Bytes Counter - Open Source Tally Counter

Bytes Counter is a simple Tally Counter for counting people in places, helping you in inventories, practising soldering or just counting things at work! The project was chosen to test some PCB manufacturer capabilities and experiment with both the XLP (Extreme Low-Power Technology) and the pic18LF14k50 itself

The PCB does not have any power button, since the project's approach is to use the XLP technology of the PIC. It only has two buttons: increase/decrease the count.

A buzzer helps you count anything without needing to read the display every time so that you can focus on your work.

Even after weeks or months, the count is kept while in deep sleep mode.

Github Repository

You will need the following components (For V1 revision):

• 1x PCB v1(Thanks to PCBWAY to sponsor this project!)
• 1x PIC18LF14K50-I/PT
• 1x Green LED (0805 metrics)
• x5 NPN 600mA
• 2x 220 Ohm resistor (0805 metrics)
• 4x 100 Ohm resistor (0805 metrics)
• 5x 4K7 Ohm resistor (0805 metrics)
• 5x 10K Ohm resistor (0805 metrics)
• 1x Buzzer 5V
• 1x 0.1uF Capacitor (0805 metrics)
• 1x CR2032 Battery Holder
• 1x 4-Display 8 digits (3461AS)
• 2x Tactile Push Buttons
• 2x ZLLS410TA diode

You will find all the components, links to the components, Gerber and simulations files in the GitHub Repository.

Solder paste can be applied with a syringe or stencil. After it, the SMD components can be placed with the use of some tweezers.

All the TH components can be placed and soldered. After it, you must cut all the leads from the components.

Here we have some differences between V0.1 and v1.

For V0.1 you will have some problems programming it, because some capacitors may interfere with the communication pins... just be patient. You should use the 6-pin ICSP.

For V1 you will need a Tag-Connect 6-pins cable for the ICSP. This time you won't have any problem programming the microcontroller, as I took care of the capacitors.

You will find the code here:

https://github.com/makingdevices/Bytes-Counter/blob/main/v1/Simulation/source_TESTED.c

Or from the attached file. You should use MPLAB and C18++

Fully assembly video in my YT channel :)

---Instructions:

Presing "+" or "-" will increase/decrease the count.

Long press "+" : Sound Event -> Activate/Deactivate buzzer sounds.

Long press "-" : Reset event -> Reset the count.

60s without pressing any button: Deep Sleep Mode -> Display off.

Any button pulsation will exit Deep Sleep Mode

During Idle mode, the power consumption is 10.78mA. In Sleep mode is less than the self-discharge current of the CR2032, so power consumption can be neglected. These stats give us a lifetime from battery totally dependent on how much we use it, but I assure you it will last months of daily use!.

First of all, if you like my projects, I strongly recommend you to follow us on our Instagram profile, Where you will be updated on a daily basis.

In addition, you have my tree-link website to check all my social media and website!

https://makingdevices.com/links/

Finally, I would like to thank PCBWAY, the sponsor of this project. I really recommend you to pay them a visit if you are thinking of ordering some Gerbers any time in the future. I am truly impressed with how good they work and the high quality of their PCBs.