Ah, I was getting mixed up between the 232 and 1232 for a second, could you confirm this for me a) the max232 is for allowing serial connection, using for example ISP/ICP and b) the max1232 is a supervisor circuit monitoring the supply voltage and managing the reset etc, instead of a hard reset.

I have read several threads on various supervisor chips several on 3V3 and 5V applications, and at the end of one someone was talking about designing a more reliable power supply and masterboard. I now cannot find the thread, but can you comment on what makes a setup reliable. What is necessary for example?

For my project the system may run from the 12 battery, to a 12V-24V DC converter to a regulator for 5V supply to the microcontroller, and 24V supply going to the electronically operated valves which control compressed CO2 flow into a pneumatic actuator. OR the system may run on serial connection of several Ni(Cd/H) batteries. I am unsure of how the supervisor would control the controller in each of these turn on conditions. If the information is readily available on this somewhere could you point me in the correct direction, I don't expect you guys to spoon feed me.

thanks for the snappy reply !

Joel