/Arduino9U

Arduino controlling a 9U over serial link

Primary LanguageC++

Arduino9U

An Arduino controlling a 9U over serial link

Hardware

  • Windows PC (tested on Win7 Home Premium)
  • Velleman Arduino Uno #VMA100
  • DFROBOT RS485 Shield #DFR0259
  • Velleman 2.8" TFT #VMA412
  • Whelen 9U serial-controlled lightbar (i.e. #9U728000)

Software (Development Environment)

Download and install Arduino IDE from https://www.arduino.cc/en/main/software

  • Install everything offered (i.e. drivers)

Verify installation

  • Connect the Arduiuno to the USB cable.
  • Plug the USB cable into the Windows PC and let it prepare the device and assign it a COM port.
  • Run "Arduino" from the menu or desktop
  • Type the following in:
void setup() {
  pinMode(13, OUTPUT);
}
void loop() {
  delay(800);
  for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
    digitalWrite(13,1);
    delay(10);
    digitalWrite(13,0);
    delay(80);
  }
}
  • Click on the arrow icon (to compile this scetch, download and run it)
  • You should see the Arduino built-in LED flashing "quad-flash".

Prepare TFT libraries:

  • In Arduino, "Tools"->"Manage Libraries"
  • Type "GFX" in the filter box.
  • You should see "Adafruit GFX by Adafruit". Click "install".
  • Type "TouchScreen" in the filter box.
  • You should see "Adafruit TouchSceen by Adafruit v 1.0.2". Click "install".
  • Type "mcufriend" in the filter box.
  • You should see "MCUFRIEND_kbv by David Prentice". Click "Install"
  • Close library manager

Create an Arduino sketch and program the device

  • IMPORTANT: make sure the inner switch in the DFROBOT RS485 is set to "MANU" and the outermost switch is set to "off".
  • Connect lightbar's blue and gray wire to DFROBOT's "A" and "B" terminal respectively.
  • Plug the TFT into the DFROBOT shield, then the DFROBOT into the Arduino.
  • copy/paste the Arduino9U.ino file (found at this site) into your sketch
  • Compile and run the sketch
  • You should see the TFT display nine "function" buttons similar to a phone key-pad layout.
  • IMPORTANT: now change the outermost switch on the DFROBOT to "on". This enables the DFROBOT to talk to the lightbar.
  • Press "360". All strobes should flash (fingers crossed)
  • Remember - you always have to switch the DFROBOT "off" to program it but "on" to talk to the lightbar