Part 11 HHO Project – Arduino Intergration

Written By: admin@promotemyev - Jan• 25•12

This is a continuation of the first post - Is It Possible To Build A Computer Controlled Feedback Circuit For HHO Generator? My personal discovery of the invention developed by Stanley Meyers, a Voltage Intensifying Circuit with very low amperage.

I have 750 lines of sketch code started that will operate, read and control the cell. I have sensors connected to the board that read water levels, pressure, temperature and magnetic fields. I have outputs sending information to a LCD screen, LED showing status of the unit and a relay board that controls power supply lines and a pump.

And it is the hard part of the project where there are no results, only build a little and test, reprogram and test, buy the wrong parts reorder and retest. Time goes buy and you wonder if all of this is worth it. All is going out, and nothing coming in. Complexity is undeniable.

Success is measured only by looking back at where you have come from.

I have never be so please at the robustness as Arduino has been to me, even when I may have put a wrong wire in once or twice, Bless you. I am using a Mega 2560 and the monumental day when it went on internal power. I still use the USB to communicate back to the desktop computer. and using a program call processing write code to see data on that buss.

Someday I would love to build a custom shield, but for now the Radio Shack PCB that has the same pins as a breadboard is working for now. I like that I can easily plug and unplug the Arduino from the project. If you do your own project remember to give yourself a little more length than you think you need. Mine are a bit short. I have revised my wiring diagrams so many times on notes, that I wish I would update the drawn version of them in the computer.

I have to keep telling myself that this, is unknown territory. The parts have never been tried together this way. That is a very strong part to the force that keeps me going, and the fact is I am enjoying what I am doing. I love building and tinkering, scrounging parts, learning and solving puzzles. It is all very good to keep your mind after a hard day of some other kind of mental or physical labor.

Anyone who has trouble at math I would encourage you to look at Processing language. It is not a user interface type programming language it is more graphical. So plotting X-Y points and lines can be seen from the math problems and it really helps. Search tutorials on YouTube. Download the free program and get started.

Arduino Homemade ShieldFrom the RobotShop I got RB-Cyt-53 a pack of Straight Break Away headers and soldered a section on to the board and that my homemade shield, that is it. From that it lets me setup my port and solder in a wire to the sensor or output.

Thinking that the Arduino needs to be far away from the high voltage. I am sending all of the tank sensors out a 9 pin DIN.  Which will go down a 10 foot cable over to the tank. There a box will break out he lines to the right sensor. There is a supply tank level switch, a high and low cell water level switch, a cell temperature thermistor, a cell pressure sensor the flux sensor for the coil and the pulse output line. As well as a 5vdc and ground lines all equal 9 pins. I was looking inan old supply bin of cables and found a serial cable said that one thing I do not have to buy, yea! 2 hours later after testing bad lines and realized it was a full duplex handshaking type cable. The wires cross on the inside and it only has 7 wires on the inside, man what a learning experience!

That is what it is all about learning and new understanding, and boy does it fulfill that.

Dive into the water and have some fun, and good luck with yours.

Posted by: Ron G.

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SpaceX Lights Up The Picnic In McGregor, Texas With Elon Musk

Written By: admin@promotemyev - Nov• 21•11

This passed Saturday at just around noon at the a community public picnic from SpaceX, a Merlin C1 rocket engine come to life, and gave a 45 second show for the crowd.

The fuel RP1 is ignited, and as close as we were, you can feel the roar. SpaceX sunglasses, and earplugs were handed out for everyone for safety. It was my first time to be at a real rocket engine test, and it was a trill to see, and hear.

This is the same test stand where all 9 engines have gone thought final check, ran for real total launch time, and cleared for flight.

15 seconds before it lights, 4 rings of water sprays under the engine, then the value is opened, and a green flash pops, and the engine is running. The green flash is a chemical that reacts with oxygen and burns instantly, it is the perfect starter fuel for the RP1.

The test stand is getting a make-over to reduce sound even more. It is a must to keep happy neighbor. The Heavy Falcon test will have 27 combined engines, and with the modification it will only sound like 9. Sound travels differently is different weather conditions. Factors like the wind and cool, clear air can let the blast sound go for 40 miles.

The event had Bar-B-Que sandwiches, drinks and rocket shaped cookies. There were bounce houses and games for the kids. Plus a great band played in the background.

Just before the test, a special appearance from Elon Musk and R-Texas senator John Cornyn.

Mr. Musk was introduced, and made a short speech for the event. A comment was made about him wearing cowboy boots in Texas, but he was quick to answer, and let us all know, that he had them for a long time. He was very lad back and easy going.  He announced the 30 percent growth of the company in McGregor, Texas, and the  importance of research and testing of rocket technology.

Many employees were there, and eager to talk about the excitement of working with rockets. A lot goes on there, they even test the engines in a large vacuum chamber to simulate the space environment.

The location of McGregor has a lot of history in rocket testing with the company, Rocketdyne or Astrodyne  going back into the 50′s

In 1978, Rocketdyne sold its Solid-Propellant Rocket division at McGregor, Texas, to Hercules Inc.

see “www.boeing.com/history/bna/” for more info.

My Meeting With Elon Musk

Elon Musk at SpaceX Picnic 2011

After chatting with an engineer about the complexities of engine design, I said I may not get to talk to Mr Musk, but I just want to tell you how proud of SpaceX’s work here, then he said that he is standing right over there.

After waiting in an impromptu short line, I got to talk briefly and shake Elon Musk hand.

I said ” just want to tell you personally how proud that you are putting America back in space.” He said “Thank you.”

“You know about http://www.revengeoftheelectriccar.com/ ? and he said “Yes, I am in it!”

“Have you  gotten a chance to see a final cut of the film?” Elon said, “Yes, have you sean it? ”

“No not yet, but do you think it promotes electric car well? “Yes I do.”

And is Tesla doing well? Yes, It is!”

I said “Thank You so much to meet you.”

I have to say I was very nervous and wondered if I made any since to him, but I felt like he was a great man, and was very personal with everyone. He took his time and I was encouraged for the future with such a visionary as he is.

Posted by: Ron G.

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Part 10 – HHO Project – Intro To Arduino

Written By: admin@promotemyev - Nov• 15•11

Arduino MEGA 2560 Shipping BoxThis is a continuation of the first post - Is It Possible To Build A Computer Controlled Feedback Circuit For HHO Generator? My personal discovery of the invention developed by Stanley Meyers, a Voltage Intensifying Circuit with very low amperage.

Well, I have made the big commitment, and I am lovin’ it so far!

I ordered off for my Arduino from SparkFun, and it came well packed and fully assembled. Plug it into a USB printer cable, and after a detailed install, that worked the first time, my first test program started perfectly.

I have begun to get a handle on how it will interface with all of what I have all ready built. My original direction was to use a Velleman USB Interface card and use desktop computer to make all of the calculations and send it back though to the relays, sensors and coils. So I bought and put together the Velleman Relay Card K2633. You can look back at that build in Part 8.

The job of the Relay card is to turn on a pump to fill the fuel cell as need from a supply tank, and a safety control connection to the main power to the cell.

Now I did some Googling, and could not come up with a clear connection to an Arduino. I found each side, so I combined them.

Protecting the Arduino is very important,

and making 5 volts talk to 9 volts is easy if you know the trick. It comes in a neat little 6 pin dip package with a long name. Opto-Isolation, a reliable barrier that can also handle the translation of signal problem. It is also simple in the construction which can not be seen. Inside is an LED that shines on a NPN Photo Transistor, with no physical electrical connection.

I picked a NTE3045, not because I truly understand the requirements of the load from the relay card, and there may be a better one for the job, but as I have hooked it up, and looked at the easy wiring, loads and robustness, and I like it. To make an LED work on the Arduino side you just put a resistor in the siginal path to control the load and that it. I am using a 680 ohm resistors, and it is giving the nominal 1.8 volts to the Opto-Isolator input.

Arduino to Velleman relay adapter cardNow for the all important hook up on the relay side, don’t be disappointed in the simple. I just grounded the Darlington on the 9 volt ground and sent the other side to the input pins of the card. Boring wasn’t it? The card, like it should, is taking care of all of the rest of the circuit. It is wonderful. So after getting confident in the bread board I built a permanent one to handle all four signals, and make it clean, easy to test,and terminal screw downs for the wires over to the other boards. The photo only show one Opto and one signal wire, the other three are not here yet.

Connecting a relay to the Arduino could have been done many other ways, but I all ready had the Velleman card, and I got the strong bonus of the isolation, that I will need to dive deeper into as I go.

Understanding the software has been a joy of simplicity. It has been so easy to make real programming happen with the great examples built right in the program of the compiler language. Built around C the structure is familiar and logical to follow. YouTube leasons are plentiful with a fully stocked website of current projects. I all ready have the LCD readout, the float switch and a temperature sensor working. More details later.

Make Magazine loves it the Arduino, and you should see what every one else is doing with this little micro controller. WOW! and Open Source! You can even sew one into your cloths.

It is like I am building a house, one nail, one board at a time, but I see the vision on where I am going, and it is looking good.

Posted by: Ron G.

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Part 9 – HHO Project – Power Supply Rebuild

Written By: admin@promotemyev - Nov• 04•11
Arduino Mega 2560

Arduino Mega 2560

This is a continuation of the first post - Is It Possible To Build A Computer Controlled Feedback Circuit For HHO Generator? My personal discovery of the invention developed by Stanley Meyers, a Voltage Intensifying Circuit with very low amperage.

It has been a long time since I have made a post for this project, it has not been forgotten. I have been in a troublesome house remodel, and it is now complete, so I can get back to my life again.

As I looked back, and figure out where I was on my hho progress, it gave me new light on some problems I had run into. That is OK, this is a new learning territory, and revisions are part of figuring out what does not work. I wanted an amp meter to read the draw of power on the whole system, and had made a fundamental mistake in the drawing and wire up. This amp meter can only read DC.

A restructuring of the power supplies pc board was necessary to get a DC out and back in to the board to read the correct loads. A simple cut of the copper lines,a new tie down, a new retest and I am good to go.

Good Time To Think

Not having unlimited money, can force you to really think what to put funds into. Originally I was going to buy a Velleman USB controller, but now I am going with an Arduino Mega 2560 micro controller. It is a fully programmable standalone computer designed for input and output interfacing. Specs include: 256 KB of flash memory for storing code, 54 digital pins that can be used as an input or output ports by just programming them that way, 16 analog inputs, each of which provide 10 bits of resolution, and a very fast clock speed of 16 MHz.

After uploading the program from the desktop computer you can then unplug it and Arduino run the code all by it self, The Velleman that I was looking at, used the desktop computer to run the software and had to be connected.

The other part of the decision was the Arduino philosophy that I liked. It was designed “Open Source” which means if you see a way to improve the details of the board feel free. The results are astonishing, and it has made an wonderful impact on school kid, who now can afford to experiment with electronics.

In Good Company

I have a long way to go and a lot to learn. I like the road I am on, it is going to give me plenty of bumps and pot holes. It is not paved yet, and nether was any of the inventors discoveries of objects and concepts we use in our everyday lives.

Who know if any of this will work, so let us find out…

Posted by: Ron G.

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Big Solar Cell Efficiency Increase From Simple Principles

Written By: admin@promotemyev - Aug• 20•11
SunPower claims new solar cell efficiency record of 24.2 percent

SunPower claims new solar cell efficiency record of 24.2 percent

I love the simple making the complex a fool.

Here are some examples I found that all the way from big companies, and colleges to 13 year old boy is working on.

http://gizmodo.com/5832557/genius-13+year+old-has-a-solar-power-breakthrough

I thought this way, when I was a small boy. Aidan Dwyer arranged  solar cells on a stand, the same way a tree with branches holds leaves. What do you know, this turns out to be a very efficient way over that seasons, and movement of the sun to face the cells. He has really done some homework here and found a 20% – 50% increase in output.

This one is a very techy, a deep process to improve cell output…

http://www.forbes.com/sites/williampentland/2011/05/02/nanocone-tips-take-solar-cell-efficiency-to-next-level/

On the nano small they added cone shapes to the surface. There is all most a race going on in the field to see who can build the most efficient cell, but in most cases the cost goes up as well. Not helping the end user at all. They keep trying. This kind of compition all way brings out the best, and we benefit a more refined product.

This next one sounds like one of those “DUU” moments when you say, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

http://gizmodo.com/391156/ibm-boosts-solar-cell-efficiency-using-magnifying-trick

Hold a magnifying glass over the cell to increase light and power. It works, but the problem is it also makes to much heat on the cell. So they are adding a computer chip heat sinks to remove the heat. More work required, but it is close.

On the same vain This company is using a fresnel lens to concentrate the sun light on the cells softly to make there panels more cost effective.

http://www.best-solar-energy.com/featured-articles/energy-innovation-has-came-up-with-new-product-using-fresnel-lens-2/

Here are others…

http://technorati.com/technology/article/researchers-at-stanford-discover-new-solar/

http://blogs.forbes.com/eco-nomics/2011/02/14/new-magnifying-film-increases-solar-panel-efficiency-by-up-to-300-percent/

Biggest problem to overcome here is, the mount must all move to stay in focus with the sun though the day.

Speaking of heated air solar collectors…

One inventor took soda pop cans and drilled holes in the ends and glued them together in to 6 foot long tubes, and they are spray painted flat black. As the air moves through each can it heat exchanges very well, And it is a great recycle project to using the aluminum cans.

I am thinking of a solar air collector project, but instead of pop cans, I want to try crinkled aluminum dryer exhaust hose. I need to do a test comparison. It is important not to just go out, and start building, but try different shapes, and get that extra 10 to 20% out the design. Sometime looking up, and seeing what other have done may save you your disappointment.

The answers may lay around us  in nature or the profoundly simply, but no mater, it still takes time to find what does not work.

Do not give up simple thinking inventors, you could be up to something great!

Posted by: Ron G.

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Texas Oncor Users, Here Is Your Chance!

Written By: admin@promotemyev - Aug• 15•11
Win a Chevy Volt from Oncor. A Texas power Company

Image from Oncor site

Win a Chevy Volt! To be eligible, verify that you have registered on the Smart Meter Texas.

What the trick?

To win the car you must prove that you have a valid way to reduce your power demand. The results are shown by using your smart meter. I think this is a fantastic way not only promote smart living, but a big boost of attention for the Chevy Volt. There have been radio ads that have come out, and it really got me to notice. They said Win A Chevy Volt, wow, on the radio. Any way…

Have you reduced your electric consumption though the summer heat?

Hear in Texas, summer 2011, we have had a couple of 100 degree F days break some records, and the consecutive days break records. We rely on air conditioning to cool our humid hot air and after 95 degrees F no matter how high a SEER the unit is, they have trouble exchanging that much heat. ( See What is SEER ) I hope you are on averaging billing because you could see a $300 or more rise in the bill over three mouths. That tough if you are on a tight budget and have school supplies to buy at the same time.

Me, I just simply go back to the Good-Ol-Days and turn the AC off, and got a window unit from a friend for the bedroom I sleep in. For a lot of people, that would not work. My reward is a $90 bill not $300 to try to keep the whole house cool. And that with the set back thermostat one year.

It was so strange to go into my grocery store and see half the light not on. It was OK I could see then I read the sign. This store is participating in volunteer electrical cut backs at high peek times.

As I understand it, and not to be an alarmist.  Our services are connected, and when one fails, it strains the whole, but a brown out at the local water pump house would cause shortages in that system.

Good news is No Problems charging 1000′s of electric cars, because that happen at night! ( Off Peek )

Here are some real ideals that would help. I am not on Oncor power, so somebody win this car out there.

  • If your AC unit is old, make sure it is serviced, and can handle the job.
  • Make sure that the outside unit does not have plants to close around it, but is shaded.
  • Keep up with regular filter maintenance.
  • May be a relocation of the thermostat would help detect a more comfortable temperature for the house.
  • Check the run cycle times of the unit, you may be programming the set back time to high, and it is harder to recover back to the evening setting. If the unit does not shut off from 3pm to 10 pm. This changes with higher outside temps.
  • Add a ceiling fan to the rooms you stay in the most. It will feel cooler.
  • Change out the hot incandescent bulb to cooler florescent one. Big differences in one of the rooms in my house.
  • Heavy curtains on the south facing windows.
  • In winter let the sun in, and let in shine on a solar mass. Large black tanks of water work well for this, then the heat is slowly released into the room at night. Sounds nuts, but it works.
  • Build a south facing patio cover to shade the exterior wall.
  • Plant a tree to shade the house.
  • Add insulation to the attic if less than 7 inches.
  • And while you are up there notice how hot it is. Hummm ….
  • Home improvement stores sells a powered attic ventilator. Very cost effective if you live in 100 degree weather. I saw a YouTube video of a guy who ran his on a solar collector. Wonderful ideal! He said the CFM of the one you can buy at Home Depot is way to small to be effective. Good advice. It needed to be stronger so he built it himself.
  • Replace lights in interior rooms with solar light tubes. No power required.
  • Going extreme… Build a solar powered clothes Dryer. ( Not a line you just hang them out on. Which will work. ) This is a neat concept to convert your electric dryer to solar, and in the winter, recovery that heat for the laundry room.
  • Buy power strips that can be remote controlled to shut off those power robbing transformers that are on all of the electronic equipment  most people have, that draw power even when off.
  • Toughen up. It might not be 72 Degrees, but that is OK you can make it, as long as you are healthy. Be thankful that you have some air, and your power has not browned out.
  • I guess the more extreme would be just get off grid entirely, but you would be implementing all of these thoughts and more to go that way.

Meet you there some day, but for now look forward to your next mouths electric bill.

Visit www.TakeALoadOffTexas.com to learn more about Oncor’s energy efficiency incentive and educational programs.

What is SEER – Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating – To complex just go here for more information. http://www.central-air-conditioner-and-refrigeration.com/air_conditioner_seer.html

Posted by: Ron G.

I am not associated with, or employed by Oncor.

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Production Electric Cars For Sale In Waco, Texas

Written By: admin@promotemyev - Jun• 11•11
2011 Zotye SUV All Electric Vehicle

2011 Zotye SUV All Electric Vehicle

I want Waco, Texas to be known for something greater than the worst or the most trivial news someday. In the past it was famous for the place you crossed the Brazos River with your cattle over the steel suspension bridge. Before the 1950 it was the hub for cotton, and was celebrated yearly at the Cotton Palace, there was even a state baseball team and a strong economy in the downtown.

One event seamed to change the course of the city for a long recovery, The F5 Waco Tornado. Cutting a path though the downtown, it took business and homes.

Nature forces change

and now, so has high gas prices. As the whole world has been effected, here in central Texas is no different, the price for regular gas peeked at around $3.80 this past April – May. Is it the best thing that could have happened for us?

The most volume selling cars 5 years ago was big roomy SUVs Hummers, Escalades, Suburbans and over house powered trucks used for commuting, not hauling.

2011 Chevy Volt Demo Car

2011 Chevy Volt Demo Car

Austin, Texas is known for a more environmentally aware city, with it’s green and health life style, you would expect to find a Electric Car at a dealership, not Waco. Well here is the news, there is two dealerships with a electric car! Allen Samuel’s Chevrolet has a Volt Demo Car and Marstaller Motors has a Zotye SUV.

GM makes the qualified Volt dealers keep a Demo Volt in stock, to keep the fire for the car hot. Smart, they learn early on during development of the car, that test drives are a great tool to help teach the new technology to the buyer. If you want this Volt, you have to wait 6 months or order one to be delivered. As production is increasing every quarter for the Volt, your wait will get shorter. I think there has been about 3 Volts seen driving around town. A black one was the first, and it was pickup at a dealership near Austin, in the early roll out. That buyer even made the local paper. A grey and a white one was pick up at Allen Samuel’s a little while back.

Sales Consultant, Bobby Thigpen at Marstaller Motorsis very exited about their dealership carrying the new Zotye Electric SUV, He said stay tuned the info in the pipeline is saying some big advancements in battery technology for the 4 quarter of 2011. You can’t buy the one they have setting on their lot ether, it is just to raise awareness about the car too. This particular one is headed for a crash test, getting it ready for US certification.

WOW, I set in a crash test car, cool!

The vehicle is built in China and the North America importer is Green Automotive Company in Addison Texas.

Here is the short specs on it so far.

MSRP $29,995Zotye All Electric SUV
36 Month / 36,000 Mile Factory Warranty for the Vehicle
185,000 Mile Lithium Ion Battery Warranty
4 door and back hatch
5 seats
75 Max MPH
320 Volt 52,000 Watt Battery System
Charge time 6-8 hours

HERE IS THE BIG SPEC!!! 250 Mile Range

How is this possible?

When the first drivable one comes in, I am there.

Good change is coming to Waco.

Posted By: Ron G.

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