iriver h1x0 - RTC (real time clock) mod

[roolku]

I think it was a bad idea to choose a chip that outputs a waveform on the alarm pin by default.

Possibly, but that is easy to say after the fact. At the time I was just looking for a chip with the features listed at the wiki. Could you suggest a better chip?

Also once the alarm has been set, it isn't a problem anymore. The trick seems to be to disable the play button with the hold switch on the main unit and set the alarm once with the remote.

[roolku]

If the alarm function works properly now,
would it be possible (...he asked with
trembling hands...) to add a patch
that started and stopped recording
based on the time of day?

Yes. But someone needs to program it. I may give it a go if I got too much spare time on my hand.

[jmdearras]

I think it was a bad idea to choose a chip that outputs a waveform on the alarm pin by default.

Possibly, but that is easy to say after the fact. At the time I was just looking for a chip with the features listed at the wiki. Could you suggest a better chip?

Also once the alarm has been set, it isn't a problem anymore. The trick seems to be to disable the play button with the hold switch on the main unit and set the alarm once with the remote.

I have ordered a few DS3231 clock chips, with TCXO, and trim.  They are the same size, and look like the firmware will operate it without change.  Pinout is different.  And the -INT/SQW pin defaults to -INT, and it's disabled.  So no square wave on startup.

YBIC,
Jim

[roolku]

I have ordered a few DS3231 clock chips, with TCXO, and trim.  They are the same size, and look like the firmware will operate it without change.  Pinout is different.  And the -INT/SQW pin defaults to -INT, and it's disabled.  So no square wave on startup.

They have indeed changed the default value for the INTCN on powerup to logic 1.

Let me know how you get on.

[jmdearras]

I have ordered a few DS3231 clock chips, with TCXO, and trim.  They are the same size, and look like the firmware will operate it without change.  Pinout is different.  And the -INT/SQW pin defaults to -INT, and it's disabled.  So no square wave on startup.

They have indeed changed the default value for the INTCN on powerup to logic 0.

Let me know how you get on.

I will. I actually ordered these a week ago, before I hit this issue, it was luck they fix it.  I went for the TCXOw/trim feature, as I am an accuracy freak.  It also can return it's temperature.

[jmdearras]

I have ordered a few DS3231 clock chips, with TCXO, and trim.  They are the same size, and look like the firmware will operate it without change.  Pinout is different.  And the -INT/SQW pin defaults to -INT, and it's disabled.  So no square wave on startup.

They have indeed changed the default value for the INTCN on powerup to logic 0.

Let me know how you get on.

The parts arrived and I have installed 4 DS3231 chips so far.  They work perfectly with the patch code.  Also, they have no effect on operation even without RockBox installed, including the alarm patch.  The first one I installed was on an old iHP120 I had just repaired, but had not yet flashed Rockbox.  After installation, the iRiver firmware ran without noticing the new chip.  Then when I flashed Rockbox and installed the patched code, the clock showed up, and alarms worked!

Here's the wiring (DS3231 shown upside down, as installed):



Here's the VBat connection point, from a recommendation:


This point is not directly connected to the battery, there is a RC curcuit in the path of unknown value, that causes this point to rise to vBat (no diode drops) over a few seconds after initial battery connection.  

Here's Ground:



Here's the play pad, for the Alarm part of the mod:



I prepared the chip for mounting upside down with superglue by flatening and shortening the leads as below:



(Now that I am writing this, I realize there is no good reason to mount the chip upside down, after bending the leads flat like this!  Hindsight is 20/20! )

Here's where I super glued the chip:



Chip installed:



Here's the final product:



Many thanks to my son for taking the pictures, sizing and adding graphics!

YBIC
Jim

[Peter200lx]

I'm getting an error when trying to build against the latest CVS, is there anything else I should try?

http://www.rockbox.org/tracker/task/6419

[roolku]

The parts arrived and I have installed 4 DS3231 chips so far.

Great stuff. I have added a link to this posting to the Wiki page.

[IpaqMan]

I'm getting an error when trying to build against the latest CVS, is there anything else I should try?

http://www.rockbox.org/tracker/task/6419

I ran into that same problem, too.  I modified the patch file as follows:

 #endif /* HAVE_EEPROM_SETTINGS */
@@ -136,6 +137,8 @@
 drivers/rtc/rtc_pcf50605.c
 #elif (CONFIG_RTC == RTC_S3C2440)             <---
 drivers/rtc/rtc_s3c2440.c                                  <---
+#elif (CONFIG_RTC == RTC_DS1339C)
+drivers/rtc/rtc_ds1339c.c

This seemed to fix the problem.

[Software_Samurai]

Fantastic mod! I've been depressed that my poor H120 didn't have an RTC. (But it will soon now!)

IpaqMan: Did you modify the patch file and save it back into the system, or will I need to download the patch file and apply your patch to it?

Cheers!

PS: I ended up buying 10 of the DS3231 chips. As soon as I mod my H120 and make sure it's all working, I'd be more than happy to sell the remaining 9 to anyone for $6/ea (+shipping...probably $2 or less I'm guessing).

[bluebrother]

PS: I ended up buying 10 of the DS3231 chips. As soon as I mod my H120 and make sure it's all working, I'd be more than happy to sell the remaining 9 to anyone for $6/ea (+shipping...probably $2 or less I'm guessing).

Maxim ships them as samples for free ... (you usually get 2 pieces; I'm using various Maxim samples at my university and there's no problem in getting hands on them)

[Software_Samurai]

Maxim ships them as samples for free ... (you usually get 2 pieces; I'm using various Maxim samples at my university and there's no problem in getting hands on them)

I tried to ask for samples, but they told me that since I wasn't with any university or company (I'm just an individual doing a home-mod project), I'd have to purchase them.

Cheers!

p.s. I only have 8 chips left... Accidentally broke a pin off of one.  

[roolku]

IpaqMan: Did you modify the patch file and save it back into the system, or will I need to download the patch file and apply your patch to it?

The patch on the tracker is up-to-date.

[Software_Samurai]

The patch on the tracker is up-to-date.

Thanks! I just finished installing the chip in my H120, so now I'm off to build a custom Rockbox for it!  >woot!<

Cheers!

[Software_Samurai]

Success! My little H120 now has a real time clock! >woot!<

Just a note to anyone else who is thinking about doing this mod: Use 30 gauge wire! Anything bigger and it will put too much stress on the little pins on the chip when you're trying to bend the wires around.

Cheers!