DiyLightAnimation
Hardware => Lynx Express => Topic started by: pokey on March 18, 2011,
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I finished up my first Express last night. The preliminary voltage test worked fine. Then I finished the build.
When I powered it up after completing the build, all three indicator LEDs come on (3v, 5v, and data link). I can't imagine data link is supposed to light without the connection to the dongle but I kept going anyhow.
I ran the on-board test and I get all 16 leds to light in sequence, and it ends with Led 2 and 4 lit. If I connect my dongle via a known good cat-5 cable, If I run the tests with dongle connected, I get the same result.
I am unable to get any response from the board -- either with RJ's Config Utility or with Vixen.
I double checked Com port settings -- all is fine.
I've looked over solder joints - all seem ok (though not as pretty as others' work).
I've looked over the seating and orientation of my chips, all seem good.
I'm at a loss!
Tell me what stupid thing I did!!!!!!!!
I need blinky!
I've attached high res pics of front and back with power off.
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Just a quick look, but take a look at your remove for wireless jumper.
Be sure it is soldered well and the jumper is in place properly.
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Remove For Wireless seems ok. Even if it was bridged, I'd assume that would mean I'd never be able to do wireless, but wired would work anyhow...
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I'll go throw a jumper wire on the back of the connector and see if makes a difference...
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Hrm. I completely removed the jumper and replaced with a wire - result same problem -- the Data Link lights.
If I remove the jumper wire (open the circuit), the LED goes out.
I think the Remove for Wireless is a red herring...
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Sorry, I don’t have a V5 right here to power up and see how it normally works. Maybe someone else does and could check it.
If my old memory is correct, the symptoms you descried are what you get if in wireless mode with no receiver. But I cannot remember for sure.
From your testing sounds like I may be wrong on this. Hopefully someone was one they could check.
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While waiting for that, I would re flow the 3 RJ45 jacks and the 2 small RS485 chips next to them, just to be sure.
If you have not already done that.
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I'll try reflowing everything....but I've got another nagging problem -- work. Sigh.
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You let work come before Blinky Flashy, well that’s the problem right there. :) :)
I will give you a few other easy to fix ideas I am thinking of, for when you do have a chance to look at it.
Take a look inside the top of the RJ45 jacks and look at the 8 little wires in there that the cat5 connects to when plug in. I have seen where one of them is out of its track and is shorting out to the others.
Also when you first power it up, watch the display and be sure it says 60hz and not 50hz. Don’t think that is your issue, but when that chip is not working it can cause strange things, so I always watch for that.
Now I have to go do that work thing too.
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Had a problem last year with some 485 chips keeping the DMX LED on, still worked ok. If you do remove the "Romove for Wireless" jumper the DMX LED will go out, that is normal.
Try swaping the two 485 chips and see if that makes a difference on the DMC LED.
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Ok. I lied. I'm not working yet.
I reflowed most of the connections along the top of the board. No luck.
I then swapped the 485 chips...the light went out. So I dug out another 485 from my second kit and put that in.
The Data Link LED is now out, but I'm still unable to communicate with the board...
One other behavior I noticed before I swapped the 485's - the led wasn't very bright during boot up, but once the Express was "ready" it brightened.
Ok...now I REALLY have to go to work.
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Call me crazy but maybe the board is fine and it's your computers interaction with the dongle that is not working?
It's sound like the test sequence ran correctly to me. However, I don't have my boards in front of me.
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Looking forward to hear what the problem turns out to be. Although like inzeos, I'm leaning towards the dongle output since the onboard tests are successful.
Sorry we don't have the DMX tester ready for you. That would come in really handy right about now.
Coming soon....
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I tried with two different dongles...(which each grabbed different Com ports). Same result.
Is there an equivalent of Wireshark to test what's being sent (if anything) from the dongle??
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I just installed DMX Deck and get no love from it either.
Maybe it IS my laptop/dongle.
I'm gunna go grab my daughter's XP box and try from it.
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Tried from an XP box. Still no love. Nadda. Zip.
The dongle appears to be functioning - it's got red and green led's. The green seems to have a slight flicker to it...not sure if that represents data, or my crappy soldering?
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One more observation. Pushing the "Select" switch lights LED 16...not sure that is supposed to happen....
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Tried from an XP box. Still no love. Nadda. Zip.
The dongle appears to be functioning - it's got red and green led's. The green seems to have a slight flicker to it...not sure if that represents data, or my crappy soldering?
Slight flicker if I recall is the sending of the DMX information.
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Is the resistor installed over ch#1 (by the heatsink) installed backwards?
I just noticed its not the same as all the others.
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Resistors (like that) have no polarity. They can be installed either way. For aesthetics some people like to orient them all the same way.
-Mike
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Resistors (like that) have no polarity. They can be installed either way. For aesthetics some people like to orient them all the same way.
-Mike
Yeah, it's for aesthetics, but they always tend to catch your eye when one or two are oriented differently than others.
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Gar! That was the last one I put in...too excited to move on, I suppose. Not the issue at hand, but it'll stare up at me like the Tell-Tale Heart...
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Do you think you can take pictures of your Dongle?
That sound bad <la..
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LED #16 lighting when you press select is normal.
When you plugged in the dongle, did Data Link LED light?
If you run test on board with DMX cable attached, does LED #3 light?
Inquiring minds want to know...
RM
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I had a very similar issue last year with my first build. Found out that it was actually the dongle. There was not enough solder on the pic holder. Added a little solder and Presto! Everything was fine. So it may be a dongle issue.
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When you tried to test it, did you use different cat5 cables.
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I have tried two different dongles, albeit, both assembled by me....both have the same result. I'd love to blame my dongles, but everything indicates they are ok (red and green led's light).
I've been at happy hour a bit too long to fire up my soldering iron tonight, but happy to re-solder my Dongle PIC socket, but I'm skeptical I hosed it up both times....I mean I certainly seemed to program it with my PickIT 2 kit...
My wife is starting to shake her head at my experiments...
HELP!!!!
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Can you pm me and lets set up a time to meet in the teamspeak chat an I will help you troubleshoot it.
RJ
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Thanks to some assistance by RJ and others, got my first Express online. Turned out to actually not be the Express, but a bad chip on the Dongle.
Finished my second Express last night too, couple minor issues, but all resolved now. Ready for more, but I need to get in on the next land grab Express CoOp.
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I have tried two different dongles, albeit, both assembled by me....both have the same result. I'd love to blame my dongles, but everything indicates they are ok (red and green led's light).
I've been at happy hour a bit too long to fire up my soldering iron tonight, but happy to re-solder my Dongle PIC socket, but I'm skeptical I hosed it up both times....I mean I certainly seemed to program it with my PickIT 2 kit...
My wife is starting to shake her head at my experiments...
HELP!!!!
I can see her frustration, two dongles, and both non functioning ? <fp. <fp.
All kidding aside, I haven't got mine to work either.
Think it has to do with not being able to plug in my soldering iron!