Just completed Renard SS16 and it won'r run diagnostic

[Wall-E]

Hi Everyone,

I have a Renard SS16 and I have 6 of the first 8 extention plugs connected (I need to make a run to HW store for the other 10).
I tried to run the diagnostic by putting the shunt on JP3 but all I see is the power light lit.
Any help that someone could provide would be deeply appreciated.

Also, my chips were already programmed when I got then in group buy. How can I tell if they have the Beta Renard Diagnostic Firmware?

I am so close !!!!

Thanks everyone.

Chuck

[StandingInAwe85]

The only way you would get a PIC chip that would have the diagnostic firmware on it is if you got the "spare parts kit" in the group buy (and I believe it is marked with a small piece of tape so you know it is the diagnostic); the rest of the PICs will have the standard Renard firmware. If you don't have the diagnostic firmware chip installed in the first slot, you won't get any of the other LEDs lit unless you're running a sequence from Vixen. If you don't have the diagnostic PIC chip, then I'd suggest hooking it up to the computer and trying a simple sequence that flashes each channel for a couple seconds (note, the LEDs will not flash in the order they are installed).

[dunnsr]

I wouldnt even run the diagnostic if you dont have a problem... I just ran a simple sequence in vixen with everything plugged up the way i wanted it and put a meter on each output to ensure it was getting power and dimming correctly. if the channel is dead you will have no change when the channels are on and off... i also took and clicked on the channel selector in vixen and you can manually turn each channel on and off without running a sequence.

as far as your diagnostic... the chips have to be programmed with diagnostic firmware for that to work properly... and i wouldnt mess with it like i said, you will know if it does or doesnt work by testing it manually. which you have to do either way to ensure all of your optos and triacs are good. so... theres my .02

and like Standing said, unless specifically stated, you prolly dont have a pre programmed chip with diagnostic on it.

I just tested all 10 of my ren 24 ss's i did mine manually until i found a problem... if the entire board dont work, you have a problem and prolly need a diagnostic chip... if its one channel... you can narrow the problem much quicker... so... i would start there!!! if you need help shoot me a pm and i will describe what i did a little more thouroughly.

[Wall-E]

Thankn you both for the quick response !
Can you you give me some clarification on the Vixen versions for the Renard SS16?
I downloaded v2.1.1.0 but when I did help and About, it displayed v2.1.4.0

In the Renard SS16 instructions, it said you use Renard Dimmer (Vixen 1.1.*) or Renard Dimmer (modified) (Vixen 2.*) Plugin.

Do I have the correct version? I was looking to find where I would enter the "Renard Dimmer Plug-in Settings" so i could run a quick check.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Chuck

[Art]

Run vixen and just bellow the menu sequence there is a button name attached plugins click on it on the pop up screen left side available plugins scroll down you will see renard dimmer (modified)

[Wall-E]

Thanks Art.....I'm using a USB-RS-485 connection and connecting with RJ-45. What do I select for COM port?

[StandingInAwe85]

Thanks Art.....I'm using a USB-RS-485 connection and connecting with RJ-45. What do I select for COM port?

That's going to be different for each PC. The easiest way to tell is to unplug the USB adapter, then load up Vixen and see what the options are. These are the ones you don't want. Exit Vixen, plug the USB adapter back in, then when you go back into Vixen it will be the Com port that wan't in the list before. As a disclaimer, this may not work on all PC's (but if it does then it's correct). Also, the Com port number will likely change depending on which USB port it's plugged into, so make sure you use the same one each time.

[Wall-E]

I selected Com17 as it was assigned in Device manager for the USB to RS-485 and I'm still not able to get any response from channel 1....does anyone have any suggestions?

[Gebbinn]

make sure you have the com port and vixen both set up properly.

Should set to 57600 baud, data bits 8, data parity none and stop bit 1

this should be the same in vixen as well.

Go into your control panel and bring up the com port in windows, set everything properly as above, then go into vixen, into your sequence or profile (whichever you are using) and click on plugin setup for the com port and make sure the settings match there.

see if that works.

[Wall-E]

I changed the port speed in windows from 9600 to 57600 and made sure the profile had the same.
It still is not working. I have to say that I know very little about Vixen right now. As soon as i new the board was working, i was going to spend time looking at the youtube video's on it.

[Wall-E]

I also just downloaded and tried that Simple Renard tester and no results.
I have a USB - RS-485
T-/A using Blue wire CAT5
T+/B using Blue/White Cat 5
GND using both orange and orange/white

[Greg in Canby]

I have a USB -> RS232 dongle (I realize your using 485) BUT I still can't make it work with my Renard stuff. I have perfect communications with the serial port on the computer. Maybe consider trying it without the USB stuff to make sure the SS16 is not the issue.

Greg

[Penfold]

There are a couple of things I can think of off the top of my head. You may have 56000 baud rate selected in Vixen, but what do you have it selected in you windows. Go to Control Panel --> System-->Hardware--> Device Manager --> Ports ---> Communication port and make sure that that port is set up for 56000baud. It usually is setup at 9600 in my experience.

That worked for me in the past. Also, make sure that you blue and blue/white wire are in fact going to the proper pins on the cat 5 end connector.

You may have the settings in vixen correct, but please make sure that your profile has the renard plugin checked.

Another thing that I noticed with the dongle rs232 to usb is that you should plug it in to the renard board before you power up the computer. If my computer was on and I tried to plug it in while on I ran into problems. Give that a try and see if that doesn't help.

Hope this helps you

Mike.

[ctmal]

I would suggest going through the troubleshooting guide and letting us know which step(s) are not working for you. This will help in the troubleshooting process.

[dirknerkle]

ctmal's suggestion is a really solid one. It's easy to *panic* when things don't work first time, but it's important to follow an organized and complete troubleshooting plan instead of "try this.... try that..." etc.

[Wall-E]

Hi Guy's,

Answer to all the questions:

Blue is in Pin 4 and Blue/White is in Pin 5

I checked the port settings and Com17 (the one assigned to the USB port) is at 57600. I did change it yesterday from 9600.

Troubleshooting Steps: Page 11 Flow chart says to shunt JP3. I do not have the beta diagnostic firmware so when I do, the HB, ZC LEDS do not blink.
The trouble steps say to check U2, R1, R2. and R9. How do I check them?

[macebobo]

I also just downloaded and tried that Simple Renard tester and no results.
I have a USB - RS-485
T-/A using Blue wire CAT5
T+/B using Blue/White Cat 5
GND using both orange and orange/white

The simple renard tester will only show the available com ports on your system. To make sure you're configuring the right com port. Do this:

1) Unplug your USB to RS-485 dongle
2) Start Simple Renard Tester (SRT)
3) Look at the com ports in the drop down. (write them down if there is a lot of them)
4) Exit SRT
5) Plug the dongle back in
6) Open SRT again and look at the com ports in the drop down

Did they change? If so, that new com port is the one to configure in Windows. If not, your system is not recognizing the dongle and you may need to install a driver for it. Hope this helps, if not, PM me. -- John (Author of SRT)

[ctmal]

I'm having a little trouble finding where you are in the troubleshooting steps but I think you might be going through a section that needs the diagnostic firmware and you don't appear to have that.

Can we step back and run through the steps in the Beginners Setup Guide (http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Beginners_Setup_Guide_The_Renard_S S16)? This will step through testing your entire board and point us to where exactly we should be troubleshooting.

[Wayne J]

I'm having a little trouble finding where you are in the troubleshooting steps but I think you might be going through a section that needs the diagnostic firmware and you don't appear to have that.

Can we step back and run through the steps in the Beginners Setup Guide (http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Beginners_Setup_Guide_The_Renard_S S16)? This will step through testing your entire board and point us to where exactly we should be troubleshooting.

Best thing to do right now. ;)

[Wall-E]

Hi Everyone,

I am going through the Renard SS16 Basic Setup Steps.
On the left side (Channels 1-8), everything is fine, Steps 1 - 30.
On the right side, I can not get the power light to light up. I switched fuses with the other side to make sure it was not the fuse.

Any suggestions?

[Wall-E]

One more note...
When I tried to test the left side, I left the rightside power unplugged.

When I leave both power plug in for both sides, my test on channel 9 was good BUT Channel 9 will not work unless both sides are powered. I have not tried the others yet. I thought the sides were independent.

Is this by design?

[ctmal]

When you are testing the right side, are you removing power to the left side? The left power needs to remain connected, this is where the transformer gets it's power from.

[Wall-E]

Ok, everything tested good.
I'm assumming I do not have the Diagnostic firmware on the chips. I was told there would be a sticker on it if I did.

Would would my next step be?

[macebobo]

Ok, everything tested good.
I'm assumming I do not have the Diagnostic firmware on the chips. I was told there would be a sticker on it if I did.

Would would my next step be?

If everything tested okay, it is time to get it in an enclosure and wired up. Then, if you're done with your controllers, start on your display elements, pin down your display layout, choose songs, sequence, setup, relax and enjoy, tear down, store and start all over again with group buys next year ;)

Just saying...there is always plenty to do.

[Wall-E]

Opps, I forgot to mention....It still will not work. I connected some lights and they don't turn on.

[ctmal]

From the Beginner's Setup...
"If you only have PICs programmed with Renard Operational Firmware then go to step 60."

Did you go to step 60? It will point you over to troubleshooting guide(which should be your next step).

[Wall-E]

Yes, I went to step 60 and could not run a sequence.
The troubleshooting flow says "run diagnostic routine". I don't know where I would run that.

[ctmal]

I was just looking over the troubleshooting guide(it's been awhile since I looked at it) and noticed that you are going to be asked to insert the diagnostics fairly early in the process. Before you get to that though it does mention to touch up the solder joints and to double check your cabling and computer settings.
For the touch up: Make sure you look around for any bad joints. Be especially aware around the pics, the rs485 chips, the oscillator the RJ45 jacks and any resistors or diodes that are nearby.
For the cabling: Be especially aware of the pinouts...you said you were using RS485. In that, pin 4 of the cable (usually blue) needs to go to D- on the RS485 converter, etc....
For the computer settings: Be sure to check both the Vixen settings and the Windows port settings.

[Wall-E]

Wow, I am not having any luck.....If I could just get this 1st board operational.
It's so fustrating...I'm so close.

[macebobo]

Could you take a high resolution picture of the front and back of your boards, maybe a veteran here can see something obvious. you can send them to me if you like at john at rosefish dot com and I will be happy to take a gander. -- John

[Materdaddy]

I was in Chandler last weekend, I should have come by to help! Has anybody told you how to get echo enabled on the RS485 to ensure the PC is set up correctly?

[ctmal]

Can you recheck your com port settings too? Com17 doesn't sound normal to me. It could be right, but it doesn't hurt to check. And don't worry. The first board is always the hardest. As said before, pictures of the board and the rs485 might help.

[Gebbinn]

Wall-e. Pm me your address and I will mail you out a chip with the diagnostic firmware installed. You can keep it. I strongly urge you to purchase a programmer for yourself ASAP. I will mail the chip out tomorrow.

[ctmal]

Wall-e. Pm me your address and I will mail you out a chip with the diagnostic firmware installed. You can keep it. I strongly urge you to purchase a programmer for yourself ASAP. I will mail the chip out tomorrow.

I agree. A programmer is worth it's wait in gold in this hobby.

[Wall-E]

Hi,
If I completed steps 1-60 successfully, does that mean the board is clear of any "major" issues?

Also, I was just wondering if anyone in arizona has completed an Renard SS16/24 ?
I thought maybe someone over here could plug it in and see if it works.

[dunnsr]

Hi,
If I completed steps 1-60 successfully, does that mean the board is clear of any "major" issues?

Also, I was just wondering if anyone in arizona has completed an Renard SS16/24 ?
I thought maybe someone over here could plug it in and see if it works.

Whats up buddy... hope the convo today helped some...

probably clear of any issues if you made it through the steps...

i would say next step... get your connection to your computer working
wether its dmx or rs485 get it working on a show pc so you can have that part done... tehn you dont have to go through all those steps with the next board... you just plug it in and see if each channel works and dims appropriately...

eesy peezy

listen to these guys...

you do need a pic programmer... i bought a pickit 2 from josh of of ebay... josh is a diyc member but he sels the sets...
i programmed all my chips myself.

here are things i promised you on the phone
vastelec fm02, you can post in the want forum here or look on ebay... i found one on ebay for about the same price (new) as the group buys had them.

www.mpja.com source for your power supplies, and everyday electronics... also, they have the bnc cable for your dipole antenna i was telling you about

www.circuitspecialists.com this is where i was taling about the solder station.

i dont remember what else there was but i know i promised you those links so i wanted to provide them.
dont forget... get the show computer set up, get your dongle...

thats right... if your going dmx.. you can either search here for RPM's Dongle, or if they have come up with a new one, or
I use RJ's LYNX dongle

you can search for them via group buys or posting want adds at
www.diylightanimation.com

there you go... thats what i got for now.

wish i was closer, i would just bring a dongle over and we could test your stuff tonight!
talk soon
Seth

[Gebbinn]

Of course, if you could swing it, a quick jaunt up to the Portland area this saturday would help as well, you could join us at the NW Mini and we could get it working for you there.

[OregonLights]

Newb comment - Just completed my first RenSS16 board and had no results. Power light on. Used J3 jumper and found I had good communication (blinky flashy on diagnostic LEDS) but no output from the Triacs. Then I thought the optoisolators (M1, etc) may be in backwards. No mention of orientation in the Wiki instructions (ref Step 32), no notch on the IC. Just a small dot along with the part numbering that didn't look large enough to be an orientation indicator. I flipped the optoisolators and it worked.

[jboyles7]

The dot indicates pin 1, but I think you know that now.

[OregonLights]

Yeah, found out the hard way that even a small dot indicates pin 1. But, also couldn't find any information on the Wiki about which pin is #1 on a socket.

[dirknerkle]

Yeah, found out the hard way that even a small dot indicates pin 1. But, also couldn't find any information on the Wiki about which pin is #1 on a socket.

Normally, an end of a DIP socket has some sort of notch in it -- it's different from the other end. If you hold the socket vertical with the notch up, pin 1 is normally the one on the top left. However, unlike pin #1 of the IC chip, there's nothing electrically magic about pin 1 of a socket and sometimes, they get installed backwards. It'll still work that way, but it sure makes it confusing if you ever have to replace the chip.

[Gebbinn]

Wall-E here is that driver file I PMed you about.

For everyone else, its the driver file for my USB to RS485 dongle.


11096

Wall-E sent me his board and his dongle. The only real problem I found with the board was a bad #1 triac. After replacing the triac, and dealing with a devious cat, I had to replace the triac again, as well as the MOC.

His board is now working 100% and going back in the mail to him tomorrow.

Wall-E, I think the problem is in how your computer is setting up the com port. feel free to call me if you need help setting it up once you get everything back.

[Wall-E]

Hi Guy's,

Robert was very kind to test my board and the cable.
I have the test chip on the board and the lights run through the test cycle but I am not able to get the USB-RS485 cable to work.

I tried to different machines, with configuration below:
57600
8 bits
parity none
stop bits 1
Flow Control none

Laptop
Windows Visa
Prolific Driver 7/31/2007 Ver 3.2.0.0 ( I downloaded this from their site for Vista and replaced the new driver that was on the laptop since it wasn't working)
PC
Windows XP
Prolific Driver 12/1/2003 Version 2.0.0.24

Neither will work when i try to use the test button (the double check button by the channels).

Any thoughts

Chuck