How can I override SpokePOV's automatic power down feature?

SpokePOV kit for bikes

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royshearer
 
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How can I override SpokePOV's automatic power down feature?

Post by royshearer »

Hi, I'm using my SpokePOVs for an installation that has to run for 5 or 10 mins at 15min intervals autonomously as it is located in a pond. I know.

I predict that the boards (v1.1) in their current state will switch themselves off after 3 minutes of inactivity. How can I override this so that the boards stay on at all times? In total the installation only has to run for a couple of hours, so battery drainage should not be a problem.

If this can be done with as physical hack that would be great as I have no programming experience or resources to get into coding. If it is has to be a coding thing, on the other hand, then I might need some help..

cheers,
Roy

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: How can I override SpokePOV's automatic power down feature?

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

The shutdown timer is done in the firmware.

How are you starting it up now? As I understand it, it comes up in 'off' mode until the button is pressed. You need to get it into 'idle' mode before it will start monitoring the hall-effect sensor for rotation. Whatever you do the first time should work for subsequent intervals.

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royshearer
 
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Re: How can I override SpokePOV's automatic power down feature?

Post by royshearer »

Not quite sure what you mean - we will be turning the boards on manually using the button then pushing the installation out into the pond at which point it will be inaccessible. Basically I want the boards to remain in idle mode for the full two hours so that they don't power off in between periods of the wheel moving.

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: How can I override SpokePOV's automatic power down feature?

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

I see. You could replace the button with an IR or RF actuated trigger circuit. If the circuitry is intimidating, an off-the-shelf remote camera trigger would probably do the job. But the simplest thing is probably to modify the firmware to disable the sleep mode.

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royshearer
 
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Re: How can I override SpokePOV's automatic power down feature?

Post by royshearer »

Oh right, thanks that's useful, will give it some thought. I don't suppose anyone here has done this in the firmware before?

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Re: How can I override SpokePOV's automatic power down feature?

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

I don't have a SpokePOV. I can only guess from looking at the code. Maybe one of the Spoke-POV users will chime in here.

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Re: How can I override SpokePOV's automatic power down feature?

Post by adafruit »

IIRC someone did do this mod in the forum, but can't remember when or who. could try some searching in this forum?

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