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Old 01-06-2004, 12:58   18 links from elsewhere to this Post. Click to view. #1
Dom
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It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

After my washing machine refused to wash my socks one time too many, I decided to rebuild it

It had this intermittent fault that every now and again it would refuse to spin anything and all the clothes would come out badly washed. I tried a new controller and various other bits but it was still the same.

I thought - how hard can it be to hook the washing machine up to the computer via RS232 - the answer - pretty hard

The first attempt resulted in the machine overfilling as the "snubber network" on my triac drive circuit for the valves kept the water on and the machine wouldnt stop filling.

Second attempt was better - the machine communicated with the PC via RS232 and actually did what it was told. The problem was that it wouldnt slow tumble the clothes which it needed to do to wash them. It would get up to a slow "spin" and sit there. I then reprogrammed my homebuilt controller to use different acceleration ramp speeds and monitored the tacho output on the motor more closely.

Final result ? A visual basic controlled RS232 interfaced washing machine with attitude I say to it "spin", it says "how fast" - just how I like my kitchen appliances. I say "wash", it says "yes no problem" . The water temperature is kept within a couple of degrees by the contoller now and I can send it any program I want.

Now all was going swimmingly well. I'd sorted the routines out for the wash cycle, the fill, temperature heating, constant motor speed control etc when the missus informed me that she'd gone out and ordered a new washing machine as she couldnt work out how to use this one now

Oh well - at least I proved to myself I could do it I suppose. The parts might live on in something else in the house - I've got a controller here that will control up to 5 devices at 40 amps (I overengineered it slightly )
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Last edited by Dom; 17-09-2004 at 14:59. Reason: Picture link updated
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Old 01-06-2004, 12:59   #2
xx 5id xx
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

Mad Inventor!

why dont u make an electric car ...no petrol!!
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Old 01-06-2004, 13:02   #3
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

FFS!! LMFAO!
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Old 01-06-2004, 13:02   #4
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dom
the snubber network on my triac drive circuit for the valves kept the water on
isnt it a bitch when that happense
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Old 01-06-2004, 13:02   #5
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

thats blimmin ace
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Old 01-06-2004, 13:05   #6
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

Aye - washing my dressing gown and jeans as we speak
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Old 01-06-2004, 13:06   #7
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

. Good on ya.
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Old 01-06-2004, 13:06   #8
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

is that a pocket calculator on that board ?

its a bit ET isnt it
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Old 01-06-2004, 13:07   #9
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

Thats great. Just typical she can't drive it so does as she originally wanted i guess.

Will the fuel computer bits you are developing also cause women to steer clear?
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Old 01-06-2004, 13:09   #10
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

cool
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Old 01-06-2004, 13:19   #11
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 0ddball
is that a pocket calculator on that board ?

its a bit ET isnt it
Nope - thats actually a Microcontroller Development board. The only reason its there is cos I needed the interface on it to hook it up to the computer. Its got a level shifter on there for the RS232 - the washine machine uses 0-5 volt RS232 and the PC uses +/- 12 volts for the RS232. I had a bit of a Doh moment when I designed the controller and didnt put the level converter on the board inside the washing machine.

Heres a little picture of mission control

Last edited by Dom; 17-09-2004 at 15:00. Reason: Picture link updated
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Old 01-06-2004, 13:23   #12
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

Wow, you have your own bubble etch tank, thats cool!
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Old 01-06-2004, 13:24   #13
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

you using winwash 1.2 ?
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Old 01-06-2004, 13:27   #14
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

Dom you are a legend.

Wonder if these will be one of those threads posted on boards all obver the net?

If so I wonder if it'll get taken all seriously on the 'techie' boards and get po-poo'ed as a 'mere beginners attempt'....

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Old 01-06-2004, 13:29   #15
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

Respect.

I seriously hate micro controllers.
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Old 01-06-2004, 13:31   #16
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

dude thats nothing short of awesome.
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Old 01-06-2004, 13:33   #17
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

I was seriously tempted to stick a webcam in front of it and internet enable it.

Just think of all the hours of fun you could have playing with a washing machine on the other side of the world
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Old 01-06-2004, 13:46   #18
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

Washing machine of borg
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Old 01-06-2004, 13:54   #19
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

That washing machine rules. Wonder if I could do similar with my one but also have VNC access from work so that I can set the washing off from work so it is done by the time I get home ... actually no the plug-in timer already covers that
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Old 01-06-2004, 14:00   #20
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

Bloody marvellous work Dom!!!!
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Old 01-06-2004, 14:01   #21
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

ROTFL Dom you are a genius mate, nice one.
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Old 01-06-2004, 14:05   #22
Dom
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

Well it might live on a little longer The missus had a telephone call from Comet to say that the machine they were meant to be delivering tomorrow is now out of stock
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Old 01-06-2004, 14:08   #23
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

Can you make a nice easy user interface for my girlfriend?
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Old 01-06-2004, 14:12   #24
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

Dabble with IR and get it remote controlled. Could be big ŁŁ in it
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Old 01-06-2004, 14:14   #25
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Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

I can already remote control it via TCP/IP via the downstairs computer

IR is old technology
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