Up and running, but a few glitches.

[Aurbo99]

Greetings

Grinch is alive.. SSroz is functioning.

I am using just a single port A {channels1-4} to test with at the moment.

Powering up, everything is fine, after about 20 seconds all 4 channels go on by themselves and stay on until the sequence starts.

Once the sequence starts, not all the channels behave properly after the first run through and 5 seconds after the sequence ends the lights turn back on

Using Allegro chips
5vdc
double,triple,quadruple checked all solder joints.
Vixen 2.0.3.3

I've tried the setup in port B C D and the random effects get even more random but still everything remains on after the sequence ends.. I've even sequenced the sequence to blink on then off on the last 2 100millisecond cycles. Still the same.

Any clues?

Steve

[Josh]

i think this is just a normal issue.. if you make a background sequence to turn off all channels every second, it should fix this

[Aurbo99]

Thanks.. time to read up on how to do that =}

Steve

[RJ]

Make sure you lpt port is set in the bios to epp mode. This is a common problem in other modes. He is right that even when you have it right after the seqence if you sit and send no data the 595 will start turning on but I have not noticed this on the grinches. Anyone seen the grinch do that.

[wjohn]

nope, not seen by me.

[jmelvin]

Nothing random on mine either. I have both setups parallel and ren-c.

[NogginBoink]

Why would a 595 with no data decide to turn on?

I wonder if in the idle state, the parallel port outputs are in the 'undefined' voltage range for the 74HC595. Floating inputs can wreak havoc on circuits. I'd bet a small sum that your problems would go away with either pullup or pulldown resistors.

What kind of cable are you using between the parallel port and the 595, and how long is the cable?

[P. Short]

Another possibility is the the OS is scanning the parallel port for attached devices, and that this scanning occasionally causes the 595 to change state.

--

Phil

[Aurbo99]

Grinch random light on, still happening

I'll build a new SSROZ and see if thats the cause,, I have 3 BTA10's and an NTE triac on the 4th channel.. The new SSROZ will have all BTA08's

Which version of Vixen is working best with Grinch? and which plug-in should I be using?

Still cant figure out the background sequence to keep the lights off.

Steve

*edit

Might it be that I have too much power on the Grinch? 5VDC 0.2-2.5A power supply. Volt meter indicated 5.71VDC

[RJ]

Ye if you supply voltage is too high then the logic levels will not reach the required % to be considered a high (1) this would in turn cause you problems. You need to get you supply voltage down to between 4.7 - 5.0 volts in my opinon.

[Aurbo99]

Thanks again,

I will create a regulated voltage circuit to add to reduce my voltage.

This circuit should work. The mA value can be increased by using an increased mA input.

What would a nominal mA value be for powering the Grinch?

http://www.tkk.fi/Misc/Electronics/circuits/psu_5v.gif

Cheers
Steve

[RJ]

With a heatsink that circuit should handle close to an amp OK. This would easily be enough to handle one grinch it might handle two but for sure one. This is based on the standard SSR's which pulls aroung 5-7 ma each channels so round up to 10ma per channels and for 64 channesl this would be 640ma.

[NogginBoink]

Aurbo,

If you measure the voltage (at idle) between ground and one of the data pins to the Grinch, what do you see?

At there any motors, flourescent lights, or other devices that emit EMI nearby?

How long is your cable between the computer and the controller?

The Allegro chips guarantee they'll see a logic '1' at 0.7Vdd to Vdd, and a logic '0' from GND to 0.3Vdd.

So, between 0.3vdd and 0.7vdd is the 'undefined' range. If you're powering your chip with +5V, that's 1.5V to 3.5V. Cable length and local electrical noise may cause signals to float in that area.

I'd try ~1K pullup resistors on the GRINCH side of the cable and see if that helps.

[Aurbo99]

Thanks for the assistance, The fault seems to be with the BTA10's and the single BTA08 on the same SSROZ.
For whatever reason they dont like to get along, I built 3 more SSROZ's and move all 4 units around the Grinch, the result was exactly the same each time, THAT specific SSORZ triggered itself back on after the sequence ended as well as displayed random triggers during the sequence.

Its the only oddity between the 4 SSROZ units..

Built a 5the unit and replaced the first .. no glitches observed!


Dont mix BTA08's and BTA10's on the same SSROZ I guess..

Cheers
Steve

[RJ]

Glad you got it working.

[Aurbo99]

Thanks for the help,

I'm sure more questions will follow as I start stringing lights and such.

Any updates on Grinch Dimming yet?





I guess I can post up my new signature block now =}

[wjohn]

Yes,

just connect a RENC, and you have dimming. PCBs are available.

John.

[Aurbo99]

RENC,

Another board link the Grinch? or an in-line add between Grinch and computer or Grinch and lights?

Cheers
Steve


**EDIT

Found the forum pages referring to RENC, sent you a pair of PM's John

Thanks Again
Steve

[IS_IT_X-MAS]

i was thinking about doing the converter also, i have a few questions though...

Do i need the Ren-T? Where can i get one, or can i get one?

can i still get the 5v power to my 595 board through the cat5e cable?

where can i get the Firmware for Ren-C? it says it hasent been released yet on the wiki.


Brent

[wjohn]

i was thinking about doing the converter also, i have a few questions though...

Do i need the Ren-T? Where can i get one, or can i get one?

can i still get the 5v power to my 595 board through the cat5e cable?

where can i get the Firmware for Ren-C? it says it hasent been released yet on the wiki.


Brent

Brent, You need a source of ZC, which can be a RENT or you can make one yourself.

Power to the 595/GRINCH is via the Molex connector (P1?) and to the RENC. Therefore the power is being supplied to the RENC from the 595.

Code is available on the forum,

[Aurbo99]

That little gremlin crept back into my sequences so I added the Regulated 5VDC circuit I posted earlier in this thread.

Powered with a 9VDC 800mA wallwart brick, run through the regulated circuit.. everything is running fine now.. Volt meter shows 4.67volts

Just in case someone else has the same problems.

Oh.. my son wanted a little kick on the LED power on, So we swapped out a single LED for two mini greens..

Its now the eyes on the cover sticker of my Grinch enclosure The "grinch" glows green eyes when the power is on!


I'll load a pic one the wife returns my camera.