Our Dual Counter can keep count of switch closures on a wide variety of devices. We use
it in our rain gauge, and we are confident that you will find many other applications for it.
Each Dual Counter can count pulses from one or two devices through its two separate
channels that increment with every low-going pulse on their input. One of the switches
to be counted needs to be connected to the terminal marked on the board as “A” and to
the terminal marked on the board as “+5”. The second switch to be counted needs to be
connected to the terminal marked on the board as “B” and to the terminal marked on the
board as “+5”. If you are only counting one device, the second channel can be used for
redundancy by connecting one wire from device to both the “A” and “B” terminals, and
the other wire to the “+5” terminal.
The Dual Counter should be connected to the 1-Wire network as described in our general
discussion of Connecting Devices to the 1-Wire Network.
To connect the device to your 1-Wire network, simply connect the 1-Wire data line to the
screw terminal marked DQ, and connect the 1-Wire ground line to the screw terminal marked GND.
Note that this device only has a screw terminal connector and does not have the option of connecting
using RJ45s.
This device does not require external power, but is able to use 5 volts regulated power
from an external source. The Dual Counter has a lithium battery that provides backup
power to the device when it is not connected to the 1-Wire network. The battery should
last for many years.
