DiyLightAnimation
Hardware => Lynx Aether => Topic started by: salongaopm on October 04, 2012,
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just finished my first aether2. I tried to program the start channel using the instruction from the wiki but I can't get past step 8. I cannot get the white pop of light. I can only get a red pop of light. I am using vixen.
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I would try the test firmware first to see if there is a problem with the hardware.
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where can i find the test firmware?
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It's in the Wiki under the Aether II:
http://www.diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=Equipment#Flood_Light_-_Aether (http://www.diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=Equipment#Flood_Light_-_Aether)
-Mike
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when I click the Test link, it give an error message:
An Error Has Occurred! You are not allowed to access this section
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when I click the Test link, it give an error message:
An Error Has Occurred! You are not allowed to access this section
You're right! I get the same thing. Rick may have to chime in on the status of that link in the Wiki. Sorry for not checking first.
-Mike
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Until this thread I never knew of any aether II test firmware.
Are you using a dmx dongle to program? Com port set, etc?
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i am using dmx dongle and com port set at com3. anything else that i need to do? do i need to program the pic using pickit 2 or 3?
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i am using dmx dongle and com port set at com3. anything else that i need to do? do i need to program the pic using pickit 2 or 3?
Not really, you could confirm dongle is working ok by connecting an express or something.
Com port on pc matches program utility?
Is the LED flashing red as you attempt to program as in step7?
Not sure if pics were programmed in coop or not, but if you have a pickit I would flash it, it might not be programmed.
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i used my dongle last christmas...it was working fine but i will connect an le to make sure that it is working.
i know i updated the com port on pc as per instructions on the wiki but i will check it also to be sure. the led is flashing red as i attempt to program it but no white pop.
i purchased my aether2 from the last coop. are they not programmed yet? I do not have a pickit that i can use to flash them.
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I attached an LE to the dongle and the LE worked.
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If it is flashing red, the pic is programmed.
If there is no firmware loaded, you won't get any response from the aether. No flashing, no lights, nonuthin.
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Sorry, I was cranking out a pumpkin ale that was a few weeks late.
Dongle is good and pic is flashed.
Does it respond to dmx/vixen at all? I wonder if it does but color order is off. I got something like this before and it was something simple like I was switching terminate switch instead of program/op switch. That or I had term switch throw and wasn't off.
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yumm.. pumpkin ale <res.
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i tried a making a test sequence...but it only flashes red light. could it be the test sequence that is not right? is there anywhere i can download a test sequence?
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i tried both switch...still red light only.
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No need for a test sequence. Can you pull up the the control panel thing in vixen and try the sliders. See if you get any other colors besides red.
Are you absolutely sure there is not a solder bridge between led solder tabs and mounting screws?
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no solder bridge that i can see.
where can i find that slider?
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Test channels. 2nd row of icons in vixen. Icon looks like 2 boxes and 2 checkmarks. There you can select and test each channel. Hopefully you get some other colors.
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here
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I got red light in channel one.other channels...nothing.
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If the chips in the last coop were pre-programmed, the default start channel is 1, so you should get Red on Ch1, Green Ch2, Blue Ch3 & White Ch4 of Vixen. But I don't think they were programmed....I got 4 in the last coop, but just flashed my chips out of habit before powering up...so I can't say for sure.
Starting from scratch with both switches pointing in towards the LED and no cat 5 plugged into the light, power it up and you should get a single pop if light and then nothing. Create a test sequence in vixen....just set Ch2 to full on, everything else blank, start it and then plug the cat 5 into the Aether....what happens? Blue?
If its all red still, I'd get the chip flashed.
Mike E.
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nothing
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that's it for tonight. I'll try again tom.
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I shot the coop manger a pm to see if the pics were programmed or not. I don't think they were either and it makes sense it should not work at all if not flashed but I seem to recall a problem similar to this due to a pic not flashed.
salongaopm, I put off a pickit for awhile and it was ok when I on ran a few LE's but in the end I got one and am REAL happy I did. If you are remotely interested in RGB get a pickit 3 now. I bet it will cost like $10 in postage and return postage to get a pic flashed and that is money saved if you had one. Something to think about.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ICSP-Adapter-ZIF-8-14-w-PICkit-3-USB-Programmer-/230432427613?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35a6d7ce5d (http://www.ebay.com/itm/ICSP-Adapter-ZIF-8-14-w-PICkit-3-USB-Programmer-/230432427613?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35a6d7ce5d)
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is the one on the ebay link what i need?
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PIC's were programmed. Now that doesn't mean that one might not have gotten corrupted or something in the process...or maybe even a bad PIC, but I did program them all before they went out.
Thanks,
-Keith
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Thanks Keith.
Yes, the one I linked to is what I recommend. There are other options and you are welcome to research. Personally, I don't think you need all the zif boards as RJ has headers on all the gear but dongle. The seller also is a part of the extended blinky family.
That said, I am not 100% sure a reflash (buying pickit) will cure but it does seem like a pic issue to me. If by chance you got another aether kit, try swapping pics. Also there is some great troubleshooting info in this thread by RJ. http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?topic=6583.0 (http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?topic=6583.0) Do some testing and if it checks out I would say either corrupt or bad pic.
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This souinds like it could be an issue with the LED board or how it was connected to the main board.
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i checked all the connections and they are all where they are supposed to be. i resoldered the capacitors & led connections just to be sure. rechecked for any bridge....no bridge that i can see under a magnifying glass.
i am about finished with the second aether. i will try it out and if it work. if it works...i will swap the pic to roll it out.
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Second aether seems to be working properly. i got red, green, blue and white. i will try to work again on the first one later.
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Post pictures...
The leads on the 5 pin regulators are really close together. I had to work really hard to get a bridge from between two of those pins...
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Second aether seems to be working properly. i got red, green, blue and white. i will try to work again on the first one later.
Cool beans. Putting my money on the pic since the new build went ok. ;D
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I had 2 of 3 work and I messed up the third one it is still down a year later.
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i am trying to re-wire and resolder the first one right now. i will post a picture in a little bit. got to cook some food for my little ones first.
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rewired, resolder and then rechecked for bridge...still no change. i changed the pic with a new one...still not working. i will try using the pic from the other aether that is working. attached are pictures of my aether.
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more pictures
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i tried the pic to the other aether that is working and it works okay. it seems that something else is the problem...not the pic.
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Did you try taking some measurements with power applied as per the troubleshooting post above? Can't tell from pics but are 7805 and LD33 in right places? Also, is pic oriented correctly?
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THe only other thing that I would suggest is swapping out the LED board with one from a working unit. Unless the drivers are not working, it could be a either a bad LED module or something wrong with the LED board.
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I have not done any measurements yet. I have to read and learn how to do that.
The pic is in the right orientation. Ld33 and 7805 are in the right place.
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THe only other thing that I would suggest is swapping out the LED board with one from a working unit. Unless the drivers are not working, it could be a either a bad LED module or something wrong with the LED board.
Is the led board the PCB? If that is what you meant, it is gonna be hard and I do not want to mess a lot with the working aether for now. I can swap the led with one that I haven't use. I will try to do it when I go home.
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Found the problem. The LED is the problem! I put a new LED and it is now working. Finally!
Thanks all!
Now, need to order a new LED so that I can finish the third aether.
What is the replacement policy on the LED? if there is any. ;) :)
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you may have a short to ground try cleaning up the solder on it before you scrap it
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THe only other thing that I would suggest is swapping out the LED board with one from a working unit. Unless the drivers are not working, it could be a either a bad LED module or something wrong with the LED board.
Great catch tbone!
Found the problem. The LED is the problem! I put a new LED and it is now working. Finally!
Thanks all!
Now, need to order a new LED so that I can finish the third aether.
What is the replacement policy on the LED? if there is any. ;) :)
Not sure of the return policy, but for a $40 part like that there should be.
I wonder if others have had a bad led. Any way to test the led before hook up so it could be returned in need be? The led is "dumb" right? Could one test it with 12vac or would that be bad?
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Any way to test the led before hook up so it could be returned in need be?
You would have to look at it's datasheet on mouser. I've sure like with any LED, the different colors have different power requirements.
Could one test it with 12vac or would that be bad?
I would not place 12AC directly on any led.
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As Chris said, it is not a good idea to place 12VAC directly on the leads of the diode. Even 12VDC is not a good idea either. Without current limiting devices also added to the mix, the LED would act like a short and blow itself out. AC is even worse. LED's don't have the level of reverse voltage blocking that power doides do which means that if the reverse voltag was exceeded, they would begin to. LED's also have a reverse conduction capability of next to nothing so if they begn to conduct in reverse bios, they will simply blow out. Not exactly the experiment you want to do with a $40 dollar part.
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here are the voltages 7 V, 12.6 V, 10.5 V, 10.5 V DC I do not have the voltages for each pins
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Is there a way to calculate something (resistance?) based on these voltages so there is a way to test it without magic smoke? Or can we assume all these led's tested OK at factory and the problems other members had with the led are from installation mistakes? Or could it actually be a bad part that cost $40?
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http://led.linear1.org/1led.wiz
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here are the voltages 7 V, 12.6 V, 10.5 V, 10.5 V DC I do not have the voltages for each pins
Voltage is a secondary thing (to a point) for an LED. The critical factor is the current. The drivers on each circuit are controlling the current being passed thru the LED.
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Is there a way to calculate something (resistance?) based on these voltages so there is a way to test it without magic smoke? Or can we assume all these led's tested OK at factory and the problems other members had with the led are from installation mistakes? Or could it actually be a bad part that cost $40?
I wouldn't worry to much about it yet. With all of the units ordered, this is the first instance of this problem being reported. I doubt that they test every one on them but LED's tend to work unless there is an issue in their manufacture. Perhaps the coop manager can see what the return policy for that part is or tell us where they were bought from so that those with a problem can see what the return policy is if one exists.
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i just realized that the LED module cost is more than half the total price of aether. hopefully, there is a return policy (cross finger).
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I checked with Mouser and it is past their 90 day warranty period. They were not excited about replacing a $40 part on a $14,000 order...go figure. The only other suggestion I have is to contact the manufacturer directly @ http://www.ledengin.com/ . The part number is 897-LZCA3MD00. Sorry I don't have better news.
Thanks,
-Keith
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thanks Keith.