Would you buy a MAX1668 based Temp monitor(kit)?

[MMZ_TimeLord]

This is a poll to see how many people I can get in on this deal.

Based on this article...

http://www.madhacker.org/mbmsensors.htm

and this one...

http://www.overclockers.com/tips1059/

I am considering a run of boards similar to what Starbuck3733T did here...

http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve...3631&f=77909585 (http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/ubb.x?s=50009562&a=tpc&m=703008003631&f=77909585)

I have had an offer from a friend of mine that works at a PCB manufacturing plant. They do up to 42 layer backplane boards for telecom. He offered run me a batch as their "dummy" batch for calibration of the equipment. He's talking 220 boards of my design PER dummy board. They run a MINIMUM of 48 boards for a dummy run! (Thats a total of 10,560 boards for free.) :eek: :drool:

Please let me know how many people would want one BEFORE I give him an answer next month.
I would like a minimum of 24 orders before I do the run.

Tomorrow I'm going to tour one of the plants to see how they do this.

I have already secured pricing from Digikey on the parts.

UN-soldered kits will cost $20. I will include SOT-23 transistors for probes and two 20 ft lengths of 30 guage insulated wire. (Blue and White)

Soldered kits will cost $40. I will include probes with SOT-23 transistors pre-soldered to five foot lengths of 30 guage insulated wire.

If you purchase a soldered kit and wish longer probe lengths PLEASE MAKE A POST WITH YOUR REQUIREMENTS!

Here is the probe design... SOT-23 Package (That's 115 x 51 Thousandths of an inch! :eek: )

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/mmz-timelord/_images/ProbeDetail.jpg

Here is the design for the board. It uses ALL surface mount components. Capacitors and Resistor are all 0805 size components. (That's 80 x 50 Thousandths of an inch! :eek: )

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/mmz-timelord/_images/CircuitBoardLayout.jpg

[pHaestus]

MMZ: If you want to sell these then I highly suggest a socket for the 1668s. QSOP is a BITCH to solder and the adapter sockets run I think 5-8 in quantities of one. Not a big deal if you are doing it in a dutch oven I guess but if you're thinking about doing this with an iron (as I suspect the people buying kits would) then it's well worth it.

I see the power and SMBus wires aren't next to one another...Won't this mean a somewhat more complicated cable to go from SMBus to your PCB? I'd suggest putting pwr and SMBus together. You should also pimp the fact that you can link multiple 1668s together to get a LOT of temperature readings into MBM.

Longer traces = more resistance = lower temperature readings. Diodes are a bitch. Looks like it's properly designed though with resistors and caps where they are needed. You can add a third header for each probe and connect it to ground at the header and leave it unconnected on the probe end. This is supposed to reduce interference and noise (dunno if it works).

[Brians256]

pHaestus stole some of my comments. :D

Just let me know when/if this becomes final. I can paypal the $20 whenever you do.

[starbuck3733t]

*Scratches head*

10,000+ boards for free. Wow. That would take me forever to put the QSOPs on. The QSOP to DIP16 adapters, in small quantities, were $7 each.

Any ideas on h ow you'd mass produce the probes (wires with transistors on the end). My experience is desigining electronics, not manufacturing them.

Thanks for the credit too!

Edit: don't be a weakling, make these single sided ;)

Ehehehehehe!

[pHaestus]

Also I should mention that I'm fairly sure that 30 gauge wire is not in spec for remote diodes. Twisted pair (scavenged from ethernet cable) is what I use, and I try to keep leads as close as possible to same size. Diodes suck to work with :)

[starbuck3733t]

Ditto, the wire in mine is also scavenged cat3, or cat 5. it depends on when in the run I made it. I ran out of spare cat3 and had to dive into the cat 5.

Mad editor!!

Also, from the 1668PDF in re: probe wire length
For remote-sensor distances longer than 8in, or in particularly
noisy environments, a twisted pair is recommended.
Its practical length is 6ft to 12ft (typ) before noise
becomes a problem, as tested in a noisy electronics laboratory.
For longer distances, the best solution is a
shielded twisted pair like that used for audio microphones.
For example, Belden #8451 works well for distances
up to 100ft in a noisy environment. Connect the
twisted pair to DXP_ and DXN_ and the shield to GND,
and leave the shield’s remote end unterminated.

Given, cat 5 doesn't have shielding. for a true testing environment one might want to use the suggested belden cable.

And my design doesn't have the EMI stuff, naughty me. TBH, I didn't know at the time how the hell to make EagleCAD do a ground poor

[nicozeg]

I'm very interested in this, but prefer one built arround the max6655 chip. I can give up on some sensors in favor of the greater accuracy and voltage monitoring.

there are higher accuracy chips (http://para.maxim-ic.com/compare.asp?Fam=Temp_Sens&Tree=Sensors&HP=Sensors.cfm&ln=&SORD=448&FT_448=9535&ITEMLIST=119429,119430,119431,119433,119435,119436 ,119447,119452,119453,119454,119455,119456,119457, 119458,119459,119479,119480,119485,119486,119487,1 19488,119489,119490,119491,119495,119496,119497,11 9500,119501,119505,119506,119507,119510,119518,119 519,119538,119539,119540,119541,119877,128205,1282 06,128207,128208,128209,128210) at maxim like the 6646, but have only one remote sensor.

[bigben2k]

I'm in for an unsoldered kit.

pHaestus comments are spot on. Nothing I can't fix myself though.

[MMZ_TimeLord]

Re-design is not an issue at this time as I have 30 days to revise the circuit diagram. I plan on hand etching a prototype before then to evaluate the product.

I will defintely consider the ground pins and a second header for daisy-chaining the units. The main reason the power and SMBus headers are separate is because I could NOT find a standard as far as +5V being provided at the SMBus header on the mother boards. So, I left them separate to allow folks the option of making a molex tap cable or some such.

Anyhoo... ideas are good... I may throw up some optional designs and manufacture them all just so I can try them. Again the boards are free... but the components cost money. :dome:

Also as stated, the ground for each remote tempreture sensor was left out because I was going to twist the 30 guage pair and only make them five feet each. Under the maximum before grounding is required. :p

[starbuck3733t]

I knew i should have tried to sell them here too :(

[pHaestus]

You're going to really need to calibrate either way nicozeg; even the 6655s are only +/-1C over a range we aren't interested in with water (60c eh?).

I just thought of one thing that you might want to consider adding MMZ: A power switch! My 6655 EVSYS board has one and it's really handy when you are setting everything up. Particularly with 4 sensors that you may be moving around a lot while putting into water and such. I can take pictures of the size of the package for the remotes tonight; I have a couple of them lying around at home.

[Brians256]

Starbuck3733t, this would have been a prime place to sell stuff, true. Many ubernerds are here.

[MMZ_TimeLord]

Many more components and the board will grow in size pHaestus. Right now that drawing at the top is scaled up about 400%. The board is LESS than 1" square. :eek:

As to the power switch. Why wouldn't you be able to just unplug the power? It's already on a separate header remember?

[pHaestus]

you have no sense of elegance :) However I guess I could put the power on a switch anyway

[nicozeg]

You're going to really need to calibrate either way nicozeg; even the 6655s are only +/-1C over a range we aren't interested in with water (60c eh?).




Of course it will need calibration, but 6655s +/-1º is a lot better than 1668s +/-2º ;)

Besides the volt monitor has an aditional advantage: Readings can be conpensated for variations in supply voltage. dont know if you have made this on your test setup, but it seems very usefull if using the pc power supply. We know that psu rails are not that steady.

Four external sensors can be made with two 6655, it will require very little aditional board space, and wont add too much to the cost. (6655 is cheaper than 1668)

[Cptn. Foo Foo]

I looked into making one of these kits a while back but I couldn't find the Maxim IC chip anywhere. Also, the process of calibration seemed rather vague after reading over the various web pages. However, if the guys here in this forum will be getting some of these kits too then I am sure the process will be clearly explained :D

--------

I am really interested in this. I would be willing to buy 2 unsoldered kits - one for me and one for a friend.

I voted for the unsoldered kit...but I can only vote once...not twice. Just something to remember if you are thinking the vote total equals how many kits are wanted.

One suggestion MMZ_TimeLord. What about mounting holes in the PCB? Sure we can always drill our own but if you are getting the PCB's made then you could just add one (or multiple - in the corners maybe) mounting holes in somewhere. Just a thought.

[BillA]

several perhaps
but I would want to know the final configuration
- twisted shielded cable, always, any length, even if no apparent difference

[MMZ_TimeLord]

Bill has spoken... I will change the probe wires and add grounds. :D

I will also put the power and SMBus connector together and make two for daisy-chaining.

I'll also add a power switch. I'll leave shunts for the address settings though.

That won't leave much room for the components... but I think I can manage.

I'll see if I can post an updated design tonight. Maybe even include one for the MAX6655. That way if you buy one of each you will have two +/- 1°C temp probes, five +/-3°C temp probes and the additional voltage monitoring.

Let me know if you guyz agree... I just want you to get what you need/want. :dome:

[BillA]

sounds good
probably 2 soldered of the 6655s, I like pHaestus' suggestion of 2 together

EDIT: mil spec teflon/silver plated shielded cable is cheap on eBay, I buy it all the time (search "teflon silver")

[pHaestus]

speaking of the voltage monitoring nicozeg:

Is there one of these lines on the 6655 I can monitor a 1.5-2.2V signal on? It'd be nice to just dump vcore into my monitoring app directly.

[nicozeg]

sounds good
probably 2 soldered of the 6655s, I like pHaestus' suggestion of 2 together



Cough cough, it was me :D

In fact I had plans on making a test system based on the 6655 and a cpu as external sensor just like ph's. I was about to order a bunch of this chips to make some for other friends interested, but if there's the possibility of a pro grade pcb, we can wait for them :)


pHaestus: Looking at several parts of the datashet can bring an answer.

First:

Four Voltage Channels
+12V, +5V, +3.3V, +2.5V
Three External Monitors
One Internal Supply Monitor

Then says about the external monitors:

ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS

VIN1 to GND............................................... .............-0.3V to +16V
VIN2 to GND............................................... ...............-0.3V to +6V
VIN3 to GND............................................... ...............-0.3V to +6V

so it can measure a wide range, but at what accuracy?

ADC Total Error
VIN1, VIN2, VIN3 between 30% and 120% of nominal ±1 ±1.5 %

Then if you use the 2.5V sensor, Vcore will be well inside typ. +/- 1% error margin. :D

[pHaestus]

excellent. So I just solder to any of the VCC and VSS pins on back of socket with twisted pair? What's the catch?

[Groth]

The catch is, it isn't a differential measurement between the Vcc and Vcc pair. It's a single measure relative the the IC's ground. If you're using separate computers for your taget system and for your measuring/logging, you'll have problems/errors.

[Incoherent]

I'd take two. Especially interested in the 6655 version, one of each.

Incoherent

[murray13]

Yes interested in a 6655 version. 2ea

As for cable, Belden 8451 as per Maxim recomended, is $14 per 100' or $56 per 500' from Newark. Nice cable, only 5/32" dia. Shielded cable for less than $0.15 per foot (if you get enough people interested).

[MMZ_TimeLord]

Almost got the first one redesigned... and I got the recommended schematic from Maxim for the 6655 chip.

Should not be a problem to put two of those on there.

Boards are now exactly 1" x 1" AND I added the ground pins, the power switch and TWO SMBus+power headers to daisy chain. :D

The power switch will only turn off the immediate board. Power will still be provided to the chain.

Shoud be finished tomorrow.

[Cptn. Foo Foo]

The power switch will only turn off the immediate board.
What kind of switch? Micro surface mount? Just wondering.

I am also more interested in the higher accuracy version BTW.

[pHaestus]

Any thought to how you're gonna get all the extra bits? MBM will only report w/ 1C resolution unless you can manage to slow the sampling rate. You may need some extra layer of software to send commands to ICs...

[pelle76]

Heres my implementation of the 1668. Works a charm!

I hooked up the SMBus on the backside of the mobo, on the RAM socket solder points. I also made a connection on a RAMstick... But the backside of the mobo was far more easy to solder and that is tha connection I use

http://w1.500.telia.com/~u50014558/swec/1668CloseUpAgain800X600.JPG
http://w1.500.telia.com/~u50014558/swec/Epox_8rda_SMbus_1.JPG
http://w1.500.telia.com/~u50014558/temps.GIF

EDIT: The Mobo is an Epox 8rda+ but any mobo with DDR should have the same pin configuration

[leejsmith]

i tried to make my own but made a right mess of it.

would you ship to the uk ?

[murray13]

Any thought to how you're gonna get all the extra bits? MBM will only report w/ 1C resolution unless you can manage to slow the sampling rate. You may need some extra layer of software to send commands to ICs...

Have not looked into it fully but I do know that you can set up MBM to send commands over the SMbus. :shrug: It's in the help file somewhere.

[BillA]

nicozeg
sorry, just chasing a good idea (also)

[MMZ_TimeLord]

Murray13,

Thanks for the cable reference... I'll see if I can get that. :D

Capt._Foo_Foo,

The switch is a micro toggle PCB switch SPDT. Digikey part # 360-1012-ND

pHaestus,

MBM5 I believe supports these as most motherboards already have at least one similar to the 6655 onboard. The madhacker article I found though the MBM site under the "Extensions" tab.

pelle76,

Did you realize you have a spider in the middle of your circuit board? :dome:

leejsmith,

Outside the 48 states, the purchaser will be responsible for shipping. Shouldn't be much as small as this is. :D

[pHaestus]

yea it detects fine with mbm. will report temps with 1c res though. ic capable of 1/8c; just need to lower sampling rate and reclaim those bits...

//edit (underlined)

[pelle76]

Murray13,
pelle76,

Did you realize you have a spider in the middle of your circuit board? :dome:


Yeah... I was a little suprised that the thing worked... ...I mean, thats a quite big "BUG". :eek:

[MMZ_TimeLord]

Here's the new design fellas... The SMBus & Power will use a 6 pin connector. I suppose I could have made it five pin... but I wanted a key. :p

Let me know if this is to your liking... working on the 5566 now.

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/mmz-timelord/_images/CircuitBoardLayoutRev1-1.jpg

[pHaestus]

MMZ did you check the Maxim guides to trace width? There's a pdf about improving accuracy w/ diode-based solutions on their site and they give some guidelines. With length so short (and with header there anyway) it shouldn't be a big deal but might be worth perusal. That 0.125C bit is a big deal though for some. I bought $100 MAX6655EVSYS purely because they had software that did 1/8C

And of course that software only works over parallel port using their SMBus to Parallel adapter...

[pHaestus]

Oh and I'd be good for 1 of each (soldered).

[nicozeg]

The catch is, it isn't a differential measurement between the Vcc and Vcc pair. It's a single measure relative the the IC's ground. If you're using separate computers for your taget system and for your measuring/logging, you'll have problems/errors.
Could that be solved by joining grounds of both PCs?

In fact that happens through the power cable to the wall, but maybe a more direct path can be better.


yea it detects fine with mbm. will report temps with 1c res though. ic capable of 1/8c; just need to lower sampling rate and reclaim those bits...

//edit (underlined)
Why stick to MBM if we can use Maxim software (http://www.maxim-ic.com/tools/evkit/index.cfm?EVKit=478) with the full resolution available :D

As I understand, your compatibility problems with win XP were more related to the paralell port interface used in the evsys.

[nicozeg]

And of course that software only works over parallel port using their SMBus to Parallel adapter...


Ouch I did't know that, That software is suposed to work with the Evkit which is the smbus only version of the Evsys.

Have you tried to use it directly attached to the smbus mobo header?

[pHaestus]

Yea see where it says MaxSMBus? That's their daughtercard... I'd be happy if it DID work though (no mobos with SMBus headers onboard atm can someone else check?)

[pHaestus]

The same PSU usually powers the MAX6655 and the test PC. That was the source of my weird data a couple weeks ago; PSU was going bad and was only supplying something like 4.4V to the MAX6655. Giving it juice within spec returned results to what previous testing had shown.

[BillA]

sounds like a good argument for NOT using the computer psu (in any case if the supply voltage is affecting the output)
pHaestus - any idea of the sensitivity ?
(is a STIFF 5V psu really necessary ?)

[pHaestus]

.pdf says 4.5-5.5 for VCC; no data for effect of VCC on temperature in specs but every other parameter is graphed.

I had some serious problems with that PSU though and AMD CPUs will stress the 5V rail. I guess a PC PSU that allows you to dial up the 5V (as measured by Vin on Maxim) would be the way to go if you wanted to monitor VCore at the same time. Thermaltaco sells some with potentiometers in a bay drive for adjusting power. Alas! If I only had a grothmeter (and a way to convert output current to a voltage I could read with maxim Vin...

[MMZ_TimeLord]

Okay guyz... I think I got the dual 6655 done... WHEW! :eek:

Man that's a crowded board! Same basic layout as the other one with the temp probes in the same place with the same pin layout. The SMBus header and power headers are in the same place for consistancy.

I did include pins for the voltage probes and the additional address selectors. There is also a two pin header by itself for each of the OVERT pins (both OVERT pins in one two-pin header)

I'll have to make a sticker or something to mark the back of the board as there is no room for silkscreen work. :eek: :dome: :cry: :D

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/mmz-timelord/_images/CircuitBoardLayoutQuadThermodule(Dual5566).jpg

Let me know if you spot any obvious flaws before I go to prototyping. (probably next weekend)

[pHaestus]

Ok scratch my order for one of the 1668s; would like 2x these. How much different in price for dual boards?

[MMZ_TimeLord]

About $10 more each for the parts cost increase the overall soldering work is about the same.

[pHaestus]

So looking at about $50 now? I will probably back down to one and save the money for other activities now that I think about it.

[MMZ_TimeLord]

I haven't actually run the numbers pHaestus.... lemme narrow it down. I MAY be able to cut it lower. But I need to get the actual prices from DigiKey.

I'll let y'all know. :D

[Groth]

Could that be solved by joining grounds of both PCs?

In fact that happens through the power cable to the wall, but maybe a more direct path can be better.Problem there is ground float. The return currents times the wiring resistance means that 'ground' at the little IC board will not be the same as 'ground' at the CPU socket of the target PC. You could try to tie the ground of the two PC together, but you have the risk that some of the current supplied by PSU-A will want to return via PSU-B, and switcher power supplies don't like that.

In my experiments, I used an optically isolated SMBus (http://forums.procooling.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=7043). The IC board was powered by the target PC and grounded at the socket, but the control and logging was done on the electrically isolated second PC.

Perhaps our good buddy MMZ_TimeLord could make a small, separate SMBus isolation board? :D

pH, the Grothometer is pretty much useless until/unless I get an o-scope to calibrate it. And with the ongoing underemployment, that might be a while.

[Pug]

Would you want a MAX1668 based probe kit?


Would... (but already did)
Thx Star :)

[BillA]

this keeps getting better and better

Groth
I understand the need/benefit of the optical isolation (std in other things),
but how does that resolve the floating ground issue, or is it then moot ?

[Butcher]

Care to guess how much it'd cost to ship a kit transatlantic timelord?

[MMZ_TimeLord]

Groth,


That circuit looks pretty easy... can you give me a part number on the optical isloators.


Bill,

moot (I think... Groth verify :D )

By isolating the two busses optically, you are never actually connecting the two devices to the same power supply and can power the measureing devices on a separate PSU without the floating ground issue.

[MMZ_TimeLord]

Butcher,

It could fit in a letter sized evelope or one of those larger letter bubble pack ones...

How much?

[prandtl]

count me in for one unsoldered

[Althornin]

I'd get one or two soldered

[Groth]

Groth
I understand the need/benefit of the optical isolation (std in other things),
but how does that resolve the floating ground issue, or is it then moot ?
Spoon fed, eh? :D

The isolation is of course only an issue if you want to measure the voltages of a target system from another PC, the temperature reading circuitry is internally isolated.

Powering the reader IC from the target computer eliminates the ground float related to current return though the PSU power cords, plug, and some wall wiring (if you don't have your two computers plugged into the the same socket). You still have the potential for float/noise from things like the ATX connector, long strings of molex connectors, wimpy power planes, etc.

My prime concern was the CPU power. Accurate measurement of Vcore was more important that accuracy of 12V, or Vdimm, or any others. So I grounded the reader IC at the back of the CPU socket. It's ground will float relative to others' due to the 60+ amps the CPU can dump into the ground plane, but it's ground will match the CPU's ground. Not allowing for that float overestimates Vcore and CPU power.

So, yeah, the bus optoisolator resolves between-computer ground float/noise. And it moots local float/noise if you ground it to match your measurement of interest.

MMZ_TimeLord, I used Digikey part number PS8701-ND (I like SMD), but TLP550-ND would work just as well. I'm sure there are others, they just have to be faster than around a microsecond, to keep the bus from timing out.

[BillA]

spoon fed ? LOL
you bet (Thanks), I last studied electronics in the Navy in '63
- a bit different then, always been catch-up since - topic by topic

[TallTxnMo]

You can put me down for a 6655!!!

[starbuck3733t]

My international shipping (letter envelope, USPS Global priority) was about $6. I had the packing materials already, but if you wanted to account for that it would be around 7 or 8.

thanks pug :)

[gwynethh]

You can also put me down for a 6655.
Thanx :cool:

[MMZ_TimeLord]

Update!

I hope to have the sample 6655s (two) and the 1668s (two) by next week. I should be able to make the prototypes at that time.

I may go ahead and make the optical isolator board for those that want it. I should be able to add the additional board and parts at minimal cost to the first kit.

Give a shout if you're interested in that board too. :D

[BillA]

setup as a separate board ?
probably more interested in those than the 6655s

any specs ?

[MMZ_TimeLord]

Groth has mentioned the part number for the Optical Isolators (DigiKey# PS8701-ND (http://rocky.digikey.com/scripts/ProductInfo.dll?Site=US&V=51&M=PS8701))... I would presume (pending Groth's verification) that the transistors could be SMD and general purpose types. Resistors would probably be the same package I'll be using for the temp modules (0805 type).

Other than that there wouldn't be much to it... SMBus connectors on each side with the same pinouts as the temp modules, for consistancy. :p

As to the design... I'm looking at Groth's schematic from his link (http://forums.procooling.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=7043). I would be interested if he has completed version 3 or has an updated version with recommended part numbers. That way you would get what Groth has already verified as working.

I don't know enough about electronic circuits to verify or trouble shoot designs like that. But I'd be willing to add that to the board runs so everyone could be happy... not just me. :D

[Groth]

That schematic is the final version of the isolator (the version .3 referrences were to the ammeter it was isolating). I've put that very circuit in into a couple things without problem.

The choice of transitors is very forgiving; I used some bog standard SOT-23 packaged, type 2n3904 and 2n3906 that I had around. The resistors can easily be the common 1% tolerance, tenth-watt 0805.

The only thing that might give folks problems is the 'optional resistor'. SMBusses can use either 5V or 3.3V signalling. 5V devices will function correctly with 3.3V signals, so I made it 3.3 on the slave side. On the master side, you have to match the existing signal voltage (easily checked with a multimeter). A jumper would be way cool, to make that selection easier.

I'll take a couple of the isolators if they're separate.

[BillA]

MMZ_TimeLord
kudos for the effort you're putting into this great geek stuff
(of course Groth too)

[MMZ_TimeLord]

BillA,

No problem, I am only trying to return some of what I got from this wonderful community [/brown-nose] :D

Groth,

Yeah, I could do a jumper with no problem for that. I'll see what I can get up on here for a design today. Kinda slow here at work anyways... (BORING! :p )

[FLECOM]

would the unsoldered kit have solder on the pads already? so all you have to do is place the component and apply a little heat? or is this going to be a happy-hacker real DIY thing?

the idea of soldering tiny SMD things makes my eyes hurt lol

i am interested in two of the unsoldered kits with voltage/temp monitoring...

great project, cant wait for an update :D

[kronchev]

would the unsoldered kit have solder on the pads already? so all you have to do is place the component and apply a little heat? or is this going to be a happy-hacker real DIY thing?

the idea of soldering tiny SMD things makes my eyes hurt lol

i am interested in two of the unsoldered kits with voltage/temp monitoring...

great project, cant wait for an update :D

well hello there shirley

do something cool for this forum too :D


everyone, this is one of the smartest guys in the computer scene.

[Cptn. Foo Foo]

So MMZ_TimeLord...how is this project is going?

Just wondering...

[MMZ_TimeLord]

Sorry I've been away... Got laid off on the 24th of May, so I've been a little preoccupied. :cry:

I do have the design for the optical isolator circuit almost done. I will then be putting up the final designs and part numbers for review.

After everyone seems happy, I will post an e-mail for placing orders. I hope to get enough to make purchase of the parts worth it all.

Until then... please be patient ... thanks... :D

[greenman100]

Sorry I've been away... Got laid off on the 24th of May, so I've been a little preoccupied. :cry:

I do have the design for the optical isolator circuit almost done. I will then be putting up the final designs and part numbers for review.

After everyone seems happy, I will post an e-mail for placing orders. I hope to get enough to make purchase of the parts worth it all.

Until then... please be patient ... thanks... :D


I'd like one or two, but I am a little confused on my options...will go re-read the thread, or if someone could sum it up, that'd be great

so the 1668 has 4 remote sensors, and a 5th onboard?

what is being offered here by MMZ_TimeLord?

[starbuck3733t]

Sorry I've been away... Got laid off on the 24th of May, so I've been a little preoccupied. :cry:

I do have the design for the optical isolator circuit almost done. I will then be putting up the final designs and part numbers for review.

After everyone seems happy, I will post an e-mail for placing orders. I hope to get enough to make purchase of the parts worth it all.

Until then... please be patient ... thanks... :D

oh man that blows, my condolences!

[DoGMaN]

OH man that really sux. I feel your pain. I've been off since the end of February. Put me down for one of the dual 6655s. Hopefully shipping to up here in Canada is not too much.

[Brians256]

Ouch! Laid off? Well, if you want to move to Oregon, I know the company I work at is starting to hire again. Go to website (http://www.cmicro.com).

[Stigma]

I'm so glad I found this thread =) My new project involves waste-water / peltier cooling for more or less all parts that generate any noticable heat in the PC.

It goes witohut saying, this project wont be complete without generous amounts of sensors!

Unfrotuantely I'm a real dunce when it comes to electronics, and even the simpler scematics leave me scratching my head :(

I have a ton of questions, but Il try to make them structured and straight to the point:

- The presoldered kits you are providing will basicly be completely ready to use, just plug 'em into the SMBus, provide current to power it and place the sensors right? Or is there anything I missed? This is exactly what I need, idiot-proofing ;)

- The kits your providing, do they come with sensors for all the possible connections, ie. 4 sensors for the 1668?

-The temp sensors you are using arent the same as the madhacker guide apparently. Whats the difference, and why did you choose these instead?

- Im having a hard time deciding wich type i want, mostly because Im not sure about the chips specs. the 1668 has 4 external sensors, and 1 internal right? and the external ones are +/- 3C ? What about the 6655? how many external and internal sensors does it have, and how many voltage sensors? What voltage-ranges can you measure on it? the temp sensor spec says +/1 1C, but at 60C+. Does anyone know how it handles 0C and up?

- I have heard you can calibrate these sensors, to minimize the incorrect readings. Does this mean that the +/-3 C sensors can be reasonalby decent after calibration, or what? Im not after super-accuracy, so 1 degree or so off the target is no problem at all, but 3 degrees of is starting to get pretty inaccurate.

- Can you connect these kits together? Like for example, a dual 6655 + a single 1668 kit? If so, does the currenct desgn allow for reasonably easy access to this?

- Lastly, since I'm obviously on a completely different (lower) level than you guys, I figure it would probably be best to just describe what I need, and get a recommendation instead of choosing for myself. So here goes:

Need minimum 9 sensors for: inflow water - outflow water - PSU (1 air temp, 1 waterblock temp) - GFX card ram-chips - harddrive - RAM - ambient air temp - case air temp (internal 1668 sensor?). I also played around with the idea of adding an external sensor to the GPU and CPU core, but I don't know if that is just redundant since these have sensors allready. Whats the verdict on integrated sensors? Too inaccurate, or just fine? In any case its something im willing to drop if needed to keep the cost down.

With my limited understanding it looks like a dual 1668 would do the trick, but atleast 2 of these sensors should be reasonably accurate, preferably 3. Will calibration of the sensors on the 1668 give reasonably accuracy to work with, or would I need some sensors connected to a 6655 for that? Again, Im not talking about centigrade fractions kind of accuracy. I can live witohut that. Lastly, I would of course be willing to skimp on some sensors if it would be required to be able to put it on just 2 chips or whatever.

I hope I didn't drive you all crazy with all the questions, and that I can get a recommendation or two.

This means of course, that I'm interrested. Exactly what I need will get will depend on the recommendations ect. but we are likely talking about a dual-chip, or 2x single chip boards together, depending on what works. I will obviosuly want pre-soldered, since I'm a hopeless case :p

-Stigma

EDIT: I'm very sorry to hear you got laid off :( I hope you get a new (and better) job soon :)

[MMZ_TimeLord]

Stigma,

Yes, the presoldered kits will be ready to use. I will pretest all of them most likely.

Either of the two temp sensor kits would have four external sensors.

Don't know about the calibration issue, someone else will have to chime in on that.

I chose the smaller transistors because they are smaller and were recommended by part number in the Maxim documentation for the temp sensors. If you want, I can probably substitute the other type.

I believe you can daisy chain these together. At least according to others that have posted here. I just followed what was suggested. I'm no electrical engineer, but I can make basic circuits and understand specifications.

Hope that helps... Still sorting out stuff from work and going on two week vacation. I'll be back after the 12th and I'll try and post then.

[BillA]

have a good vacation

[Stigma]

Have a nice trip =)

I will look forward to continuing the project when you return, and if I'm lucky, perhaps someone can explain to me the calibration procedure and issues by then ^_^

-Stigma

[firtol88]

Just getting in line for one.

Wondering now if I could make it work on an I2C header as well, like the ones on mini-itx boards.

[FLECOM]

well hello there shirley

do something cool for this forum too :D


everyone, this is one of the smartest guys in the computer scene.
uhh? you talking about me? :confused:

lol

sorry to hear about loosing your job dude, trust me i know how that is :(

[firtol88]

This won't directly effect this but development on MBM has been stopped.

http://mbm.livewiredev.com/

[nexxo]

MadHacker also showed how the SMBus could be accessed on mobos that don't have a dedicated SMBus connector, by using an empty RAM Dimm slot...

This made me think. And I suggested to starbuck3733t that he could make a circuit on a Dimm-shaped PCB, so that all you have to do is slot it in an empty memory slot (which, of course, makes the right connections), hook up the probes and presto!

starbuck3733t is insanely busy right now, but if you happen to be making one, MMZ Timelord, I'm interested. Very interested.

[firtol88]

MadHacker also showed how the SMBus could be accessed on mobos that don't have a dedicated SMBus connector, by using an empty RAM Dimm slot...

This made me think. And I suggested to starbuck3733t that he could make a circuit on a Dimm-shaped PCB, so that all you have to do is slot it in an empty memory slot (which, of course, makes the right connections), hook up the probes and presto!

starbuck3733t is insanely busy right now, but if you happen to be making one, MMZ Timelord, I'm interested. Very interested.


That would open up quite a few problems if overclocking was involved. Not to mention it's potential effects on dual channel setups.

[Brians256]

I would be very surprised if the insertion of a non-terminated DIMM into a slot didn't produce problems at high frequencies. Antenna circuit traces....

[slavik]

so, will you make this happen? how much will each soldered kit cost approximately?

[Groth]

Antenna effects? :rolleyes: It would be pretty silly to have contacts on your psuedo-DIMM for anything but SMBus, power, and ground.

[greenman100]

Antenna effects? :rolleyes: It would be pretty silly to have contacts on your psuedo-DIMM for anything but SMBus, power, and ground.


I'm in for a dual 6655 board, as long as it comes with all sensors and presoldered for <$50

[nexxo]

That would open up quite a few problems if overclocking was involved. Not to mention it's potential effects on dual channel setups.


I would be very surprised if the insertion of a non-terminated DIMM into a slot didn't produce problems at high frequencies. Antenna circuit traces....

No more problems than if you hooked up on a dedictated SMBus connector on an overclocked system. As Groth says: you'd only have contacts on your psuedo-DIMM only for SMBus, power, and ground.

[firtol88]

No more problems than if you hooked up on a dedictated SMBus connector on an overclocked system. As Groth says: you'd only have contacts on your psuedo-DIMM only for SMBus, power, and ground.

Most of my concern would be simply populating another DIMM slot... ;)

[nexxo]

Hey, life is about compromises... ;)

[firtol88]

Hey, life is about compromises... ;)

:D not much need to worry about temps if you drop your overclock. LOL

[Brians256]

Antenna effects? :rolleyes: It would be pretty silly to have contacts on your psuedo-DIMM for anything but SMBus, power, and ground.

I just envisioned someone piggy backing onto a std but empty DIMM PCB.

[greenman100]

update??????

[starbuck3733t]

MadHacker also showed how the SMBus could be accessed on mobos that don't have a dedicated SMBus connector, by using an empty RAM Dimm slot...

This made me think. And I suggested to starbuck3733t that he could make a circuit on a Dimm-shaped PCB, so that all you have to do is slot it in an empty memory slot (which, of course, makes the right connections), hook up the probes and presto!

starbuck3733t is insanely busy right now, but if you happen to be making one, MMZ Timelord, I'm interested. Very interested.

Yes... and the fun begins here: http://www.wizdforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=98&page=11&pp=10

first pic is a rough idea of teh dimm before I got the JEDEC specs on the 184pin DDR format. A few posts before that is the funniest post EVER by nexxo.

[nicozeg]

Wow, that sounds very interesting!

Do you have a design for the max 6655? I have 2 samples from maxim still unused, waiting for a pcb. If you have make it, i'm on for a couple boards, or better, a dual 6655 one.

[pHaestus]

If you want to make a PCB for the MAX6655 then you can just use the one they provide with the MAX6655EVSYS documentation (http://pdfserv.maxim-ic.com/en/ds/MAX6655EVKIT-MAX6655EVSYS.pdf)

[nicozeg]

That was my initial plan, but choose to make a smaller one. But I have my samples ready since a month and no time to make the pcb, so buying one ready, that also fits in a dimm slot sounds great.

[Stigma]

Is this project still going ahead as planned, or has it been indefinately delayed by Timelord's sudden unemployment?

Im still very much interrested, and up for 2 kits (or a dual), as long as the project is still a go within a reasonable amount of time.

Please give us an update.

-Stigma

[firtol88]

Is this project still going ahead as planned, or has it been indefinately delayed by Timelord's sudden unemployment?

Im still very much interrested, and up for 2 kits (or a dual), as long as the project is still a go within a reasonable amount of time.

Please give us an update.

-Stigma

Been a while without news my guess is another of us will need to start working on it. Due to cost considerations it may require a redesign to minimize layer usage.

These may be useful.

http://www.otterusa.com/index.htm

http://www.pcbexpress.com/

http://www.pcb4less.com/

http://www.pcbpro.com/

http://www.pcborder.com/

http://www.pcbfabexpress.com/

http://www.pcbnet.com/

https://www.2justforyou.com/NASApp/sierraproject/jsp/tabs_welcome_home_.jsp

there are many more I just had these links handy

[Stigma]

Well, this thread still seems to be alive, so if things don't work out here, I'l see if im not too late to get in on this:
http://www.wizdforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=98&page=17&pp=10

-Stigma

[MMZ_TimeLord]

I've been away for some time... still looking for employment. :cry: :shrug: :confused: :mad:

I'll see just how much trouble it is to make these boards this week. I have to go over to my buddies work this week to return some equipment.

I'll post when I know more.

[greenman100]

I've been away for some time... still looking for employment. :cry: :shrug: :confused: :mad:

I'll see just how much trouble it is to make these boards this week. I have to go over to my buddies work this week to return some equipment.

I'll post when I know more.


Thanks a lot!

[Arcturius]

I'm interested in a dual 6655 presoldered.
The geek in me wants unsoldered for $30, but the more rational side says my soldering skills suck, and I'd probably spend more than an hour or two screwing around with the soldering iron anyway, making the kit more expensive in the long run... ;)

[Stigma]

Well, just letting you know im still interrested. I'l keep checkingthe thread every other day or so for new posts from you.

-Stigma

[motordude]

I'd be up for 1 or 2 of the 6655's