Updated: November 15, 2008

"PICAXE" Microcontroller R/C Projects
(What the heck is a "Picaxe" ?)

Aiptek Electronic R/C Shutter Switch !
"AipAxe"

- User-programmable trigger point/direction

- Small footprint, fits into most digital cameras

- With Integrated "Model-Finder" Alarm

Parts

Building

Testing & Operation

Notes

Completed!
    R/C Programmable LED Sequence/Flasher System
"PRO-FLASH"

- Supports 8 channels (multiple LEDs/channel)
- Maximum of 100 events per sequence

- Programmable Pattern/Rate using PC Program!
- Programmable Servo control "zones" for channels

- 800ma per channel ! (i.e. transistor outputs)

Parts

Building

Testing & Operation

Notes

Sorry...

Discontinued

    R/C Programmable LED Sequence/Flasher System
"MINI-FLASH"

- Supports 4 channels (multiple LEDs/channel)
- Maximum of 50 events per sequence

- Programmable Pattern/Rate using PC Program!
- Programmable Servo control "zones" for channels

- 800ma per channel ! (i.e. transistor outputs)

Parts

Building

Testing & Operation

Notes

Completed!
    R/C Programmable LED Sequencer and LiPo Voltage Monitor
"MINI-VOLT"

- Supports 3 channels (multiple LEDs/channel)
- Maximum of 50 events per sequence

- Programmable Pattern/Rate using PC Program!
- Programmable Servo control "zones" for channels

- 800ma per channel ! (i.e. transistor outputs)

- Programmable LiPo Cutoff/Warning Voltage (3s-5s)

- Flashes All LEDs fast as a visual warning

Parts

Building

Testing & Operation

Notes

BETA TESTING!
    R/C-controlled PC-Programmable High-Current LED Sequencer Flasher System
"MAXI-FLASH 

- Supports 4 channels (multiple LEDs/channel)
- Maximum of 50 events per sequence

- Programmable Pattern/Rate using PC Program!
- Programmable Servo control "zones" for channels

- 20A+ per channel ! (MOSFET outputs)

Parts

Building

Testing & Operation

Notes

PENDING!
R/C Glitch Analyzer/Counter
"RC-Gotcha"
- Servo pulse analyzer/discriminator
- Employs unique "Glitch" algorithm
- With Integrated "Model-Finder" Alarm

Parts

Building

Testing & Operation

Notes

Working...
Serial LCD Display Driver
"LCD#108"
- PIC code by Peter Anderson
- PCB designed by DIYRC.com
- PCB allows for easy assembly of a very versatile Serial LCD driver kit

Parts

Building

Testing & Operation

Notes

Completed!
R/C Servo Reverser
"Simple-Rev"
- Simple Servo (pulse) Reverser
- With Integrated "Model-Finder" Alarm

Parts

Building

Testing & Operation

Notes

Pending
R/C Servo Fail-Safe
"Simple-FS"
- User-programmable Fail-Safe position
- With Integrated "Model-Finder" Alarm

Parts

Building

Testing & Operation

Notes

Pending
R/C Servo Speed Adjuster Interface

"Servo Slowdown"
- Tiny PIC-based Servo speed interface
- Variable speed via potentiometer
(Designed and coded by Kevin Goom)

Parts

Building

Testing & Operation

Notes

Completed!
(Thanks to Kevin Goom)
R/C In-Flight Data Recorder
"RC-BlackBox"
- In-Flight Data Logger/Analyzer
- RPM, Battery, Temp, Glitches, & Altitude
- With Integrated "Model-Finder" Alarm

Parts

Building

Testing & Operation

Notes

Pending
R/C Model Finder/Locator
"Locate-Me"
- Simple and small "Model-Finder" Alarm
- Loud Piezo alarm w/ settable "Sounds"
- Integrated Beacon Flasher for nighttime

Parts

Building

Testing & Operation

Notes

Pending
R/C Aerial Video Panning System
"Duo-Panner"
- 2 Axis Panning System (2 servos)
- Stick movement changes servo velocity/speed
- With Integrated "Model-Finder" Alarm

Parts

Building

Testing & Operation

Notes

Working...

(See Video)

R/C Tachometer
"Simple-Tach"
- Cheap but accurate Tachometer
- Uses magnet(s) and Hall-Effect sensor
- Read RPM on LCD display or Laptop

Parts

Building

Testing & Operation

Notes

Pending
R/C Fuel Level Gauge
"Simple-Fueler"
- Unique Glow Fuel Tank Level Indicator
- Uses "capacitive" plates to sense level
- Fuel Level indicated on 5 LEDs
- Interfaces to existing fuel pumps (auto-stops)

Parts

Building

Testing & Operation

Notes

Pending
R/C Frequency Monitor
"Freak-Mon"
- Uses a cheap, modified GWS receiver
- Integrated Frequency Synthesized Tuner
- LCD Display and Jog Dial/Buttons

Parts

Building

Testing & Operation

Notes

Pending
R/C Battery Level Monitor
"Simple-Volt"
- Simple LED Voltage Monitor
- Auto Cell Detect (3s, 4s or 5s LiPo Packs)
- 2 LED Output (1-green, 1-red) & Peizo Alarn

Parts

Building

Testing & Operation

Notes

BETA TESTING
R/C Twin Engine Synchronizer
"Simple-Synch"
- Dual RPM analyzers
- Controls two servos (1 ea. engine)
- Synchronizes two Engines using RPM feedbac
- Lowers throttle to idle when one motor cuts out

Parts

Building

Testing & Operation

Notes

Pending
R/C Programmable Power Monitor / Recorder
"Power-Safe"
- Programmable via PC
- Gets power from R/C receiver
- Records Voltage and Current drain real-time

- Records 500 samples during flight for PC analysis

Parts

Building

Testing & Operation

Notes

Pending
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GOT ANY MORE IDEAS???

EMAIL ME!
         

Note: All pictures that follow are "clickable".  Clicking on them will show you an enlargement!
 

What's all this "PICAXE" Stuff ??

   
PICAXE microcontrollers are exciting, low-cost, re-programmable chips that can be used as low-cost 'brains' in many kinds of electronic project.  Microcontrollers are exciting new electronic ‘single chip computers’ that are rapidly being introduced into industry and education. The ‘PICAXE’ system is an extremely powerful, yet low cost, microcontroller programming system designed to simplify educational and hobbyist use of microcontrollers. The unique feature of the PICAXE system is that programs are downloaded via a direct cable link straight into the microcontroller, so no expensive programmers or erasers are required. The easy to use software is free, and so this low cost approach also means that students can use the whole programming system at home.  Similar to the Parallax Basic Stamp microcontroller, the PICAXE differs in that it is a self contained controller (i.e. does not use an external EEPROM like the Stamp controllers).  Additionally, the PICAXE incorporates an internal resonator/crystal, buried deep inside the PIC.  Although you are programming a PIC, you are programming it in a "BASIC" like language that is very easy to learn.  Revolution Education (aka RevEd) located in the United Kingdom is the manufacturer of the PICAXE.  If you need a Picaxe quickly, Email me... I might have an extra I could sell you.

The PICAXE microcontrollers are available in four sizes:

PICAXE Comparison
The table below shows a comparison between the various PICAXE microcontrollers.

 

PICAXE Type IC Size Memory
(lines)
I/O Pins Outputs Inputs ADC Data
Memory
Polled
Interrupt
PICAXE-08 8 40 5 1-4 1-4 1L 128-prog No
PICAXE-08M 8 80 5 1-4 1-4 3 256-prog Yes
PICAXE-18 18 40 13 8 5 3L 128-prog No
PICAXE-18A 18 80 13 8 5 3 256 Yes
PICAXE-18X 18 600 14 9 5 3 256+i2c Yes
PICAXE-28A 28 80 22 8 8 4 64+256 Yes
PICAXE-28X 28 600 23 9-17 0-12 0-4 128+i2c Yes
PICAXE-40X 40 600 32 9-17 8-20 3-7 128+i2c Yes


This information, with the pinout diagrams, is also available in .pdf (Acrobat) datasheet format.
Comparison and Pinout Datasheet (pdf)

For a list of the commands supported by the different PICAXE microcontrollers
click here.

 

Another great Picaxe projects link to browse around is http://www.hippy.freeserve.co.uk/

...more coming soon

 

DIYRC.com's New

"Picaxe Code Date Base"

(Coming soon)

        Other Picaxe Links to consider:

http://www.diyrc.com/RC-14.html
DIYRC.com's Radio Control projects using the Picaxe (USA)

http://www.hippy.freeserve.co.uk/picaxe.htm
Hippy's impeccable Picaxe info (UK)

http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/picaxe/
Picaxe Home Page (RevEd, UK)

http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/picaxe/forum/default.asp
Picaxe Forum (RevEd, UK)

http://www.techsupplies.co.uk/cgi-bin/techsupplies.storefront
Where to Purchase Picaxes (RevEd)

http://phanderson.com/picaxe/picaxe.html
Peter Anderson's Picaxe Webpage/Code examples (where to buy Picaxes in the USA)

http://www.picaxe.orcon.net.nz/
Stan's Excellent Picaxe webpage with tons of info/examples (NZ)

http://research.plistin.com/picaxe/
Andypro's Picaxe Webpages (I/O expanders, SPI stuff and other goodies!)
 

 

 

"PICAXE is a trademark of Revolution Education Ltd (www.picaxe.co.uk)"
 


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