Putting Together the Pieces - Raspberry Pi 2 GPS Geocaching Project

RE: Putting Together the Pieces - Raspberry Pi 2 GPS Geocaching Project

Former Member — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 03:19:23 GMT

One of the joys of making/tinkering/experimenting is putting your knowledge and skills to the test. Sometimes, though, we just have to admit defeat and follow the instructions. I wanted to take my own path, but the fates have decided that isn't going to happen this time around.

One of the biggest issues I had [after my Windows 10 meltdown] was getting the Pi 2 to play nice with my 7" TFT display

(not touch). Everyone asked about a color screen, including me earlier, and I had one so why not give it a shot.

Easier said than done, but now I'm getting there.

Once I finished with the TFT screen, I bought a 7" official Pi touchscreen from MCM, E14's sister company(?) for ~$68. I've spent the better part of two weeks trying to get it to work without success. I now think that is because I skipped one crucial step: upgrading/updating to the latest OS and drivers. I'm doing exactly that right now.[View:/resized-image/__size/620x465/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-c26fd97c-cd3c-4dbf-b79e-54ba72201e07/4278.contentimage_5F00_179485.jpg:620:465]

[Yes, that is a spare Pi 2 on the right I used for testing to see if the problem I had was the Pi or the screen.]

At the moment, I'm also taking a bit of a risk by testing a power brick: a ZeroLemon 30000mah charger with two 2A + two 1A ports which is powering the entire kit 'n caboodle.

-------------

Progress! At least the touchscreen is illuminating...[View:/resized-image/__size/620x827/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-c26fd97c-cd3c-4dbf-b79e-54ba72201e07/6825.contentimage_5F00_179486.jpg:620:827]

Now if I could actually get an image on the screen.

RE: Putting Together the Pieces - Raspberry Pi 2 GPS Geocaching Project

cmelement14 — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 15:17:35 GMT

I just found a problem on my Pi - when I try to create a new file and it replies with no space left, so I checked the free space and root system is 100% used.

[View:/resized-image/__size/620x384/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-c26fd97c-cd3c-4dbf-b79e-54ba72201e07/6082.contentimage_5F00_179484.jpg:620:384]

Anybody has the same problem?

RE: Putting Together the Pieces - Raspberry Pi 2 GPS Geocaching Project

screamingtiger — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 02:19:05 GMT

Has anyone been able to ge the MS GPS to update more than 1 time per second? I understand a higher baud may be needed but I cant get it to accept any commands and I have confirmed by RX/TX are correct. It just simply ignores NEMA commands.

RE: Putting Together the Pieces - Raspberry Pi 2 GPS Geocaching Project

Former Member — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 07:57:44 GMT

Thats the way how I manage this problem...its working now [View:/resized-image/__size/16x16/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-c26fd97c-cd3c-4dbf-b79e-54ba72201e07/3835.contentimage_5F00_1.png:16:16]

1. cutting+soldering

[View:/resized-image/__size/588x331/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-c26fd97c-cd3c-4dbf-b79e-54ba72201e07/1738.contentimage_5F00_179482.jpg:588:331]

2. working

[View:/resized-image/__size/620x349/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-c26fd97c-cd3c-4dbf-b79e-54ba72201e07/7674.contentimage_5F00_179483.jpg:620:349]

RE: Putting Together the Pieces - Raspberry Pi 2 GPS Geocaching Project

cmelement14 — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 20:01:30 GMT

I have the same problem with the shim. I am going to solder the male-to-male connector to the shim board and give a try (obviously soldering the shim to the GPIO pins on Pi is not a good idea).

RE: Putting Together the Pieces - Raspberry Pi 2 GPS Geocaching Project

stvnford — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 23:07:41 GMT

I received my kit and when putting things together yesterday evening I found the shim is VERY loose. I have yet to load up the OS and such but with this loose connection (even when pressing on the Pi Face and Control module there is still a LOT of play and I'm pretty sure the pins are not making a (as described in the above initial post) "snug" connection.

Any suggestions on how to correct this?

Thanks,

Steve

RE: Putting Together the Pieces - Raspberry Pi 2 GPS Geocaching Project

Former Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 03:37:39 GMT

I am awaiting the kit but I will keep following and helping if I can from here. I am also learning as I go here so this should be fun!

The GPS add on does it have a compass built in? I looked and it does not appear to. A 3 axis compass is super awesome when you have spotty signal. This is from us trying an older Garmin unit out that only had bearing once you moved a few feet versus one that had a compass that would give you a bearing standing still. Could be something to add on later after it all starts working.

RE: Putting Together the Pieces - Raspberry Pi 2 GPS Geocaching Project

Former Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 11:55:00 GMT

Hello, I have this error :

[embed:dc8ab71f-3b98-42d9-b0f6-e21e02a0f8e2:3ef06e6b-9b7d-4651-b12d-db8be7f5e991:type=python&text=Traceback+%28most+recent+call+last%29%3A%0AFile+%22%2Fhome%2Fpi%2Fmicrostack_geocache%2Fmicrogps.py%22%2C+line+38%2C+in+%3Cmodule%3E%0A+++++lon1%3Dfloat%28caches%5B0%5D%5B0%5D%29%0AvalueError%3A+could+not+convert+string+to+float%3A+%27long1%27]

thank you very much. and I want to send data per module XBee how I do.

RE: Putting Together the Pieces - Raspberry Pi 2 GPS Geocaching Project

DAB — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 18:50:53 GMT

Looks like you are ready to have some good fun.

Keep us posted on your trials.

DAB