The farthest into double checking that I've been ale to get is the display half of the circuit. I've checked so many times that the RS, EN, and D4-7 pins are connected to the right pins, and they are. For some reason though, when I power the circuit up, I get the first row filled with the black rectangles that make up the characters' spots, and the second row is empty. At the moment, getting the display working is the first priority, because the rest relies on it, and the rest is much easier to test/fix.
I'll see if I can come up with some good photos, but does that problem scream out to anyone as being caused by a particular thing?
Problem solved, it turns out the 7805 I had was interfering with the LCD in some way, I'm not entirely sure how, but I've gotten rid of it and it works fine. Does anyone have any ideas why this may have been a problem?
I've no idea specifically why it didn't work, but generally I can say that my experience is that if all connections are fine (triple checked and measured), you should have a look at the power supply. It is one of the things that also changes when moving off from the breadboard and into "reality". Powering from an USB, or desktop power supply with nice smooth voltage and steady current is something completely different than a dodgy old car battery, solar cell or whatever you end up connecting you thing to in the end.
I was using a switchmode regulated 12v power supply, feeding directly into the 7805, I'm now using the supply's equivalent in 5v with no regulator, works fine.
Hi bowlerhatman, and the others in the forum. I am looking for a similar project for a small distiller. I have the tecnnichal for the electronic but not for the arduino programing. In the distilling we need four sensors ( one for the still temp, one for the vapor in the reflux tower, one for the final liquid alcohol flow - its optional - and one for the proof of the alcohol. We need two outputs, one for control a 220v element - using a relay or something like a transistor to regulated the voltage in the 220v element to control the temp in the still. The second output its for control a water supply for the reflux tower - using a relay to open/close a water valve or a servo for slow open/close a water vale. The still temp and the reflux tower need a set point with a minimal variation possible all the sensor must be monitor and log. I make a search in the forums but not see nothing similar, only this maybe can be adapted for the project
Thanks for reading, any idea or help its going to be very appreciate
Sounds plausible enough - is it legal in your jurisdiction though? Measuring temps and switching relays are tasks you'll find in many projects described here. Logging to an SD card comes up often too. I haven't seen anything relating to measuring percentage of alcohol - what sensor are you going to use?
Not legal, I have a license under the TTB federal agency for that purpose there in Puerto Rico. Im going to use a MQ3 alcohol sensor describe in this project
yes, i see many project to home brew but not one specify for distilling.I have the technical experience with the electronic part but not with the code programing. its the same for the home brew but with two set point / reading / control / log inputs point and one only reading / log input point.
the traditional way to measure the alcohol proof its a alcohol meter. like a buoyancy apparatus. i think if i place a ultrasonic distance meter i can use the variable in the buoyancy to calculate the measurement