This is MC-12A’s little brother in size and expandability.
It’s more compact and feel more robust.
And it can be stored and used in the CE-150 case
As you can see it’s not designed to be used without the CE-150. The main I/O are present.
But there is no other I/O connectors except power ones.
No V24 or digital I/O expansion port.
Next time we will open the case š
Let’s go for the technical view.
You can first download this advert in german language :
Download advert
Data acquisition unit combined with BASIC pocket computer
ā¢ Comfortable operating system, so easy to program
ā¢ Standard programs for numerous applications
ā¢ Manufacturer support for new special programs
ā¢ Universally applicable (network and battery)
ā¢ Simultaneous data acquisition and conversion on 5 channels
ā¢ Multiple data processing and analysis
ā¢ Sturdy case with integrated system components (6.5 kg)
ā¢ Steel box or Standard 19″ case for stationary use
ā¢ Extremely cost-effective overall system
| Functions | Input/Outpus | Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Multimeter Data recorder Transient recorder Functions generator Data analyzer Regulation / control unit | 5 input channels 2 analog outputs 4 CMOS switch 2 output relays 24 pol. l / O port V.24 interface | LCD display Printer / Plotter Oscilloscope 8 KB of internal RAM 32KB (max) prog 360KB tape |
The CE-158 folder is not complete without this advert :
Yes ! The instruction manual in Japan is here !
But there are some other manuals missingā¦ can you help me ? š
All my PC-1500 and clones manuals
| Manuals JP | Link |
|---|---|
 | Download |
 | Download |
 | Download |
The BMC’s ROM is copyrighted RVS, Rasso Von Schlichtegroll !
This is a very good surprise, isn’t it ?
Then we have a very nice software to drive the BMC hardware.
The system brings us these new instructions :
MC-12A Basic instructions and codes
| AUTORANGE (E384) | INFUNCTION (E399) | SCREEN (E381) |
| BUFFER (E363) | LOADBUFFER (E3A6) | SELECT (E3A9) |
| BUFLEN (E350) | MCON (E38A) | SETCOM (E3AF) |
| BUFINIT (E3A1) | MCOFF (E38B) | SETRANGE (E389) |
| BUFNUM (E351) | MULTIMETER (E39B) | SETTRIGGER (E395) |
| BUFREAD (E3A3) | OUTCHA (E382) | SETSCANTIME (E396) |
| BUFOPEN (E3A4) | OUTSCREEN (E393) | SETPREHIST (E397) |
| BUFWRITE (E3A5) | PREHIST (E355) | SETFUNCTION (E398) |
| BUFRANGE (E364) | POSITION (E356) | SLEEP (E39E) |
| CHA (E361) | PLOT (E39A) | TRIGGER (E354) |
| COM (E3AE | RANGE (E362) | TRANSREC (E39C) |
| DBUFINIT (E3AB) | RELAY (E39D) | POSTLOAD (F0DC) |
| INCHA (E386) | ROM# (E357) | RVSLOAD (F0FB) |
| INIT (E390) | SWITCH (E380) | |
| INSCAN (E3AA) | SCANTIME (E353) |
The last two (POSTLOAD, RVSLOAD) have special functions.
RVSLOAD loads a sample program originally stored in the ROM :
(Thanks to my new tools for the CE-158 with syntax highlighter)
But if you use POSTLOADĀ the program is bigger !
Download this program : MC-12A_Forth_Full.TXT
As a big bonus, here is the user manual for the FORTH language :
Download this manual : BMC_MC-12_Forth.pdf
Next time we will discover the MC-12A technical side.
This will be a little boring but necessary.
Do you need some tool to use easily your CE-158 ?
My new software is now in BETA version and will be soon available.
Features ?
Communicate with your CE-158 using CSAVE, CSAVEM, CSAVEr, CSAVEa formats.
Application menu reflects your directories for .BAS and .BIN files.
Syntax editor with completion and code snippets.
ā¦
Currently testing the BETA 0.1 and all works great.
Features to include ?
Data exchange with PRINT.
Basic decode routines when using CSAVE
ā¦
Do you want some other features ?
The MC-12A, the most advanced acquisition tool.
As you can see, it fits perfectly with the PC-1500/CE-150 system.
What can this do ?
– Digital Multimeter -5V to +5V
– Data logger
– Transient
– Fonctions generator
– Data analyzer
– Regulation/Control unit
How can it communicate ?
– 5 input channels
– 2 analog outputs
– 4 CMOS switch
– 2 output relays
– 24 pol. l / O port
– V.24 interface
– 60 pins connector to PC-1500 or CE-150
It’s a strong tool, isn’t it ? It’s as wide as the CE-150.
The power supply adapter EA-150 is plugged directly in the MC-12A and is transferred to the CE-150 with a grey cable.
A very nice idea !
Removing the CE-150 is not really easy. You have to remove 2 screws and move the printer to separate it.
DO you see the white tube on the metal plate ? It goes directly to a hole under the CE-150.
Here is the CE-150 connector :
Now let’s opening the MC-12A and see inside.
There are some options installed. A really good thing ? All the ICs are on sockets ! Easy repairing…
There is a place on the left with corroded marks. It’s the battery.
The whole system can be used out of 110/220v ! You can take it and go on site.
Let’s open a bit moreā¦ there is a RAM and a ROM. Two sockets are unused for future extension.
The ROM IC will give you a really good surpriseā¦ stay tunedā¦
Finding industrial peripherals for the PC-1500 is not really easy now.
But our german friends were the more active around this pocket computer.
I start here a short story about nice itemsā¦
This company is BMC Dr. Schetter and build acquisition/control tools for more than 30 years.
I tried manny times to get some help from them but the only answer wasā¦ their newsletter.
This company is like a wall and did not answer any of my e-mail.
All informations in my articles are provided without their help ! But it’s not too late…
One of their first product was the MC-12A and was designed to be driven by our favorite pocket computer.Ā It was the most advanced of the catalog.
In fact there was 3 different interfaces :
MC-12A : Full system with batteries and the R.V.S. Forth language on EPROM
MC-12 : A small system without batteries but it can stay in the CE-150 case.
MC-10 : The very small system to connect directly to the PC-1500. (I’m looking for this one ! Do you have one for me ?)
Everyone having user manuals or other informations that may help can contact me.
I have some of the rare CE-158 for sale.
Description :
– Used item.
– Last hardware version and clean boards.
– New battery pack 720mA/h (directly soldered because the connector was corroded)
– New power adapter 9v 1A, positive outside.
– New RS232C cable 9F/25M as described in my previous article
– Documentation can be downloaded here.
– No metal plates.
Prices :
– With some light marks : 99 euro (must add shipping costs) (4 left)
– With some marks or scratches on the cover : 89 euro (must add shipping costs) (3 left)
– With some lot of marks on the cover : 79 euro (must add shipping costs) (0 left)
Use the contact form…
Pictures of one with light marks :
I wish a happy new year to all my readers and the PC-1500 fans !
Could 2015 be rich in lot of discovery about this fantastic pocket computer.
The PC-1560 team is working on new devices and software for it.
Stay connected…