It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning)

Dom · 01-06-2004, 12:58

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

)

xx 5id xx · 01-06-2004, 12:59

Mad Inventor!

why dont u make an electric car ...no petrol!!

SimonP · 01-06-2004, 13:02

FFS!! LMFAO!

0ddball · 01-06-2004, 13:02

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

Tefal · 01-06-2004, 13:02

thats blimmin ace

Dom · 01-06-2004, 13:05

Aye - washing my dressing gown and jeans as we speak

Andy K · 01-06-2004, 13:06

. Good on ya.

0ddball · 01-06-2004, 13:06

is that a pocket calculator on that board ?

its a bit ET isnt it

callymental · 01-06-2004, 13:07

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?

astrasport · 01-06-2004, 13:09

cool

Dom · 01-06-2004, 13:19

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

**Astra Dan** · 01-06-2004, 13:23

Wow, you have your own bubble etch tank, thats cool!

0ddball · 01-06-2004, 13:24

you using winwash 1.2 ?

Giles · 01-06-2004, 13:27

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'....

Scott G · 01-06-2004, 13:29

Respect.

I seriously hate micro controllers.

Haynzee · 01-06-2004, 13:31

dude thats nothing short of awesome.

Dom · 01-06-2004, 13:33

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

Tefal · 01-06-2004, 13:46

Washing machine of borg

GarethS · 01-06-2004, 13:54

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

Savage · 01-06-2004, 14:00

Bloody marvellous work Dom!!!!

Davo · 01-06-2004, 14:01

ROTFL

Dom you are a genius mate, nice one.

Dom · 01-06-2004, 14:05

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

Savage · 01-06-2004, 14:08

Can you make a nice easy user interface for my girlfriend?

Buttseh · 01-06-2004, 14:12

Dabble with IR and get it remote controlled. Could be big ££ in it

Dom · 01-06-2004, 14:14

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

IR is old technology

01-06-2004, 12:58	#1
Dom MIGClub Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northants Drives: 98 Astra Arctic II iTrader: (33) Posts: 18,536	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 ) __________________ Doms online shop - www.picbits.co.uk/catalog,bulbs,cable,heatshrink etc Doms online blog - www.picbits.co.uk/forums but you'll have to register to read it. Last edited by Dom; 17-09-2004 at 14:59. Reason: Picture link updated

01-06-2004, 12:59	#2
xx 5id xx MIGWeb User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Berkshire Drives: BMW Beauty iTrader: (1) Posts: 6,915	Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning) Mad Inventor! why dont u make an electric car ...no petrol!! __________________ www.xstyle.co.uk *Astra Cesaro Sport 20XE Coscast High Spec* *Project NovaStyle - Suicide Doors Nova with High Spec c20XE*

01-06-2004, 13:02	#3
SimonP MIGWeb User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Portishead Drives: 300ZX TT & Seat Leon iTrader: (0) Posts: 38,827	Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning) FFS!! LMFAO!

01-06-2004, 13:02	#5
Tefal MIGClub Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Junction 27 M5 Drives: people to suicide iTrader: (0) Posts: 4,214	Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning) thats blimmin ace

01-06-2004, 13:05	#6
Dom MIGClub Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northants Drives: 98 Astra Arctic II iTrader: (33) Posts: 18,536	Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning) Aye - washing my dressing gown and jeans as we speak

01-06-2004, 13:06	#7
Andy K MIGWeb User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: UK Drives: Cav turbo and XJR iTrader: (0) Posts: 14,470	Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning) . Good on ya.

01-06-2004, 13:06	#8
0ddball MIGWeb User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Northeast Kent iTrader: (11) Posts: 28,777	Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning) is that a pocket calculator on that board ? its a bit ET isnt it

01-06-2004, 13:07	#9
callymental MIGWeb User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Hastings Drives: Cally V6/Vectra SRi iTrader: (2) Posts: 3,081	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? __________________ For sale, Calibra bits. Two Stainless exhausts. One stainless decat. Airbag. Lots of bits lying around. pm me

01-06-2004, 13:09	#10
astrasport MIGWeb User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Basildon, Essex Drives: Mk3 Astra (again) iTrader: (1) Posts: 1,456	Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning) cool

01-06-2004, 13:23	#12
Astra Dan Memberships / Moderator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Fareham, Hants. Drives: 1.3L GTE16V Mk4 SRI iTrader: (8) Posts: 15,338	Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning) Wow, you have your own bubble etch tank, thats cool! __________________ Click for info: Mk2 GTE16V Mk2 1.3L Mk4 2.0 SRI They're there, in their room.

01-06-2004, 13:24	#13
0ddball MIGWeb User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Northeast Kent iTrader: (11) Posts: 28,777	Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning) you using winwash 1.2 ?

01-06-2004, 13:27	#14
Giles MIGWeb User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: East Sussex Drives: Cav with TB's & lots iTrader: (16) Posts: 6,693	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'....

01-06-2004, 13:29	#15
Scott G MIGClub Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: 57.37810N 2.08020W Drives: Honda Civic Type R iTrader: (0) Posts: 11,758	Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning) Respect. I seriously hate micro controllers. __________________ My ex Mk3 Astra - My Corsa Sport - Join MIG Club ONLINE Here! "A wise man know everything, a clever man knows everyone"

01-06-2004, 13:31	#16
Haynzee MIGWeb User Join Date: Jul 2000 iTrader: (16) Posts: 14,531	Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning) dude thats nothing short of awesome.

01-06-2004, 13:33	#17
Dom MIGClub Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northants Drives: 98 Astra Arctic II iTrader: (33) Posts: 18,536	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

01-06-2004, 13:46	#18
Tefal MIGClub Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Junction 27 M5 Drives: people to suicide iTrader: (0) Posts: 4,214	Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning) Washing machine of borg

01-06-2004, 13:54	#19
GarethS MIGWeb User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Maidstone Drives: Sideways if possible iTrader: (0) Posts: 137	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

01-06-2004, 14:00	#20
Savage MIGWeb User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Location Location Drives: Audi iTrader: (1) Posts: 7,237	Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning) Bloody marvellous work Dom!!!!

01-06-2004, 14:01	#21
Davo MIGWeb User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hampshire Drives: Astra Turbo Coupe iTrader: (0) Posts: 8,497	Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning) ROTFL Dom you are a genius mate, nice one.

01-06-2004, 14:05	#22
Dom MIGClub Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northants Drives: 98 Astra Arctic II iTrader: (33) Posts: 18,536	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

01-06-2004, 14:08	#23
Savage MIGWeb User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Location Location Drives: Audi iTrader: (1) Posts: 7,237	Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning) Can you make a nice easy user interface for my girlfriend? __________________

01-06-2004, 14:12	#24
Buttseh MIGWeb User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Southampton Drives: TB'd Cav GSi (Soon) iTrader: (0) Posts: 1,841	Re: It lives !!! (Possible 56k warning) Dabble with IR and get it remote controlled. Could be big ££ in it

01-06-2004, 14:14	#25
Dom MIGClub Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northants Drives: 98 Astra Arctic II iTrader: (33) Posts: 18,536	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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