MR16 board troubleshooting

[wirekat]

OK folks, I humbly ask for your help. I built my first MR16 board a while back and am finally getting to testing it.
Here's my story:
Powered up (without DMX signal connected) and all connected lights on constant.
I'm using a 12 volt regulated PS. No smoke.
Powered off and connected DMX (from DMX DIY dongle)
Powered up and no blinky flashy
Tried programming a new DMX starting address
Still no blinky flashy
Reflashed the PIC with hex from wiki, still nothing.
Now I get nothing even without DMX connected.

I'm thinking it's either the 485 chip or the 7805 voltage reg but  I thought
I'd ask the experts before I start tearing into it.

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PS: I did finally work my way through the dreaded comm port access denied issue by using Vixen 2.5.0.8 and updating to the latest FTDI driver (2.6.0.0). I testing it with my DIY DMX dongle, Lynx Express and Vixen works fine.

[solidmodeler]

Did you try a small Vixen sequence about 20 seconds long with 512 channels with just the MR16 to dongle. Then use the test channels box, select all, to see if they come on?

Michael

[wirekat]

Did you try a small Vixen sequence about 20 seconds long with 512 channels with just the MR16 to dongle. Then use the test channels box, select all, to see if they come on?

Michael

Yep

[KeithTarpley]

Greetings,,,

Guess you checked the seating of the 5940 chip?  Just in case?

Keith

[wirekat]

Greetings,,,

Guess you checked the seating of the 5940 chip?  Just in case?

Keith

Yep I made sure it was seated well.

Anybody know the expected voltage readings at the various test points?

[smartcontrols]

I know it sounds  dumb, but you did verify polarity.

[KeithTarpley]

Greetings,,,

Going back over a few posts to remember any previous issues.  You've got a LE to switch out the 485 chip with of course.  But, if you haven't, I would try to program a start channel again.  And, instead of just turning off the supply, disconnect it from the MR16.  One person had the problem where it appeared to keep enough power to cause the start channel not to program correctly.  And make sure the program jumper is making contact.

Have to check voltages.  Other than the obvious 5V from the regulator.

Keith

[wirekat]

I know it sounds  dumb, but you did verify polarity.

Yep

[wirekat]

Greetings,,,

Going back over a few posts to remember any previous issues.  You've got a LE to switch out the 485 chip with of course.  But, if you haven't, I would try to program a start channel again.  And, instead of just turning off the supply, disconnect it from the MR16.  One person had the problem where it appeared to keep enough power to cause the start channel not to program correctly.  And make sure the program jumper is making contact.

Have to check voltages.  Other than the obvious 5V from the regulator.

Keith

Nope, no 5v from the 7805 reg. so I'll start by replacing that.

I replaced it and got the 5 volts.

Now the controlled lights blick once when power is applied.
I assume this is normal.
I then tried sending DMX from Vixen through the DIY DMX dongle but nothing.

Any other voltages I should check?

[wirekat]

OK I just built another MR16 board and same deal so I'm stupid twice.
I must be missing something simple...

[vairmoose]

One of the dumb moves I did on one board was to put the rs485 in backwards..   It took many looks to see it...  I had even reinserted it several times before discovering my error.    Felt like a real idiot as I was online with RJ and Bill when I found it.     

Larry

[mschell]

The single short blink is normal, I believe.   Try reprogramming the start channel again.  And be sure the power goes off to the board completely before changing anything in Vixen.

And if you get that single blink after the first time, then the start channel didn't take.

I also see to remember that I unplugged the DMX before I switched the program jumper.

After I programmed the start channel, I believe the next time I applied power, all the channels came on for about 5 seconds (long blink), and then went off.

Biggest issue is getting that start channel to take.  Then it seems to work fine.

If you're running more than 12V to the board, then be sure you put a heat sink on that 5V regulator.

[ThaiWay]

Curiously, I always get a short blink when power is applied.

I had the same issue... after numerous attempts to program start channel, it mysteriously stuck and all was well.  I could tell it was that issue, because using <Select All> in the Vixen Test Channels dialog box on a short 512ch test sequence I did get light.

Good luck Kevin!

John

[RJ]

I am with them on it sounds like the only issue is the address is not set. all the rest actions sound like what you should see on a healty unit. Does someone have a MR16 controller handle that is programmed to channel one? If so can you export the hex file from the pic and post it for him?  Mine are packed up and not easy to get to at the moment.

If we get that we will update the wiki with that firmware to help this issue.

RJ

[rrowan]

I am with them on it sounds like the only issue is the address is not set. all the rest actions sound like what you should see on a healty unit. Does someone have a MR16 controller handle that is programmed to channel one? If so can you export the hex file from the pic and post it for him?  Mine are packed up and not easy to get to at the moment.

If we get that we will update the wiki with that firmware to help this issue.

RJ

Ok,

I grabbed my spare MR16 and set the start address to 1. I'll upload the file in a minute

Rick R.

** File updated in the wiki. **