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
• portable battery charger Amazon

Wiring Diagram

Full Controller Box

Includes parts for direct connection to trailer

gdrive

Wiring Harnesses

gdrive

Remote Only Controller Box

BOM

• switches

Onboard Box

gdrive

Wire Harnesses

gdrive

Code

MicroTrac_Controller_v17.10/Code

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