Remote Controlled Eight-Relay Board

PART V

- An RC Firework Firing Device

Hand-Held Transciever

Inside the box

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The Control-Side: Making the Connections and Code

Keypad Wiring to Arduino

• Connect and test the keypad (see Part I). I need Arduino pin2 for the Hand-held's RF12 IRQ (interrupt) so keypad pin 4 now connects to Arduino  pin9 .  Make sure the correct char is printed in the serial monitor. If not check PIN to PIN connections are correct and see that the keypad map in the code is the same as for your keypad.

• Make, and connect the RF12 boards to the Arduinos. Connect and test as described in Part II .
  

Safety Features on the Control Side 

I want these safety features (maybe over the top - but also fun too, 007 style!)

1. Missile cover for power switch to Arduino (these are cool anyway)
2. PIN number entry to keypad
3. Tri-colour indicator led (red/green/orange)

Control-Side Human Interface

Functions

• Missile switch and cover prevents accidental power-up on control-side. Arduino power to Vin pin.
• The Tricolour LED flashes green and red a few times to allow "thinking" time  
• Arduino checks if a ready signal is being transmitted from the relay-side.
• When the LED stays green it is ready for PIN number entry. Enter PIN number now.
• LED stays red => armed and ready to accept a firimg command.
•  Press a number 1-7 on the keypad to trigger the respective relay.
  
• LED flashes red on/off quickly to indicate command sent.  
• Keypad command '*' sounds a buzzer on the relay side.
• Keypad command '#' triggers  relays 1-7  simultaneously.
• Keypad command '0' switches relays to power OFF, so no current flows to igniters.

LED indicator error messages which require power off => on to reset

• No relay-side ready signal => flash orange ON/OFF very fast.
• Incorrect PIN number => LED orange.

 Here is the control-side Arduino code: Hand-held .

NB there is a lot of spare space in the box, and on the surface of this device. This is so at a later date I can add other human interface elements. I realised that by changing the software and adding other parts, I can have a multifunctional human interface, capable of controlling several different slave devices.