Windows Service that raises DTR on powerup - Page 10

aperali · 05-09-2008, 06:10 PM

The solution i did a test today was insert that (4700uFa x 25v) capacitor in parallel to the pin4 and pin5. Now everything works much better. Im worrie if it is safety and would like to ask you 'eletronics guys' what are the risks!

Assault · 05-09-2008, 06:31 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by aperali

The solution i did a test today was insert that (4700uFa x 25v) capacitor in parallel to the pin4 and pin5. Now everything works much better. Im worrie if it is safety and would like to ask you 'eletronics guys' what are the risks!

The capacitor will slow down the time it takes for the voltage to drop at pin 4. The ciruit will work fine but from a safety point of view, there is nothing in that circuit to stop your com port being blown if there is a surge or spike. Ideally you would want something like the previous circuit by Fox_Mulder with optical isolation and diodes to enforce the direction of current flow.

aperali · 05-09-2008, 08:57 PM

I dont know if opto isolator is an universal name for this component. I'll try to find it tomorrow here.
What could cause a surge or a spike from the amp remote? isnt it a signal only?
Another dummy question: if we want to prevent a counter current, why dont use only diodes?

Assault · 05-10-2008, 01:10 AM

search for 4n25 0131

opto coupler is the other name.

And yes Diodes will help prevent damage and are usually enough for something like this. Be aware though that there will be a 0.7Volt drop across the diode.

HiJackZX1 · 06-25-2008, 03:21 PM

I just started noticing that when I turn on the PC with AMPCTRL it takes almost a minute for the amps to come on (didnt notice before because the PC was in testing stage), and when it does it fades in as though the amps are fighting for the wire to send the signal to power them on. On my setup I have a thin wire coming from the MoBo serial header, then connecting to a distrubution block then the amps connecting to that. I have a total of 4 amps, and I think this may be the issue. Is the software supposed to work like that? If thats the case, can I simply add a relay that has a 12v signal and the serial port simply triggers the relay, which all 4 amps will be connected to? If its not the case, how do i make amp_ctrl turn on the amps faster, like right when windows has started, rather then waiting so long?

BlackStealth · 06-25-2008, 04:23 PM

Mine starts up before Road Runner even finishes loading.

Be sure to use a transistor to power up the relay as you don't want to overload your serial port and ruin it.

Assault · 06-25-2008, 05:59 PM

My com port was not powerful enough to turn on my amp so I tried the above circuit with a transistor but the voltage was still too low so I had to use the transistor circuit to drive a relay from the 12v source. This led me to make up a circuit similar to Fox Mulders circuit a few posts back. If you are having trouble I would suggest looking into something like that.

phuz · 06-27-2008, 09:12 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Assault

My com port was not powerful enough to turn on my amp so I tried the above circuit with a transistor but the voltage was still too low so I had to use the transistor circuit to drive a relay from the 12v source. This led me to make up a circuit similar to Fox Mulders circuit a few posts back. If you are having trouble I would suggest looking into something like that.

What do you mean the voltage was still too low? It shouldn't be if you have it wired correctly. You are taking the battery +12v to the collector of the transistor. The only thing the DTR is connected to is the base of the transistor in order to provide a little bit of current to open the collector-emitter junction, allowing current flow. There is no relay needed for this.

HiJackZX1 · 06-27-2008, 11:20 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by phuz

What do you mean the voltage was still too low? It shouldn't be if you have it wired correctly. You are taking the battery +12v to the collector of the transistor. The only thing the DTR is connected to is the base of the transistor in order to provide a little bit of current to open the collector-emitter junction, allowing current flow. There is no relay needed for this.

Let me ask, is this method safe, and where do I buy this item? Also when I come out of hibernation sometimes I get no sound. I have to restart the computer.... Could this be because of the low power from the Serial port, or the AMPCTRL not restarting properly. Would using the hibernation trigger work? I am also noticing that sometimes it takes up to 1 minute for the amps to turn on (or at least sound to come out the speakers, the amp lights are on sometimes when this happens). Will using the hibernation trigger cause it to take longer, or is it just the fact that my Serial port is straining, and thats why it takes so long?

HiJackZX1 · 06-27-2008, 11:30 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Fox_Mulder

As my monitor is fussy and only works properly when windows has fully booted, I used this program with some extra components, to ensure complete isolation, my monitor remains powered by the computer and that the monitor turns off when I take the key out. (the schematic is a bit ghetto, made it in paint lol)

edit: The Capacitor and 200 ohm resistor are used to prevent the bios from triggering the relay or to prevent winows from rapidly tiggering the relay when booting. I did do the registry entries above and they worked for windows, but my bios still triggers the DTR line for 1 second as soon as the power button is pressed. This part of the circuit solves this problem.

parts list:
1x 4n25 0131 opto isolator
1x 1k ohm resistor
1x 200 ohm resistor
2x 1n4148 diodes
1x 1000uf 25v Capacitor
1x SPDT 12v relay

Do they carry all this at RadioShack? including the opto isolator?

PS: I cant find the listed isolater.

soloxp · 06-27-2008, 01:08 PM

Why don't you guys just use Volume_Amp_Control. Here to patch files so you can control the amps on and off with autohotkey.

batch file for amps on (Start "" "C:\Volume_Amp_Control\Volume_Amp Control.exe")
autohotkey (Q::Run C:\Volume_Amp_Control\Volume_Amp Control.EXE)

batch file for amps off (TASKKILL /F /IM "Volume_Amp Control.exe)
autohotkey (W::Run C:\Volume_Amp_Control\Amps Off.bat)

HiJackZX1 · 06-27-2008, 01:24 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by soloxp

Why don't you guys just use Volume_Amp_Control. Here to patch files so you can control the amps on and off with autohotkey.

batch file for amps on (Start "" "C:\Volume_Amp_Control\Volume_Amp Control.exe")
autohotkey (Q::Run C:\Volume_Amp_Control\Volume_Amp Control.EXE)

batch file for amps off (TASKKILL /F /IM "Volume_Amp Control.exe)
autohotkey (W::Run C:\Volume_Amp_Control\Amps Off.bat)

I get errors when using Volume_Amp_Control when i use the GUI. I guess i can try it again..... not sure how to make that batch file stuff..... Also anyone on the isolator thing?

soloxp · 06-27-2008, 01:27 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

I get errors when using Volume_Amp_Control when i use the GUI. I guess i can try it again..... not sure how to make that batch file stuff..... Also anyone on the isolator thing?

It only use com1.

HiJackZX1 · 06-27-2008, 01:39 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by soloxp

It only use com1.

Thats why I like AMPCTRL it can use what ever com port I like.

soloxp · 06-27-2008, 01:59 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

Thats why I like AMPCTRL it can use what ever com port I like.

Yeah, but if you have a override switch like I do...and would like to keep the pc on when you stop to get gas or go fry's ect....you can turn off the amps. With AMPCTRL you would need a switch to control the amps or your amps will stay on all the time.