bigmark
New Member
Posts: 10
Raspberry Pi: Yes
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Post by bigmark on Nov 12, 2021 11:53:46 GMT -8
Hello all,
I am new to the forums and to SunControl in general.
My goal is simple, I have a Raspberry Pi Zero that has a temperature sensor attached which reports ambient temperatures to a remote server every 20 minutes. I want to put this into my pumphouse so I can monitor the temperature in there, however the pumphouse does not have any outlets to power the Pi, so I want to use my SunControl to charge a Li-Ion Poly 2500mAh battery to provide power to the Pi via USB.
What I have:
1. Raspberry Pi Zero
2. SunControl - 0045-SUNCYL-DSBT
3. Solar Panel - 330mA /6V - 0111-SC330-DSBT
4. Li-Ion Poly 2500mAh battery
5. NTC Thermistor 10k ohm 1% B3950 L75mm Wired + 10k Ohm Metal Film Resistor - 0450-NTCTHERM-DSBT
I think I have all the parts I need, and I'm good with tech but I need some kind of starting point or "basics" tutorial to get an idea of how to proceed. So far I have not been able to find a basic tutorial, or novice level instructions to get started.
If anyone can either point me in the direction of the instructions, a tutorial covering what I am trying to do, or provide a simple diagram for setup it would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
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bigmark
New Member
Posts: 10
Raspberry Pi: Yes
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Post by bigmark on Nov 13, 2021 9:22:24 GMT -8
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bigmark
New Member
Posts: 10
Raspberry Pi: Yes
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Post by bigmark on Nov 13, 2021 10:01:10 GMT -8
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bigmark
New Member
Posts: 10
Raspberry Pi: Yes
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Post by bigmark on Nov 15, 2021 16:32:23 GMT -8
I am finding a bunch of info regarding enabling the pi built in WDT, and how to get it working. I am also finding info regarding how to connect a Pi to the the Dual Watchdog board (which I don't have), but there is laterally no information for how to connect the SunControl WDT to a PI without the Dual WDT.
So now I am wondering if there is a way to just use the WDT on the SunControl?
if there is can anyone help me with some instructions to connect my Pi Zero to the SunControl onboard Watchdog timer?
I think The rest of the setup is just plug and play, but this part has me stumped,
thanks in advance!
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Post by SDL on Nov 16, 2021 18:53:24 GMT -8
Yowsa! You bet we can help you on that. Would you post a close up copy of both sides of your PiZero board? Then I will tell you how to hook it up.
BP
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bigmark
New Member
Posts: 10
Raspberry Pi: Yes
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Post by bigmark on Nov 17, 2021 8:35:20 GMT -8
This is the front/top of the PI Zero W  This is the back/bottom of the PI Zero W  Here is my Panel, Battery and SunControl  Please note; That's my sunniest window where no cats can get to. I just wanted to be sure the basic system works. So far it charges when the sun is out, stays powered on all night and charges again when there is sun. One question about the panel. It has a protective "sticker" on it. Should I remove it or is that supposed to stay on? Please let me know if you need anymore photos or what have you. Thanks! |
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Post by SDL on Nov 17, 2021 14:14:02 GMT -8
that's perfect. I needed to verify which model of the Pi Zero you have.
Take off the sticker on the panel. Improves the efficiency a bit.
Glad things are working for you!
How to hook up SunControl to the Pi Zero W:
1) Connect up the Run hole (yes you need to solder this) on the Raspberry Pi Zero W to the RESETN JP7 / 1 pin on the SunControl. Remember to pat the dog via the DONE J4 / 1 grove Pin.
BP
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bigmark
New Member
Posts: 10
Raspberry Pi: Yes
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Post by bigmark on Nov 17, 2021 14:22:19 GMT -8
How to hook up SunControl to the Pi Zero W: 1) Connect up the Run hole (yes you need to solder this) on the Raspberry Pi Zero W to the RESETN JP7 / 1 pin on the SunControl. < Got it Remember to pat the dog via the >>> DONE J4 / 1 grove Pin <<< Is this what you mean?  I am going to use PI GPIO 0 (Zero) /PIN 11 to pat the dog, please let me know if this is what you had in mind,, thanks! |
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bigmark
New Member
Posts: 10
Raspberry Pi: Yes
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Post by bigmark on Nov 19, 2021 8:48:09 GMT -8
I've been studying the Suncontrol and PI schematic diagrams and think I've got it worked out. I'll mark up a schematic drawing this afternoon to post up for review then it's on to wiring it up and getting the programming worked out.
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bigmark
New Member
Posts: 10
Raspberry Pi: Yes
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Post by bigmark on Nov 19, 2021 14:41:52 GMT -8
ok, here is my new and improved wiring plan  To eliminate a USB cable I'd like to power the Pi from the USB aux power/ground. (RED/BLACK) I'll pat the dog over the JP5 "DONE" pin to GPIO0 on the Pi and will ground the connection (CYAN/BLACK) Finally I'll send the reset signal across the JP7 "RESETN" pin to the "RUN" pin on the PI (not illustrated, see pic in previous post) (DKBRWN) Please let me know if this is copasetic! Thanks again |
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bigmark
New Member
Posts: 10
Raspberry Pi: Yes
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Post by bigmark on Nov 19, 2021 19:35:29 GMT -8
How do I define GPOI0 in the Watchdog config?I have it all hooked up and working, except I am not able to pet the dog, by working It reboots every 17 second like a charm. When I unplug the orange wire it stays running. Please note the documentation on this site for setting up the internal Pi Watchdog is out of date per The instructions here ; Check WDT module is enabled in kernel In many tutorials you will find that you have to enable bcm2835_wdt or bcm2708_wdog modules using modprobe. Firstly, bcm2708_wdog is the old module that was replaced by bcm2835_wdt. Secondly, this module comes precompiled into kernel directly, so it doesn’t have to be enabled manually anymore and also it will not show when running lsmod. That piece was crucial! I was banging my head on the wall trying to figure out why the steps weren't working, thankfuly the ole Google machine had some answers. Sadly how to define the particular IO port in the conf is elusive...
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Post by SDL on Nov 20, 2021 13:54:43 GMT -8
The whole idea of using the SunControl WatchDog timer is NOT to use the internal Pi WDT. To get better results, you need an external watchdog timer.
Lots of tutorials out there for enabling the GPIO0 for output. Then you pulse it on and off as shown in the tutorial. IT will work.!
Sounds like everything else is working.
BP
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bigmark
New Member
Posts: 10
Raspberry Pi: Yes
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Post by bigmark on Nov 21, 2021 8:57:17 GMT -8
So I just need to send "a pulse" every 14 seconds to the JP5 "DONE pin on the SunControl then I'm good? (along with the reset pin connection)
This is the kind of simplification of the instructions I need, I'll see if I can figure out how to get my IO of choice to send the pulse.
thanks!
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Post by SDL on Nov 21, 2021 14:41:59 GMT -8
Yes, that is correct. A pulse every 14 seconds. BTW, the time should be around 60 seconds. I wonder if you have the SunControl line on the SunControl board correct. Would you put a close up picture of the SunControl board.
BP
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