Updated Set time on the DS1307 and the Arduino

Some time ago I posted a Windows application to run on the PC which would integrate with a sketch on the Arduino platform to set the time on a DS1307 RTC chip. here

Well I started to play with the RTC again today and I made some changes to the application and noticed there was an update to the sketch found here. The Site seems to be down so here's another link to the file DS1307 Sketch.

I've added buttons to read the time/date out and clear/dump the memory to the text box, now it even saves the com port and baudrate settings for the next time you open it up.

Feel free to try it out and let me know if it doesn't work etc. and I'll do my best to fix it.

The software can be downloaded here.

Set the time on your DS1307 with the Arduino

After getting my DS1307 RTC working I thought it would be easier to set the time using an app (can I call it that?) on the PC that uses the PC time.

The code base that I used/modified to read and write to my DS1307 was from here, this uses a UNIX time code to set the time.

The app should be used in conjunction with this Sketch, or derivative that uses the same method to set the time.  You can also see any serial data sent back from the Arduino in the 'data received' window.

Now I'm not an expert in VB programming but I like the occasional challenge so here it is, please use it and modify it as you like, I got most of the instructions using Google anyway.

  

The idea is that the computer time is split out into the separate boxes, not necessary but clearer for me to programme.

The 'T' box continually updates to create the UNIX time code and is sent to the Arduino/RTC when the 'Send' button is clicked.

To install the App: -

1. Get it from my dropbox public folder here.
2. Extract to a folder on your PC.
3. Run the setup to install.
4. Run the programme.
5. Select the comm port (plug in Arduino first).
6. Select the baud rate to match the Arduino.
7. Click Connect.
8. Click Disconnect before exiting the app.

Any problems or suggestions please use the comments.

23/4/11 - Post updated - Link to Arduino sketch corrected.

Arduino Project

Project layout - Click for larger image

This is the layout of my project so far, it includes a 4 line 20 character LCD, an DS1307 Real Time Clock module and a DS18B20 Digital temp. sensor.

The idea is to control my central heating with a bit more user friendliness so there is the LCD to display information and I'm also writing a PC programme to interface via the USB lead to the Uno, this will allow a graphical interface to set on/off times, temperature profiles based on time of day, outside temp., water temp. and room temp.

All this is quite far off at the moment but so far I've integrated SW from various sources to initialise and read the Temp sensor and RTC and drive the LCD.

Main Components

• Firstly the Arduino Uno purchased from coolcomponents 
• Temp Sensor - DS18B20
  This temp. sensor is slightly different than the ones I've used before, instead of it being an analogue sensor with so many mV per Degree C it is a digital device that coverts the temp to a digital value within the device and can be converted in code directly to a temp. reading.  There are a couple of other advantages to using this device, it can be used over a relatively long distance without any calibration issues and it can be used in two wire mode.  This also came from coolcomponents.
• Real Time Clock - DS1307
  This module uses a RTC IC, two pull-ups and a 3V Lithium battery (which should last 10 years), this was sourced off Ebay.
• 4x20 LCD - I had this in my box of parts but they can easily be found on Ebay.

Project so far

 More later .....