Just wanted to let you and others know that the PIC
arbiter is easy to construct, the software downloads reliably and the whole
thing works remarkably well!
Yes, I know many others have also built this
successfully, but if anyone is wondering whether to give it a go, the
circuit board layout works fine (I sent an updated one in a couple of months
ago), the components went in without problem, the firmware downloaded easily
and when it was plugged in.
It just worked!
First came across your site many months ago when I
got the idea to run my under-floor heating entirely by solar power. It's
not quite as daft an idea as it sounds as I live in southern Spain, but it's
still a bit of a gamble!
I have found your site very useful, and I'm impressed with the amount of
information there.
I decided I should build the arbiter and had a closer look at the drawings,
especially the PCB layout. It looks to me as though something has gone a
bit awry towards the bottom of the board - various pads don't seem to line
up and there's at least one missing component (C3?).
So I thought I'd have a bash at tidying up the layout a bit and, at the same
time, do a revised one for the use of the MAX232 rather than the PNP
transistor.
Nice one, Nick!
