power Off/shutdown code/circuit

Hi,
I'd like to completely power off a PIC based circuit after the job is done. Currently I've a relay that controls AC power to the circuit, the relay is driven by PORTA.0. the logic is somewhat like this

PORTA.0=1 ' relay is ON, power is applied to PIC
....do the job
PORTA.0=0 ' relay is OFF
FOR I=1 to 1000 'start a loop to die until DC power is disappears
Pause 1000
NEXT I

unfortunately this is not reliable

Any hint ? using an external transistor connected to MCLR ?

Thanks

In what way is it not reliable?

BTW you could replace:

FOR I=1 to 1000 'start a loop to die until DC power is disappears
Pause 1000
NEXT I


With:

End

More detail and a schematic will help. PIC# too

"PORTA.0=1 ' relay is ON", Isn't PORTA.0=0 ' relay is ON?

Hi,

Try to disable the Brown-out reset circuit.

http://img10.picsplace.to/15/BOR.PNG

Best regards,

Luciano

My initial routine is not reliable because I guess the following happens:
1) turn on relay
2) do the job
3) turn off relay -> no AC power is applied
4) the large 2000 uF capacity voltage goes down slowly, i.e below 4V
5) the brown out logic kicks in -> resets the PIC which restarts from begining
6) goto 1) --> AC power is applied again...

will try the END statement as suggested above, otherwise will look at the LM2914 power regulator described in an other post.

Thanks
Eric

Hi,

Describe the electrical circuit used to turn on the device.
(Push button)?

Best regards,

Luciano

Hello,
I have a low cost idea, install an SCR between the voltage regulator and the load (PIC) make sure the filter capacitor is on the load side of the scr. Using your existing relay setup the SCR will disengage when power is cut off to the SCR and will not reapply power if power supply should power up again,bias the gate so it requires a significant voltage to trigger it to prevent Ghost startups, otherwise a simple latching relay setup like power tools use would do as well.