Pocket watch ‘Cylindre 10 rubis’

Pocket watch ‘Cylindre 10 rubis’

 

I bought this watch on eBay, state to be a pre-WW2 pocket watch.

It does not run and the main spring appears broken.

But- it is in a repairable state and everything moves easily.

Most importantly- it has not been tampered with.

In my search for similar watches i could not find any with identical  inner mechanics, all watches that appear to be alike have different gears and so on.

I will update the repair later.

Converting HI8 videotapes to digital video at high quality from Firewire DV to Thunderbolt 2 or Thunderbolt 3 USB-C

I had a lot of old HI8 tapes that needed converting to digital media, preferably with high quality.

I tried several methods, including the old fashioned analogue recording machines like the Philips that utilized an HDD for analogue TV recording.  These machine was also equipped with a DVD recording capability BUT this never really gave satisfactory results, regarding the video quality.

Standalone analogue video converters to USB also never gave me good results.

After a lot of research I identified a way to generate digital video from a specific type of Hi8 camera with DV output, and convert this with a specific set of apple converters to Thunderbolt 2 (or 3 or 4 USB-C).

The setup for connecting to any Thunderbolt 2-and UP PC or Mac or iPad looks like this:

The hardware setup is as follows:

Sony DCR 1 HV 330 Hi8 camcorder with mini DV firewire in/output:

Firewire 400/800 cable from mini 6-pins  to Firewire  ‘standard’ 9-pins

Firewire 800 (9-pins)  to Thunderbolt 2 (Apple) converter

Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 (=USB-C) (Apple) converter nr.  A1790

If you have a PC, you could also just buy a cheap PC-card with firewire 800 (9-pins), then you only need the Firewire 400-800 cable to connect the DV camera to the PC’s firewire card.

For importing the video, I used a software program that I bought online for my recent Dell XPS13 laptop which worked very well.

For importing the video stream you can also just use VLC mediaplayer, using the streaming option. Just set the storage in VLC to save the streamed video!

That’s it!

C) Jantec.nl 2023-6-30

GRA-AFCH NixieClockShield_NCS318_V1_94_TZ.ino with Time zone and automated summer/winter time with example video

I added the timezone.lib plus arduino-additional code to the open-source code as GRA-AFCH made this for their  IN-18 nixie clock with Arduino Mega : NixieClockShield_NCS318_V1_94_TZ.

This is a first version that works, but it might require some coding to be done, depending on where you live.

And THIS is HOW it works:  The startup sequence is shown in the below video:

If you’re not in Western Europe, changing the timezone will be needed.

If I want to spend some more time on it, I can make it fully automated to work anywhere in the world and make the timezone setting done via the menu buttons, requires only a one time setting upon installation.  Maybe later.

This 1ST version makes the NIXIE clock sync to UTC with the help of a to be connected standard GPS module . This was already in the code. Then, the clock changes to the correct time zone, including automatic shifting for summer- and wintertime! 

In the code, I used the Western Europe timezone- and winter/summertime settings.  Also, an example is given for a US timezone. Others can be derived from the examples that come with the newly added timezone.lib from https://github.com/JChristensen/Timezone

These are the available timezones:

// Australia Eastern Time Zone (Sydney, Melbourne)
TimeChangeRule aEDT = {“AEDT”, First, Sun, Oct, 2, 660}; // UTC + 11 hours
TimeChangeRule aEST = {“AEST”, First, Sun, Apr, 3, 600}; // UTC + 10 hours
Timezone ausET(aEDT, aEST);

// Moscow Standard Time (MSK, does not observe DST)
TimeChangeRule msk = {“MSK”, Last, Sun, Mar, 1, 180};
Timezone tzMSK(msk);

// Central European Time (Frankfurt, Paris)
TimeChangeRule CEST = {“CEST”, Last, Sun, Mar, 2, 120}; // Central European Summer Time
TimeChangeRule CET = {“CET “, Last, Sun, Oct, 3, 60}; // Central European Standard Time
Timezone CE(CEST, CET);

// United Kingdom (London, Belfast)
TimeChangeRule BST = {“BST”, Last, Sun, Mar, 1, 60}; // British Summer Time
TimeChangeRule GMT = {“GMT”, Last, Sun, Oct, 2, 0}; // Standard Time
Timezone UK(BST, GMT);

// UTC
TimeChangeRule utcRule = {“UTC”, Last, Sun, Mar, 1, 0}; // UTC
Timezone UTC(utcRule);

// US Eastern Time Zone (New York, Detroit)
TimeChangeRule usEDT = {“EDT”, Second, Sun, Mar, 2, -240}; // Eastern Daylight Time = UTC – 4 hours
TimeChangeRule usEST = {“EST”, First, Sun, Nov, 2, -300}; // Eastern Standard Time = UTC – 5 hours
Timezone usET(usEDT, usEST);

// US Central Time Zone (Chicago, Houston)
TimeChangeRule usCDT = {“CDT”, Second, Sun, Mar, 2, -300};
TimeChangeRule usCST = {“CST”, First, Sun, Nov, 2, -360};
Timezone usCT(usCDT, usCST);

// US Mountain Time Zone (Denver, Salt Lake City)
TimeChangeRule usMDT = {“MDT”, Second, Sun, Mar, 2, -360};
TimeChangeRule usMST = {“MST”, First, Sun, Nov, 2, -420};
Timezone usMT(usMDT, usMST);

// Arizona is US Mountain Time Zone but does not use DST
Timezone usAZ(usMST);

// US Pacific Time Zone (Las Vegas, Los Angeles)
TimeChangeRule usPDT = {“PDT”, Second, Sun, Mar, 2, -420};
TimeChangeRule usPST = {“PST”, First, Sun, Nov, 2, -480};
Timezone usPT(usPDT, usPST);

Be aware,the way I did this is a Q&D method since i have just hacked  this into an existing piece of code, and only do a rewrite of the RTC’s original time after every sync to GPS with the new timezone and winter/summer time rules, so RTC will then become the new local time, either summer- or wintertime.

Since the time and applying the rules of timezone+ winter/summertime is continuously refreshed, not just the time is very stable, but also the changes between winter- and summertime and vice versa are automated.

The required arduino libraries are on the GRA-AFCH Github pagine:

https://github.com/afch/NixieClock

OR-just download the zipped Libraries from our website.

It works really well, please see the zipped file here or copy/paste the arduino code below (you will need some additional files than can only be retreived from the zip-file below, though).

NixieClockShield_NCS318_V1_94_TZ.ino

NixieClockShield_NCS318_V1_94_TZ.ino:

const String FirmwareVersion = “0196TZ”;
const char HardwareVersion[] PROGMEM = {“NCS318/568 FW 1.94TZ 2021_04_04 Jantec.nl add-on for Timezones for HW 1.x HV5122 or HV5222”};

//// This ‘TZ’ firmware addition delivers automated Summer/Winter time changes based on your local time zone settings ////
//// Jantec.nl 2023-04-04 The Netherlands, Amsterdam. Please share and re-use! ////
//// This can and may be used in any CLOCK program, with possibly specific minor alteration, due to different libraries and do on ////
//// All of my add-ons are specified in the code! Cheers, Jantec.nl, NL ////
//// The approach here is to automatically change the EEPROM hours setting according to the SUMMER/WINTER timecheme ////
//// meaning: Put in the register: a) the time zone (=normal winter time) versus UTC and b) at the switching times the summer ‘+1’ change versus ‘normal’wintertime ///
//// If the user changes the hours setting, this will be overruled at every programmed time change related to summer/ winter time
//Format _X.XXX_
//NIXIE CLOCK SHIELD NCS318/568 for HW 1.x by GRA & AFCH (fominalec@gmail.com)
//1.94 26.02.2021
//Added: Сhecking the presence of a gps receiver when turned on.
//Return to the previous gps parser
//1.92 21.01.2021
//Added: defines for GPS receiver types
//1.91 29.07.2020
//The driver has been changed to support BOTH HV5122 and HV5222 registers (switching using resistor R5222 Arduino pin No. 8)
//1.90 08.06.2020
//Fixed: GPS timezone issue: added breakTime(now(), tm) to adjustTime function at Time.cpp
//1.89 03.04.2020
//Dots sync with seconds
//1.88 26.03.2020
//GPS synchronization algorithm has been changed (again)
//1.86 23.02.2020
//GPS synchronization algorithm changed
//1.85.3 23.02.2020
//Added: DS3231 internal temperature sensor self test: 5 beeps if fail.
//1.85.2 21.02.2020
//Fixed: Bug with time zones more than +-9
// GPS parser has been replaced by NEOGPS
//1.85.1 05.01.2020
//Value of “HardwareVersion” was changed to NCS318/568
//1.85 14.06.2019
//indication is working inside interrupt (only for Arduino Mega), driver v1.3 is required
//Added: support programmable leds ws2812b
//Some performance optimizations
//1.84 08.04.2018
//LEDs functions moved to external file
//LEDs freezing while music (or sound) played.
//SPI Setup moved driver’s file
//1.83 02.08.2018 (Driver v 1.1 is required)
//Fixed: Temp. reading speed fixed
//Fixed: Dots mixed up (driver was updated to v. 1.1)
//Fixed: RGB LEDs reading from EEPROM
//Fixed: Check for entering data from GPS in range
//1.82 18.07.2018 Dual Date Format
//1.81 18.02.2018 Temp. sensor present analyze
//1.80 06.08.2017
//Added: Date and Time GPS synchronization
//1.70 30.07.2017
//Added IR remote control support (Sony RM-X151) (“MODE”, “UP”, “DOWN”)
//1.60 24_07_2017
//Added: Temperature reading mode in menu and slot machine transaction
//1.0.31 27_04_2017
//Added: antipoisoning effect – slot machine
//1.021 31.01.2017
//Added: time synchronizing each 10 seconds
//Fixed: not correct time reading from RTC while start up
//1.02 17.10.2016
//Fixed: RGB color controls
//Update to Arduino IDE 1.6.12 (Time.h replaced to TimeLib.h)
//1.01
//Added RGB LEDs lock(by UP and Down Buttons)
//Added Down and Up buttons pause and resume self testing
//25.09.2016 update to HW ver 1.1
//25.05.2016

//#define tubes8
#define tubes6
//#define tubes4

#include <SPI.h>
#include <Wire.h>
#include <ClickButton.h>
#include <TimeLib.h>
#ifndef GRA_AND_AFCH_TIME_LIB_MOD
#error The “Time (TimeLib)” library modified by GRA and AFCH must be used!
#endif

//// THIS IS NEW, related to TIMEZONE add-on:
#include <Timezone.h>//https://github.com/JChristensen/Timezone
//Central European Time (Frankfurt, Paris)
TimeChangeRule myDST = {“CEST”, Last, Sun, Mar, 26, 120}; //Central European Summer Time//Daylight time = UTC +2 hours
TimeChangeRule mySTD = {“CET “, Last, Sun, Oct, 3, 60}; //Central European Standard Time (Winter)//Daylight time = UTC +1 hour
Timezone myTZ(myDST, mySTD);
//ADD AND REPLACE THE ABOVE FOR ANY OTHER REQUIRED TIMEZONE FROM THE EXAMPLES IN JChistensen’s exaples folders
// US Eastern Time Zone (New York, Detroit)
//TimeChangeRule myDST = {“EDT”, Second, Sun, Mar, 2, -240}; //Daylight time = UTC – 4 hours
//TimeChangeRule mySTD = {“EST”, First, Sun, Nov, 2, -300}; //Daylight time = UTC – 4 hours
//Timezone myTZ(myDST, mySTD);
TimeChangeRule *tcr; //pointer to the time change rule, use to get the TZ abbrev
time_t utc;
//// end of this add-on for TIMEZONE

#include <Tone.h>
#include <EEPROM.h>
#include “doIndication318_HW1.x.h”
#include <OneWire.h>
//IR remote control /////////// START /////////////////////////////
#if defined(__AVR_ATmega1280__) || defined(__AVR_ATmega2560__)

#define GPS_SYNC_INTERVAL 1800000 // in milliseconds
//#define GPS_SYNC_INTERVAL 180000 //3 minutes
unsigned long Last_Time_GPS_Sync = 0;
//bool GPS_Sync_Flag = false;
//uint32_t GPS_Sync_Interval=120000; // 2 minutes
uint32_t GPS_Sync_Interval = 60000; // first try = 1 minute
uint32_t MillsNow=0;
#define TIME_TO_TRY 60000 //1 minute
bool AttMsgWasShowed=false;

#define GPS_BUFFER_LENGTH 83

char GPS_Package[GPS_BUFFER_LENGTH];
byte GPS_position = 0;

struct GPS_DATE_TIME
{
byte GPS_hours;
byte GPS_minutes;
byte GPS_seconds;
byte GPS_day;
byte GPS_mounth;
int GPS_year;
bool GPS_Valid_Data = false;
unsigned long GPS_Data_Parsed_time;
};

GPS_DATE_TIME GPS_Date_Time;

#define PreZero(digit) ((abs(digit)<10)?”0″+String(abs(digit)):String(abs(digit)))
#include <IRremote.h>
int RECV_PIN = 4;
IRrecv irrecv(RECV_PIN);
decode_results IRresults;
// buttons codes for remote controller Sony RM-X151
#define IR_BUTTON_UP_CODE 0x6621
#define IR_BUTTON_DOWN_CODE 0x2621
#define IR_BUTTON_MODE_CODE 0x7121

class IRButtonState
{
public:
int PAUSE_BETWEEN_PACKETS = 50;
int PACKETS_QTY_IN_LONG_PRESS = 18;

private:
bool Flag = 0;
byte CNT_packets = 0;
unsigned long lastPacketTime = 0;
bool START_TIMER = false;
int _buttonCode;

public: IRButtonState::IRButtonState(int buttonCode)
{
_buttonCode = buttonCode;
}

public: int IRButtonState::checkButtonState(int receivedCode)
{
if (((millis() – lastPacketTime) > PAUSE_BETWEEN_PACKETS) && (START_TIMER == true))
{
START_TIMER = false;
if (CNT_packets >= 2) {
Flag = 0;
CNT_packets = 0;
START_TIMER = false;
return 1;
}
else {
Flag = 0;
CNT_packets = 0;
return 0;
}
}
else
{
if (receivedCode == _buttonCode) { Flag = 1;}
else
{
if (!(Flag == 1)) {return 0;}
else
{
if (!(receivedCode == 0xFFFFFFFF)) {return 0;}
}
}
CNT_packets++;
lastPacketTime = millis();
START_TIMER = true;
if (CNT_packets >= PACKETS_QTY_IN_LONG_PRESS) {
Flag = 0;
CNT_packets = 0;
START_TIMER = false;
return -1;
}
else {return 0;}
}
}
};

IRButtonState IRModeButton(IR_BUTTON_MODE_CODE);
IRButtonState IRUpButton(IR_BUTTON_UP_CODE);
IRButtonState IRDownButton(IR_BUTTON_DOWN_CODE);
#endif

int ModeButtonState = 0;
int UpButtonState = 0;
int DownButtonState = 0;

//IR remote control /////////// START /////////////////////////////

/*#define GPS_BUFFER_LENGTH 83

char GPS_Package[GPS_BUFFER_LENGTH];
byte GPS_position=0;

struct GPS_DATE_TIME
{
byte GPS_hours;
byte GPS_minutes;
byte GPS_seconds;
byte GPS_day;
byte GPS_mounth;
int GPS_year;
bool GPS_Valid_Data=false;
unsigned long GPS_Data_Parsed_time;
};
*/
//GPS_DATE_TIME GPS_Date_Time;

unsigned long GPS_Data_Parsed_time;

boolean UD, LD; // DOTS control;

byte data[12];
byte addr[8];
int celsius, fahrenheit;

#define RedLedPin 9 //MCU WDM output for red LEDs 9-g
#define GreenLedPin 6 //MCU WDM output for green LEDs 6-b
#define BlueLedPin 3 //MCU WDM output for blue LEDs 3-r
#define pinSet A0
#define pinUp A2
#define pinDown A1
//#define pinBuzzer 2
const byte pinBuzzer = 2; // pomenyal
#define pinUpperDots 12 //HIGH value light a dots
#define pinLowerDots 8 //HIGH value light a dots
#define pinTemp 7
bool RTC_present;
#define US_DateFormat 1
#define EU_DateFormat 0
//bool DateFormat=EU_DateFormat;

OneWire ds(pinTemp);
bool TempPresent = false;
#define CELSIUS 0
#define FAHRENHEIT 1

String stringToDisplay = “000000”; // Content of this string will be displayed on tubes (must be 6 chars length)
int menuPosition = 0;
// 0 – time
// 1 – date
// 2 – alarm
// 3 – 12/24 hours mode
// 4 – Temperature
// 5 – TimeZone* (Only for Ardiono Mega)

byte blinkMask = B00000000; //bit mask for blinkin digits (1 – blink, 0 – constant light)
int blankMask = B00000000; //bit mask for digits (1 – off, 0 – on)

byte dotPattern = B00000000; //bit mask for separeting dots (1 – on, 0 – off)
//B10000000 – upper dots
//B01000000 – lower dots

#define DS1307_ADDRESS 0x68
byte zero = 0x00; //workaround for issue #527
int RTC_hours, RTC_minutes, RTC_seconds, RTC_day, RTC_month, RTC_year, RTC_day_of_week;

#define TimeIndex 0
#define DateIndex 1
#define AlarmIndex 2
#define hModeIndex 3
#define TemperatureIndex 4
#define TimeZoneIndex 5
#define TimeHoursIndex 6
#define TimeMintuesIndex 7
#define TimeSecondsIndex 8
#define DateFormatIndex 9
#define DateDayIndex 10
#define DateMonthIndex 11
#define DateYearIndex 12
#define AlarmHourIndex 13
#define AlarmMinuteIndex 14
#define AlarmSecondIndex 15
#define Alarm01 16
#define hModeValueIndex 17
#define DegreesFormatIndex 18
#define HoursOffsetIndex 19

#define FirstParent TimeIndex
#define LastParent TimeZoneIndex
#define SettingsCount (HoursOffsetIndex+1)
#define NoParent 0
#define NoChild 0

//——————————-0——–1——–2——-3——–4——–5——–6——–7——–8——–9———-10——-11———12———13——-14——-15———16———17——–18———-19
// names: Time, Date, Alarm, 12/24, Temperature,TimeZone,hours, mintues, seconds, DateFormat, day, month, year, hour, minute, second alarm01 hour_format Deg.FormIndex HoursOffset
// 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
int parent[SettingsCount] = {NoParent, NoParent, NoParent, NoParent,NoParent,NoParent,1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6};
int firstChild[SettingsCount] = {6, 9, 13, 17, 18, 19, 0, 0, 0, NoChild, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0};
int lastChild[SettingsCount] = { 8, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 0, 0, 0, NoChild, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0};
int value[SettingsCount] = { 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, EU_DateFormat, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 24, 0, 2};
int maxValue[SettingsCount] = { 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 23, 59, 59, US_DateFormat, 31, 12, 99, 23, 59, 59, 1, 24, FAHRENHEIT, 14};
int minValue[SettingsCount] = { 0, 0, 0, 12, 0, 0, 00, 00, 00, EU_DateFormat, 1, 1, 00, 00, 00, 00, 0, 12, CELSIUS, -12};
int blinkPattern[SettingsCount] = {
B00000000, //0
B00000000, //1
B00000000, //2
B00000000, //3
B00000000, //4
B00000000, //5
B00000011, //6
B00001100, //7
B00110000, //8
B00111111, //9
B00000011, //10
B00001100, //11
B00110000, //12
B00000011, //13
B00001100, //14
B00110000, //15
B11000000, //16
B00001100, //17
B00111111, //18
B00000011, //19
};

bool editMode = false;

long downTime = 0;
long upTime = 0;
const long settingDelay = 150;
bool BlinkUp = false;
bool BlinkDown = false;
unsigned long enteringEditModeTime = 0;
bool RGBLedsOn = true;
#define RGBLEDsEEPROMAddress 0
#define HourFormatEEPROMAddress 1
#define AlarmTimeEEPROMAddress 2 //3,4,5
#define AlarmArmedEEPROMAddress 6
#define LEDsLockEEPROMAddress 7
#define LEDsRedValueEEPROMAddress 8
#define LEDsGreenValueEEPROMAddress 9
#define LEDsBlueValueEEPROMAddress 10
#define DegreesFormatEEPROMAddress 11
#define HoursOffsetEEPROMAddress 12
#define DateFormatEEPROMAddress 13

//buttons pins declarations
ClickButton setButton(pinSet, LOW, CLICKBTN_PULLUP);
ClickButton upButton(pinUp, LOW, CLICKBTN_PULLUP);
ClickButton downButton(pinDown, LOW, CLICKBTN_PULLUP);
///////////////////

Tone tone1;
#define isdigit(n) (n >= ‘0’ && n <= ‘9’)
//char *song = “MissionImp:d=16,o=6,b=95:32d,32d#,32d,32d#,32d,32d#,32d,32d#,32d,32d,32d#,32e,32f,32f#,32g,g,8p,g,8p,a#,p,c7,p,g,8p,g,8p,f,p,f#,p,g,8p,g,8p,a#,p,c7,p,g,8p,g,8p,f,p,f#,p,a#,g,2d,32p,a#,g,2c#,32p,a#,g,2c,a#5,8c,2p,32p,a#5,g5,2f#,32p,a#5,g5,2f,32p,a#5,g5,2e,d#,8d”;
char *song = “PinkPanther:d=4,o=5,b=160:8d#,8e,2p,8f#,8g,2p,8d#,8e,16p,8f#,8g,16p,8c6,8b,16p,8d#,8e,16p,8b,2a#,2p,16a,16g,16e,16d,2e”;
//char *song=”VanessaMae:d=4,o=6,b=70:32c7,32b,16c7,32g,32p,32g,32p,32d#,32p,32d#,32p,32c,32p,32c,32p,32c7,32b,16c7,32g#,32p,32g#,32p,32f,32p,16f,32c,32p,32c,32p,32c7,32b,16c7,32g,32p,32g,32p,32d#,32p,32d#,32p,32c,32p,32c,32p,32g,32f,32d#,32d,32c,32d,32d#,32c,32d#,32f,16g,8p,16d7,32c7,32d7,32a#,32d7,32a,32d7,32g,32d7,32d7,32p,32d7,32p,32d7,32p,16d7,32c7,32d7,32a#,32d7,32a,32d7,32g,32d7,32d7,32p,32d7,32p,32d7,32p,32g,32f,32d#,32d,32c,32d,32d#,32c,32d#,32f,16c”;
//char *song=”DasBoot:d=4,o=5,b=100:d#.4,8d4,8c4,8d4,8d#4,8g4,a#.4,8a4,8g4,8a4,8a#4,8d,2f.,p,f.4,8e4,8d4,8e4,8f4,8a4,c.,8b4,8a4,8b4,8c,8e,2g.,2p”;
//char *song=”Scatman:d=4,o=5,b=200:8b,16b,32p,8b,16b,32p,8b,2d6,16p,16c#.6,16p.,8d6,16p,16c#6,8b,16p,8f#,2p.,16c#6,8p,16d.6,16p.,16c#6,16b,8p,8f#,2p,32p,2d6,16p,16c#6,8p,16d.6,16p.,16c#6,16a.,16p.,8e,2p.,16c#6,8p,16d.6,16p.,16c#6,16b,8p,8b,16b,32p,8b,16b,32p,8b,2d6,16p,16c#.6,16p.,8d6,16p,16c#6,8b,16p,8f#,2p.,16c#6,8p,16d.6,16p.,16c#6,16b,8p,8f#,2p,32p,2d6,16p,16c#6,8p,16d.6,16p.,16c#6,16a.,16p.,8e,2p.,16c#6,8p,16d.6,16p.,16c#6,16a,8p,8e,2p,32p,16f#.6,16p.,16b.,16p.”;
//char *song=”Popcorn:d=4,o=5,b=160:8c6,8a#,8c6,8g,8d#,8g,c,8c6,8a#,8c6,8g,8d#,8g,c,8c6,8d6,8d#6,16c6,8d#6,16c6,8d#6,8d6,16a#,8d6,16a#,8d6,8c6,8a#,8g,8a#,c6″;
//char *song=”WeWishYou:d=4,o=5,b=200:d,g,8g,8a,8g,8f#,e,e,e,a,8a,8b,8a,8g,f#,d,d,b,8b,8c6,8b,8a,g,e,d,e,a,f#,2g,d,g,8g,8a,8g,8f#,e,e,e,a,8a,8b,8a,8g,f#,d,d,b,8b,8c6,8b,8a,g,e,d,e,a,f#,1g,d,g,g,g,2f#,f#,g,f#,e,2d,a,b,8a,8a,8g,8g,d6,d,d,e,a,f#,2g”;
#define OCTAVE_OFFSET 0
char *p;

int notes[] = { 0,
NOTE_C4, NOTE_CS4, NOTE_D4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_E4, NOTE_F4, NOTE_FS4, NOTE_G4, NOTE_GS4, NOTE_A4, NOTE_AS4, NOTE_B4,
NOTE_C5, NOTE_CS5, NOTE_D5, NOTE_DS5, NOTE_E5, NOTE_F5, NOTE_FS5, NOTE_G5, NOTE_GS5, NOTE_A5, NOTE_AS5, NOTE_B5,
NOTE_C6, NOTE_CS6, NOTE_D6, NOTE_DS6, NOTE_E6, NOTE_F6, NOTE_FS6, NOTE_G6, NOTE_GS6, NOTE_A6, NOTE_AS6, NOTE_B6,
NOTE_C7, NOTE_CS7, NOTE_D7, NOTE_DS7, NOTE_E7, NOTE_F7, NOTE_FS7, NOTE_G7, NOTE_GS7, NOTE_A7, NOTE_AS7, NOTE_B7
};

int fireforks[] = {0, 0, 1, //1
-1, 0, 0, //2
0, 1, 0, //3
0, 0, -1, //4
1, 0, 0, //5
0, -1, 0
}; //array with RGB rules (0 – do nothing, -1 – decrese, +1 – increse

void setRTCDateTime(byte h, byte m, byte s, byte d, byte mon, byte y, byte w = 1);

int functionDownButton = 0;
int functionUpButton = 0;
bool LEDsLock = false;

//antipoisoning transaction
bool modeChangedByUser = false;
bool transactionInProgress = false; //antipoisoning transaction
#define timeModePeriod 60000
#define dateModePeriod 5000
long modesChangePeriod = timeModePeriod;
//end of antipoisoning transaction

bool GPS_sync_flag=false;

extern const int LEDsDelay;

/*******************************************************************************************************
Init Programm
*******************************************************************************************************/
void setup()
{
Wire.begin();
//setRTCDateTime(23,40,00,25,7,15,1);

Serial.begin(115200);
#if defined(__AVR_ATmega1280__) || defined(__AVR_ATmega2560__)
Serial1.begin(9600);
digitalWrite(19, HIGH);
#endif

 

 

if (EEPROM.read(HourFormatEEPROMAddress) != 12) value[hModeValueIndex] = 24; else value[hModeValueIndex] = 12;
if (EEPROM.read(RGBLEDsEEPROMAddress) != 0) RGBLedsOn = true; else RGBLedsOn = false;
if (EEPROM.read(AlarmTimeEEPROMAddress) == 255) value[AlarmHourIndex] = 0; else value[AlarmHourIndex] = EEPROM.read(AlarmTimeEEPROMAddress);
if (EEPROM.read(AlarmTimeEEPROMAddress + 1) == 255) value[AlarmMinuteIndex] = 0; else value[AlarmMinuteIndex] = EEPROM.read(AlarmTimeEEPROMAddress + 1);
if (EEPROM.read(AlarmTimeEEPROMAddress + 2) == 255) value[AlarmSecondIndex] = 0; else value[AlarmSecondIndex] = EEPROM.read(AlarmTimeEEPROMAddress + 2);
if (EEPROM.read(AlarmArmedEEPROMAddress) == 255) value[Alarm01] = 0; else value[Alarm01] = EEPROM.read(AlarmArmedEEPROMAddress);
if (EEPROM.read(LEDsLockEEPROMAddress) == 255) LEDsLock = false; else LEDsLock = EEPROM.read(LEDsLockEEPROMAddress);
if (EEPROM.read(DegreesFormatEEPROMAddress) == 255) value[DegreesFormatIndex] = CELSIUS; else value[DegreesFormatIndex] = EEPROM.read(DegreesFormatEEPROMAddress);
if (EEPROM.read(HoursOffsetEEPROMAddress) == 255) value[HoursOffsetIndex] = value[HoursOffsetIndex]; else value[HoursOffsetIndex] = EEPROM.read(HoursOffsetEEPROMAddress) + minValue[HoursOffsetIndex];

//// needed to set this HoursOffsetIndex variable to 0 since we will use the timezone lib (local timezone and summer/winter time add-ons by Jantec.nl)
value[HoursOffsetIndex] = 0;
EEPROM.write(HoursOffsetEEPROMAddress, 0);

if (EEPROM.read(DateFormatEEPROMAddress) == 255) value[DateFormatIndex] = value[DateFormatIndex]; else value[DateFormatIndex] = EEPROM.read(DateFormatEEPROMAddress);

//Serial.print(F(“led lock=”));
//Serial.println(LEDsLock);

pinMode(RedLedPin, OUTPUT);
pinMode(GreenLedPin, OUTPUT);
pinMode(BlueLedPin, OUTPUT);

tone1.begin(pinBuzzer);
song = parseSong(song);

pinMode(LEpin, OUTPUT);

// SPI setup
SPISetup();
LEDsSetup();
//buttons pins inits
pinMode(pinSet, INPUT_PULLUP);
pinMode(pinUp, INPUT_PULLUP);
pinMode(pinDown, INPUT_PULLUP);
////////////////////////////
pinMode(pinBuzzer, OUTPUT);

//buttons objects inits
setButton.debounceTime = 20; // Debounce timer in ms
setButton.multiclickTime = 30; // Time limit for multi clicks
setButton.longClickTime = 2000; // time until “held-down clicks” register

upButton.debounceTime = 20; // Debounce timer in ms
upButton.multiclickTime = 30; // Time limit for multi clicks
upButton.longClickTime = 2000; // time until “held-down clicks” register

downButton.debounceTime = 20; // Debounce timer in ms
downButton.multiclickTime = 30; // Time limit for multi clicks
downButton.longClickTime = 2000; // time until “held-down clicks” register

#if defined(__AVR_ATmega1280__) || defined(__AVR_ATmega2560__)
timerSetup();
#endif
//!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
doTest();
//!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
if (LEDsLock == 1)
{
setLEDsFromEEPROM();
}
getRTCTime();
byte prevSeconds = RTC_seconds;
unsigned long RTC_ReadingStartTime = millis();
RTC_present = true;
while (prevSeconds == RTC_seconds)
{
getRTCTime();
//Serial.println(RTC_seconds);
if ((millis() – RTC_ReadingStartTime) > 3000)
{
#ifdef DEBUG
Serial.println(F(“Warning! RTC DON’T RESPOND!”));
#endif
RTC_present = false;
break;
}
}
setTime(RTC_hours, RTC_minutes, RTC_seconds, RTC_day, RTC_month, RTC_year);

#if defined(__AVR_ATmega1280__) || defined(__AVR_ATmega2560__)
irrecv.blink13(false);
irrecv.enableIRIn(); // Start the receiver
#endif

//// add-ons for TIMEZONE
time_t utc = now();
time_t local = myTZ.toLocal(utc, &tcr);
Serial.println();
printDateTime(utc, “UTC”);
printDateTime(local, tcr -> abbrev);
delay(1000);//was 10000
//// end of add-ons for TIMEZONE

}

int rotator = 0; //index in array with RGB “rules” (increse by one on each 255 cycles)
int cycle = 0; //cycles counter
int RedLight = 255;
int GreenLight = 0;
int BlueLight = 0;
unsigned long prevTime = 0; // time of lase tube was lit
unsigned long prevTime4FireWorks = 0; //time of last RGB changed
//int minuteL=0; //младшая цифра минут

/***************************************************************************************************************
MAIN Programm
***************************************************************************************************************/
void loop() {

if (((millis() % 10000) == 0) && (RTC_present)) //synchronize with RTC every 10 seconds
{
getRTCTime();

setTime(RTC_hours, RTC_minutes, RTC_seconds, RTC_day, RTC_month, RTC_year);
// 4 lines of time zone & winter/summer time additions by Jantec.nl 2023 0404
time_t utc = now();
time_t local = myTZ.toLocal(utc, &tcr);
setTime(myTZ.toLocal(utc, &tcr));
EEPROM.write(DateFormatEEPROMAddress, value[myTZ.toLocal(utc, &tcr)]);

//Serial.println(F(“Sync”));
}

#if defined(__AVR_ATmega1280__) || defined(__AVR_ATmega2560__)

MillsNow=millis();
if ((MillsNow – Last_Time_GPS_Sync) > GPS_Sync_Interval)
{
//GPS_Sync_Interval = GPS_SYNC_INTERVAL; // <—-!
//GPS_Sync_Flag = 0;
if (AttMsgWasShowed==false)
{
Serial.println(F(“Attempt to sync with GPS.”));
AttMsgWasShowed=true;
}
GetDataFromSerial1();
//SyncWithGPS();
}
if ((MillsNow – Last_Time_GPS_Sync) > GPS_Sync_Interval + TIME_TO_TRY)
{
Last_Time_GPS_Sync=MillsNow; //if it is not possible to synchronize within the allotted time TIME_TO_TRY, then we postpone attempts to the next time interval.
//GPS_Sync_Flag = 1;
//GPS_Sync_Interval = GPS_SYNC_INTERVAL;
Serial.println(F(“All attempts were unsuccessful.”));
AttMsgWasShowed=false;
}

IRresults.value = 0;
if (irrecv.decode(&IRresults)) {
Serial.println(IRresults.value, HEX);
irrecv.resume(); // Receive the next value
}

ModeButtonState = IRModeButton.checkButtonState(IRresults.value);
if (ModeButtonState == 1) Serial.println(F(“Mode short”));
if (ModeButtonState == -1) Serial.println(F(“Mode long….”));

UpButtonState = IRUpButton.checkButtonState(IRresults.value);
if (UpButtonState == 1) Serial.println(F(“Up short”));
if (UpButtonState == -1) Serial.println(F(“Up long….”));

DownButtonState = IRDownButton.checkButtonState(IRresults.value);
if (DownButtonState == 1) Serial.println(F(“Down short”));
if (DownButtonState == -1) Serial.println(F(“Down long….”));

#else
ModeButtonState=0;
UpButtonState=0;
DownButtonState=0;
#endif

p = playmusic(p);

if ((millis() – prevTime4FireWorks) > LEDsDelay)
{
rotateFireWorks(); //change color (by 1 step)
prevTime4FireWorks = millis();
}

if ((menuPosition == TimeIndex) || (modeChangedByUser == false) ) modesChanger();
#if defined (__AVR_ATmega328P__)
doIndication();
#endif

setButton.Update();
upButton.Update();
downButton.Update();
if (editMode == false)
{
blinkMask = B00000000;

} else if ((millis() – enteringEditModeTime) > 60000)
{
editMode = false;
menuPosition = firstChild[menuPosition];
blinkMask = blinkPattern[menuPosition];
}
if ((setButton.clicks > 0) || (ModeButtonState == 1)) //short click
{
modeChangedByUser = true;
p = 0; //shut off music )))
tone1.play(1000, 100);
enteringEditModeTime = millis();
/*if (value[DateFormatIndex] == US_DateFormat)
{
//if (menuPosition == )
} else */
menuPosition = menuPosition + 1;
#if defined (__AVR_ATmega328P__)
if (menuPosition == TimeZoneIndex) menuPosition++;// skip TimeZone for Arduino Uno
#endif
if (menuPosition == LastParent + 1) menuPosition = TimeIndex;
/*Serial.print(F(“menuPosition=”));
Serial.println(menuPosition);
Serial.print(F(“value=”));
Serial.println(value[menuPosition]);*/

blinkMask = blinkPattern[menuPosition];
if ((parent[menuPosition – 1] != 0) and (lastChild[parent[menuPosition – 1] – 1] == (menuPosition – 1))) //exit from edit mode
{
if ((parent[menuPosition – 1] – 1 == 1) && (!isValidDate()))
{
menuPosition = DateDayIndex;
return;
}
editMode = false;
menuPosition = parent[menuPosition – 1] – 1;
if (menuPosition == TimeIndex) setTime(value[TimeHoursIndex], value[TimeMintuesIndex], value[TimeSecondsIndex], day(), month(), year());
if (menuPosition == DateIndex)
{
#ifdef DEBUG
Serial.print(F(“Day:”));
Serial.println(value[DateDayIndex]);
Serial.print(F(“Month:”));
Serial.println(value[DateMonthIndex]);
#endif
setTime(hour(), minute(), second(), value[DateDayIndex], value[DateMonthIndex], 2000 + value[DateYearIndex]);
EEPROM.write(DateFormatEEPROMAddress, value[DateFormatIndex]);
}
if (menuPosition == AlarmIndex) {
EEPROM.write(AlarmTimeEEPROMAddress, value[AlarmHourIndex]);
EEPROM.write(AlarmTimeEEPROMAddress + 1, value[AlarmMinuteIndex]);
EEPROM.write(AlarmTimeEEPROMAddress + 2, value[AlarmSecondIndex]);
EEPROM.write(AlarmArmedEEPROMAddress, value[Alarm01]);
};
if (menuPosition == hModeIndex) EEPROM.write(HourFormatEEPROMAddress, value[hModeValueIndex]);
if (menuPosition == TemperatureIndex)
{
EEPROM.write(DegreesFormatEEPROMAddress, value[DegreesFormatIndex]);
}
if (menuPosition == TimeZoneIndex) EEPROM.write(HoursOffsetEEPROMAddress, value[HoursOffsetIndex] – minValue[HoursOffsetIndex]);
//if (menuPosition == hModeIndex) EEPROM.write(HourFormatEEPROMAddress, value[hModeValueIndex]);
setRTCDateTime(hour(), minute(), second(), day(), month(), year() % 1000, 1);
return;
} //end exit from edit mode
/*Serial.print(“menu pos=”);
Serial.println(menuPosition);
Serial.print(“DateFormat”);
Serial.println(value[DateFormatIndex]);*/
if ((menuPosition != HoursOffsetIndex) &&
(menuPosition != DateFormatIndex) &&
(menuPosition != DateDayIndex)) value[menuPosition] = extractDigits(blinkMask);
}
if ((setButton.clicks < 0) || (ModeButtonState == -1)) //long click
{
tone1.play(1000, 100);
if (!editMode)
{
enteringEditModeTime = millis();
if (menuPosition == TimeIndex) stringToDisplay = PreZero(hour()) + PreZero(minute()) + PreZero(second()); //temporary enabled 24 hour format while settings
}
if (menuPosition == DateIndex)
{
// Serial.println(“DateEdit”);
value[DateDayIndex] = day();
value[DateMonthIndex] = month();
value[DateYearIndex] = year() % 1000;
if (value[DateFormatIndex] == EU_DateFormat) stringToDisplay=PreZero(value[DateDayIndex])+PreZero(value[DateMonthIndex])+PreZero(value[DateYearIndex]);
else stringToDisplay=PreZero(value[DateMonthIndex])+PreZero(value[DateDayIndex])+PreZero(value[DateYearIndex]);
//Serial.print(“str=”);
// Serial.println(stringToDisplay);
}
menuPosition = firstChild[menuPosition];
if (menuPosition == AlarmHourIndex) {
value[Alarm01] = 1; /*digitalWrite(pinUpperDots, HIGH);*/dotPattern = B10000000;
}
editMode = !editMode;
blinkMask = blinkPattern[menuPosition];
if ((menuPosition != DegreesFormatIndex) &&
(menuPosition != HoursOffsetIndex) &&
(menuPosition != DateFormatIndex))
value[menuPosition] = extractDigits(blinkMask);
/*Serial.print(F(“menuPosition=”));
Serial.println(menuPosition);
Serial.print(F(“value=”));
Serial.println(value[menuPosition]); */
}

if (upButton.clicks != 0) functionUpButton = upButton.clicks;

if ((upButton.clicks > 0) || (UpButtonState == 1))
{
modeChangedByUser = true;
p = 0; //shut off music )))
tone1.play(1000, 100);
incrementValue();
if (!editMode)
{
LEDsLock = false;
EEPROM.write(LEDsLockEEPROMAddress, 0);
}
}

if (functionUpButton == -1 && upButton.depressed == true)
{
BlinkUp = false;
if (editMode == true)
{
if ( (millis() – upTime) > settingDelay)
{
upTime = millis();// + settingDelay;
incrementValue();
}
}
} else BlinkUp = true;

if (downButton.clicks != 0) functionDownButton = downButton.clicks;

if ((downButton.clicks > 0) || (DownButtonState == 1))
{
modeChangedByUser = true;
p = 0; //shut off music )))
tone1.play(1000, 100);
dicrementValue();
if (!editMode)
{
LEDsLock = true;
EEPROM.write(LEDsLockEEPROMAddress, 1);
EEPROM.write(LEDsRedValueEEPROMAddress, RedLight);
EEPROM.write(LEDsGreenValueEEPROMAddress, GreenLight);
EEPROM.write(LEDsBlueValueEEPROMAddress, BlueLight);
/*Serial.println(F(“Store to EEPROM:”));
Serial.print(F(“RED=”));
Serial.println(RedLight);
Serial.print(F(“GREEN=”));
Serial.println(GreenLight);
Serial.print(F(“Blue=”));
Serial.println(BlueLight);*/
}
}

if (functionDownButton == -1 && downButton.depressed == true)
{
BlinkDown = false;
if (editMode == true)
{
if ( (millis() – downTime) > settingDelay)
{
downTime = millis();// + settingDelay;
dicrementValue();
}
}
} else BlinkDown = true;

if (!editMode)
{
if ((upButton.clicks < 0) || (UpButtonState == -1))
{
tone1.play(1000, 100);
RGBLedsOn = true;
EEPROM.write(RGBLEDsEEPROMAddress, 1);
#ifdef DEBUG
Serial.println(F(“RGB=on”));
#endif
setLEDsFromEEPROM();
}
if ((downButton.clicks < 0) || (DownButtonState == -1))
{
tone1.play(1000, 100);
RGBLedsOn = false;
EEPROM.write(RGBLEDsEEPROMAddress, 0);
#ifdef DEBUG
Serial.println(F(“RGB=off”));
#endif
}
}

static bool updateDateTime = false;
float curTemp=0;
switch (menuPosition)
{
case TimeIndex: //time mode
if (!transactionInProgress) stringToDisplay = updateDisplayString();
doDotBlink();
checkAlarmTime();
blankMask = B00000000;
break;
case DateIndex: //date mode
if (!transactionInProgress) stringToDisplay = updateDateString();
dotPattern = B01000000; //turn on lower dots
checkAlarmTime();
blankMask = B00000000;
break;
case AlarmIndex: //alarm mode
//stringToDisplay=”000000″;
//unsigned long execTime;
//execTime=micros();
stringToDisplay = PreZero(value[AlarmHourIndex]) + PreZero(value[AlarmMinuteIndex]) + PreZero(value[AlarmSecondIndex]);
blankMask = B00000000;
if (value[Alarm01] == 1) dotPattern = B10000000; //turn on upper dots
else
{
dotPattern = B00000000; //turn off upper dots
}
//execTime=micros()-execTime;
//Serial.println(execTime);
checkAlarmTime();
break;
case hModeIndex: //12/24 hours mode
stringToDisplay = “00” + String(value[hModeValueIndex]) + “00”;
blankMask = B00110011;
dotPattern = B00000000; //turn off all dots
checkAlarmTime();
break;
case TemperatureIndex: //missed break
case DegreesFormatIndex:

if (!transactionInProgress)
{
curTemp=getTemperature(value[DegreesFormatIndex]);
stringToDisplay = updateTemperatureString(curTemp);
if (value[DegreesFormatIndex] == CELSIUS)
{
blankMask = B00110001;
dotPattern = B01000000;
}
else
{
blankMask = B00100011;
dotPattern = B00000000;
}
}

if (curTemp < 0) dotPattern |= B10000000;
else dotPattern &= B01111111;
break;
case TimeZoneIndex:
case HoursOffsetIndex:
stringToDisplay = String(PreZero(value[HoursOffsetIndex])) + “0000”;
blankMask = B00001111;
if (value[HoursOffsetIndex]>=0) dotPattern = B00000000; //turn off all dots
else dotPattern = B10000000; //turn on upper dots
break;
case DateFormatIndex:
if (value[DateFormatIndex] == EU_DateFormat)
{
stringToDisplay=”311299″;
blinkPattern[DateDayIndex]=B00000011;
blinkPattern[DateMonthIndex]=B00001100;
}
else
{
stringToDisplay=”123199″;
blinkPattern[DateDayIndex]=B00001100;
blinkPattern[DateMonthIndex]=B00000011;
}
break;
case DateDayIndex:
case DateMonthIndex:
case DateYearIndex:
if (value[DateFormatIndex] == EU_DateFormat) stringToDisplay=PreZero(value[DateDayIndex])+PreZero(value[DateMonthIndex])+PreZero(value[DateYearIndex]);
else stringToDisplay=PreZero(value[DateMonthIndex])+PreZero(value[DateDayIndex])+PreZero(value[DateYearIndex]);
break;
}
// IRresults.value=0;
}
#if defined (__AVR_ATmega328P__)
String PreZero(int digit)
{
digit=abs(digit);
if (digit < 10) return String(“0”) + String(digit);
//if (digit < 10) return “0” + String(digit);
else return String(digit);
}
#endif

String updateDisplayString()
{
static int prevS=-1;

if (second()!=prevS)
{
prevS=second();
return getTimeNow();
} else return stringToDisplay;
}

String getTimeNow()
{
if (value[hModeValueIndex] == 24) return PreZero(hour()) + PreZero(minute()) + PreZero(second());
else return PreZero(hourFormat12()) + PreZero(minute()) + PreZero(second());
}
//// add-on void for TIMEZONE ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// format and print a time_t value, with a time zone appended.
void printDateTime(time_t t, const char *tz)
{
char buf[32];
char m[4]; // temporary storage for month string (DateStrings.cpp uses shared buffer)
strcpy(m, monthShortStr(month(t)));
sprintf(buf, “%.2d:%.2d:%.2d %s %.2d %s %d %s”,
hour(t), minute(t), second(t), dayShortStr(weekday(t)), day(t), m, year(t), tz);
Serial.println(buf);
}
/////// Jantec.nl 2023-04-04 The Netherlands, Amsterdam. Please share and re-use! ////////
void doTest()
{
Serial.print(F(“Firmware version: “));
Serial.println(FirmwareVersion.substring(1,2)+”.”+FirmwareVersion.substring(2,5));
for (byte k = 0; k < strlen_P(HardwareVersion); k++) {
Serial.print((char)pgm_read_byte_near(HardwareVersion + k));
}
Serial.println();
#ifdef DEBUG
Serial.println(F(“Start Test”));
#endif

p=song;
parseSong(p);
//p=0; //need to be deleted

LEDsTest();
#if defined(__AVR_ATmega1280__) || defined(__AVR_ATmega2560__)
if (Serial1.available() > 20) Serial.println(F(“GPS detected”));
else Serial.println(F(“GPS NOT detected!”));
#endif

#ifdef tubes8
String testStringArray[11]={“00000000″,”11111111″,”22222222″,”33333333″,”44444444″,”55555555″,”66666666″,”77777777″,”88888888″,”99999999″,””};
testStringArray[10]=FirmwareVersion+”00″;
#endif
#ifdef tubes6
String testStringArray[11]={“000000″,”111111″,”222222″,”333333″,”444444″,”555555″,”666666″,”777777″,”888888″,”999999″,””};
testStringArray[10]=FirmwareVersion;
#endif

int dlay=500;
bool test=1;
byte strIndex=-1;
unsigned long startOfTest=millis()+1000; //disable delaying in first iteration
bool digitsLock=false;
while (test)
{
if (digitalRead(pinDown)==0) digitsLock=true;
if (digitalRead(pinUp)==0) digitsLock=false;

if ((millis()-startOfTest)>dlay)
{
startOfTest=millis();
if (!digitsLock) strIndex=strIndex+1;
if (strIndex==10) dlay=2000;
if (strIndex>10) { test=false; strIndex=10;}

stringToDisplay=testStringArray[strIndex];
#ifdef DEBUG
Serial.println(stringToDisplay);
#endif
}
#if defined (__AVR_ATmega328P__)
doIndication();
#endif
}

if ( !ds.search(addr))
{
#ifdef DEBUG
Serial.println(F(“Temp. sensor not found.”));
#endif
} else TempPresent=true;

testDS3231TempSensor();

#ifdef DEBUG
Serial.println(F(“Stop Test”));
#endif
// while(1);
}

void doDotBlink()
{
if (second()%2 == 0) dotPattern = B11000000;
else dotPattern = B00000000;
}

void setRTCDateTime(byte h, byte m, byte s, byte d, byte mon, byte y, byte w)
{
Wire.beginTransmission(DS1307_ADDRESS);
Wire.write(zero); //stop Oscillator

Wire.write(decToBcd(s));
Wire.write(decToBcd(m));
Wire.write(decToBcd(h));
Wire.write(decToBcd(w));
Wire.write(decToBcd(d));
Wire.write(decToBcd(mon));
Wire.write(decToBcd(y));

Wire.write(zero); //start

Wire.endTransmission();

}

byte decToBcd(byte val) {
// Convert normal decimal numbers to binary coded decimal
return ( (val / 10 * 16) + (val % 10) );
}

byte bcdToDec(byte val) {
// Convert binary coded decimal to normal decimal numbers
return ( (val / 16 * 10) + (val % 16) );
}

void getRTCTime()
{
Wire.beginTransmission(DS1307_ADDRESS);
Wire.write(zero);
Wire.endTransmission();

Wire.requestFrom(DS1307_ADDRESS, 7);

RTC_seconds = bcdToDec(Wire.read());
RTC_minutes = bcdToDec(Wire.read());
RTC_hours = bcdToDec(Wire.read() & 0b111111); //24 hour time
RTC_day_of_week = bcdToDec(Wire.read()); //0-6 -> sunday – Saturday
RTC_day = bcdToDec(Wire.read());
RTC_month = bcdToDec(Wire.read());
RTC_year = bcdToDec(Wire.read());
}

int extractDigits(byte b)
{
String tmp = “1”;

if (b == B00000011)
{
tmp = stringToDisplay.substring(0, 2);
}
if (b == B00001100)
{
tmp = stringToDisplay.substring(2, 4);
}
if (b == B00110000)
{
tmp = stringToDisplay.substring(4);
}
return tmp.toInt();
}

void injectDigits(byte b, int value)
{
if (b == B00000011) stringToDisplay = PreZero(value) + stringToDisplay.substring(2);
if (b == B00001100) stringToDisplay = stringToDisplay.substring(0, 2) + PreZero(value) + stringToDisplay.substring(4);
if (b == B00110000) stringToDisplay = stringToDisplay.substring(0, 4) + PreZero(value);
}

bool isValidDate()
{
int days[12] = {31, 28, 31, 30, 31, 30, 31, 31, 30, 31, 30, 31};
if (value[DateYearIndex] % 4 == 0) days[1] = 29;
if (value[DateDayIndex] > days[value[DateMonthIndex] – 1]) return false;
else return true;

}

byte default_dur = 4;
byte default_oct = 6;
int bpm = 63;
int num;
long wholenote;
long duration;
byte note;
byte scale;
char* parseSong(char *p)
{
// Absolutely no error checking in here
// format: d=N,o=N,b=NNN:
// find the start (skip name, etc)

while (*p != ‘:’) p++; // ignore name
p++; // skip ‘:’

// get default duration
if (*p == ‘d’)
{
p++; p++; // skip “d=”
num = 0;
while (isdigit(*p))
{
num = (num * 10) + (*p++ – ‘0’);
}
if (num > 0) default_dur = num;
p++; // skip comma
}

// get default octave
if (*p == ‘o’)
{
p++; p++; // skip “o=”
num = *p++ – ‘0’;
if (num >= 3 && num <= 7) default_oct = num;
p++; // skip comma
}

// get BPM
if (*p == ‘b’)
{
p++; p++; // skip “b=”
num = 0;
while (isdigit(*p))
{
num = (num * 10) + (*p++ – ‘0’);
}
bpm = num;
p++; // skip colon
}

// BPM usually expresses the number of quarter notes per minute
wholenote = (60 * 1000L / bpm) * 4; // this is the time for whole note (in milliseconds)
return p;
}

// now begin note loop
static unsigned long lastTimeNotePlaying = 0;
char* playmusic(char *p)
{
if (*p == 0)
{
return p;
}
if (millis() – lastTimeNotePlaying > duration)
lastTimeNotePlaying = millis();
else return p;
// first, get note duration, if available
num = 0;
while (isdigit(*p))
{
num = (num * 10) + (*p++ – ‘0’);
}

if (num) duration = wholenote / num;
else duration = wholenote / default_dur; // we will need to check if we are a dotted note after

// now get the note
note = 0;

switch (*p)
{
case ‘c’:
note = 1;
break;
case ‘d’:
note = 3;
break;
case ‘e’:
note = 5;
break;
case ‘f’:
note = 6;
break;
case ‘g’:
note = 8;
break;
case ‘a’:
note = 10;
break;
case ‘b’:
note = 12;
break;
case ‘p’:
default:
note = 0;
}
p++;

// now, get optional ‘#’ sharp
if (*p == ‘#’)
{
note++;
p++;
}

// now, get optional ‘.’ dotted note
if (*p == ‘.’)
{
duration += duration / 2;
p++;
}

// now, get scale
if (isdigit(*p))
{
scale = *p – ‘0’;
p++;
}
else
{
scale = default_oct;
}

scale += OCTAVE_OFFSET;

if (*p == ‘,’)
p++; // skip comma for next note (or we may be at the end)

// now play the note

if (note)
{
tone1.play(notes[(scale – 4) * 12 + note], duration);
if (millis() – lastTimeNotePlaying > duration)
lastTimeNotePlaying = millis();
else return p;
tone1.stop();
}
else
{
return p;
}
#ifdef DEBUG
Serial.println(F(“Incorrect Song Format!”));
#endif
return 0; //error
}

void incrementValue()
{
enteringEditModeTime = millis();
if (editMode == true)
{
if (menuPosition != hModeValueIndex) // 12/24 hour mode menu position
value[menuPosition] = value[menuPosition] + 1; else value[menuPosition] = value[menuPosition] + 12;
if (value[menuPosition] > maxValue[menuPosition]) value[menuPosition] = minValue[menuPosition];
if (menuPosition == Alarm01)
{
if (value[menuPosition] == 1) /*digitalWrite(pinUpperDots, HIGH);*/dotPattern = B10000000; //turn on upper dots
/*else digitalWrite(pinUpperDots, LOW); */ dotPattern = B00000000; //turn off all dots
}
if (menuPosition!=DateFormatIndex) injectDigits(blinkMask, value[menuPosition]);
/*Serial.print(“value=”);
Serial.println(value[menuPosition]);*/
}
}

void dicrementValue()
{
enteringEditModeTime = millis();
if (editMode == true)
{
if (menuPosition != hModeValueIndex) value[menuPosition] = value[menuPosition] – 1; else value[menuPosition] = value[menuPosition] – 12;
if (value[menuPosition] < minValue[menuPosition]) value[menuPosition] = maxValue[menuPosition];
if (menuPosition == Alarm01)
{
if (value[menuPosition] == 1) /*digitalWrite(pinUpperDots, HIGH);*/ dotPattern = B10000000; //turn on upper dots
else /*digitalWrite(pinUpperDots, LOW);*/ dotPattern = B00000000; //turn off all dots
}
if (menuPosition!=DateFormatIndex) injectDigits(blinkMask, value[menuPosition]);
/*Serial.print(“value=”);
Serial.println(value[menuPosition]);*/
}
}

bool Alarm1SecondBlock = false;
unsigned long lastTimeAlarmTriggired = 0;
void checkAlarmTime()
{
if (value[Alarm01] == 0) return;
if ((Alarm1SecondBlock == true) && ((millis() – lastTimeAlarmTriggired) > 1000)) Alarm1SecondBlock = false;
if (Alarm1SecondBlock == true) return;
if ((hour() == value[AlarmHourIndex]) && (minute() == value[AlarmMinuteIndex]) && (second() == value[AlarmSecondIndex]))
{
lastTimeAlarmTriggired = millis();
Alarm1SecondBlock = true;
#ifdef DEBUG
Serial.println(F(“Wake up, Neo!”));
#endif
p = song;
}
}

void modesChanger()
{
if (editMode == true) return;
static unsigned long lastTimeModeChanged = millis();
static unsigned long lastTimeAntiPoisoningIterate = millis();
static int transnumber = 0;
if ((millis() – lastTimeModeChanged) > modesChangePeriod)
{
lastTimeModeChanged = millis();
if (transnumber == 0) {
menuPosition = DateIndex;
modesChangePeriod = dateModePeriod;
}
if (transnumber == 1) {
menuPosition = TemperatureIndex;
modesChangePeriod = dateModePeriod;
if (!TempPresent) transnumber = 2;
}
if (transnumber == 2) {
menuPosition = TimeIndex;
modesChangePeriod = timeModePeriod;
}
transnumber++;
if (transnumber > 2) transnumber = 0;

if (modeChangedByUser == true)
{
menuPosition = TimeIndex;
}
modeChangedByUser = false;
}
if ((millis() – lastTimeModeChanged) < 2000)
{
if ((millis() – lastTimeAntiPoisoningIterate) > 100)
{
lastTimeAntiPoisoningIterate = millis();
if (TempPresent)
{
if (menuPosition == TimeIndex) stringToDisplay = antiPoisoning2(updateTemperatureString(getTemperature(value[DegreesFormatIndex])), getTimeNow());
if (menuPosition == DateIndex) stringToDisplay = antiPoisoning2(getTimeNow(), PreZero(day()) + PreZero(month()) + PreZero(year() % 1000) );
if (menuPosition == TemperatureIndex) stringToDisplay = antiPoisoning2(PreZero(day()) + PreZero(month()) + PreZero(year() % 1000), updateTemperatureString(getTemperature(value[DegreesFormatIndex])));
} else
{
if (menuPosition == TimeIndex) stringToDisplay = antiPoisoning2(PreZero(day()) + PreZero(month()) + PreZero(year() % 1000), getTimeNow());
if (menuPosition == DateIndex) stringToDisplay = antiPoisoning2(getTimeNow(), PreZero(day()) + PreZero(month()) + PreZero(year() % 1000) );
}
// Serial.println(“StrTDInToModeChng=”+stringToDisplay);
}
} else
{
transactionInProgress = false;
}
}

String antiPoisoning2(String fromStr, String toStr)
{
//static bool transactionInProgress=false;
//byte fromDigits[6];
static byte toDigits[6];
static byte currentDigits[6];
static byte iterationCounter = 0;
if (!transactionInProgress)
{
transactionInProgress = true;
blankMask = B00000000;
for (int i = 0; i < 6; i++)
{
currentDigits[i] = fromStr.substring(i, i + 1).toInt();
toDigits[i] = toStr.substring(i, i + 1).toInt();
}
}
for (int i = 0; i < 6; i++)
{
if (iterationCounter < 10) currentDigits[i]++;
else if (currentDigits[i] != toDigits[i]) currentDigits[i]++;
if (currentDigits[i] == 10) currentDigits[i] = 0;
}
iterationCounter++;
if (iterationCounter == 20)
{
iterationCounter = 0;
transactionInProgress = false;
}
String tmpStr;
for (int i = 0; i < 6; i++)
tmpStr += currentDigits[i];
return tmpStr;
}

String updateDateString()
{
static unsigned long lastTimeDateUpdate = millis()+1001;
static String DateString = PreZero(day()) + PreZero(month()) + PreZero(year() % 1000);
static byte prevoiusDateFormatWas=value[DateFormatIndex];
if (((millis() – lastTimeDateUpdate) > 1000) || (prevoiusDateFormatWas != value[DateFormatIndex]))
{
lastTimeDateUpdate = millis();
if (value[DateFormatIndex]==EU_DateFormat) DateString = PreZero(day()) + PreZero(month()) + PreZero(year() % 1000);
else DateString = PreZero(month()) + PreZero(day()) + PreZero(year() % 1000);
}
return DateString;
}

#if defined(__AVR_ATmega1280__) || defined(__AVR_ATmega2560__)

void SyncWithGPS()
{
if ((millis() – GPS_Date_Time.GPS_Data_Parsed_time) > 3000) {
Serial.println(F(“Parsed data to old”));
return;
}
Serial.println(F(“Updating time from GPS…”));
Serial.println(GPS_Date_Time.GPS_hours);
Serial.println(GPS_Date_Time.GPS_minutes);
Serial.println(GPS_Date_Time.GPS_seconds);

setTime(GPS_Date_Time.GPS_hours, GPS_Date_Time.GPS_minutes, GPS_Date_Time.GPS_seconds, GPS_Date_Time.GPS_day, GPS_Date_Time.GPS_mounth, GPS_Date_Time.GPS_year % 1000);
adjustTime((long)value[HoursOffsetIndex] * 3600);
setRTCDateTime(hour(), minute(), second(), day(), month(), year() % 1000, 1);
Last_Time_GPS_Sync = MillsNow;
GPS_Sync_Interval = GPS_SYNC_INTERVAL;
AttMsgWasShowed=false;

//// TIMEZONE add-ons
while (!Serial) ; // wait until Arduino Serial Monitor opens
//setSyncProvider(RTC.get); // the function to get the time from the RTC
//if(timeStatus()!= timeSet)
// Serial.println(“Unable to sync with the RTC”);
//else
// Serial.println(“RTC has set the system time”);

time_t utc = now();
time_t local = myTZ.toLocal(utc, &tcr);
Serial.println();
printDateTime(utc, “UTC”);
printDateTime(local, tcr -> abbrev);

setTime(myTZ.toLocal(utc, &tcr));
EEPROM.write(DateFormatEEPROMAddress, value[myTZ.toLocal(utc, &tcr)]);
//Serial.println(EEPROM.read(HourFormatEEPROMAddress));// check whether the new timezon’s winter /summer time is put in memory
//setTime(hour(), minute(), second(), value[DateDayIndex], value[DateMonthIndex], 2000 + value[DateYearIndex]);
//EEPROM.write(DateFormatEEPROMAddress, value[DateFormatIndex]);

//// End of TIMEZONE add-ons

 

}

void GetDataFromSerial1()
{
if (Serial1.available()) { // If anything comes in Serial1 (pin 19)
byte GPS_incoming_byte;
GPS_incoming_byte = Serial1.read();
//Serial.write(GPS_incoming_byte);
GPS_Package[GPS_position] = GPS_incoming_byte;
GPS_position++;
if (GPS_position == GPS_BUFFER_LENGTH – 1)
{
GPS_position = 0;
// Serial.println(“more then BUFFER_LENGTH!!!!”);
}
if (GPS_incoming_byte == 0x0A)
{
GPS_Package[GPS_position] = 0;
GPS_position = 0;
if (ControlCheckSum()) {
if (GPS_Parse_DateTime()) SyncWithGPS();
}

}
}
}

bool GPS_Parse_DateTime()
{
bool GPSsignal = false;
if (!((GPS_Package[0] == ‘$’)
&& (GPS_Package[3] == ‘R’)
&& (GPS_Package[4] == ‘M’)
&& (GPS_Package[5] == ‘C’))) {
return false;
}
else
{
// Serial.println(“RMC!!!”);
}
//Serial.print(“hh: “);
int hh = (GPS_Package[7] – 48) * 10 + GPS_Package[8] – 48;
//Serial.println(hh);
int mm = (GPS_Package[9] – 48) * 10 + GPS_Package[10] – 48;
//Serial.print(“mm: “);
//Serial.println(mm);
int ss = (GPS_Package[11] – 48) * 10 + GPS_Package[12] – 48;
//Serial.print(“ss: “);
//Serial.println(ss);

byte GPSDatePos = 0;
int CommasCounter = 0;
for (int i = 12; i < GPS_BUFFER_LENGTH ; i++)
{
if (GPS_Package[i] == ‘,’)
{
CommasCounter++;
if (CommasCounter == 8)
{
GPSDatePos = i + 1;
break;
}
}
}
//Serial.print(“dd: “);
int dd = (GPS_Package[GPSDatePos] – 48) * 10 + GPS_Package[GPSDatePos + 1] – 48;
//Serial.println(dd);
int MM = (GPS_Package[GPSDatePos + 2] – 48) * 10 + GPS_Package[GPSDatePos + 3] – 48;
//Serial.print(“MM: “);
//Serial.println(MM);
int yyyy = 2000 + (GPS_Package[GPSDatePos + 4] – 48) * 10 + GPS_Package[GPSDatePos + 5] – 48;
//Serial.print(“yyyy: “);
//Serial.println(yyyy);
//if ((hh<0) || (mm<0) || (ss<0) || (dd<0) || (MM<0) || (yyyy<0)) return false;
if ( !inRange( yyyy, 2018, 2038 ) ||
!inRange( MM, 1, 12 ) ||
!inRange( dd, 1, 31 ) ||
!inRange( hh, 0, 23 ) ||
!inRange( mm, 0, 59 ) ||
!inRange( ss, 0, 59 ) ) return false;
else
{
GPS_Date_Time.GPS_hours = hh;
GPS_Date_Time.GPS_minutes = mm;
GPS_Date_Time.GPS_seconds = ss;
GPS_Date_Time.GPS_day = dd;
GPS_Date_Time.GPS_mounth = MM;
GPS_Date_Time.GPS_year = yyyy;
GPS_Date_Time.GPS_Data_Parsed_time = millis();
//Serial.println(“Precision TIME HAS BEEN ACCURED!!!!!!!!!”);
//GPS_Package[0]=0x0A;
return 1;
}
}

uint8_t ControlCheckSum()
{
uint8_t CheckSum = 0, MessageCheckSum = 0; // check sum
uint16_t i = 1; // 1 sybol left from ‘$’

while (GPS_Package[i] != ‘*’)
{
CheckSum ^= GPS_Package[i];
if (++i == GPS_BUFFER_LENGTH) {
//Serial.println(F(“End of the line not found”)); // end of line not found
return 0;
}
}

if (GPS_Package[++i] > 0x40) MessageCheckSum = (GPS_Package[i] – 0x37) << 4; // ASCII codes to DEC convertation
else MessageCheckSum = (GPS_Package[i] – 0x30) << 4;
if (GPS_Package[++i] > 0x40) MessageCheckSum += (GPS_Package[i] – 0x37);
else MessageCheckSum += (GPS_Package[i] – 0x30);

if (MessageCheckSum != CheckSum) {
//Serial.println(F(“wrong checksum”)); // wrong checksum
return 0;
}
//Serial.println(“Checksum is ok”);
return 1; // all ok!
}

boolean inRange( int no, int low, int high )
{
if ( no < low || no > high )
{
Serial.println(F(“Date or Time not in range”));
//Serial.println(String(no) + “:” + String (low) + “-” + String(high));
return false;
}
return true;
}

#endif

String updateTemperatureString(float fDegrees)
{
static unsigned long lastTimeTemperatureString=millis()+1100;
static String strTemp =”000000″;
if ((millis() – lastTimeTemperatureString) > 1000)
{
//Serial.println(F(“Updating temp. str.”));
lastTimeTemperatureString = millis();
int iDegrees = round(fDegrees);
if (value[DegreesFormatIndex] == CELSIUS)
{
strTemp = “0” + String(abs(iDegrees)) + “0”;
if (abs(iDegrees) < 1000) strTemp = “00” + String(abs(iDegrees)) + “0”;
if (abs(iDegrees) < 100) strTemp = “000” + String(abs(iDegrees)) + “0”;
if (abs(iDegrees) < 10) strTemp = “0000” + String(abs(iDegrees)) + “0”;
}else
{
strTemp = “0” + String(abs(iDegrees)) + “0”;
if (abs(iDegrees) < 1000) strTemp = “00” + String(abs(iDegrees)/10) + “00”;
if (abs(iDegrees) < 100) strTemp = “000” + String(abs(iDegrees)/10) + “00”;
if (abs(iDegrees) < 10) strTemp = “0000” + String(abs(iDegrees)/10) + “00”;
}

#ifdef tubes8
strTemp= “”+strTemp+”00”;
#endif
return strTemp;
}
return strTemp;
}

float getTemperature (boolean bTempFormat)
{
static float fDegrees;
static int iterator=0;
static byte TempRawData[2];
/*unsigned long execTime=0;
execTime=micros();*/
switch (iterator)
{
case 0: ds.reset(); break;
case 1: ds.write(0xCC, 0); break; //skip ROM command
case 2: ds.write(0x44, 0); break; //send make convert to all devices
case 3: ds.reset(); break;
case 4: ds.write(0xCC, 0); break; //skip ROM command
case 5: ds.write(0xBE, 0); break; //send request to all devices
case 6: TempRawData[0] = ds.read(); break;
case 7: TempRawData[1] = ds.read(); break;
default: break;
}

if (iterator == 7)
{
int16_t raw = (TempRawData[1] << 8) | TempRawData[0];
if (raw == -1) raw = 0;
float celsius = (float)raw / 16.0;
//celsius = celsius + (float)value[TempAdjustIndex]/10;//users adjustment

if (!bTempFormat) fDegrees = celsius * 10;
else fDegrees = (celsius * 1.8 + 32.0) * 10;
}
/*execTime=micros()-execTime;
Serial.print(iterator);
Serial.println(execTime);*/
iterator++;
if (iterator==8) iterator=0;
return fDegrees;
}

#if defined(__AVR_ATmega1280__) || defined(__AVR_ATmega2560__)
ISR(TIMER4_COMPA_vect)
{
sei();
doIndication();
}

void timerSetup()
{
//timer3 setup for calling doIndication function
TCCR4A = 0; //control registers reset (WGM21, WGM20)
TCCR4B = 0; //control registers reset
TCCR4B = (1 << CS12)|(1 << CS10)|(1 << WGM12); //prescaler 1024 and CTC mode
//OCR5A = 31; //2 mS
TCNT4=0; //reset counter to 0
OCR4A = 46; //3mS
//OCR4A = 92; //6mS
TIMSK4 = (1 << OCIE1A);//TIMER3_COMPA_vect interrupt enable
sei();
}
#endif

void testDS3231TempSensor()
{
int8_t DS3231InternalTemperature=0;
Wire.beginTransmission(DS1307_ADDRESS);
Wire.write(0x11);
Wire.endTransmission();

Wire.requestFrom(DS1307_ADDRESS, 2);
DS3231InternalTemperature=Wire.read();
Serial.print(F(“DS3231_T=”));
Serial.println(DS3231InternalTemperature);
if ((DS3231InternalTemperature<5) || (DS3231InternalTemperature>60))
{
Serial.println(F(“Faulty DS3231!”));
for (int i=0; i<5; i++)
{
tone1.play(1000, 1000);
delay(2000);
}
}
}

Reduced usage of natural gas – Electric supplementary heating or a heat pump installation?

In this post we’ll describe our solution to reduce our domestic natural gas consumption by at least 50% in the coming winter ’22-’23.

The original plan:

  • stop heating part of the house;
  • per room where necessary additional heating with electric ceramic 500 watt wall plug heaters with thermostat;
  • Downstairs in the living / cooking room primarily with an LPG-fired potbellied stove to heat the room, possibly supplemented by 2 pieces of ceramic heaters, with thermostat.
LPG gestookte potkachel met katalysator, zuurstofsensor enz.
thermostatisch geregelde elektrische mini bijzetverwarming 500 Watt

Second thoughts..

When you start calculating with energy values and electricity prices you quickly find out that a solution with electric supplementary heating is not very feasible.

Electric heating is just not very economical because -despite the high energy prices- it is still twice as expensive to heat with electricity compared to heating with natural gas (in a nutshell: 1 m3 of natural gas at Eur 4 per m3 provides as much energetic energy as 8 kWh of electricity at Eur 1 per kWh. And 4 Euro is half of 8 Euro).

The heat pump installation instead of the ‘old’ natural gas powered central heating system

If energy prices remain as high as in August 2022, we will as soon as possible install a complete electric heat pump system with split units.

We will then also completely abandon the natural gas-powered central heating system, because we already have a low-temperature central heating system with underfloor heating.

And that’s extra handy when using a heat pump system:

Split outdoor unit (left) and the indoor unit (right) with 12.6 kW heating capacity for an all-electric heat pump system without gas-fired C.H. support.It’s not going to be a hybrid system, with the gas-fired central heating system staying put when it gets colder than about -5 degrees.

You’ll never get rid of the gas, because you’ll just have a heat pump system that’s too small to continue without the central heating support if the gas is ever turned off, or you just want to get rid of it.

With a hybrid heat pump system, the gas-fired central heating boiler has to intervene when it gets too cold (outside below -5 degrees) or if you haven’t heated up for too long and it therefore takes too long without the intervention of the gas-fired central heating boiler before it gets a little warm.

Up to 6-8 kW there are hybrid systems that work together with the existing central heating boiler.  If you want a system that can replace the gas-fired central heating boiler, we need to calculate exactly what heat output we need.

The existing gas fired HR boiler is a Nefit smartline HRC24 CW4.  It has a maximum output of 24kW.

According to the experts, our heat pump must have a SCOP value of at least a factor of 5.

This means that the electrical energy that you put into the heat pump system for the transport of energy ensures that five times more energy is delivered to (hot central heating) water at a maximum temperature of 55 degrees Celsius.

This is due to the operating principle of the heat pump, just like condenser (washing) dryers and air conditioners with heat pump principle.

When it gets colder outside, the efficiency of the heat pump in terms of heating does decrease.

So, for a heat output of 24 kW, you need a heat pump system that can deliver 24 kW of energetic water heat.   And that system uses 24/5 = about 5 kW of electricity at a SCOP value of 5.

Because such heat pump systems are based on standard connections to the 230Volt mains supply with a 16 Ampere connection rating, the common heat pump systems are usually somewhat smaller than 24kW.  The value we selected for the split system is 12.6 kW.  This keeps the electrical power consumption well within the 16 amp standard of the connection value of the electrical groups in our house.

It could be that in case of severe frost we have a problem to really heat up the house, we take that for granted.  When we talk to the installer/supplier about the heat pump system we’ll also have them calculate whether a 12.6 kW system will do. And if necessary, we will opt for a slightly larger system.

The split outdoor unit will be placed on the flat roof, somewhere between the solar panels, or on the sloping roof, just below the skylight with special sloping roof brackets.  It has to be a quiet model anyway, which may be difficult because these outdoor units are never quiet.  So it also needs a night mode with low-speed pump and fan operation.

We might also install an intermediate boiler next to the indoor unit, so there will always be a supply of hot water.  If we can take a shower with that, we can turn off the instantaneous water heater and only use the instantaneous water heater when it gets too cold outside.

The cost is about 7500 Euro for this installation and we are willing to pay that.  You will also receive a 2500 Euro subsidy in retrospect.

The insulation of our terraced house is also excellent, and we will be satisfied if the heat pump works in such a way that the first floor can be heated to 20 degrees. We want to keep the bedrooms at an average of 15 degrees.  The second floor goes on the anti-frost mode…

And I’m not even thinking about the payback.

We have to get rid of the gas in any case, and our C.V. boiler is now 20 years old, all kinds of things have been replaced and it works fine again every time after the repair.

But replacement is coming.

And whether that is useful, given the desire to get rid of gas?

Better to do it right the first time.

Cooling with the central heating system and the heat pump is also possible.

Incidentally, I want a heat pump system that can actively cool in summer.

In principle, this is quite possible with an all-electric heat pump system.

The radiators will then become cold.

That seems like a very useful option, I’m curious how my thermostatic valves would cope with that!

Our household’s heating situation

Our house still has, among other things, a floor heating system directly fired by the central heating system on the first floor and insulated glass on all floors. The cavity walls are still without insulation (we should do something about that but the wall surface is so small compared to the windows that the effect of wall insulation is probably not very big, according to the experts…) and we have an attic that is not used as a bedroom.

So we are not going to heat the attic in any case, and that makes a difference.

And we already cook electrically, the oven is also electric.  The kitchen tap is electric, and the shower water (and sink) are also heated electrically via an 11kW instantaneous water heater.

Heat pump or air conditioning system?

An air conditioning system would also be an option, of course, as this also works on the heat pump principle. At the moment, the only air conditioning system that is quite OK in terms of efficiency and affordable in terms of installation is a multiple air conditioning system with one unit outside and several inside.

You must have an installation with a COP value above 5 because then you also have a bit of efficiency when it gets cold if you also want to heat with it.

Such a multi-airco system with 4 indoor units and 1 outdoor unit with a COP value of 5.5 can be installed in your home from about 5 to 7 thousand euros.  Whether it’s beautiful, in each room such an air conditioner on the wall and outside a large unit on the give or on the sloping roof, I do not think, but at least all ugly CV pipes and radiators can be removed.  Maybe the holes in the mezzanine floors can be reused for the air conditioning pipes…. Advantage of such an 80’s house: there are no central heating pipes in the floors, everything is in sight.

The price for such an airco installation seems a lot of money and it is.

A central heating system is just as expensive to install. From scratch, that is.

Not to mention the installation of heat pump systems in existing houses, because that easily exceeds 7500 Euros.  But then you can leave the radiators in place and just use the underfloor heating system.

Not to mention the subsequent installation of heat pump systems in existing houses, because that easily exceeds 7500 Euros.  But then you can leave the radiators in place and just keep using the underfloor heating. That seems to me the best solution in the end.

But I will quickly check the prices and options of complete air-to-heat split units heat pump systems.

We’ll try to prepare as best as possible and choose upon all available data.

11-9-2022: To be continued!

 

 

 

Web hosting at home with a DS718+ Synology Web server

The performance of my larger sites left a lot to be desired, and the costs are running up considerably.  I had over 10 sites running, all with the same provider and the costs per site vary between 185 Euros per year and 65 Euros per year.  For the large sites I have 5GB storage and the smallest is 200MB.

HOMESERVER: Previously I hosted a few websites from home, on a Zyxel NAS with a cheap domain provider.  That all worked fine then.  Based on my previous experience I have bought a Synology DS718+ web server, a few fast SSDs with mirroring in it and up to RAM.  The cost is about 800 Euro.  As a backup I have a DS218 play with a couple of big harddisks in it and extra RAM as a normal local NAS with an extra mirrored wordpress server for emergencies and maintenance on the main server.

So now you see this post from my home server.

My experience is that it is always better to be the only one on your own web server than to rent shared hosting, regardless of the so-called SSD hosting et cetera.  That’s what larger companies do as well: Just a fat server on a fast internet connection.

Just to be sure, I do have a backup (UPS) with battery for the 230 Volt power to the internet modem/router and web servers, and a data connection backup via a mobile connection, in case the internet connection goes down. The autonomy of the UPS is about 6 hours.

 

And… whether I like it?  Actually, I’m mostly very happy with the merging of my various sites into 1 overall site because of its clarity.  Because of my diversity of interests I had just too many sites running which resulted in insufficient attention on the sites.  Now that I only have one for my hobbies and one for my business everything has become much simpler.

And how to proceed? I will cancel my webhosting and I have to see which domains I want to keep.  That also depends a bit on the costs.  If only the costs of the domains are not too high, I can keep 6 or so. Which I then redirect (fixed, 302) to my home server.  Eventually only 1 domain will remain, but which one should that be…?  And then I can make my URL unambiguous again!

That’s it!

Dometic tropicool TC21FL silenced

Recently I bought us a portable dual power cooler from Tropicool, 21 liters content.  BUT- as I started it up, the noise was a bit more than I expected.

I already own a larger ‘VRIJBUITER’ 38 liters portable freezer/cooler with a  compressor that I silenced last year.

DC mini fridge/cooler - DC-40Y (China Manufacturer) - Refrigerator - Consumer Electronics &amp; Lighting Products - DIYTrade China manufacturers

This 40 liter machine had a 50mm (2 inch) fan to cool the condensor and I completely repositioned some movable parts to get a 120mm (4.8 inch) fan in the machine instead.  The 120 mm fan is a silent fan and this resulted in an almost silent and  better operating freezer/cooler.  But- this machine does not run on the car battery, only on A/C  230 Volts.

So- back to the Dometic machine:  This is the machine

At the front lower  part a large area shows a fan behind the plastic front.  A 12 Volts DC fan is positioned behind this front . The fan is managed by the electronics and only switches on and off. No PWM or similar technique is used.  This cooler is not working with a compressor but with a/some Peltier element(s) and cooling/heating radiators, so a big aluminium block needs to be cooled by the fan to get the machine to work (and cool or warm the inside).  This machine can either cool -25Deg C or warm +25Deg C the inside.  A failsafe mechanism prevents freezing and temperatures above 65 DegC.

The picture below shows the original fan below and the replacement fan above.

The original fan was IMHO rather loud at 53 dBm (at 50cm distance), I presume mainly due to its design.

On the net, I read that most users of this machine are pleased with it and don’t think it makes much noise.

But- I need to operate this in our rented place which can either be an apartment, B&B or hotel room during our visits so I want it to make as little noise as possible. The replacement fan is a ball-bearing super-silent PC fan and runs at 12 Volts. 

The replacement was quite easy: Open the lower front by removing all crews around and bottom.  Disconnect the fan-connector from the electronics board.  Unscrew the old fan.  Screw the new fan in place.  Connect the new fan to the electronics board, replace the housing part and screw it back in place.

So- the result is that this cooler now actually works a lot more silent, AND a lot better.

I could not get a fixed dBm reading with my portable dB-meter due to the low noise level.

Cooling goes faster than before at about 30% as I measured it in difference in the before- and after situation in cooling to 5 degrees C from room temp of 25 deg C.  Another succesfull project!

We’ll see how we like this cooler during our short stay in France this summer, in Granville!  C) JG 2021-06-30.

Afterthoughts:  To be sure that the cooler is indeed super silent at night, I also put in a DC voltage regulator that can regulate the voltage for the fan between 5 V DC and V max (about 12Volt).

During oiur holiday in France, the machine worked awesome.

In the hotel, we experienced no disturbances from the cooler at all, nore in the car.

And it kept everyrhing cool without too much noise.

 

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