I want to put all of this onto a boad which then interfaces with some ancient computer equipment I have (a Sharp MZ-80K, Z-80 based computer from the late 1970s - chosen because in computing terms, it's a perfect match for the Lister: Old, reliable, cast iron... ). However, as old computers tend to be less reliable than old engines, I'm thinking, I'd like it to output data to an RS232 terminal as well, so I can use a terminal or terminal emulator as a backup.
With a PIC for a controller it should be no big trick to spit out RS232 to that old beastie. Sounds like fun. In a twisted sort of way.....
Well, the main board I want to do as pure logic (with A-D converters as required), so it presents to the Sharp as a bunch of numbers in fixed memory locations. But I'd happily use a PIC for the RS232 output, despite having never used one before.
Twisted.... yeah, that's me
I like the idea of building something that, despite being "high tech electronics" (for the 1970s, maybe) is actually pretty simple, easy to repair, and uses parts which - in theory at least - should be available more-or-less forever (or can be bought for 2 pennies per piece right now).
Plus, I like to experiment with stuff... and as I'm more or less due a mid-life crisis any year now, I see no reason to delay
That's one of my favorite parts is board layout.
Yeah, I always enjoyed the board layout too - I just never included any parts other than the chips! Just beginning to figure out why you need pull-up resistors, decoupling capacitors, etc; although I'm still not totally sure why & when you need them in digital circuits... But then, I'm only 2/3rds of the way through chapter 2 of the book - it's still looking at transistors as amplifiers; the digital stuff is at least 15 chapters away yet!
Wow.
Yeah, I'm in the states. And on the Far Coast at that.
I could put a piece like that to good use if it was in my shop! Sigh...
If it was here now, you'd bet I'd come up with a way to power it.
Well... on the bright side, that container quote I got was to the west coast (Long Beach, CA) - the only issue is how many engine's worth of space that beast takes up. I'd gess you could fit 4 or 5 6/1's into the footprint. However, the Micromat isn't crazy heavy like the Lister's; so - thinking laterally - if all the engines sit on the bottom of the container, a wooden framework could be constructed & the Micromat put
on top. It'd have to be well secured for a sea passage, but there's nowt to make it impossible...