I have run into a problem with a function I have. I use Arduino as ISP to program an Attiny 45. Below is my current fix that is working - proving that my library work. The scopeSens1.getValue(samples, variation) is a simple routine that defines a pin, read the analogvalue and does some filtering to return an average whereby outlying values is discarded in calculating the average. I call it many times in the rest of my program.
//This function while run when there is no scope sensors attached. This is a manual mode. Left button increase temp by 25%
//right button decrease temp by 25%
void manualControl() {
byte manualPower = 0;
fastPulse(0); fastPulse(1); //indicate with LED manual mode is active
while(1) {
if (scopeSens1.getValue(samples, variation) >=maxSensOut) {
if (manualPower <= 230) {
manualPower += 25;
}
else {
manualPower = 255;
}
}
if(scopeSens2.getValue(samples, variation) >=maxSensOut) {
if(manualPower >= 25) {
manualPower -= 25;
}
else {
manualPower = 0;
}
}
analogWrite(heaterPin[0], manualPower);
analogWrite(heaterPin[1], manualPower);
delay(250);
}
}
As you can see in the working code I used a byte value for power and I make sure that it does not go out of bounds, i.e. 0 - 255 only since it is used for analogWrite.
And here is the problematic code I first used:
Declaring "manualPower" as a byte below, fail, because the value goes out of bounds. But at least then code causes the output to step up and down as expected, but then "rolls over" because it can become out of range for a byte. (A valuable lesson I learned the hard way! 
)
Anyway, so I changed the variable to an integer as below. And then it all goes wrong. Pressing a button to step the power up, both outputs goes full high immediately, releasing the outputs goes low immediately. Is this normal behaviour?
//This function while run when there is no scope sensors attahced. This is a manual mode. Left button increase temp by 25%
//right button decrease temp by 25%
void manualControl() {
int manualPower = 0;
fastPulse(0); fastPulse(1);
while(1) {
if (scopeSens1.getValue(samples, variation) >=maxSensOut) {
manualPower += 25;
if (manualPower > 255) {
manualPower = 255;
}
}
if(scopeSens2.getValue(samples, variation) >=maxSensOut) {
if(manualPower >= 25) {
manualPower -= 25;
}
if (manualPower < 0) {
manualPower = 0;
}
}
analogWrite(heaterPin[0], manualPower);
analogWrite(heaterPin[1], manualPower);
delay(250);
}
}
And here is a similiar piece of code I use in the same Sketch that work as expected.
In this case "powerLevel" does the same. I've higlighted the specifics in red below. It is under the comment, "Power handling statements."
void adjustTemp(int n) {
int powerLevel = heaterPower[n];
//next two "if" statements set logic when a sensor is not attached. Possibly future can have the logic in the getTemp() function.
//this is only when one scope Sensor is missing, it will set it the same as plugged in sensor
if(sensorAttached[n] == false && n == 0) { //if sensor 1 is not attached, set its value to the attached sensor.
tempSens[n+1] = tempSens[2];
}
if(sensorAttached[n] == false && n == 1) { //if sensor 2 is not attached, set its value to the attached sensor.
tempSens[n+1] = tempSens[1];
}
tempSens[n+1] -= tempDiff[n]; //subtract the required difference to "load" the scope sensor. Thus scope sensor appear to be "colder"
tempSens[n+1] += calibrationValue[n]; //add the initial calibration value
//Power handling statements below
[color=red][font=Verdana]if (tempSens[n+1] >= tempSens[0]) { //will decrease power in steps of 25 or 10%
powerLevel = powerLevel - 25;
if (powerLevel < 0) {
powerLevel = 0;[/font][/color]
}
}
if (tempSens[n+1] < tempSens[0]) { //increase power in steps of 25 or 10%
[color=red] powerLevel += 25;
if (powerLevel > 255) {
powerLevel = 255;[/color]
}
}
//Below "if" will set heater outputs to 50% permanent on, when no scope sensors is connected.
if (sensorAttached[0] == false && sensorAttached[1] == false) {
powerLevel = 128;
}
// heaterPower[n] = powerLevel; // -- previous method without full power override
//set full power override mode.
if (heaterFullPower[n] == true) {
analogWrite(heaterPin[n], 255); //write full power to heater
}
else {
heaterPower[n] = powerLevel;
analogWrite(heaterPin[n], heaterPower[n]);
}
}
I would be glad to get some idea what is the difference between the two functions, and which one is the better way of ensuring steps does not overrun the max value of analogWrite().
Regards
PS. I am unable to "Copy for Forum" from the IDE. Lots of complaints about Java dispatchthread...
