IDX-PRO+VDI

[holyuser]

I set up my IDX as follows:
1) set up P7 in approximately middle position;
2) set up ground balance by VR1;
3) moving in the front of coil a piece of aluminum foil and turn VR3, I find the situation where the foil starts discriminating;
4) Turn the 5K pot of VDI-board until a zero reading at approximately the same small piece of aluminum foil.

[Wiltran]

IDX

Holyuser do you know the basic alignment setup for for Idx pro interface with VDI?
I can get different readings for different metals on VDI, but I cant seem to get it to zero on foil. Can you or anyone explain adjustment procedure on 10k VR3 on board, and 5K pot on VDI board? thank you.

[eduardo1979]

The VDI I have not yet completed due to lack of time. I need to program the PIC and test.

[Wiltran]

IDX

Eduardo, this MD is awesome! great depth, good stability, and has very sharp discrimination. On your next revision you might add two pads on the board to hook X&Y for VDI. Just to be sure, do you hook X&Y on VDI board to U3 pins 7&8? This was hard for me to build because the board was very compact and densely populated. Also the receive coil was hard to wind with such fine wire! That being said, it is a fine project , but not for a beginner. I can get different readings for different metals on VDI, but I cant seem to get it to zero on foil. Can you or anyone explain adjustment procedure on 10k VR3 on board, and 5K pot on VDI board? thank you.

[holyuser]

Ok Holyuser its working fine now I had the the voltage set way too high! It displays Achtung Minen and VDI thanks for the help .. this is the first time I used a LCD in a project.

[Wiltran]

RT1 is the LCD contrast regulator. You have to turn it until a better image view.

Ok Holyuser its working fine now I had the the voltage set way too high! It displays Achtung Minen and VDI thanks for the help .. this is the first time I used a LCD in a project.

[holyuser]

RT1 is the LCD contrast regulator. You have to turn it until a better image view.

[Wiltran]

How is the LCD? Contrast regulator?

I am using a Newhaven display from digikey. 14 pins connected as in the VDI schematic. How do I set the contrast? The data sheet on the LCD says it need .6V for power supply for contrast.

[holyuser]

How is the LCD? Contrast regulator?

[Wiltran]

If the PIC is powered up properly and nothing is connected to inputs x,y, at the start You should see the welcome sign "ACHTUNG MINEN!" (sorry) for about two seconds and one that desktop.
If you do not see this, then your PIC does not start or LCD is not properly connected.

I programmed the PIC and it verified. What would cause the PIC not to start? I connected 12V and I read 4.85V at pic and 602.

[holyuser]

If the PIC is powered up properly and nothing is connected to inputs x,y, at the start You should see the welcome sign "ACHTUNG MINEN!" (sorry) for about two seconds and one that desktop.
If you do not see this, then your PIC does not start or LCD is not properly connected.

[Wiltran]

IDX- VDI

Holyuser, on the VDI board, if you connect 12V to + and - , and R2 is removed, x and y is not connected, should you still get a boot-up screen on the LCD? Im tryng to test to see if it is basically working. Im seeing nothing on the screen. PIC has been programmed and installed, all connections have been tested. thanks

[Jose]

Jose, let me know how many PIC's you need I will source them and send them to you. Stuff ITAR!

Thanks Sean Goddard
I can send private messages to you.
Best Regards

[Sean_Goddard]

Jose, let me know how many PIC's you need I will source them and send them to you. Stuff ITAR!

[holyuser]

Did you test how different coil shape (CC, DD, OO ...) affected VDI readings? Which shape is more appropriate if we follow accurate VDI recognition?

For now, I used VDI on a terrain with only 10" coplanar coil and the result is good enough to give up for now in other shapes.
Maybe in the winter I will do DD for next season.