Robo-Tank v5.0 is Ready

[Rob F]

Sorry for the late reply, I was away again. I'll also be gone all day tomorrow but will return. :)

I completely pulled out the arduino card, so nothing is plugged into it anymore.
I reloaded the program to program the eeprom, I unplugged the card from the usb port, I restarted the serial monitor, but nothing but "start" is displayed.

Ah that's why, the Arduino has to be mounted to the respected PCB, the eeprom isn't part of the Arduino that's why it can't find it.

I’ve successfully update to v5.01 from V4.2.  But had some user errors in the process.  I’m not all that familiar with Arduino software, so I thought I’d post some lessons learned that maybe can help other new users.  I’m sure expert Arduino users know this stuff or have better solutions.

On the bottom of the Arduino IDE is a “message window”.  It is black with White or Red text.  Red text can be Errors, warnings.  You need to fix the errors.  Don’t ignore the message window as I initially did.

Serial Port Window unreadable: I only had open when I wanted to copy the backup sketch
- Check the baud rate in the lower right corner is set to 115200

V5 shown on display with 1 red dot, but never loads
- My controller’s EEPROM did not get setup.  I probably got an error in the message window, but didn’t see it.  On the controller load the PreUpdate sketch again, and load the controller sketch again

Cannot have src and utility files in SDFat:  
o Go to SDFatC:\Users\[username]\Documents\Arduino\libraries\SdFst, remove “Utility” directory

#Include Files missing
- I deleted my libraries and pasted new as suggested.  After the above error.  If you didn’t save backup libraries, uninstall Arduino, and reinstall version from robotank site, and run thru the first time set up again.  This will get everything back in order.  Then copy the Install Libraries per “Update to v5.01.rtf” instructions.

Communication Port Not available
- I got this when switching between display and controller.  My suggestion
1. Close Ardunio IDE
2. switch USB to the other device
3. double click the sketch let it open the Ardunio IDE
4. Check Port Tools-->Port-->Com#(Arduino Due(Programming Port))

Display is backwards or not booting
- likely forgot to change monitor in the Dislpay sketch.  Scroll down about 30 lines in the display sketch and edit this
o // Uncomment the display you have, be sure the others are commented out using // at the beginning
o UTFT myGLCD(TFT01_70, 25, 26, 27, 28);  // used for ElecFreaks and Sainsmart 7" Display
o //UTFT myGLCD(TFT01_50, 25, 26, 27, 28);  // used for ElecFreaks and Sainsmart 5" Display
o //UTFT myGLCD (CPLD, 25, 26, 27, 28); //For 5" and 7“ CPLD Displays

Missing files or damaged Libraries
1- You can Uninstall Arduino and reload from Robo’s download site
2- Follow “FIRST TIME PROGRAMMING GUIDE.pdf”
3- Then Follow “Update to v5.01.rtf”

Glad to hear you managed to get updated, sometimes programming Arduinos can get confusing. Thanks for posting Mike, I'm sure it will help others.

Hi Rob
Finally got it to load and start but having loads of problems.

The heaters will not turn off according to the set temps, I have set them to turn off at 26c but they just stay on no matter what the temp is (sitting at 26.6 at the moment), I have tried setting up a custom rule to turn them off if the temp is over 26 but that does not work either. I have checked it is looking at the right port (9) and it is reading right on the home page.

The ATO is not working, it keeps dumping water into the sump even though it is over full.

Flow meter display is wrong, I have set it to the right pulses (4.5) but it only reads 50lph when it should be more like 950plh.

Home page will not display properly either, issues with feeding not showing etc.

Sounds like something isn't setup correctly, all those issues aren't in the software. Any chance you have an Atlas circuit connected? Can you go to settings, system and press the restore defaults button and let it do it's thing for about 5 minutes. The controller will restart when its finished and hopefully things are restored.

So ich habe seid heute Morgen 8 uhr nur den PH sonde angeschlossen , bis 18 uhr war alles ok , als ich 19 uhr zu hause  war war das datum wieder 3.2009 und Die Uhrzeit wieder 23 uhr . Ich konnte im seriellen Monitor keine sonden sehen

I got an email from someone today who might have the answer. He experienced the same issue back in the day and discovered using his oscilloscope just powering up the Atlas circuits caused some interference so he tried a few things and found that powering the Atlas circuits from an external linear voltage regulator the interference was gone and issue was solved. The voltage regulator must be linear as other types didn't solve the problem. The word linear will be used to describe the voltage regulator, if it doesn't say linear it might not be.

Anyone having this problem should try this, I think there's a good chance it works.

You would connect +12v to the linear regulator and then use the output of 3.3v to power up the circuit.

Here's one as an example, you can get them from any electronic shop as they are popular.

https://www.adafruit.com/product/2165