Gunners TekZone
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Everything posted by Gunners TekZone
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Easy so far... I haven't gotten past the stage where I posted that Really, the parts are still in the same container, languishing in my LEGO room. I have more desires and projects than I have energy and focus But I am thinking that the arm pictured either finds a way with just two motors, or adds a third. Of which I have in my collection, so I am sure that one way or another I will persevere... eventually... I hope... -
I don't know... As I understand it this was a Japanese only product back in the day, and I only just received mine. I am still practicing my GoogleFu to find more like the part I listed, which was a major part in my determining that this was a worthy item to acquire. BTW apparently that is just a segment of the whole english translated "non-official" manual floating around out there (The OG manuals are all in Japanese). Yes... the Interface-A is rather simple to operate... So if something can toggle an LED or sense a switch, it can activate a port and read an input.
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Well, that one (Sharp PC-1401) or similar, would only work with an Arduino doing all the heavy lifting. This one however, has actual 8-bit PIO capabilities on it's 11-pin interface port... https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/p70oq7wufvmtn53ytplv6/Sharp_PC-G850VS_Interface.pdf?rlkey=wy9vqu29363ua1l3x912gvgfk&dl=1 I had actually purchased the newer version (PC-G850VS) on ebay from Japan (basically the same but improved display etc.). But the seller actually shipped me a bonus PC-G650V for FREE!!, becasue it has some randomly failing vertical columns (you can see one in the image here) and I guess he just didn't want to bother listing it?? I am sure not complaining, nope not at all So I will use the V for initial testing... Just in case I fumble something and attempt a smoke check.
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I did try the 4.5v motors, but so under-powered or slow, depending on gearing. And the 9v ones still run with more torque on 4.5v and thus minimal need for additional gearing down. And the Int-A handles them just fine (9750 as everyone else calls it... I should follow tradition, but thanks to dyslexic tendencies, I get confused by numbers, letters, words, people... )
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@evank Hey Evan. Yes I have been watching your stuff for awhile now. I currently have my Interface-A running on my Commodore 128... Eventually the APCO IIe clone, and then, yes... the Pocket PC?!? (Well, OK, via an Arduino)
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Hmmmm... Perhaps after I have tackled my (totally new to me as well) Apple IIe clone to Int-A project (The Int-B partially pictured is another set of projects all together) Meanwhile, I just ordered a couple of these...
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Certainly!! And thanks for the invite to explore these cards potential Interface-A use here. I was planning on comparing them to the 9767 pin-out I found for the Apple II series... But there was enough differences that I figured it would be easier to start with a proto-board (if I can find some at a cheap enough price, including shipping) and try to make my own.
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Thanks. Having seen that prior, and then also finding others like this DIY 9767 design are what really convinced me to go in another direction for the LEGO Int-A, and save the multi I/O cards for different experiments.
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Sorry, you can disregard this post. While doing more digging, I realised that it would probably be cheaper (than a Blocko card... $70USD?? Ouch!) and potentially easier for me to take already available info and just make my own 9767, then try to mod one of the two types of general I/O cards I recently acquired. Those cards will still be part of a personal project to figure out and find use for. But as they will not be LEGO related (at least directly at first, if ever) it is not a topic for the forum. Hey y'all. I didn't want to clutter this topic with my latest wannabee project, but as it is somewhat content related, and I suspect I could benefit from the vast knowledge of many current members following this post... I wished to post my topic link here. I hope that is OK.
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Wow, nice find! I have an Interface B on my desk, running an ESP32 interface with Python (usually acting as a MQTT switch and indicator for a lamp), but this make it an easy-swap dual purpose CL test bed now.
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Interesting. I had to use Google Lens Translate, but I got it installed on my WIN7 VM that I use to run Control Lab... So I know that the COM port connection is good. I am unsure if this is the reason... The program knows I am not using original disks!! But while the program seems to run, it cannot find the controller (and NO option to set the COM port?? Although I have only the one on the VM)
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7740 inspired MOC - 6w - Updated locomotive
Gunners TekZone replied to LL1982's topic in LEGO Train Tech
It almost fits without the additional base trimming, but then the base doesn't sit flush with the top (in the middle) nor will the pin rotate smoothly. You might get away with just trimming the flange end of the pin to much tighter tolerances. Experiment there first if you are unsure. Regardless, trimming out the blocking plate on the base is non-structural, so just go slow and use a Dremel if available (I used electronic flush trimmers and a X-ACTO knife... with a bit of rushed enthusiasm ) -
7740 inspired MOC - 6w - Updated locomotive
Gunners TekZone replied to LL1982's topic in LEGO Train Tech
@LL1982 If you are not adverse to a little minor LEGO surgery ... this works... Trim the end off this Technic piece, leaving the flange. You will need to trim some more on the motor "base" (A Dremel would have been neater, but it is all hidden) Use a "3rd hand" to hold in place when reattaching the base. Fit the wheel, trim the axle and voila... a 3rd wheel on a PU (or PF) motor that has enough wiggle to handle the R40 just fine (although removing the rubber traction band will help even more) -
Ah... Thanks. Now I know why I was unaware, between German language videos and museum location, I was totally unaware. Might as well be on the moon... well, the far side, as I can at least see the near side from here
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Ah Yes... I watched all your videos way back when, while awaiting for my 1st (and only) Interface-A to arrive. You have an amazing collection!! I too originally played around with coding some stuff in Commodore 64 BASIC before finding the English version of LEGO Lines. I recently acquired original 1090 "box/book" of instruction cards, and I think I have assembled all the needed parts from within my collection... One day, when feeling well enough, I will build one of the arms.
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@maehw Thanks for that!! Again, I regret my initial post... Turns out I have never actually read through this particular topic, otherwise I might have had more insight . In fact, I am not entirely sure why I even got an email notice about the prior posts I responded to . Perhaps because I recall following @Toastie ? Oh well... regardless of my opinions I am in no position to contribute, nor benefit from a copy anyhow (No old PC/XT with adaptor card, etc). So I will just sit back and watch from the peanut gallery (and run LEGO Lines from my Commodore 128 ).
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Ya, I belatedly tried to delete my nonsense post... I haven't a clue who this Daniel is, or the circumstances at hand. But alas, I was caught out And far be it for me to judge others... Sorry for my initial post I have seen TC-Logo for MS-DOS, but was there even such a thing as an OG LEGO Lines for MS-DOS?? I have only seen a few references, but nothing conclusive. Oh well, I have no old DOS computers in my possession (despite starting my whole computer tech work history with ye old PC/XT), thus haven't really looked deeply into that side of things. BTW, I do have the english converted LEGO Lines for the Commodore-64 that is on archive.org. And I do appreciate the volunteered effort that was put into doing that.
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I decided to zip my lip ... But don't have option to delete my own post???
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Personally, I only have three interface-B devices. But using @Bliss's Python Script based method, the limiting factor would probably be only the number of Serial/USB ports, and processing power of the host to keep up with all the communication. These Interface-B's are chatty little boxes Hmm... I think I actually recall seeing yours, over the last year that I had been looking for alternative software options. Unfortunately I seem to recall not understanding enough to figure out how to implement it with whatever maven was. My only prior Java based language use was some small scripts in Node-Red. In the end, I found Python more comfortable, due the simplicity of an IDE like Thonny (Now I am wondering if it works with Java??). And my familiarity of already using it (and micropython) with microcontrollers and PyBricks won me over. But I like learning stuff, when able, so I might look into your Java based option again.
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Well, after many days of 1st snow, 6 hour power outage (in freezing cold and all electric heat), dead camera server (faulty UPS??) computer revival/replacement, and even issues with micropython behaviour that just messed up my thinking... (PS, I belatedly realised that there is NO reason to try this on the Win 7 PC, as due it's very nature, a ESP32/Micropython controlled Interface-B needs no serial ports... Doh!)... I can finally concur :D I am running an Pi400 with Mosquitto MQTT broker and Node-Red. And using Node-Red to handle the logic, the Micropython Interface-B has been running over 24 hours. With temp, rotation, button and light (the button and bulb control and indicate the status of a 120v lamp, via Sonoff switch).
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Woops... Be aware, not sure if due to the free or Android version, but apparently restoring will wipe out all other connections that were there? Odd. And having almost installed advertised programs when meaning to hit the save button at the bottom, and not willing to spend $12CAD for this at the moment, I might stick with the Virtuino IoT and Node-Red interfaces I already have and understand
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It's JSON so not a problem there. Worked great! Thanks! I had started on a couple of settings of my own with that app... as well as some more Node-Red, but between normal grogginess and stuffed sinuses due recent weather change... I fear the more GUI/HMI interfaces I struggle to learn, the greater my chances of forgetting where I live
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And I finally got the MQTT part working. Took a bit to realise that, and where in the code, I needed to set the TX/RX pins... Silly me :P That app looks interesting... But looked like it was going to take me a bit to set it up, so I fell back to my Node-Red setup for some basic tests to confirm proper action.
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Well, a bit of fiddling around (I still don't really understand the webrepl aspect?? I just use Thonny to run a program) I got an older ESP32 DevKit board to work with demob.py (press button on 1 see light on A) Baby steps
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That was a big thing a bunch of us regulars on the BLYNK forum kept having to teach the noobs, never use blocking code!!!... That was with basic Arduino code and Legacy BLYNK (the new version is not as nice, and I gave up on it long ago). Still awaiting my Serial adapter, should be here today?? And I think I will have to simply duplicate what you have done with a basic ESP32, as I am finding micropython a learning curve as is, without also trying to make use of the Wio Terminal or PICO displays I have.