External Light Bar

I think this was a timing issue sending the commands to the LED strips. I have updated my fork of AutosteerPCBv2LB to only send an update the the lightbar when the cross track error has changed from the previous loop. I have a 45 LED strip and it works with that now (I got identical symptoms to you previously), so let me know if this sorts out the issue for you.

Now it works better. Thank You.
It is still littlebit clithcy with 71 leds, leds might freeze some times and some times there are faint blue led nest to last green led.
with 45 leds it have not froze, not yet at least. but there still are that light blue led next to last green some times.
Edit: that blue led seem to go away when i set led brightness little bit lower.
still i cannot get lot higher than 45 led or leds might freeze. I think that 45 leds are plenty but its nice to have options :smiley:

Does the PGN change work ok? All good from AOG?

The comms all seem fine. I have tried it wired up on my desk with the simulator and it works great, I just havent had a chance to try it in anger yet - one of the control valves has packed up on the sprayer, sticking a spanner in the works. I will let you know as soon as I go out with it on the tractor!

1 Like

Hello everyone
I have a few questions.
I keep trying the outer light lines and unfortunately without success.
I programmed the ESP32 with the M5SticsC program, the module in AOG and the ESP32 with the program friend MTZ, tries to connect via Bluethoot, hmmmm, only how ??
Is it possible?

Do you think it’s possible to make a code for the M5Stick_C? Would love it. Lot easier than working with a arduino and a com port or udp.

I think so, or I don’t understand something.
I guess that’s what the code says.
Communication should be via bluetooth.

Yeah sure it would work. But the code is for the old version not for the V5. Maybe @minolu-JP will write a code for it. Would be very cool, because its a very nice feature for spreading and spraying.

1 Like

I will adapt the code I use (M5 Atom Lite/M5stickC) for V5 when possible (this code was based on minolu-JP’s work).
Yes, bluetooth is required, USB is only suitable for a small testing

I made it in a hurry, please give me a review

External Light Bar for #AgOpenGPS v5.1.3
on #M5StickC https://t.co/U8WIiQP7eV pic.twitter.com/6MzwE6sCYG

— mnl_t (@mnlt18) April 27, 2021
4 Likes

Everything ok, seems to work fine, thanks a lot.

Have done something similar just for esp32 and UDP (v5.1.4.)

1 Like

Hello forum,
I have 5.2.1 on my PC, to test an external light bar driver I recently designed. I am not familiar with the AgOpenGPS other than having read the manual. In order to test the board I would like to use 5.2.1 in simulation mode (no real GPS, IMU, machine, just the light bar driver acting as Autosteer, connected to the PC via USB/serial).
My question: how can I setup AgOpenGPS simulation so that PGN messages 254 etc. are sent to the driver board?
Thanks a lot for your help,
-e
edit: for clarity

You would maybe have to send them to the autosteer arduino, make custom code, and then maybe connect your external bar to that?

Thanks Brian,
since the lightbar is supposed to replace a mechanical autosteer function, the idea was to have the lightbar driver board replace but “imitate” the autosteer (arduino). But, there are no transmissions at all coming from AOG. Could it be due to a missing simulator setup by me?
I understand your suggestion, but that would mean re-fabbing the driver board as a slave to the autosteer.
Otherwise, how about having a further com/USB channel exclusively dedicated to a lightbar function?
edit: syntax

AgIO sends to the autosteer, not AOG

yes. Meanwhile I set up the simulator properly (Thanks to help from Wilbert) and the PGN 254 are now coming in. I now have the choice between displaying a measure of 1) steering angle and 2) line distance.
Another question: on my laptop (Win7/64) AgOpenGPS.exe won’t run while I am admin. I have to switch to a regular user for that. Is that normal?
Thanks

1 Like

You would think it would not run in normal?? Windows never ceases to amaze me - not in a good way

Good you got the udp figured out. Yes, you have the full pgn so you have speed as well as sections etc

Hi Brian, is it still true that in the Byte 10 for the Distance is used in the master version on GIT? See in the file ‘PGN 5.1.xlsx’, Byte 10 is not defined and in the AutoSteer ino it says: “//Bit 10 Tram”. Thx!

It is bit 10 for sure, It was formerly the tram. I’ll have to change the docs