PICKINI V3 - an easy to build PI detector

[6666]

http://users.telenet.be/willaert/MD/pickini/software/

Try this, just click on each file and save.

[silver]

hi
i can't download any thing from http://users.telenet.be/willaert/MD/.../pickini_en/V3 because the link not open for me!!!
can you upload all file here?
many thanks

[BC547]

I have populated the board already. I just can't find value for the sensitivity potentiometer. What should it be?

4K7 or 10K

[Mullihaka]

I have populated the board already. I just can't find value for the sensitivity potentiometer. What should it be?

[BC547]

I am using the PICKIT3 programmer:

http://www.microchip.com/Developmenttools/ProductDetails.aspx?PartNO=PG164130

in combination with MPLab. The target microcontroller to be programmed can be powered via the USB programmer 5V supply.

For software development in 'C', I am using mikroC :

http://www.mikroe.com/mikroc/

Have fun,
- Bernard

[Toros]

hello would like to know how to burn the hex pickini v3, you can send me a adapdor rs232 and the best program to record the pic 12f1840, 12f1840 pic I have two and would like to mount this your detector, it looks very good thank .atenciosamente

If there is only USB port on your computer you will need to purchase PIC KIT2 or PIC KIT3 programmer and use the software that goes with it.
If you have a com port go here: https: //www.olimex.com/Products/PIC/Programmers/ and buy PIC-PG2. Free software you will find here: http://picpgm.picprojects.net/download.html.
I personally doubt that the RS232 adapter for USB port will work correctly.
How to operate the software you will read a help file in the program.
Success!

[americano]

hello would like to know how to burn the hex pickini v3, you can send me a adapdor rs232 and the best program to record the pic 12f1840, 12f1840 pic I have two and would like to mount this your detector, it looks very good thank .atenciosamente

[BC547]

The pulse width is hard coded -- was 100 microseconds and is now 120 microseconds.
The pulse interval is hard coded: 512 microseconds * 4 = 2048 microseconds = 488 Hz - as you measured.
The sensitivity potmeter determines the number of samples from the time domain measurement that are accumulated ( added up ).

[Qiaozhi]

The source code is here -> http://users.telenet.be/willaert/MD/pickini/software/

[Beenthereuk]

Thanks for reminding me about that.. I measure 120 uS at pin 2 of the microcontroller (the pulse that goes to the BS170) and that is fixed regardless of where I tweak the pot.
I also measure a 488 Hz pulse repetition rate, regardless of pot position too.
Are these meant to change ?!

[bernte_one]

http://users.telenet.be/willaert/MD/pickini/pickini_en/V3/technical.html

Technology:	pulse induction
Power supply:	12VDC [10 - 14 VDC]
Current consumption:	115 mA
Pulse frequency:	500 Hz can be increased by coding?
Pulse width:	100 µs can be increased by coding?
Audio output:	2 Hz - 1 kHz (logarithmic)
Low battery indicator:	less than 10 V : audio tone
Sensitivity	linear adjustable with potmeter 0 - 5 VDC

[Beenthereuk]

Another minor change: R24 from 4.7k to 1k. Only 10% of the pot (from 1k to 0) was in use really. Dropping the value to 1k puts the pot roughly in the middle when well biased which now allows me to drop the coil inductance further and increase current. Although I prefer to run it on around 70 mA.
I've managed 23 cm to a £ coin using a 26 cm coil so far and will try with a larger coil but do not think I can improve it much further.

The pulse duration is set in code. If I can have the source I can recompile to increase it and see if it improves things.

[bernte_one]

@Beenthereuk

i am sure if you have a longer pulse time you will achive more depth
try to get at least 90µs

[6666]

Thanks for the mods.

[Beenthereuk]

Some minor mods to improve stability (it seemed that the op-amp's bias was affected by the MOSFET current pulse):
Make R10 47 Ohms instead of 10 ohms.
Add 100 nF capacitor from opamp pin 3 to ground.
Add 100 nF capacitor from opamp pin 8 to ground. I used ceramic.
Pulse width into pin 3 of the microcontroller using the 44 turn, 20 cm coil is 45 uS max.
Consistently getting 20 cm to a £ coin so I think I will make a 30 cm coil.

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