Summary of Simple timer with PIC16F628A
This article describes a DIY UV light exposure timer built around the PIC16F628A microcontroller. The device automatically switches off a UV light after a preset duration, utilizing the chip's internal oscillator for timing. While external quartz resonators can be added to pins 15 and 16 for higher accuracy, the author found the internal clock sufficient. The project involves a custom schematic and significantly rewritten code based on an existing Brazilian microcontroller project.
Parts used in the Simple Timer with PIC16F628A:
- PIC16F628A microcontroller
- UV light exposure box
- Internal oscillator of the microcontroller
- External quartz resonator (optional)
- Programming software/code
This is a quick project for a timer. Recently I finished my UV light exposure box and thought that it will be convenient to have a build in timer to switch off the light after preset time. So I had a PIC16F628A lying around and after searching the web I found a Brazilian site (I think?) with tons of interesting projects with microcontrolers. This project is based on one of them.
Schematic
The schematic uses the internal oscillator of the microcontroller which is enough accurate for my purposes, but as the pins 15 and 16 are left unoccupied, there can be connected external quartz resonator with better accuracy. As I said, this project is based on an existing project, but actually my schematic is quite different and the code was almost completely rewritten. My programming abilities are little rusty, but I think the final result is quite good.
For more detail: Simple timer with PIC16F628A
- What is the main purpose of this project?
The project creates a timer to switch off a UV light after a preset time. - Which microcontroller is used in the build?
The PIC16F628A microcontroller is used for the timer. - How does the timer determine the time duration?
It uses the internal oscillator of the microcontroller which is accurate enough for the purposes described. - Can the accuracy of the timer be improved?
Yes, an external quartz resonator can be connected to pins 15 and 16 for better accuracy. - Are pins 15 and 16 occupied by default in this design?
No, these pins are left unoccupied to allow for the connection of an external quartz resonator. - Is the code for this project original?
The code was almost completely rewritten even though the project is based on an existing one. - Where did the author find inspiration for the project?
The author found interesting projects with microcontrollers on a Brazilian website.
