Raspberry Pi projects

It’s pretty basic stuff. You're just playing back a signal—like a traffic light pattern or a motherboard's POST beep. The function takes parameters to decide which specific signal to trigger and how long it lasts...

Hey everyone
is it actually possible to write a sketch so an Arduino acts as my controller/programmer?
here's the deal: the hardware controller for one of my machines just died (physical damage), and I'm looking for workarounds because the OEM replacement is way too expensive...
The setup runs 3 or 4 electric motors (220V and 380V), but they don't all run at once. It starts with one motor, then after about 3 minutes, the second kicks in, then a third runs for 15 mins, and finally, a fourth fires up for another 2-3 minutes.....
To be specific, I need this for a dairy processing unit.

I know my way around electronics, but my C++ skills aren't exactly top-tier, so what do you guys think??

thanks

Terry Brown8 said:Hey everyone,
I'm wondering if it's possible to write a program using an Arduino so that I can basically use the board itself as a controller...
The issue is my current controller broke down—mechanical failure, really—and since the OEM replacement is way too pricey, I'm looking for some DIY alternatives...
The setup runs 3 or 4 electric motors (running on 110V and 220V), though they don't all run at once. It starts with one, then after about 3 minutes, the second kicks in, followed by a third motor for about 15 minutes, and finally, a fourth motor fires up for maybe 2 or 3 minutes...
To be specific, I need this controller for a dairy processing unit...

I know my way around electronics pretty well, but my C++ skills aren't exactly top-tier, so I'd love to hear what you guys think...

Thanks,

You could definitely pull that off with almost any controller (certainly anything cheaper than an $3.25). You'd just use transistors to trigger relays, which would then switch the motors on and off. If C++ is giving you trouble, you could even write the code in Assembly...☕

whatever, I already ordered my Arduino so I'm gonna mess around with it for a bit...
which assembly line would be best for this?

Terry Brown8 said:Well, I already ordered an Arduino, so I might as well play around with it a bit...
Which Assembly language would be suitable for that?

Oh, give me a break. He’s basically implying that C is child's play and there's nothing more effortless than that...
Assembly is ten times more difficult—and frankly, quite pointless nowadays—even when you're dealing with microcontrollers.

The "Arduino version" of C is actually less taxing than standard AVR C, so if you want to write a little program for your project, that really is your simplest path.

Hey everyone,
what's the word today? Does anyone actually know if you can pick up an Arduino around here in the States... and I don't mean one of those weird Crodruino knockoffs.. ?

Honestly, you can almost always snag stuff like this much cheaper if you just hunt for it online

To get that Panasonic remote working, I'll need to capture the IR signal, decode the commands, and then pass the signal along.
Does anyone know where I can pick up a TSOP38238 or some kind of similar IR receiver around Washington, D.C.? Maybe at a local Micro Center? It feels a little silly to pay shipping on just one or two diodes when the postage ends up costing way more than the parts themselves.

Pretty sure I’m the old man in this group.
Back in the day, we were fixing up accounting computers around '67-'68, messing with actual BITs—you know, those 17-part bistable multivibrators. I ended up finishing my career as a hardware guy because back then, programming was basically just tied to bookkeeping.
Long story short: I get electronics. The issue, as you guys already know, is the programming side of things. So, I went out and grabbed a few Chinese Arduino Uno boards along with five stepper motors and some ULN 2003 drivers. I'm looking for a decent way to "break into" the coding side—honestly, I'll just start by copy-pasting stuff until I actually learn what I'm doing.
Appreciate any tips you guys can throw my way.

So, what exactly are you struggling with?

You’ve got your boards, set up the IDE, configure it for your specific board, and then just dive into the File-Examples... get something blinking, buzzing, whatever. Grab some extra sensors, LEDs, resistors, maybe an experimental board, and just go for it.

You can find all that stuff at Adafruit or https://www.diykits.eu/shophr/control/main—or just hit up a local electronics shop if you're in the D.C. area.

Right now, I'm working on some temperature and humidity sensors that send data over Wi-Fi...

though I think I might have fried two of them. 🤦

I’m acting like a total deer in the headlights here. I know all this stuff, but the actual sequence? Total mystery.
I can't seem to find my way into the pyramid no matter what. I try using that "just ask and you might get an answer" approach, but then I just end up feeling stuck between a rock and a hard place. Taking it one step at a time, though. No biggie.

Good grief, you’ve certainly got some life experience under your belt... what are you doing, just shoveling cash into the furnace and praying for the best?

Lay it out for me—put an Arduino R3, an Adafruit board, and a Raspberry Pi 3 right there on my desk and let's see you go at it... man, this IoT stuff is just one giant headache after another. 🙂

First things first: get your IDE set up and make sure you've actually selected the right port on your computer. Get that LED blinking... just to prove you can catch a break for once... LOOK! IT'S BLINKING!!! 😍

So, what exactly were you planning to run with that stepper motor system? 🤔

So, what are you even planning to run on that stepper motor? 🤔

nimblegull23 I can't even begin to tell you how much this guy gets under my skin. He thinks he knows everything, but honestly? Total amateur hour. Every time he opens his mouth, I just want to roll my eyes and walk away. It’s like watching someone try to build a rocket out of cardboard—it’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s going nowhere fast. Just pure nonsense.
So what are you even trying to do with that stepper motor? 🤔

Just scouting for some ideas. I'm looking at grabbing three Arduinos for like $2.50 a pop and five stepper motors with drivers for $2 each. That leaves me just enough left over for a Starbucks coffee. $33 Man, the fun's gonna be off the charts. Give me some ideas, guys—something for a five-motor setup. Maybe like a spider bot or a hexapod? Or if you've got something more specific, throw it at me while I'm hunting around. Everyone here knows their stuff, and honestly, I’m always down to learn from the pros.

Chris Hall3 said:I was just sitting here brainstorming—you know how it is—and realized I've got an Arduino for maybe $25, plus five stepper motors and drivers at about $2 a pop... basically the cost of a Starbucks latte under the table $33 and enough potential for some serious fun. Give me something to build, guys—something for five motors. Maybe a spider bot? Or some kind of walking robot? I need something concrete to sink my teeth into while I wander around. Everyone seems to have all the answers, and frankly, I’m always looking to pick the brains of the smarter folks in the room.

An automatic chicken coop door that triggers at dusk!
Throw in an ultrasonic sensor to detect coyotes lurking near the coop, which then kicks off an MP3 player with a full-blown laser light show to scare the living daylights out of Aunt Linda.

Get inspired right here:

https://circuitdigest.com/arduino-projects

Chris Hall3 said:I picked up three Arduinos for about $2.50 each and five stepper motors with drivers for $2 each, which leaves me just enough left over for a quick Starbucks run. $33 The fun is absolutely limitless.

Just hang tight and see what's possible. You can grab an ESP8266 module for just $1.50.It utilizes the IEEE 802.11 standard.
With the Wi-Fi interface and the integrated TCP/IP stack, you can just pop in a battery and suddenly you have full communication capabilities over a local network or even the open internet. It really makes this development board a much more practical choice. hereYou can actually pick up a finished device built around that exact same chip, where all you really have to do is handle the reprogramming. hereI use it to manage all the different devices around my house.I am currently looking into some IR-related components for my next build. For instance, if you're running an AC unit, you might have some I2C sensors hooked up to the bus. Humidity, temperature, and pressure.I am managing it. I'm looking into using some 100W LEDs. By utilizing PWM modulation via the PCA9685, you can achieve precise control over your components. The PCA9685 is a solid choice if you need more PWM outputs without cluttering up your I2C bus. It’s pretty straightforward to implement once you get the wiring sorted out. i The IRLZ44N is a solid choice for this setup.I usually upgrade the module to a... It looks like we’re working with a 4MB flash chip here.I'm using it. The TTP223 is a solid little component for anyone looking to add touch sensitivity to their projects. You can grab capacitive touch sensors for just $1.20 per pack of 10, which is an absolute steal. It’s a great way to display data on... Just like this. It's an OLED screen.
Here are a few more ideas I haven't quite gotten around to bringing to life yet:
I am currently utilizing the PCF8574 to monitor window and door statuses, while the A4988, A3967, and TB6612FNG handle the stepper motor control. For sensing, I have the DS18B20 temperature sensor, the RCWL-0516 microwave motion detector, and the INA219 current sensor in the mix. To round things out, I’m using the MCP4725 and AD7705 for my A/D and D/A needs, all integrated into an 8-channel setup. If you're looking for a solid state relay module, there are plenty of options out there depending on what you're trying to switch. Just make sure you check the voltage and current ratings before you dive in. It’s only $11.41. LoRa technology offers a really efficient way to handle long-range communication for wireless projects. I am looking for a module designed for wireless battery-powered sensors. WS2812B Individually addressable RGB LEDs.

granitetiger16 said:Just wait and see what this thing can actually do. Picked up an ESP8266 module for like $1.50. Total steal.It's got IEEE 802.11.
With the WiFi interface and the TCP/IP stack, you just slap on a battery and suddenly you're communicating over the local network or the web. Honestly, this dev board is way more practical. Here.Basically, you can just grab a finished device using that same chip and just reprogram it. hereI just use it to run stuff around my house.IR Like, say, with the AC or some I2C sensors. Humidity, temp, pressure.I'm running it. Got some 100W LEDs. Using PWM modulation via... PCA9685 I'm here. Ready to roll. IRLZ44NI usually just upgrade the module to... Got 4MB of flash to work with.I'm using it. Just messing around with the TTP223 today. Capacitive touch sensors, $1.20 for a pack of 10. Data readout on the... Like this. OLED screen.
Got a few more ideas I haven't quite gotten around to yet:
Using the PCF8574 for window and door status, plus an A4988, A3967, and TB6612FNG to handle the stepper motors. I've also got a DS18B20 temperature sensor, the MCP4725 and AD7705 for A/D and D/A, an INA219 current sensor, and an RCWL-0516 microwave motion detector on an 8-channel setup. Solid state relay module. Only eleven bucks. LoRa. Battery-powered wireless sensor module. WS2812B Individually addressable RGB LEDs.

Slow down there. That module of yours is pretty hostile to any kind of experimental setup. You need a specific cable just to get going, which makes it a total headache for beginners.

I've got that chip on my Adafruit board, which comes packed with everything you mentioned. It’s actually pretty beastly.
I'm running MicroPython on this thing, but you can always just use the Arduino IDE if that's more your speed.

That's gonna murder the battery life. Wi-Fi is such a power hog.

I've included two different modules here; the second one is primarily intended for development since you can plug it straight into your PC via USB, whereas the first one really shines because of its price point—you can program it using this $1 adapter or that one.

The module is perfectly suited for battery power thanks to its various sleep modes, and you can just toggle the Wi-Fi on whenever it's actually needed. It's also quite interesting that the radio transceiver isn't strictly tied to the 802.11 standard (just check out ESP-Now).

It is honestly fascinating how someone can sell an IC this cheap, only for someone else to buy it, solder it onto a PCB, and ship it halfway across the country, all for $3.25just a few bucks.

Chill out, guys. Why's everyone getting so worked up? Looks like you've all got way too much energy to burn. For me, the real kicker here is this: running two stepper motors in counterphase. You’d basically get double the torque—or double the speed—driving something like an XY plotter, just an idea. Then maybe a fifth motor handles the vertical axis (though that's less common). This is just a concept phase, though. The real grind is the design work from day one—brainstorming ideas, mapping out the hodogram, making sure everything is bulletproof before you build.
Money isn't even an issue here, and we've got more than enough time on our hands.

I’d much rather opt for dedicated stepper driver modules. It really takes the heavy lifting off the Microcontroller and frees up plenty of pins when you're running multiple motors. I previously mentioned A4988 along with this I2C module paired with the TB6612FNG, which usually only run about a dollar or two. Personally, I think I2C is just brilliant because you can hook up a whole bunch of cheap peripherals using only two Microcontroller pins—even on a chip that doesn't even feature hardware I2C support.
I get that you're more interested in building things from scratch right now, which is definitely the better way to master the fundamentals. You might find yourself switching over to one of those ready-made modules down the road.

For my own projects, I tend to stick to the manufacturer's native development environment since it gives me total control over everything. I generally steer clear of RTOS and Arduino (I've actually never messed around with Arduino myself), but for someone starting out, the Arduino IDE would probably be your easiest path forward. You'll likely find a pre-written solution online for exactly what you're trying to achieve.