Hi,

I hope you can help, I am new and overwhelmed! I have a Maxbotix 7060 ultrasonic sensor that I need to help me measure distance of an object.

The sensor requires a 3 to 5 volt dc source and returns a voltage as a ratio of the voltage in: (Vcc/1024) per cm - so 5V yields ~4.9 mV/cm. I am using an external (fairly stable) 5 Vdc power source and currently have the sensor returning data using 1V("Ultrasonic",.2) (.2 factor to divide by 5 millivolts) and I know that this is not really the correct way to do it.

My question is should I be using the DT800 for excitation instead of my external power source so that I can monitor the supply power and calculate more accurately? And if so how do i program that - also how would I connect it? My sensor has 3 terminals (of importance) ground, +5 Vdc, and analogue. Its is the analogue that returns the ratio of input Vcc by cm.

I would also really like to watch all of the videos on programming and using the DT800 but the links are all dead, do you have them available anywhere?

Cheers,
Ben

Good morning Ben,

How much power does you sensor draw?
How long does your sensor take to warm up and become stable?

The Voltage channel option can deliver up to 20mA but is only on while the sensor is being read and the Analog out con be programmed to output a Voltage with 20 mA.

Cheers,
Roger

Hi Roger,

The sensor is ready to range after 175 milliseconds, it then takes a range reading every 99 milliseconds. The voltage value on the analogue pin remains at the last reading until the next range is taken and then the value is updated.

The ultrasonic sensor draws only 3.4 milliamps.

Cheers
Ben

Good morning Ben,

As the sensor takes so long to power up won't be able to use the power to the * terminal.

You can use the AO terminal to power the sensor but you will have to have a 200 mSec delay after turning on the power before reading it.

Cheers,
Roger

Thanks Roger,
Ill go give it a try.

Would I expect the AO voltage to be fairly stable or do I need to log it as well?

Cheers
Ben

Hi Ben,

While it should be quite stable I would log it just to make sure.
As the output is ratiometric you can allow for any drift.

Cheers,
Roger

Great, its all go, thanks Roger.

Ben