Project:Fire Pong Meeting 2016-06-16

Fire Pong Meeting 2016-06-16

Attendees

• Ian D
• Mouse

Happenings

Lots of discussion:

• Small puffer control:
  • The 5V pro-mini sits on the relay board really nicely - just need to solder on row of 9 header pins and it will press-fit onto the signal pins and ground
  • We can remove the jumper on the power pins of the relay board and add headers to have separate power for the logic circuit and the relays (which can't be driven by the regulator on the pro mini, which is too weedy
  • Mouse has a bunch of MAX3232 based RS232 level converters with 9-pin D connectors (panel mount), so we can have the logic and low power supply coming in through one of those connectors
• High-current 5v supply for sparkers:
  • The sparkers can run from 6V lead acid batteries, so we could potentially use motorcycle batteries to run them
    • We'd have to buy quite a few batteries and enough chargers to charge them between performances
  • Another approach is to use a bunch of 5A or 3A 5V regulators in parallel from a 12 V supply, and just eat the inefficiency of that
  • Ian to do power calculations to see what might work here
• No word from Greg yet about the tank adapter
  • Mouse checked Greg's email in HMS, as it's the same as the one he gave us
• Large puffers:
  • Mouse is worried about air in the accumulator causing a problem
  • Is there a way to flush it before starting? We want to be 100% sure the mix has significantly less air than the stoichiometric mix, else we risk combustion in the accumulator with potentially catastrophic results
• We ordered a bunch of stuff (to be added to the Accounting page:
  • More solenoids (from UK supplier)
  • More sparkers
  • Arduino Pro Mini's for the small puffer segment control boxen)
• Discussed connecting propane supply to each segment:
  • Hose barbs for propane hose connections still seem to the easiest / cheapest way to connect gas to segments, but really not satisfactory - even with the "high pressure" barb type.
  • Would much rather use quick relase fittings with auto-shut off
• WiiMote:
  • Arrived, but can't connect with Linux
  • Mouse messaged Martin Raynesford, who has ordered a shield capable of talking to them - want to get our hands on it sooner rather than later.
  • Will also test with OEM WiiMote on Saturday (Ian has some at home)

Homework

• Ian:
  • Power calculations for 6V lead acids (how many do we need to run for 2 hours, cased on average or 2 sparkers operating continuously?
  • Think more about the sparker mounts, but don't sweat it - we can always tape on those ceramic resistors!
  • Remember to bring offical WiiMote on Saturday.
• Mouse:
  • Continue looking for segment supply attachment solution
  • Review parts and order list and order remaining bits for small puffer segments (BSP fittings etc)
  • Get details of batteries we can borrow from V3 (messaged Tom Dixon on FB)
  • Hook up 2 relay boards and connect to serial and start to write code for actual pong game

Next Time

Meeting at the space on Saturday after hack the space day morning of skip-filling (starts 8am). Going back to Ian's place to try different nozzle designs:

• 22mm copper pipe
• Small tin can
• Small tin can with scourers

Ian to bring OEM Wiimote Mouse to bring spark plug