SSCv4 build problem

[Steve Gase]

I had 19 v4 kits without a problem, but one without the blinky.
During Smart String Utility phase I should get flashing pixels... for this kit, they remain dark.
Steps taken (unsuccessfully) to find my problem:

• reprogrammed the PIC
• swapped the PIC
• swapped the 485 chip
• touched up all of the solder points  (reinspected each with magnifying visor)
• checked chips for bent pins
• verified power is reaching the board
• used the same cables and setup which I used to verify the other 19
• checked the orientation of all parts
• checked the resistors against the working boards
• checked the IDs of all of the regulators

What am I missing? 

[chrisatpsu]

are you getting power from the boards output to the strings? (the 12v + and -)

next step usually is a good pic or front and back

[Steve Gase]

are you getting power from the boards output to the strings? (the 12v + and -)

next step usually is a good pic or front and back

yes, I tested the power, and it comes to the board in the correct polarity.

[rm357]

Double check the output transistor. It would be easy to install backwards...

[rm357]

Also verify the two regulators and the output MOSFET? didn't get mixed up...

The 7805 should have 12v, 5v, and ground on the three pins and the other regulator should have 5v, 3.3v and ground on its pins.
I don't know the correct pin order,but those voltages should be present.

[chrisatpsu]

are you getting power from the boards output to the strings? (the 12v + and -)

next step usually is a good pic or front and back

yes, I tested the power, and it comes to the board in the correct polarity.

i meant the output side, leaving the board to go to the strings.

[tbone321]

One quick question, does this string work with other controllers?  Is the output connector for this controller wired correctly?

[Steve Gase]

One quick question, does this string work with other controllers?  Is the output connector for this controller wired correctly?

I did verify wiring to the 3-core (and 4-core) connectors.  I have a test string that uses the male 3-core connector, and I swap it around with the other controllers.  I have also gone back to ensure that my test setup (lights, fuses, cables) continue to work with the other controllers.
 
I will try doing comparative voltage and continuity tests between the bad and good controllers, and I will check out the other suggestions.
Pictures will be posted if all else fails.

[pk]

check the pins associated with the crystal. 

[drlucas]

Steve - did this get resolved? I might be in same boat as you...BUT...i've only built one...and I did it after 8pm...and not checked much other than voltage on the output side. It also appears I have two different smart string utilities for some reason a v9 and a v7 () anyways. Is there an md5 checksum someone can share with the exe I should be using?

[Steve Gase]

I got busy on builds and didn't get back to this yet.
I did fix a broken AetherII last night -- a bad LM2941T that caused white to stay on.
 
I loaned out this broken SSCv4 board (with a couple more) to one of the local guys as an example of my waterproof connector scheme.  Next month I'll look at this again.
 
 
 
C:\Program Files (x86)\DLA\Smart String Utility>c:\bin\crc32sum.exe *
05d58cee *favicon.ico
c80748b2 *Smart String Utility.exe

[drlucas]

Thanks for the checksum...I was using the right version.  This morning I took another look at it...made sure I had all the right voltage regulators and caps in the right place and was OK. NO luck..so I built another one from scratch and it worked no problem. SO...I went back to the original one and said, hmmm...everything looks good, do i try to reflow the solder...the points all looked good so I tried to reflash the PIC and that seem to have solved the problem for me. It's funny kinda because i took all the same steps you took (backwards of course) and ended up getting mine working...so thanks for the steps to try to troubleshoot. 

[Steve Gase]

glad you were able to solve the problem!  i've had more than a couple solder issues myself, so I usually start there -- and likely overdo it with my reflowing work.