Posted for "Ed Anderson" <eanderson@carolina.rr.com>:

  Thanks Ernest,

     No question that I will benefit from experienced "C" coders.  Right now
the frustrating thing is that the PIC microchips has some memory limitations
as well as special modules that appear to require taylored "C" Compilers.
There are the $$ ones for professional use and the cc ones for us hobbiest.

    I've done some programing in PASCAL and BASIC and understand the basic
control structures (well, sort of).  I have done some code fragments in PIC
assembly just to see if I could get the basic routine to work.  My biggest
weakeness is communications area, talking to chips from my PC, etc.

  I have a development board and an Debugger/Programmer module.  One of the
great things about the PIC is its flexibility, but for a beginner its more
like a Curse {:>).  For instance there appears to be about three or four
different modes to program a chip each with its pros and cons.

I intend to use the 18FXXX series of PIC chips probably the 18F252.

But, in any case, if your offer still stands after Sun & Fun, I'll get with
you and perhaps you can give me some guidance.

For instance here are a few of the modes I envision for the system

1.  Measure fuel Flow and Fuel usage
     a.  Count down from a preloaded fuel amount to show fuel remaining
     c.  Count up from zero to show fuel used
     d.  Set a low fuel amount to set off a visual alarm
     e.  Store fuel quantites (used/remaining/alarm level, etc.) when power
is turned off
2.  Calibrate flow meter
     a.  Taking a moving average using latest fuel load against calculated
fuel used
     b.  Ability to set fuel on board (such as after refueling)
3.  Later plan for adding an GPS input to show fuel required to destination
or next point etc.

Now, the question is would a "State machine" approach such as using CASE
statements be the best approach or would some other approach be better?

So, my question could go on for days.

But, will get back to you after Sun & Fun

Thanks Ernest

Ed Anderson