MicroTrac Controller v17.10

Used to control the hydraulic system of MicroTrac.

See the arduino code that runs inside this controller box.

Goals

• Remotely control solenoid valves
• Transmit signals from remotely located control box to onboard control box
• Broadcast GPS location and compass heading from MicroTrac
• Determine suitability of different wireless standards and hardware
  • Wifi Shield
  • xbee long range

Tentative BOM

• Arduino Mega
• xbee Long Range mouser
  • Arduino wireless shield mouser arduino store
  • xbee programming board sparkfun
• 8 Channel Relay Module
• (4) 6P DPST toggle switch grainger
• (5) 4-way Trailer Connector Grainger
• GPS Module Sparkfun
  • GPS Antenna Sparkfun
• Compass breakout board sparkfun
  • Logic Converter Sparkfun
• (2) RP-SMA F-M Cable digikey
• 900Mhz Antenna Sparkfun

Wiring Diagram

Controller Box

gdrive

Wiring Harnesses

gdrive

Onboard Box

gdrive

Wire Harnesses

gdrive

xbee setup

1. download digi xctu software.
2. connect via usb sparkfun board
3. define a network number
4. define destination radio serial number - printed on each xbee board
5. lower broadcast strength
6. tweak other settings
7. repeat for second radio

Future Work

• Remotely control throttle
• Remotely shut down or start engine
• Integrate with GPS functionality
  • Open Source Robotic Tractor
  • https://www.sparkfun.com/pages/GPS_Guide
• Music arduino tones