Serial Input execution (Stepper Motor)

Hello everyone,

I have been messing around with a 400 Step Stepper motor. I am trying to allow my code to read input from the serial input and from that input manipulate my stepper motor.
When I test the function by manually writing a value for the steps in the program and run it, it works as it should. However when I try to add in to read from serial input the function does not work properly. I am assuming it has something to do with reading from the serial port. I need it to read only when a new value is input. May someone please help me.

#define DIR_PIN 2
#define STEP_PIN 3
float in;
void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(DIR_PIN, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(STEP_PIN, OUTPUT);
} 

void loop(){ 

   if(Serial.available() > 0){
   in = Serial.read();
  //rotate a specific number of degrees 
// rotateDeg(360, 1);
//delay(1000);

// rotateDeg(in, .5);  //reverse
  //delay(1000); 

  //rotate a specific number of microsteps (8 microsteps per step)
  //a 400 step stepper would take 3200 micro steps for one full revolution
  rotate(in, .5);
  delay(1000); 
  Serial.println(in);
   }

}

void rotate(int steps, float speed){
  //rotate a specific number of microsteps (8 microsteps per step) - (negitive for reverse movement)
  //speed is any number from .01 -> 1 with 1 being fastest - Slower is stronger
  int dir = (steps > 0)? HIGH:LOW;
  steps = abs(steps);

  digitalWrite(DIR_PIN,dir); 

  float usDelay = (1/speed) * 70;

  for(int i=0; i < steps; i++){
    digitalWrite(STEP_PIN, HIGH);
    delayMicroseconds(usDelay); 

    digitalWrite(STEP_PIN, LOW);
    delayMicroseconds(usDelay);
  }
} 

void rotateDeg(float deg, float speed){
  //rotate a specific number of degrees (negitive for reverse movement)
  //speed is any number from .01 -> 1 with 1 being fastest - Slower is stronger
  int dir = (deg > 0)? HIGH:LOW;
  digitalWrite(DIR_PIN,dir); 

  int steps = abs(deg)*(1/.1125); //For 400 steps
  float usDelay = (1/speed) * 70;

  for(int i=0; i < steps; i++){
    digitalWrite(STEP_PIN, HIGH);
    delayMicroseconds(usDelay); 

    digitalWrite(STEP_PIN, LOW);
    delayMicroseconds(usDelay);
  }
}

the function does not work properly

I'm pretty certain the function does work properly, as you have said...

When I test the function by manually writing a value for the steps in the program and run it, it works as it should.

What are you sending from the serial monitor?

What are you expecting to happen?

What does happen?

What do you get back from...

  Serial.println(in);

When you do in = Serial.read(); you get an ASCII character not the number you type in. That is where you are going wrong.

dxw00d:

the function does not work properly

I'm pretty certain the function does work properly, as you have said...

When I test the function by manually writing a value for the steps in the program and run it, it works as it should.

What are you sending from the serial monitor?

What are you expecting to happen?

What does happen?

What do you get back from...

  Serial.println(in);

I was inputting numbers. Specifically the number of steps the motor should turn. I am expecting the motor to turn that number of steps exactly. When i input numbers i find that i get weird results, the motor will step a small amount like 51, 50, 48, then 13 all from inputting one number.

Grumpy_Mike:
When you do in = Serial.read(); you get an ASCII character not the number you type in. That is where you are going wrong.

OH! hmm what is the easiest way to read in int's instead of ASCII characters? can you use readInt()? as in java?

To convert an ASCII character of a number into a number just use the four least significant bits. To do this just bitwise AND it with 15.
V = V & 15;

Grumpy_Mike:
To convert an ASCII character of a number into a number just use the four least significant bits. To do this just logical AND it with 15.
V = V & 15;

(That's a bitwise AND, not a logical AND.)

Sorry code is right words are wrong, corrected now thanks.