Technical notes

Not really for public consumption, this is where we keep some of our most basic notes on wiring color codes and the like so we can access them even if we forget to take the master documentation books while traveling. Full documentation is now a small book, so hasn’t yet made it here.

Instructions for Dave while in Eurika Springs

Disconnect charging clips in trunk.

Above: Temporary spot I put 6-volt charger.

Safety Equipment

Above: Small fire extinguisher inside car, on roof. Another fire extinguisher is in trunk, on drivers side wedged in between batteries and taillights. Jumper cables and fix-a-flat are in same area.

Trailer procedures

First and last, make sure soloists are down when loading and unloading. They can be twisted down manually if needed.

Above: Make sure parking brake is engaged when towing, unengaged when driving.

When towing, make sure truck mirrors are extended.

Make wide turns, maintain good separation.

Signal well before action, leave time for people to get out of the way.

Don't be shy about driving slow in mountains - take it easy even if other folks are in a hurry.

Main power in car:

Off

Left switch is 6V, right switch is 12V

On

Best to turn 12V on first, and off last. Otherwise, on old controller the soloists may lift on power-up, or may stay up on power down. New controller doesn't have that issue as badly.

Power control panel

All blue switches 'on' is a good default setting.

Top right blue switch can be toggled to reboot the old basic stamp. Bottom right is for wireless hub.

Black switch controls interconnectivity of 12V systems. Center position means no interconnectivity, and is probably a good default. I need to remap this to write the manual better.

Action-control panel

This panel has controls for the backup systems.

The column of red and black buttons on the left trigger 'original Billy Bass' animation chips. Bottom left toggle switch must be to the left for these to work, and top left toggle switch must be on "A". Not all of the 4 remaining chips work. Switches on fish box (back of passenger seat) must all be on for this option

The column of black buttons uses a completely independent system to fire (Head, tail, or Mouth) all fish simultaneously. Bottom left toggle switch must be to the right for these to work,

The horizontal row of buttons on the bottom right controls the basic stamp computer and/or the old laptop setup. It is currently disconnected, but can be reconnected with a few minutes work in the trunk.

The LCD is an informational display. The square button runs a reset subroutine that lowers the soloists. The other 4 buttons control the computer by an advanced mathematical concept known as "Base 4" that is far beyond the ken of simple Neuroscientists plying their trade from village to village. (That's you s'Dave.) However, call the buttons 0, 1, 2, 3 left to right. Then command 30 = decimal 12 = Loop, 23 = decimal 11 = Loop with pause, etc.

Netbook (New default system)

The Netbook should be in standby. Just turn it on and pull up a web-browser to access the car controls.

If needed the computer can be rebooted; if all else fails disconnect the power and remove the battery for 15 seconds.

If rebooted, log in as carter, and type the password whenever asked. Then Cancel the netbook's attempts to re-install it's own operating system. (Cancel - Cancel). Then open a teminal window and type 'fish' to start the server. It will probably ask you for a password. Then open a browser, and you are good to go.

Above: Audio and main USB connectors. Never disconnect the USB while song server is running, or you will have to kill and restart the server.

Above: Netbook power plug - black and yellow cord ending in barrel plug (12V positive center plug.)

Note: netbook can run 3 or 4 hours on it's internal battery, particularly if the lid is closed

Above: Netbook USB Mouse connector

Above: Defunct laptop power supplies at driver's feet. _But_ Netbook power supply is plugged into a cigarette-lighter-emulator down here.

Misc.

There are some 12V fuses in the area above the passenger's knees. Relic of old system.

Main Fuses

Fuses in trunk. Top copper bar is main 6V power bus, one beneath is Ground bus, Bottom bar is defunct 5V bus. Fuses in top left of picture are 12V systems.