Hi guys, =20 Sorry if I caused any unpleasant feelings by using the word, "Required". = When I used the word, 'Required', I don't mean, demanding help. I will ne= ver do that when requesting help because, no one in the list owes me anyt= hing. It will be very rude and 'corky' to do so. Shooting at my own feet = literally. As for using upper case in the 'subject' title, is to catch at= tention and not meant to 'shout' at someone. I always use upper case for = title and subject but not in the main content of the subject matter. =20 Hope the above clarifies. =20 cheers to all, techy fellow wrote: Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2005 17:24:11 -0800 (PST) From: techy fellow=20 To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public."=20 Subject: [PIC]: HELP REQUIRED FROM NEWBIE If possible, a schematic (PCB layout won't hurt either) and code will be = nice. The reason why I didn't asked for the above in the first place was = because I worried some might think that I want to be 'spoon-fed'. As I me= ntioned, I am a newbie (that's why I didn't ask appropriately in the firs= t place -- no pun intended). I have completed some electronic projects before by following electronic = projects published in magazines and internet links. Basic knowledge such = as, identifying basic electronic components, etching PCB, soldering compo= nents to PCB and 'blowing' codes into MCU, I can handle it. Beyond this (= designing of circuits and coding from scratch), I can't. I do have the following hardware related to MCUs. Bought them enthusiasti= cally but, no time to really sit down to learn how to use them effectivel= y. - PICStart Plus board, - ICD2 - Kit 128 for PICs (from Kitsrus) - 100% self-built a PIC development board appeared in one of EPE magazine= . Working condition. - STK500 - STK501 - AVR ICE 200 - Kit 123 for 8051 family (from kitsrus) Comtemplating to buy a BASIC programming software for either PIC (eg. Pic= Basic Pro) or AVR (Bascom AVR) since I know BASIC. Almost zero knowledge = on Assembly and 'C'. As one can see, I can't even decide which MCU is suitable for newbie. I a= m the type that prefer to learn along the way (by completing projects), w= hich may not be a good way to learn electronics. But, this is how I learn= ed to play the guitar (learn new chords from new songs). cheers, Andrew Rich wrote: You have some options. You really want a to know whether it is day or nig= ht right ? And then turn on / off some switches. You can use the comparators in the 16F628 or 16F877A The 16F877A has the advantage of A/D I understand what you are doing, do you need code ? do you have a program= mer ? Do you have MPLAB ? Have you programmed 16F628 / 16F877A before ? -----Original Message----- From: piclist-bounces@mit.edu [mailto:piclist-bounces@mit.edu]On Behalf Of techy fellow Sent: Thursday, 6 January 2005 12:43 AM To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public. Subject: [PIC]: HELP REQUIRED FROM NEWBIE Hi Andrew, Sorry for not being clear. I am working on a project using a PIC (16F877 = or 16F628 ) or even AVR (90S2313, 90S8515) to control 4 relays (2 pairs); on and off for say, 8 seconds interval for 24/7. Powerheads (fish tank type) operating at 220v will be attached to the relays. During the day, when th= e fish tank lights are on, I want the on/ off interval to be 8 seconds. Dur= ing the night when the lights are off, I want the on/ off interval to be 4 seconds. Thus, I think of using a light sensor as an input logic so as to use different interval routines within the PIC. As I am totally new to MCU and electronics hence, if I can get hold of a project that is as close to my requirement as possible, that will greatly help. The only plus I have is, I have some BASIC programming background. Hopefully, I can pick up quickly on modifying the source code to suit my needs. Thanks in advance for the help. cheers, Andrew Rich wrote: Here is the flow 1. Get the datasheet 2. Download MPLAB 7.0 3. Use MPLAB to simulate, syntax check and create the HEX file used for programming 4. I use a PIC programmer that hangs of the serial port 5. Surf the web for little examples i started out turning lights on and o= ff What specifically do you need to know ? Ask lost of questions -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? All your favorites on one personal page =16 Try My Yahoo! -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Meet the all-new My Yahoo! =96 Try it today!=20 --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist =09 --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - Find what you need with new enhanced search. Learn more. --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist