Ren 16 tests ok but not to sequence

[Stevendi]

I'm at my wits end, built two boards, 1 works other don't. Using the same sequence and profile in Vixen 1st board works perfectly, swap input onto second board and I get random flashes.

It tests ok, channel test fine all working as advertised even when daisy chained, but when I send sequence to the board nothing happens just the occasional seemingly random event.

I think I've tried everything, swapped H1AA1, reflashed the pics, swapped RS232/RS485 chips, ran diagnostic firmware, checked everything still no joy, obviously stuffed up somewhere.

Any tips, pointers, advice gladly accepted.

Steve :confused:

[dnesci]

Steve,

Need a little more information. As you in Autralia, I'm assuming your using an XMas 116 and not a Ren16ss. If so, the Xmas need an external ZC. How are you bringing it to the board? Also, an external power supply. Someone on this board will walk you through.

[Stevendi]

Using a standard Ren 16 from XMUS, with usual on board ZC, power from serial input. All seems to check out, was wondering if oscillator ok? Could that affect input response? Is there an easy way to check?

Many thanks
Steve

[ctmal]

You said you ran the diagnostic firmware(I assume with lights on the outputs). When you had this hooked up, did you send a sequence with constantly changing values?

If so, what was the result on the channels?

[kychristmas]

You said that you have the Diag Code. I would put that back in and report back the results. With the Diag code, what do you get? I have some 16's, I think you have to use the channels to for the indicators as it does not include any lights.

I would also consider using some of the beta Diag firmware. One of the Beta's uses the internal Oscillator and simply cycles through the channels. That way you'll at least know if the board is good past the PICS.

[Stevendi]

Thanks guys,

I have used the beta diag code with lights attached and all seemed ok, but I am about to try it again and as suggested by ctmal, run a sequence as well and see what happens then.

Steve

[Stevendi]

Ok, The saga continues:-

Rechecked board with beta diag code, all OK, worked fine with lights attached and when receiving sequence from Vixen. So far so good.

Still not working! :confused:

BUT! after lots of stuffing about with test sequences found that when sequence only lights 1 channel all ok, but when 2 or more channels active nothing at all. AH-HA! So cross talk somewhere? (Same sequence on other board working fine)

So now what? Talk to me guys I need your wisdom!!

Steve

[kychristmas]

Ok, The saga continues:-

Rechecked board with beta diag code, all OK, worked fine with lights attached and when receiving sequence from Vixen. So far so good.

Still not working! :confused:

BUT! after lots of stuffing about with test sequences found that when sequence only lights 1 channel all ok, but when 2 or more channels active nothing at all. AH-HA! So cross talk somewhere? (Same sequence on other board working fine)

So now what? Talk to me guys I need your wisdom!!

Steve

I'm extremely confused. You said it works with Beta Diag Code when receiving data from Vixen. So you get a power up sequence that does what it is supposed to, right? Also, if you are saying the Vixen is working with Beta Diag code completely then its your regular PIC code or your COM configuration. if this is the case, then your Cable and controller are good so stop messing with them.

I would re program your PICs. Then, verify COM configuration in Windows, Vixen Renard Plugin and make sure the Baud rate matches your PIC code. I would download a fresh copy of the Firmware Source and only change the Baud Rate.

[Stevendi]

Sorry, just to clarify that last post a bit.

It wasn't until after I wrote that post that I realised that the board actually failed the first part of the diag test as it didn't turn on all channels on start up. All other parts of the test ran fine, CH2 heartbeat ok, Ch5 ZC ok, Ch6 serial data ok, Ch7 no framing errors, Ch8 no overrun

The board happily runs one channel at a time, on either bank, but will not run more than one channel at a time.

I have already checked the COM settings, Renard plugin and so on, these all run another board without any problem, but as you suggest I will recheck all that and reflash the pics again.

sorry for the confusion.

Steve

[Stevendi]

Just noticed something else. Whilst re-running diag noticed that heartbeat and ZC seem a little erratic, 5 normal flashes then 2 very rapid flashes then 5 normal and so on.

What that about?

Still didn't get all channels on at start up.

Steve.

[kychristmas]

I wish you weren't so far away, I would just send you my spare xmus 16. This is getting beyond my expertise. I know my experiences and can only go from those.

I will throw the Beta Diag PIC in my Ren 16 tonight and see what I get and establish a baseline for a board we know is working.

The is the first day the temps have been above 25, so It will be later tonight after I try to squeeze some of my additions into my display.

[kychristmas]

Out of curiosity, are you running two power inputs? I remember something about that.

Also, put the Diag PIC in the 2nd slot and see if you get the same results.

[Aurbo99]

On the Ren16(Xmus) boards,

There is a break in the Hot lead input trace that needs to be fixed.

Look on the bottom of the board, and there is 2 Hot lead input points, on will have a factory made break, scratch off the conformal coating to expose the copper on both sides and created a nice big solder bridge across it.

Watch which Neutral Lead input point you use on the board as well, its a 2 pole connector, and you need the connector closest to the center of the board and not the one near the hot lead connector row.

(hope thats not confusing.. punch drunk from trouble-shooting my display today)


ALSO;

I use the Ren64 (YES, REN64xc5) hex code on my Ren16(Xmus) boards.. it seems to run fine.

[Stevendi]

Thanks Steve but all that is ok.

And thanks too KY but yes I have run diag on the 2nd slot and 2nd bank does the same thing. Swapped out H1AA1 again and still the same. Have come to the conclusion that oscillator is bung and I am about to swap it out and see what that does.

Wish me luck.

Thanks again

Steve

[budude]

Thanks Steve but all that is ok.

And thanks too KY but yes I have run diag on the 2nd slot and 2nd bank does the same thing. Swapped out H1AA1 again and still the same. Have come to the conclusion that oscillator is bung and I am about to swap it out and see what that does.

Wish me luck.

Thanks again

Steve

Just double-checking - - is that H11AA1 - I know some folks have tried using H11A1 (note single "A") which only gets you half the cycle for ZC.

[Stevendi]

Naah that was just a typo, it is H11AA1.

Steve

[kychristmas]

OK, I think there's an option for the Debug software to use the internal oscillator. I know nothing about it, I just remember reading that in the comments. Perhaps that will work for testing and narrow your problem down to the Osc.

[Stevendi]

Thanks KY, but I have just swapped out the oscillator and still getting the same result.

Still failing the initial startup but continuing to run one channel at a time only.

Checked all my soldering and fixed up a couple that looked a bit dodgy but still no joy.

Got me stuffed, I have another pcb but not enough components to assemble just now. And anyway this is the 5th board I've put together and all the others worked fine right away, must have messed this one up somewhere but can't work out where.

Guess I'll have to get another set of bits and try again..

Thanks all for your help.
Steve :)

[ctmal]

By any chance is the resistor network backwards?

[ctmal]

Also, the steps in the Ren16ss troubleshooting guide (http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Troubleshooting_Guide_The_Renard_S S16#Troubleshooting_SSR_Circuitry_Problems) can help you narrow down the problem.
I would start with the section for troubleshooting the SSR section. BE VERY CAREFUL with these steps, AC will be on the board while testing. In the section where it has you manually light an output(you will need lights connected to the outputs) try lighting 2 outputs at the same time. This should narrow down whether the issue is on the AC part of the board or the DC part.

[Stevendi]

Thanks Chris, had a look and you might be right. Guess I'll have to see if I can turn them around. I'd obviously stuffed up somewhere and that may be it.

And if that doesn't work I'll try your other tests.

I'll let you know.

Steve :)

[Stevendi]

Many thanks for all the advice you guys offered.

Got the thing going now, Chris' suggestion turned out to be the case, I did have the resistor networks in backwards :oops:. Anyway after much drama got them out and back in and now all is functioning as it should.

Well nearly, as there seems to be some issues from the removal of one of the networks as I think I have damaged a track, so have lost 1 channel and for some reason channels 2 & 3 the same bank are transposed, but I can live with that!

Again thanks to all.

Steve :D