Accessing (1 wire) HA7Net from a C program in XP

[dhaslam]

I can access the  1 wire controller  from  a browser and have set a fixed IP address but  I cannot access it from a program.   This isn't a new problem, when changing to XP from Win98   I had to change access to network printers to the Linux server but I don't think that is possible  in this case.    Embedded Data Systems seem to have very little  support for their device but then it is more of a windows problem.   

[mpooley]

How are you trying to access it?

I am thinking of buying one of these myself and i would be very interested.

I would be writing a C# or vb.net prog to access the HA7net, from what i have read it is very easy?

MIKE

[dhaslam]

It should be relatively easy but I couldn't find  any routines  to access it except I did see something written in  Visual Basic.  In theory it is possible to compile a visual basic  object file and link it to a C program  but it isn't something I want to get into.   The  support  people are saying they will look for some third party software.   I don't understand why they can't produce  it themselves.    Anyway I have given up for the present and ordered a serial  controller, at least that shouldn't need  any specialised software to run.       

[mpooley]

I'm not absolutely certain but I think you address it as a normal serial port.
If thats true it should be very easy. if you ever need any help with VB just ask me.

What serial controller did you go for?
The main reason I'm not sure about going that route is the extra cabling I would have to run.
and it didn't seem to work out any cheaper after buying usb to serial adapters etc.

Mike

[dhaslam]

I ordered the LinkTH  adapter.   

www.homechip.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=96

It seems to work like  a serial modem setup, i.e. it responds to  queries.   

The advantage to me of C  is that  I have lots of routines already written that I can use.       

[StBarnabas]

I ordered the LinkTH  adapter.   

www.homechip.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=96

It seems to work like  a serial modem setup, i.e. it responds to  queries.   

The advantage to me of C  is that  I have lots of routines already written that I can use.       

DH
keep us posted here. I'm hoping to make my data "live" sometime soon and I would be very interested to see how you get on.
Sean

[dhaslam]

At least the serial controller works straight out of the box, even though it decided that temperature went up to 85C.. 

However  it seems to have limited choice of sensors that can be used and also may not be able to control a relay. 

[KLD]

Dhaslam

I can't remember the details, but 85°C is an error code for the 1820 temperature sensors. Eric will know.

Klaus

[StBarnabas]

DH/Klaus
85°C is the power on reset value of the DS18B20. My initial reading often tends to be 85 but it normally settles down after the ConvertT 0X44 instruction is issued by the master to the appropriate device a so hopefully this is just a glitch.
Sean

[ericw]

Yes - DS18B20 do seem to report 85 degrees if the convertT command has failed.

[mpooley]

I would be very interested in more info when you have it sorted.
Especially concerning the relay!
I hope to have  a hub with 3 strings.
2 for sensors and 1 for 5 relays I want to control zone valves etc.

I nearly ordered the Ha7 ethernet controller today but i can never contact Homechip!

they wont answer queries by email and when i tried ringing them they were out! and had left a work experience lad answering the phone. He promised they would ring back but of course they didn't lol.

Mike

[ericw]

Mike,
The user manual for the LinkTH is here http://www.ibuttonlink.com/pdf/LinkTH%20Users%20Manual.pdf. Its an interesting interface for data logging as it contains a real time clock in it, enabling the data to be timestamped.

It unfortunately does not seem to be capable of driving 1 wire relay drivers such as DS2406/8. 
LogTemp has some functionality to do this, but I think for a serious controller function you are into building your own master.

I suggest the Arduino areas on the web would be a good place to look to find something that you could use as a starting point.
You ought to be able to dispense with a hub and just daisy chain all of the devices.
www.hobbyboards.com do a 1 wire unit with upto 8 relays (not rated for mains however)

[mpooley]

Thanks Eric
I think I have spent all my spare time for a week or more  trying to fathom out a way to do what I want.
There seems to be a scarcity of actual cct diagrams for the 1 wire relay driver and the sensors really. So many people seem to Have done it but there is never a clear and concise explanation.

I have looked at the arduino and have been very tempted to give it a try, but when i look at the software, I just dont get it!
I'm fine coding Visual studio .net but all the different chips and languages, dlls etc etc has confused the hell out of me.

I wanted to get all this working some time THIS year! lol
I am now looking at the Ha7net ethernet hub. This appears to take all the hard work out of the connections. And it does seem to support the whole familly of 1 wire chips so I assume it will drive relays.

But I have emailed and phoned the only UK supplier that I have found amd have yet to get any answer at all.

It would seem to me that what I am trying to do would be a fairly common thing and it would be clearly documented. but not as far s I can see?

Mike

 

[ericw]

Mike,

When you google "vb 1 wire" you get a fair amount of information on doing things in VB(.net). Maxim have a free download of the SDK to link with their interfaces (DS9490). It also throws up links for using the HA7Net as well.

As far as the schematics go, almost the only way is to use available commercial devices (Maxim DS series) to interface the one wire bus to the outside world.
So basically all you have to do is connect the bus (DQ) pin to the bus and I/O side of the chip to whatever you want to sense or drive. You will also almost certainly need to run a power line along with the data in the bus.

If you want to go up a level with the hardware, then Hobbyboards have a range of kits (they conveniently publish the schematics ) that plug onto the bus and provide some of the more usual functions.

[mpooley]

I have just got the  EDS OW Server from Homechip and have breadboarded  couple of ds18s20's to it.
Looks as though it will be fairly easy to get the data as its all in xml which dotnet handles very well.

If anyone is interested i will be happy to report my progress.

Mike