ren ss16 channels 9-16 out

[jerryinmich57]

Hello I have tried to troubleshoot this board but got lost.
I am running 6 renss16 boards everything has been working good for the last week or so since setup.
we ran 32 channels last year and now went to 96
But the other night this board quit working completely so I brought it inside thinking moisture let it dry overnight. now 1-8 seem to work but 9-16 not.
I reflashed the second pic still the same so I switched them still the same.
Swapped u4 and u5 no effect.
Jumper wire on u7 pin 3 to 14 and channel 9 works pin 13 to 14 got channel 10
Then trouble shooter said return to previous spot this is where I get lost.
any suggestions?
Thanks Jerry

Forgot to mention d.v.m. show between 14 and 17 volts A.C. at channels 9-16 terminal blocks

P.S. Having trouble with one other board also but has to do with a dim channel staying on but one problem at a time so I will be back later if I cannot get it either this is our third year no problems the first two years, maybe bigger is not always better

[kychristmas]

If they were working and now all 8 are not, then It's likely the PIC. If you have a programmer, reprogram the PIC firmware. If it continues, then you may have blown the PIC with the moisture.

Yes, "Bigger is not always better", but it sure is fun and going the easy way is NOT!


Edit: I just re-read and I'm assuming U4 and U5 are the PICS. In this case, something may have happened to the trace or solder bridges that happened as a result of the moisture. Look at the board and soldering around the 2nd PIC. I don't know what its called, the best description is that it looks like Calcium deposit on the solder and traces. Scrub them off with a dry tooth brush and retouch the solder joints makesure there's no bridges. If you have a Can of Air or compressor blow-out the area around the PIC socket. Then do the same around the 1st PIC. Its possible the signal is not getting out of the first PIC.

[Wayne J]

Hello I have tried to troubleshoot this board but got lost.
I am running 6 renss16 boards everything has been working good for the last week or so since setup.
we ran 32 channels last year and now went to 96
But the other night this board quit working completely so I brought it inside thinking moisture let it dry overnight. now 1-8 seem to work but 9-16 not.
I reflashed the second pic still the same so I switched them still the same.
Swapped u4 and u5 no effect.
Jumper wire on u7 pin 3 to 14 and channel 9 works pin 13 to 14 got channel 10
Then trouble shooter said return to previous spot this is where I get lost.
any suggestions?
Thanks Jerry

Forgot to mention d.v.m. show between 14 and 17 volts A.C. at channels 9-16 terminal blocks

P.S. Having trouble with one other board also but has to do with a dim channel staying on but one problem at a time so I will be back later if I cannot get it either this is our third year no problems the first two years, maybe bigger is not always better

You need to do the first PIC (U6) also, it may be the output of it.

[jerryinmich57]

OK So I flashed and reflashed both pics no help I even deleated the asm and hex files and reloaded them (this desktop running the lights is only used 1 month a year so I did not know if something happened to the hex file still no dice.
Now if I jumpper accross the pic holders you know 14-3 and 14-13 and so on, all the channels go live no problem.
So one more question before I give up on this board.
Can anyone tell me what fires the pics because apperently everything after the pics is good.
And I found it hard to believe I have 4 pics (sorry 3 pics can anyone remove these things without bending the pins because they only bend so many times before they break) that are all bad.
Thanks Jerry

[Wayne J]

Have you also reflowed the solder on the two PIC sockets?

[jerryinmich57]

Have you also reflowed the solder on the two PIC sockets?

No I did not yet, because I assumed the jumpers ruled that out.

[Wayne J]

No I did not yet, because I assumed the jumpers ruled that out.

That only rules out the power output pins, not the data input/output between the PICs

[jerryinmich57]

ok thank you wayne I will do that and repost

[jerryinmich57]

Ok I tried to reflow the solder still nothing had to get the show on.
So I will run with a few less channels for the rest of the year.
I think I will order a few extra pics and be ready for next year. People still like the show even with a few less channels.
Thanks again for the input on this problem everyone.
Jerry

[fslopez1950]

I think you have tried every test you can think of but maybe you forgot to check your power supply to the right side of the board which supply voltage to channels 9-16, the one in your yard if it has a separate supply.

[jerryinmich57]

Thanks for the input fslopez1950 but both sides of the board are hooked to the same input power and fuses are good.
In a couple more weeks I will have 10 1/2 months to get it right.
Jerry

[kychristmas]

Thanks for the input fslopez1950 but both sides of the board are hooked to the same input power and fuses are good.
In a couple more weeks I will have 10 1/2 months to get it right.
Jerry

Yeah, it will end up being something easy. I'm sure one of us will be will willing to have you send it to us to fix for you. PM me if you want to go that route.

Kelly

[jerryinmich57]

Thanks for the offer Kelly, We will see what happens right now I am only down 8 channels to 88 so I think I can finish out the year.
As you know it makes a guy feel good to "do it yourself" After we finish the shows for the year I can try swapping a pic from a working board just do not want to risk any more channels for this year.
If I still can't do it after that I may take you up on your offer.
Thanks Jerry

[N7XG]

Hi,

I to am having problems with a SS24 board. Pretty much been through the same process as you are going through.

For this year my mega tree is dark.

next year I will have plenty of good backups.

[jerryinmich57]

Hi,


next year I will have plenty of good backups.

I hear that I am running 6 renss16 boards this year
Next year I will have at least 8 boards even if I stay with 96 channels in my show.
Jerry