12f675_fuse_about_to_blow!

[LEDave]

Hi mackrackit,

Still struggling for time at the moment. Will get back onto the servo as soon as I can.

Dave

[mackrackit]

Same problem here with time and now I find out that I am getting sent "out of town" for a couple weeks. Not sure how much I will be online for a while.

[LEDave]

Same problem here with time and now I find out that I am getting sent "out of town" for a couple weeks. Not sure how much I will be online for a while.

Put your Boss on, I'll have a word (unless you're being sent to Hawaii or similar?)

These things happen from time to time. As the BBC say 'Normal service will resume shortly'.

Have a good trip.

Dave

[LEDave]

Hi mackrackit,

I hope your working out of Town is going well and not causing you too many problems?

I've been working on the Servo 'Badger' project these last couple of nights (I've actually been able to make some spare time)

The project is coming along well now. The PIR puts a 5V input onto PORTC.3 on the PIC which in turn puts a PULSE onto the servo which then moves up and operates the cable release to start the camera. When I finally finish the whole thing I'll put the code up.

Anyway I hope you're keeping well.

Dave

[mackrackit]

Glad the project is going well. Maybe you can post a picture of a badger soon
Things here went better than expected, now I am back in the shop trying to get caught up on other things... it never ends

[LEDave]

Glad the project is going well. Maybe you can post a picture of a badger soon

I should have it rigged to go for the weekend so fingers X'd.

I'm still amazed at the versatility of these PIC's though, is there anything they can't do circuit wise?

Things here went better than expected, now I am back in the shop trying to get caught up on other things... it never ends

Pleased it went well, like you say though....it never does end

Take it easy.

Dave

[LEDave]

Well I spent hours writing a program to operate a video camera to film the 'Badger' only to find out that the video camera after five minutes powers down and a switch has to be pushed up to re-activate into record mode and then the record button pressed. So a non starter after all that.

I then hooked out my old but simple digital stills camera and re-wrote the program to activate that.The camera stays 'on' when powered up using the mains adaptor so no power down problem and I've turned the LCD display off.

All I need to do now is make a simple board up for the PIC (It's on breadboard at the moment) and I should be in business tomorrow night.

Probably not the most accurate program ever written, then again I couldn't turn an LED on this February anyway here's the code:

ANSEL   = %00000000    'Disable analog select so ports work as digital i/o.
CMCON0  = %00000111    'Disable analog comparators.
TRISA   = %00000000    'Set PORTA as OUTPUT.
PORTA   = %00000000    'Set PORTA pins all low.
TRISC   = %00001000    'Set PORTC.0 as INPUT.
PORTC   = %00000000    'Set PORTC pins all low.


x var byte          'Loop counter Variable
Servo var PORTC.1   'Servo control output_pin
PORTC = 0           'Setup for high_pulsout


MAIN:
PAUSE 50
FOR X = 1 TO 20
PULSOUT Servo,180  'Set the Servo_Arm_Pos (Ready to take a picture)
PAUSE 20
NEXT X

LOOP1:
PAUSE 50
IF PORTC.3 = 0 THEN FIRE: 'PIR Activated (Badger present?)(N/C Contacts opened).
IF PORTC.3 = 1 THEN LOOP1:'PIR Not activated loop until it is.

FIRE:              'Take a picture routine
PAUSE 50
FOR X = 1 TO 20
pulsout servo,130  'Servo_arm moves cable release to take picture
PAUSE 50
NEXT X
pause 1000         'Time for shutter to fire
FOR X = 1 TO 20    'Cable release for camera released / picture taken
PULSOUT Servo,180  'Servo_arm moves back releases cable release
PAUSE 50
NEXT X

PAUSE 10000        'Wait 10 sec's for Camera flash to recycle / recharge
goto LOOP1:

What do you think?

Dave

[mackrackit]

Looks like you are coming right along!

But I am curious about one thing...
What do you plan to do when you find out it is a badger?

[LEDave]

What do you plan to do when you find out it is a badger?

Well just enjoy it and try and take a photo record of it's visits (as long as he / she / they don't start digging the garden up they're more than welcome). We had three Deer that 'visited' a while
back, all was well until they got hungry one night and ate all my wife's shrubs!!! So there are risks attached to 'nature watching'.

Dave

[mackrackit]

Well just enjoy it and try and take a photo record of it's visits (as long as he / she / they don't start digging the garden up they're more than welcome). We had three Deer that 'visited' a while
back, all was well until they got hungry one night and ate all my wife's shrubs!!! So there are risks attached to 'nature watching'.

Dave

COOL
Seen a couple bear cams and they were really interesting. Even had cubs in it!

With PIRs and and multiple cams you could track your vistitors from one end of the trail to the other. Interesting project.

[LEDave]

Breaking news. Operation 'Badger' has just gone live......

I've had a few teething problems though, the main one being that although the PIR is out in the garden the camera itself is photographing through a double glassed unit and the flash swamps the picture, it looks like snow. The best I could do tonight was move the camera back into the room and alter the camera angle on the trpod to about 45 degrees.If I get a picture I'll zoom in and edit it.

If I get any pictures I'll post them up.

Seen a couple bear cams and they were really interesting. Even had cubs in it!

Probably a very good, not to mention safe way of getting cub footage. I've heard Bears are very protective of their young. A badgers claws are big enough for me

I might have trouble sleeping tonight, all rather exciting this

Dave

[LEDave]

Well here are the results of night one.

I can't really believe it but there he is Mr Badger (or maybe that should be Mrs B not sure) oh and a mystery guest too.

When I woke up this morning there were 48 pictures taken (48!) so the device worked a treat.

Tonight, I'm putting the peanut container on the step right outside the doorway, if he turns up I should get a much clearer photo.

An amazing result for night one though.

Dave

[ScaleRobotics]

Nice results! First try, I like that!

I have not tested at night, but it might help to get your camera right up against the glass, and make a cardboard, or black paper "flash block" that would block some of the light coming from the flash from getting to the glass in front of the lens. As I say, I did not test at night, I just did a test out of a dark window this morning. It seems to be better, but night is the true test. I think if you get rid of some of the flash reflection, you will be better.

But again, congrats on catching a badger the first try!

Walter

[mackrackit]

WOW!!!! THAT IS COOL!!!!
One heck of a job!!!

[LEDave]

Hi Walter

Thanks for the tip I'll give that a try.

Dave

[LEDave]

Cheers mackrackit,

I'm really pleased with the results for a first attempt. I must admit I wasn't really expecting to hit the jackpot with the first go

Let's see what tonight brings and hopefully a better picture.

Dave

[Archangel]

Nice job 3 badgers and . . . Your wife's cat? I wouldn't get too close to that bad boy (girl?) their reputation precedes them. You have made great progress in 4 months Dave, Now, what do you think about infrared illuminators for the tripod ?

[LEDave]

Hi Joe

Thanks for that.

I think it was the same Badger three times (47 photo's to be exact (48 including the cat)) and heaven know who's cat that was!

Now, what do you think about infrared illuminators for the tripod ?

Mmm, not sure about that one Joe, wouldn't you need a camera that was sensitive to infra-red? Something like a security camera?

The camera I took the photo's with is probably the most basic digital camera still in use in the Northern hemisphere, are digital camera's sensitive to infra-red?

Dave

[mackrackit]

All digital cameras are IR sensetive.
Point you TV remote at the camera and see what happens.

[LEDave]

Blimey that was amazing, I never knew that would happen

So what we're saying is that if we had enough IR-LED's I could take a picture without using the flash gun, is that right?

Dave

[mackrackit]

Yup.
Only thing is they do not " shine" very far. Maybe 10 feet max. You will have to check the data sheet for angle and brightness.

Might get an idea of how it will work by using the remote to light something up. Use video mode and get the retro strobe effect

[LEDave]

Hi mackrackit,

The IR led on my TV / Video remote doesn't shine that bright, you'd need a fair few of them to match a flashgun I'm thinking, although I did get the flashing strobe effect.

I drew a complete blank with the camera kit last night. Tomorrow should be a much better night weather wise, so I might set the camera up in the garden for a clearer picture

[mackrackit]

The LED in the remote is not driven very hard, only has 3 volts or so behind it and is pulsing.

Take a look at this
http://www.lasertagparts.com/mtoptics.htm
The LEds used are "high power" and you could even use the lens setup for a spot light kind of thing. Take a key-chain LED and a magnifying glass and at the correct LED to lens distance... well you will be surprised. Good for demonstrations.

[LEDave]

That was an interesting read, I'll have a look around and try and source some parts for and IR led and lens combo.

I must say though I was very surprised the Badger hung around for 47 photo's and wasn't scared off by the flash continually firing.

I've had an idea to make my fortune by the way:

The fact that I captured a Badger at my very first attempt means I must be a natural at this
And I've heard that you guys in America have a thing called the Bigfoot or the sasqcatch that nobody has any pictures of right? I coud be that man! Then again the Badger has pretty big claws not to mention a Bear and as for Bigfoot.....perhaps I'd better reconsider

Camera's set up for night3.

Dave

[mackrackit]

Start off with solving the crop circles you have over there
Might be big foot on holiday

[LEDave]

Lol............

[LEDave]

Last nights picture

Please note the cunningly hidden PIR detector inside the old Cornflakes packet itself inside a polythene bag (bottom LHS).

Dave

[mackrackit]

If you could place some of the IR LEDs as close as you have the PIR you should be able to light the feed dish up like daylight.

Another thought .... Good thing big foot does not eat peanuts

[LEDave]

If you could place some of the IR LEDs as close as you have the PIR you should be able to light the feed dish up like daylight.

I'll see what I can order up. It will be interesting to see the results of an LED v's flashgun.

Another thought .... Good thing big foot does not eat peanuts

Too right, The Badger's costing me a fortune......

[LEDave]

Last nights pictures, the best so far I think

Dave

[mackrackit]

Those are great.
How did you do the lighting?

[LEDave]

Hi mackrackit,

The lighting was the camera flash (I'm still looking into IR_LED's) But I placed some diffuse material over the flash lens (Ok I'll fess up, it was a small piece cut from the plastic bag inside a cornflakes packet). It seemed to work though, still some flash flare but not bad.

Dave

[mackrackit]

I never thought of doing that. Makes sense.

Will have to remember that for later.

[LEDave]

Set the camera up last night and had a nice phot_set of someone's cat

I'll post any good or interesting pictures up as they occur.

Right then, what's the next 'Mission' / 'Project' mackrackit? Or are you working on one?

Dave

[mackrackit]

To be honest I have been tied up with some other "stuff"...
I will think of another mission soon.

[LEDave]

I will think of another mission soon.

As and when mackrackit, absolutely no rush at all. I'll try and get some IR_LED's and a lens to make a night light for the camera when I can source some kit.

Dave

[mackrackit]

Being we are sorta on the subject of surveillance/security/IR...
What about an IR "trip wire"?
And while you are doing IR "stuff", maybe some IR comms also?
http://www.rentron.com/Infrared_Communication.htm

[LEDave]

What about an IR "trip wire"?
And while you are doing IR "stuff", maybe some IR comms also?

Sounds good to me Is there anything these PIC's can't do......?

Dave

[mackrackit]

Sounds good to me Is there anything these PIC's can't do......?

Yes... But we do not talk about that here

[LEDave]

Lol......