Update on firmware development:
I inquired on the developer Discord thread about what is called for in order to build and test the latest — what hardware wiring changes are needed, which branch to use, etc. Here are the details of the answer:
- Update FluidNC firmware using the branch labelled “MSG_JSON” — GitHub - bdring/FluidNC at MSG_JSON
- Update Fluid Dial firmware using the branch labelled “reactiveJSON” — GitHub - bdring/PendantsForFluidNC at ReactiveJSON
- Change hardware wiring as follows: “flip A/B and swap Green/Red button wires.” (I’m still checking to see what that means.)
Regarding the “flip A/B” part, it’s referring to the Port A / Port B sockets on the back of the dial as shown here:
OLD wiring schematic:
NEW wiring schematic:
*NOTE: The above “NEW” wiring plan was created based on invaluable help from @Keith_H — Thank you, sir! Keith is a “DIY Down Under” retired developer. Super helpful!!!
I am now re-wiring my pendant and doing the firmware things, and will report back!
UPDATE: OK, good news, and some not good news:
Good news: The proposed “NEW wiring schematic” shown above seems to be correct. The firmware builds succeeded for both the Jackpot and the pendant. The buttons have their “red” and “green” function happening correctly.
Not good news: Despite the magnets not causing issues previously, after I readjusted the wiring to suit the new schematic, it seems (at least currently this is my working theory) that somehow the magnets started causing the pendant to disconnect. It would often say “N/C” (Not connected) and yet then later, after anywhere from 10-30 seconds, suddenly switch to saying “Idle” — and work for a while. Eventually I noticed that when it said “Idle” and I would move it from not being on the new cradle, to being placed in the new cradle, it would lose its connection to the Jackpot. I have removed the case bottom that has 8 magnets, and replaced it with the case bottom that has no magnets, and it’s working again. I will do some checks to verify that it works flawlessly without magnets, and try to confirm that the magnets cause the issue. If they do indeed cause the issue, I will need to redesign for a “friction” fit or find some other way to securely keep the pendant in cradle. More on this in the future, hopefully soon.