"Daytime Running Light" module (DRL) with ATtiny85

   A reader of my sites and blogs, Mr. Liviu Hinoveanu wanted to replace classical DRL module made with 555 with Attiny85 programmed in Arduino style.
   He send me the schematic and PCB designed with Livewire and PCB Wisard software:

   After I undertand what module must work, I write DRL_ATtiny85.ino sketch.

   Mr. Hinoveanu made module and upload sketch in ATiny85 like in article from Programarea unui microcontroler ATTiny85 cu sketch Arduino.

    In movie named DRL cu ATtiny85 you can see who module work, but description are in romanian language:

   After engine start, I can adjunst in few stepts intensity of lights (from minimum to maximum, by pushing button repeatedly, when value in smaximum and pres button intensity go to minimum...).
   If I set manual light from original light switch, module is off.
   Whne enggine strop, module made a "dinamic lights"style from maximum to off in short time.
   Module detect engine start by increase tension value on battery because work the alternator).

4-digit 7-segment led display thermometer using 1N4148 diode

original version (written in Romanian)

   You can made a cheap thermometer using few components: clone Arduino board (in my case, I use Arduino Nano board with uC ATmega 168, but work with Arduino nano with ATmega328, Arduino Uno, leonardo, etc), a 1N4148 diode, 4-digit 7-segment led display with common cathode or common anode (just few changes in sketch), an breadboard and some wires.
   Schematic is very simple:

  I write first sketch named diode_thermometer_display_1.ino and on dissplay temperature is as integer:

,

but if it use diode_thermometer_display_2.ino sketch, value is with decimal value:

   I use info from article https://www.hackster.io/microst/thermometer-diode-based-524613 and I test sketch:

see 1N4148 diode as temperature sensor movie:

   For project with display, I made thermometer with 1N4148 diode as sensor on multiplexed led display

   For understand how can be use a diode as temperature sensor see figure 1 from 1N4148 diode datasheet

and article:
- DIODE-BASED TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT (Burr-Brown)
- Accurate Temperature Sensing with an External P-N Junction (Linear Technology)

Revival and use the Arduino ESP8266 Wifi Shield Version 1.0 by Wang Tongze

   Some time ago (2015) I bought "Arduino ESP8266 Wifi Shield Version 1.0 by Wang Tongze" without more documentation... neither now 😕 Last year, I write an article in my language with this board, because I pressed and shuffled and firmware was erased... But let's start as normal condition...

   For normal operation mode switch must be in this position:

  In first tests, I connect Rx-Tx from this shield at Arduino Mega at Rx1-Tx1 pins, for see how work...

  I upload ESP8266_mega_serialtest.ino with 112500bps instead 9600bps (board is Arduino Mega, shield witj ESP8266 is just accessory)

   I open serial monitor window and I write some AT commands:

   You cand upload various sketches with ESP8266 chip controlled by Arduino.

   

   If you play with switches as me, with this configuration

and pus ESP-RST button, firmware will be erased... and this sheild not work, is just a piese untill you reflash the ESP8266 chip.

   I use info from article ESP8266: Reflash Dance! writted by Dave Vandenbout for classic ESP8266:

  First, you must download esp8266_flasher.exe and v0.9.2.2. AT Firmware.bin files (or https://github.com/techiesms/ESP8266-Firmware-Upgrading-Files).

  Connect USB FTDI interface with 3.3V logic level as in photo

   Must push ESP-RST button and open software

  Find the COM used by USB interface

Change value in software

  Using BIN software button open files

  Using DOWNLOAD software button is write bin files in ESP8266 chip

  In software is writed procent

until is see

   Must change switch position in normal operation mode

   See ESP8266MOD shiled reflash movie, when I made exactlly as in descripription from above

PS: Original article is at http://nicuflorica.blogspot.ro/2016/09/placa-de-retea-wifi-shield-cu-esp8266mod.html 😎

0-30V/0-7A Power Supply Unit with LM723 and Arduino volt & ampermeter

original article (in romanian language)

   Dragos, known under albasete name from elforum (romanian electronic forum) made an useful power supply unit. Schemtic used by albasete is

   Original schemtic is from Reber electronic site (3A NAPAJALNIK NASTAVLJIV OD 1V DO 27V article). Also, I found same data in article 1V-27V 3A Variable DC Power Supply (http://powersupply33.com/).

  For measure voltage and current it use info from Arduino ca multimetru (3). It use existing resistor for measure current (R5) and add 2 resistor as divider resistor for measure voltage:

   Using original PCB board, I draw connexion to Arduino board:

   It use an Arduino nano board with i2c LCD1602 display, a active buzzer for indicate shortcircuit case. Also, I put DS18B20 temperature sensor and relay for power a cooler when tenmperature is bigger than a threshold level.

   For albasete version, I write psu_reber_ver3ro.ino sketch. In this sketch I put value for albasete case (R1 = 1k put between GND and A1 port, R2 = 39k put between +OUT and A1)

and value for threshold (temax) and hysteresis value (dete):

   Now, I put few photo pictures of realization progress:

   Dragos (albasete) send me a movie with PSU in tests: 0-30V/0-7A PSU with LM723 and Arduino volt & ampermeter

Dynamic lights with CMOS integrated

   A few few years ago (in 1995), Tehnium magazine publish an article send by me 😀 (then I was a young student) in nr. 1/1995 (see magazine).
   Schematic was inspired by article from Tehnium anual magazine 1990, but my schematic have extra ligts "games":

   A few time ago (3-4 years) I need a simple schematic for automatic dynamic games without microcontrollers, so I remenber my schematic... but I simplify my schematic to eliminate useless states, so new schematic is

   I maded the schematic on test board:

   I made few movie with this schematic, in my language, but lights made without language 😇, so, I reccomand you to see at nest movies:
- joc de lumini cu 4 canale

- joc de lumini cu 4 canale (2)

- joc de lumini cu 4 canale (3)

- joc de lumini cu 4 canale (4)

Gear Shift Indicator

   For car tunning enthusiastic like my friend George I design a Gear Shift Indicator based on my old article when use just keys, diodes, few resistors and 7-segment display. Now, I use TLE4905L hall sensors instead simple keys (push buttons) and Arduino board.
   Schematic is simple:

  If you upload my GearShift_1.ino sketch, on display you can see:
- P for parking

- 1 for first gear:

- 2 for second gear

- 3 for third gear

- 4 for fourth gear

- 5 go fifth

- 6 for sixth gear

- 0 flashing for reverse gear

- nothing for unknown state:

  You can see George's movie (without sound 😎) named Gear Shift Indicator with first test in workshop: