Little help with DMX Dongle

[keithr]

assembled  Lynx Dongle.

-Downloaded Lynx Express Configuration Utility

-Downloaded  VCP driver for Windows 7    64 bit
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-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.

[rrowan]

Not sure I totally follow the problem

what online guide?

Rick R.

[keithr]

Hey Rick,

I tried this guide

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[rrowan]

try the setup program

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Rick R.

[keithr]

Ok got the driver installed all looks well there.

Still no data through put.

red light only.

[rrowan]

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.

[pk]

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

[rrowan]

I could be wrong. I am using dongle ver 1 without the leds

Cheers

Rick R.

[keithr]

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

[Dennis Cherry]

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

[Steve Gase]

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!

[pk]

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.

[Steve Gase]

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.

[Steve Gase]

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!!

[Steve Gase]

Here are pics of my (Steve's) board:

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