CatGenie: Resetting a SaniSolution Cartridge

Step 6 Let's Reset The Damn Cartridge, Already! Sheesh!

The hard part is over.

Resetting cartridges is best done in bulk - use up all but one, setting the empties aside, then you can knock them all out in a few minutes on a Saturday and be done for a few months. Resetting a cartridge literally takes five seconds once you've done all the prep work.

Hook up your battery (or USB - remember the jumper) to the Arduino and give it about ten seconds to load the program and get it running. There will really be no indication that it's ready - I suppose I could add software for that later.

Slide the cartridge into the holder. The LED will illuminate almost immediately - reset was successful. Slide the cartridge out, and in a couple of seconds the light will go out - its ready to reset another one.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

Putting your CatGenie back together consists of reversing the disassembly.

Unplug your Arduino and set it aside until next time.

Comments

[The Snake]

Great work!

I've made a few mods to the code which :
- Flash the LED on for 5 seconds at startup, to show the program is working
- Correctly lights and blanks the LED on a successful cartridge reset. Previously it was always on.

You should remove the cartridge during the time that the "reset OK" light is on (2 seconds).

This worked well on my Duemilanove.

For some reason they don't allow code to be pasted into comments - new code is available at http://www.poptart.org/catgenie.pde

[compmrklein]

is there any way to make this unit set for 255 cycles? if so what do i need to change on the program
thanks

[The Snake]

It is byteArray[3] that holds the number of uses to be written to the cartridge, so that's the 4th number in the array.

You can try changing that to a higher number, though beware that the CatGenie might not like it (haven't tried myself as I like to be reminded when the carts are getting empty).

If it doesn't work, just change it back to 60 and re-flash.


J>

[tmamayek]

Every time I do this, the light continually blinks after I put the cartridge in the holder.

[wozzwinkl]

Maybe I'm doing this wrong- When I use your program on my Duemilanove, it loads fine and when I reset the board it turns the light on for 5 seconds, then shuts it off. That's it until I reset it again. If I connect the cartridge after the light goes out, still nothing. I don't get the "reset OK" light, at all. And none of this seems to reset the cartridges, regardless of the LED lighting or not. Is the proper sequence turn on board, wait for light to go out, connect cartridge, wait for "reset OK" light, remove cartridge while light is on? How important is it that this all be done exactly right? I have successfully reset all 5 of my cartridges twice before, with the older version of the resetting program. However, I have had some weird issues lately with my cartridges not wanting to work after resetting, or working sporadically. The CG was complaining that the cartridge was empty (it was full), so I reset it and the CG ran a cycle, then started complaining again... Is it possible that I have damaged the chips on the cartridges? I'm just having a really hard time knowing what is going wrong, and I'd like to be sure I'm doing as many things right as possible. Thanks!

[wozzwinkl]

UPDATE- I bought new cartridges, and they fixed it. I think I definitely managed to "pop" my chips somehow... I'm still interested in the proper sequence, etc, though. Please, help me not pop my cartridges again!

[DMBillies]

That link to the program appears to be broken (for me at least). Can you re-post a new one please?

[The Snake]

Hi... think there was a network problem at the time. Can you try again now? Seems OK for me.

[DMBillies]

Yes, it must have been a network problem because it is working fine now. Thanks a lot for the work on the updated code!

[kji716]

WORKS FINE...! thanks!

[Prez1]

Does this work with the new 120 cartridges??

[monsoon60]

Prez1 - it doesn't look like anyone has respnded and you probably already know that the CG120 uses a different set up, so no this doesn't work for the new CG120.

[kutch2001]

The new cartridges use RFID technology.  There is currently an effort underway to make an OpenGenie and some good progress seems to be underway, but only time will tell if it will actually yield any results.  Not sure if the person who wrote this instructable is involved with the OpenGenie.

On a related note ScottSEA, great work on this!!  Been meaning to comment but only signed up recently.  Been using this for a year, and it has been working great.  I modified it slightly for my purposes (added blinking light just so know it was active).  Integrating this with an automatic cat feeder and a motion sensor for the catgenie so it turns on/off automatically.

Thanks again ScottSEA.  Double thumbs UP!!! :)

[handysmurf]

You guys are hoot ... despite the fact that your not speaking English .... or any other language I am fluent in speaking ... Has anyone tried to build a "dock" (a word my son gave me halfway through this post while discussing it with him) out of acrylic? You should be able to cut and drill all the holes required in acrylic, although it may require a jewlers saw to cut small holes for the usb port and contacts... otherwise you should be able to cut your large pieces and glue them together .. and cement your contacts on the inside. I think I will try this at some point ... but at first just use whatever works.

[Mastahscott]

Hmmm How the hell can we test this thing if we build something , that is to say , I had a cartridge that needed reset , I did that to make sure the thing worked . But after building a device there is no way to test the device because the cartridge has been reset already, is there a way to force the cartridge to a 60 count quickly so that it needs reset again in order to test my unit again? Do we need another program in the adurino to do this ? if so does anyone have one? Thanks a million

[Mastahscott]

Does anyone have a program that we can use to set this counter to show the cartridge being used up? Ya know for test purposes........ As in set to "0"

[slewfoot]

Here's a thought.... (And I'll probably make an instructable if it works)... Since the two wire spec supports two masters, why not remove the stuff inside the Smart Cartridge and mount the Arduino inside. Run a hose from the nipple to a brass barb on the outside of the cartridge and power the Arduino from the Cat Genie itself (Since the CG obviously supplies power through that interface). Mount a reset button and a LED to the top of the cartridge and slap it all back together. Then all you need to do is hook a hose up to your favorite gallon of replacement solution and presto. No more tearing apart your CG, no Voiding the Warranty, and no more messing with refilling the carts. Details and pictures coming soon...

[mythgarr]

A simpler hack (that should work) would be to remove the circuit board from the smart cartridge, remove the 24AA00, and replace with something that has either a software or hardware write-protect that is pin-compatible. The 24LC21A is pretty close, but there isn't a TSSOP version available. If you were willing to either make or order some custom PCBs there are a lot of options available (24AA01 is pretty close) or you could use the above listed 24LC21A in PDIP form factor for ease of installation. The pin-out is (looking at the cartridge, from left to right) 1 - SDA 2 - SDA 3 - NC 4 - SCK 5 - SCK 6 - VSS 7 - VSS 8 - NC 9 - VCC 10 - VCC I would be interested to see how you would manage a leak-free connection to the nipple style used on the cartridge. I've contemplated something as you suggest, but I can't contrive any way to ensure a good connection.

[day.v]

Scott this is great I just received my Arduino in the mail and I am looking to see which pins on the cartridge are used for programming. I really don't want to take my unit apart not for fear of problems with it but for fear of upsetting my cats. I am trying to make some kind of hand held device to just hold on to the cartridge. I saw one used on ebay but I am unsure if it is 4 pins 8 pins or even which pins. Thanks, Dave

[glate]

The pins you are looking to use (from left when looking at the Cartridge) are:

Cartridge Arduino
1&2 4
4&5 5
7&8 GND
10&11 3V

As for making a hand held device it's not very difficult, here's mine:

http://i40.tinypic.com/2encbj6.jpg

[day.v]

Scott Hey thanks it worked but the light never lit. I tested a cartridge to make sure that it was beeping. I put it on my device that I made and nothing that I could see happened. I took it to the litter box and wow it worked. I don't really care but just curious why. I took your sleeve idea one step further. If you use a piece of clear plastic that has an edge on it you can mark it in line with your contacts with a sharpie. With that done just drill the marks and run your wire through each set of holes and twist. line your edge with the cartridge and your done. Thanks, Dave

[kfouryou]

I know I'm totally confused on how to program this board .I need a step by step on what to do from the beginning I think I might have some thing on my board ,do I need to erase it and start over?Appreciate the help

[glate]

Assuming you are using Windows:
1. Download drivers/software from http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software
2. Connect the board via USB, load drivers
3. Open Control Panel, Select System, Open Device Manager
4. Expand Ports, check which port the USB Virtual Device is (COM4 for me)
5. Launch arduino.exe
6. Paste the source code in
7. Select Sketch, Verify/Compile (it should compile correctly)
8. Select Tools, Serial Port, and then the port from step 4
9. Select Tools, Board and verify the correct board is selected
9. Select File, Save As, name it "catgenie"
10. Select File, Upload to I/O Board

You should see tx and rx flashing and then it should report "upload successful"

Hopefully I haven't missed anything, let me know how that works out for you.

[DrBanzai]

OK - totally frustrated. I guess I need to turn my hacker card now. Your code looks right but when I upload it the led never goes out. I get a good RX light on the board so I know it is uploading but then the light just stays on (the LED I attached that is). I am using the newer Duemilanove board - is that maybe the problemo? I thought it was fully compat with the d-co limma. No jumper though for USB (which I am running on) but should be all automatic. Any comment, help, derision, etc?

[Scurge]

I'm having the exact same problem. same board and everything. did you ever get it to work?

[ExpressZero]

DrBanzai, I just bought the same board, and had the same issue with the LED light but I went ahead and moved forward. Go ahead and run the code, and try programming a cartridge. I just hit the reset button on the Duemilanove, and then hooked it all up for about had 5-10 seconds, and it worked fine. I didn't take the catgenie apart though, I just figured out the pins and taped the wires in place.

[DrBanzai]

Thanks tons, I did actually go ahead and it did work correctly! Thanks ExpressZero! -DrB

[DanITman]

My wife and I have considered getting one of these. This would be a great hack to do to save some cash. Is it possible to remove the cartridge all together and extending the tubes directly to bottle?

[ScottSEA]

I would run a hose from a gallon jug (for instance) to the CG dispenser - put the plug from a cartridge in one end of the hose and push it down over the needle (size hose appropriately), fill the hose with fluid (to avoid priming issues) and put the other end in the bottle. You'd also have to connect the Arduino and write a program to "talk" to the processor and tell it there is still a full cartridge (this is done via I2C™ (aka TwoWire) interface), so you'll have to know some code. It wouldn't be too difficult, but I have encountered some difficulty communicating with the processor. If you try it, please let me know how it progresses!

[Doctorhash]

I was thinking more of leaving the cartridge (disected) installed in the CG and connecting the hack (I love that word) directly to the cartridge circuit. Runnig a tube from the cartridge to the gallon jug. Then install the hack in the cartidge with the battery (or other power source) and if you are not a programming guru just put a switch between the power source and the hack. Then turn it on, wait for the LED to light and turn it off. I do have exstensive programming knowledge and when I get my cg I will probe all the signals, and modify the program so that it can sense when the cg either has performed 59 cycles (by watching either the pump V+ or some other signal that only ocurrs when it cleans) causing it to reset automatically. I could also have the micro count 7 cycles then light or flash another LED to let you know the gallon jug is almost empty. (7 x 2 = 14 cups) 16 cups in a gallon. Really alot of neat things you can do with a micro controller. I may need to put a DC signal to TTL signal converter in depending upon what signals are available for me to sense, I can even easily convert 110 VAC to TTL levels with the correct in expensive module or circuit. TTL means Transistor to Transistor Logic or genearlly 0 and 5 volts. Or now days 0 and 3 volts. I hate when manufacturers try to nickel and dime us with refills. They should have built the cat genie so the resivoir was refillable and been happy they were getting $300.00 for the thing. I have wanted to buy one for a while now but would not do so because of the stupid cartridges. I will gladly help beat them at their own game! I will kep you posted as to my progress. I ordered the micro-prototyping board and will get working on programming it when I get it. I work in and R&D dept. and I do this kind of stuff all day long, create build and invent. Too much fun.

[Doctorhash]

Yes, Just cut the catridge open(one you can spare), somehow make your liquid connection to the output port (be creative) somehow connect the hack to the connectors inside the cartridge and power the hack up everytime the unit autowashes by somehow tieing into the motor voltage(for instance)or some other voltage that throws a relay to connect up the 9 volt battery to the hack and it should automatically reset the cartridge count every time it cleans. What ever voltage(signal)you use it will probably have to stay active for at least 15 seconds, if I understood correctly that the hack takes 10 seconds or so to load the code before it runs the program. You can eliminate the battery all ogether by finding out what voltage range the hack is rated to run at and either use a voltage you find in the cat genie to run it or tie in a 9 volt wall adapter to make it so you don't ever have to change the battery. The object is to in some manner power the hack or turn the hack on and off by using existing signals to make the hack easier to implement and as hands off as possible. You will have to do some R&D work to find out what will work best so happy probing!

[Doctorhash]

In the programming it would be simple to program a DI/O pin to sense when the cartridge is plugged in. One of the 4 signals of the host micro has to either jump high or low when the cat genie is plugged in letting it know it is there. Then program another DI/O pin to toggle a Quad mux chip momentarily when the hack senses the cartridge has been plugged in to transfer the 4 signals from the hack over to the cartridge pins, clear the register and then switch back. Poof totally automatic. The cat genie is none the wiser. I have 9 cats and was leary of buying the cat genie because of the cartridge cost, now I think I'm going to go out and buy two of them. Implement the hack I just suggested and let the good times roll.

[spange]

Why not install a switch and external connector on the CatGenie? That way, you'll only have to unplug the power, flip the switch, plug in the Arduino and then reset the cartridge. It would only require you to disassemble the CatGenie once.

[ScottSEA]

that would work great, actually. Good idea!

[frollard]

I was JUST gonna suggest this - install the arduino IN the cat genie - with some sort of hijack double throw 4-pole switches to steal the connection on 'reset mode'. Ingenious!! Reading your sketch (I know just a touch of programming, and I'd love to understand what exactly the byte array does...)

[ScottSEA]

The byte array contains the information that gets written to the chip to 'reset' it.

[frollard]

Could one spoof the cartridge as to give it 'hundreds' of uses instead of 15 days worth? then you'd just have to refill the solution - granted, you'd have to remember to do it manually.

[ScottSEA]

The cartridge will hold a number as high as decimal 255 (ie hex "FF") at the "60" memory addresses - but I don't know if the CatGenie processor is programmed to make sure the number is less than 60. I actually like setting it to 60 - otherwise I know I would NEVER remember to change it.

[felipenavas]

Yes, make a man in the middle like attack! Put the arduino between the catgenie and the cartridge. And fake the communication!

[ScottSEA]

I have been working on that very thing, actually... but I've been having difficulty fooling the processor into thinking the Arduino is a cartridge. I have always seen this as an 'intermediate step' until I get it working.