Print PDF
Favorite
Email
Step 5Program the Propeller
I wrote the program for the Plant Whisperer using an awesome IDE called 12blocks. 12blocks makes programming so easy, an elementary school student could do it. And, in fact, they do.
If it isn't already installed, download and install the latest version of 12blocks. You can get it here. Next, download the zip file containing the Plant Whisperer code. Copy the "Plant Whisperer" folder into C:/Program Files/12blocks/hardware. This folder contains additional code required for the program to compile.
Install batteries into the battery holders. Nothing should happen yet. Attach the "Prop Plug" programming interface to your computer with a USB cable, and plug it into the programming port on the Plant Whisperer. Now, plug in the programming jumper - it forces the circuit to stay on all the time, rather than waiting for an "on" signal from the timer IC.
Launch 12blocks. To ensure that 12blocks is communicating with the Plant Whisperer, select "Plant Whisperer" from the drop-down menu in the top left. Then, simply upload a blank project. The Plant Whisperer won't do anything, but 12blocks should not report any communication errors either.
Load the Plant Whisperer.12b file into 12blocks, and upload it. It should only take a few seconds. Once this is done, the Plant Whisperer should come to life! If it seems to be running fine, load the program permanently into EEPROM memory by selecting "Load Permanently."
If it isn't already installed, download and install the latest version of 12blocks. You can get it here. Next, download the zip file containing the Plant Whisperer code. Copy the "Plant Whisperer" folder into C:/Program Files/12blocks/hardware. This folder contains additional code required for the program to compile.
Install batteries into the battery holders. Nothing should happen yet. Attach the "Prop Plug" programming interface to your computer with a USB cable, and plug it into the programming port on the Plant Whisperer. Now, plug in the programming jumper - it forces the circuit to stay on all the time, rather than waiting for an "on" signal from the timer IC.
Launch 12blocks. To ensure that 12blocks is communicating with the Plant Whisperer, select "Plant Whisperer" from the drop-down menu in the top left. Then, simply upload a blank project. The Plant Whisperer won't do anything, but 12blocks should not report any communication errors either.
Load the Plant Whisperer.12b file into 12blocks, and upload it. It should only take a few seconds. Once this is done, the Plant Whisperer should come to life! If it seems to be running fine, load the program permanently into EEPROM memory by selecting "Load Permanently."
Plant Whisperer.zip69 KB| « Previous Step | Download PDFView All Steps | Next Step » |
 |
Add Comment
|
