as per the previous versions.
The internal wiring of the hand controller has been modified and also to allow me to squeeze in all the extra bits.
The powerbase is completely new and I have shown the previous version for size comparison. Not a bad bit of squeezing in especially as it has all the extra features. Some of the bits have been attached to the outside of the project box though! The MOSFETS and power are now integrated and seem to be holding up well. LEDs let me know it has power, is running and is receiving signals from the hand-controller. I can also see all the hand-controller settings on the powerbase screen which I use to ensure everything is running okay.
The firmware for both has been completely rewritten and has better prioritising for the trigger reading, wireless sending, receiving and ultimately power control than before. Tuned after much time spent watching my logic analyser to see where the microprocessor was spending its time and where it has some to spare.
Everything is still in semi prototype form so the internals consist of some breadboards but Im getting towards a PCB mounting which should result in smaller units still. I try to use readily available components from eBay and Farnell. Its amazing how much functionality you get for example a protected battery charger, stabilised voltage supply and micro USB charging port with LEDs is relatively simply reworked from a 18650 power pack for a few quid (including a battery which I dont use I use a small 3.7v one usually found in drones).
Cheers Alan
