DiyLightAnimation
Hardware => Lynx USB DMX Dongle => Topic started by: keithr on October 11, 2011,
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assembled Lynx Dongle.
-Downloaded Lynx Express Configuration Utility
-Downloaded VCP driver for Windows 7 64 bit
http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
-Connected to my Windows 7 laptop windows loaded a unknown driver.
-Dongle seen on COM port 5
-Red light On
Trying the online guide did not work.
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Not sure I totally follow the problem
what online guide?
Rick R.
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Hey Rick,
I tried this guide
http://www.ftdichip.com/Support/Documents/AppNotes/AN_119_FTDI_Drivers_Installation_Guide_for_Windows7.pdf
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try the setup program
http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/CDM/CDM20814_Setup.exe
Rick R.
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Ok got the driver installed all looks well there.
Still no data through put.
red light only.
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The data light will be either off when you are not sending data or looks dim when sending data (i.e.: you are using Vixen, LSP, etc)
Rick R.
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On my 3 DMX dongles, the Data LED is on even when idle. The insensity varies slightly when data is being sent.
Keith - Have you re-flashed the PIC in the dongle? Be sure load the DMX version of the firmware
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I could be wrong. I am using dongle ver 1 without the leds
Cheers
Rick R.
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On my 3 DMX dongles, the Data LED is on even when idle. The insensity varies slightly when data is being sent.
Keith - Have you re-flashed the PIC in the dongle? Be sure load the DMX version of the firmware
Will have to find someone nearby to reflash firmware. Think there wil be someone in Austin, TX. Still working at it, thank you guys
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PM sent
On my 3 DMX dongles, the Data LED is on even when idle. The insensity varies slightly when data is being sent.
Keith - Have you re-flashed the PIC in the dongle? Be sure load the DMX version of the firmware
Will have to find someone nearby to reflash firmware. Think there wil be someone in Austin, TX. Still working at it, thank you guys
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Looking for some help.
Keithr and I each have a newly assembled DMX Dongle 2.0 -- In my case I've gotten a PCB from RJ, and ordered Mouser parts. Keith on the other had obtained his parts from another form member.
I successfully programmed and verified the PICs for each of our units.
I installed the FTDI 2.8.14.0 driver. And I also installed Vixen 2.1.1.0.
Here are the problems:
I configure Steve's dongle for COM5... using the test feature in Vixen I try to turn on and off the channels -- all 512, and selectively on my DMX device. The lights continue unaffected, the lights continue to go through the controller's test sequence as if the cable was not connected.
I configure Keith's dongle for COM6... using the same feature I try to turn on and off the channels in the same way. In this case Vixen acts non-responsive, sometimes sluggish, but the channels and slider eventually move. The lights continue with the controller's test sequence without change.
I ALSO have a DMX programming cable from Harrison/David Moore... I connect that via COM4 and the same lights. This DOES work to change the light colors and intensity.
From all of this I assume that
1) the Vixen software is installed properly (proven by the programming cable)
2) Steve's dongle is broken on one way
3) Keith's dongle is broken in another
I've not done anything to alter Keith's dongle.
I HAVE attempted to remelt solder over each of the connections. I see no hint of a shorted circuit.
I did compare the parts on my dongle to Keith's and also to the pictures. The part IDs are the same for each dongle, and there is no observable difference from the pictures.
Any idea on what might be happening??
I'm going to start swapping out the USB cable now.
Thanks!
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Steve -
It sounds like have you have tried just about everything. From your description it is not clear to me if you programmed the PIC with the DMX firmware. There is also a pixelnet version of the firmware. Be sure you have the correct version.
Does the green LED on the dongle come on at all?
Verify you selected the Enttec USB Pro plug-in in Vixen.
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I programmed the DMX image into each (Steve's and Keith's).
The red LED is on all the time -- both units, the USB looks to work without any signs of problems according to the windows drivers.
The green LED is on about half-intensity on Steve's dongle. It is on whether Vixen is running or not.
Keith's dongle on the other hand does NOT have a green LED on at all. Whether vixen is running or not, whether the vixen test is being run, or a test sequence is tried... no activity.
The replacement (and brand new) USB cable made no difference.
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Looking VERY closely at my board, I find... nothing.
All of the connections look solid, no bent pins, all parts match Keith's and we independently built the boards.
I see no damage to the board, no indication that the layers were melted. I've looked at traces, and there appears to be no encroachment. I have some solder points that are close -- but definely nothing is touching.
Is there a list of troubleshooting steps posted somewhere around?
Thanks!!
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Here are pics of my (Steve's) board:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/853/imag0519o.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/600/imag0522pw.jpg/
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Question:
Are there parts on the dongle that are susceptible to damage or failure? I don't have much else to try without starting a fresh board and potentially repeating the same mistake. I was very careful in the handling, so I don't think I had a ESD problem.
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Hmm, not very scientific, but I would swap cables, USB ports on the computer (if you havent' already), then digress into changing chips (pics etc) to see if I could get either to work. It is unlikely that both have bad pics or a 485/6n137.
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Looks like you have a max480 where there should be a st485. There are several solder joints i would touch up as well.
Shoot me a pm with your email and I'll send you the pic I put some circles on the joints I would retouch if you want.
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You. Are. Good. ...and you have great eyes!!
There is at least one lesson here: "Don't order 7 different kits at the same time, and multiple quantities of each. Mouser does not separate them for you." :) ...I know, I know... there are somethings in a DIY which should be in my own hands. :)
I made the mistake because the bag I selected had RS-485 listed among the other verbiage describing the Maxim part.
It works now, and it works nicely.
Thanks to all of you for your help!!
Steve
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There is at least one lesson here: "Don't order 7 different kits at the same time, and multiple quantities of each. Mouser does not separate them for you." :) ...I know, I know... there are somethings in a DIY which should be in my own hands. :)
I've found that you can add whatever text you want in the "Customer Part #" field in the Mouser cart ... I add a BOM from one project to the cart, go through and put "Dongle" or whatever into all the customer part # fields, then add another project to the cart and put in "SSR8" into all the blank fields (since they come out ordered peculiarly), watching that the order quantity didn't increase (if it did, then the part is used in both projects and in those i put in "BOTH" or "Dongle/SSR8" or something similar).
Then, when the items arrive from Mouser, I sort them out into appropriate project boxes or bags or drawers or whatever.
The other Mouser trick you always must do is to look at everything in the cart: go back and open up each item's original order page: sometimes while you may only need five of a part, the price break on 10 is so good that you get 10 for cheaper than five.
HTH.
\dmc
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great advice, thanks!!
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wish I had read that advice 15 minutes ago!