Re: MOC: Working solar powered rover and geiger counter

In lugnet.robotics, Justin Fisher wrote:
> In lugnet.robotics, Claude Baumann wrote:
>> Measurements:
>>
>> normal RCX (no sensors, no motors, IR-off, no sound): 33mA
>>
>> in snooze mode : 25mA
>>
>> Not famous, but with solar panels to have or not have 8mA is the question.  :)
>
> Well I'm certainly impressed that you were able to get a (not insignificant)
> saving through software alone. (I use NQC and the lego firmware, so I doubt I
> could implement this - I think I'll wait for NXT before learning a new system
> :-). OTOH, I already have the hardware mod done, so don't really need to get
> this software one going. But NXT will arrive soon, and then it's game on again.
> I hope there is a designed-in sleep mode - since NXT can't get power from a
> wall-adaptor, batteries-only means you can't build things like fish-feeders and
> closet alarms without a good sleep mode. I suspect there won't be one built in
> the hardware, so a hack like this for NXT would be a very useful thing to have.

Here for the gallery:

http://www.convict.lu/ULTIMATE/power_up2.gif

http://www.convict.lu/ULTIMATE/power_up2.srec

This firmware should be run with RCX 1.0 AC adapter plugged and weak batteries
inside. The firmware immediately runs after download. Connect a motor or a lamp
to output A. It will start blinking for demonstration. Now unplug the
AC-adapter. The voltage will drop below the 9300mV cut-off and the snooze mode
will be set after a buzz. If you plug the AC-adapter back, the RCX will recover
and restart the firmware. Note that the option "Immediately start firmware" is a
bit confusing, since the firmware is started anyway. But it wants to point out
that the user code is run without waiting for the RUN-button pressed.

-Cheers