Where did I go wrong?

[Sparkey]

Hi folks, I'm sorry to bother you but I can't get my Grinch to work.
I tried everything I could think of before I posted this so here is what I did.

Nothing works, except for the power light that is.
My Grinch looks just like it came out of the Christmaswiki page.
I am POSITIVE I have correct positions on the IC sockets & chips.

I double checked my DB25 to RJ45 cable with a meter:
01-->5 02-->8 14-->7 24-->3 where --> is DB25-->RJ45

My power is 4.97VDC, meter verified, from my computer power supply
(molex --> grinch) to J2.
First time I had it reversed, it is now correct and power light comes on.

I built the little 4 LED tester (http://computerchristmas.com/christm..._Renard_boards).

I set up Vixen for: 64 channels Olsen 595 Parallel port 1, and sequence preview ch 1-64.
Then setup lines 1-12 with just 5 second bars (on 5 off 5).

I ran it with only U1 installed, I swapped 4 different chips in U1 no lights.
I'm using Allegro chips, FYI.

Finally I used toodle pipsky's file on: Grinch Troubleshooting/Measurements/Testing,
I set up Vixen for: 64 channels Olsen 595 Parallel port 1, and sequence preview ch 1-64.
I programmed all channels on 5 sec off 5 sec for a 3 min run time and got the following:

POWER IN TEST==
via J2 = 4.97vdc

DATA IN TEST (JUST ON) Vs. WHILE RUNNING VIXEN==
1= (3.35) vs. 3.35
2= (.03) vs. .03
3= (GND) vs. GND
4= (.03) vs. .03
5= (.03) vs. .03
6= (.03) vs. .03
7= (.03) vs. .03
8= (.03) vs. FLUX UP TO 3.39vdc

THE IC TEST==
01 = GND pin
01 --> 24 = 4.97
01 --> 22 = FLUX VOLTS
01 --> ALL OTHERS = 0vcd


Any suggestions on where I went wrong?

[RavingLunatic]

I ran it with only U1 installed, I swapped 4 different chips in U1 no lights.
I'm using Allegro chips, FYI.


Are these the same chips that were in when you first applied power backwards? (hint hint)
If I remember correctly, you said they got hot the first time you attempted to apply power.

You could drop your VDC a little by putting a diode in-line, since 70% of 4.97 is 3.48 which is higher than what you were reading as your peak on the data line.

[knguyen220]

I had problems with mine as well, but was able to fix it.

Couple things I did.

1 - Redid a new cable (found out later both cables were good, but I did it to make sure the cable was correct)

2 - I actually did what you did a put the hot on the wrong pin of J2 and in turn one of my ICs got really hot. I replaced the IC that got really hot and determine that one of the IC went bad because of me placing my power incorrectly.

3 - Not sure if you did this however make sure you set your EVENT PERIOD to 25 ms, check parallel port 1 is set to 1 to 64 for range.

4 - I didn't use a diode for mine because my VDC was 5.09 with Allegro as my ICs, but try using the power source from your "Y" spliter cable instead using Pin 1 of the cat5 cable and putting a shunt on J1

5 - is there a shunt on J1? There shouldn't be if your using J2 as power source.

dunno what else. Sorry if I coudlnt help


Hi folks, I'm sorry to bother you but I can't get my Grinch to work.
I tried everything I could think of before I posted this so here is what I did.

Nothing works, except for the power light that is.
My Grinch looks just like it came out of the Christmaswiki page.
I am POSITIVE I have correct positions on the IC sockets & chips.

I double checked my DB25 to RJ45 cable with a meter:
01-->5 02-->8 14-->7 24-->3 where --> is DB25-->RJ45

My power is 4.97VDC, meter verified, from my computer power supply
(molex --> grinch) to J2.
First time I had it reversed, it is now correct and power light comes on.

I built the little 4 LED tester (http://computerchristmas.com/christm..._Renard_boards).

I set up Vixen for: 64 channels Olsen 595 Parallel port 1, and sequence preview ch 1-64.
Then setup lines 1-12 with just 5 second bars (on 5 off 5).

I ran it with only U1 installed, I swapped 4 different chips in U1 no lights.
I'm using Allegro chips, FYI.

Finally I used toodle pipsky's file on: Grinch Troubleshooting/Measurements/Testing,
I set up Vixen for: 64 channels Olsen 595 Parallel port 1, and sequence preview ch 1-64.
I programmed all channels on 5 sec off 5 sec for a 3 min run time and got the following:

POWER IN TEST==
via J2 = 4.97vdc

DATA IN TEST (JUST ON) Vs. WHILE RUNNING VIXEN==
1= (3.35) vs. 3.35
2= (.03) vs. .03
3= (GND) vs. GND
4= (.03) vs. .03
5= (.03) vs. .03
6= (.03) vs. .03
7= (.03) vs. .03
8= (.03) vs. FLUX UP TO 3.39vdc

THE IC TEST==
01 = GND pin
01 --> 24 = 4.97
01 --> 22 = FLUX VOLTS
01 --> ALL OTHERS = 0vcd


Any suggestions on where I went wrong?

[dnesci]

Are these the same chips that were in when you first applied power backwards? (hint hint)
If I remember correctly, you said they got hot the first time you attempted to apply power.


I agree with RL, when I reversed the connections and the Allegros got hot, they were already fired. You must replace the chips. The "hot" was the clue that the chips were already "toast". You can't test with them.

[toodle_pipsky]

The guys have pointed out you've fried stuff - welcome to the club! ;) I've fried a whooooole bunch of stuff.

Good news, you picked up your problem and know what you did. I'd say you've only fried the IC you had in while you the power mixed up. So if you can still identify that one/s, don't chuck it, just mark it or set it aside. You can test it when you get the Grinch going just in case it is still ok.

Still no expert, but it seems weird you're getting readings on all the pins (except ground). I guess that might be explained by a sensitive multimeter . . .? I know you said you've checked and double checked your data cable and adaptor, but part of what I did was go "yeah yeah I've checked all that" and found that yeah I'd done it right based on the wrong assumption. One of the best bits of advice I got was to make a Cat5 cable test length. Just a plug on one and strip the wires at the other, that way you can plug it in to anything and match pins using the resistance on the multimeter. Getting a reaction on the resistance means you've matched cables.

Another helpful tid-bit was looking at the pinout diagrams on the wiki http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Pinouts and that's how I found out I was assuming the pins all wrong. It was kinda like finding the key to the pinout diagrams on the Grinch wiki page. Took me a couple of tries, but I got it right in the end even though I thought I had it right in the first place.

Boy that was long! Hope it helps.

[Sparkey]

Poo
Or as Pooh would say: Oh bother.
Looks like I need to see if Allegro will send me another sample, sigh.
Thanks to all for your comments, I'll be back when I can do another test.
(After I get new chips and when I get back from a trip.)

PS:: RavingLunatic, What kind of "diode in-line" and for what? I understood the
data line signle would be strobing too fast for an actual reading.

[knguyen220]

Poo
Or as Pooh would say: Oh bother.
Looks like I need to see if Allegro will send me another sample, sigh.
Thanks to all for your comments, I'll be back when I can do another test.
(After I get new chips and when I get back from a trip.)

PS:: RavingLunatic, What kind of "diode in-line" and for what? I understood the
data line signle would be strobing too fast for an actual reading.

This was what Toodle Pipsky recommended for me as well she provided a diagram

http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?topic=410.msg4028#msg4028

[Sparkey]

08.24.2008
Well, here we go again!

I'm back from my trip and the new chips were in the post so.....

The power light does come on, and I get 4.98vdc at the pins of J2.

I triple checked my DB25 to RJ45 cable with a meter (Ohms):
01 --> 5 02 --> 8 14 --> 7 24 --> 3 where DB25 --> RJ45

My power is 4.98VDC, meter verified, from my computer power supply (molex --> grinch) to J2.

I set up Vixen for: 64 channels Olsen 595 Parallel port 1, and sequence preview ch 1-64.
Then setup lines 1-64 with just 5 second bars (on 5 off 5).

I ran it with only U1 installed, I'm using Allegro chips.
I have a brand new unused set of 6 ICs.

{IC Socket notch faces the 2 end [IN/OUT] RJ45 sockets, IC notch = same.}

Finally I used toodle pipsky's file on: Grinch Troubleshooting/Measurements/Testing,
I set up Vixen for: 64 channels Olsen 595 Parallel port 1, and sequence preview ch 1-64.
I programmed all channels on 5 sec off 5 sec for a 3 min run time and got the following:

POWER IN TEST==
via J2 = 5vdc

RJ45 "IN" TEST==
DATA IN TEST (JUST ON) Vs. WHILE RUNNING VIXEN
1= 0.00 vs. 0.00
2= 0.00 vs. 0.00
3= GND vs. GND
4= 0.00 vs. 0.00
5= 0.03 vs. 0.04 fluxing
6= 0.00 vs. 0.00
7= 0.03 vs. 0.04 fluxing
8= 0.03 vs. FLUX UP TO 3.39

THE IC TEST==
Pin 01 = GND
Power test between IC pins 01 & 24 = 4.98vdc.

METER READING LIGHTS OFF / LIGHTS ON
01 to 05 = -0.00 / -0.43
01 to 06 = -0.16 / -0.43
01 to 07 = 0.00 / -0.39
01 to 08 = 0.00 / -0.15
01 to 09 to 20 = 0.00 / 0.00

LIGHTS OFF = vixen should have the ligts off
LIGHTS ON = vixen should have the ligts on

And the LED tester still does not work.

All comments are welcome!!
Thanks.

[toodle_pipsky]

It's only in "beta test" form I think - but the info is still great and RL's done a great job at being methodical.

http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?p=36395#post363958 Check this thread for the PDF version of the Grinch Troubleshooting page he's working on.

[Sparkey]

Well, it has been several weeks now with no luck. My "Grinch" is a grinch and will not run. Anyone need some parts or a paper weight cheap? I'm so very frustrated with this project that I have decided to dump it altogether. I have a different 8 channel parallel board that runs just fine, with vixen or by program, and yet the grinch is dead in the water.

Thank you to all, and I really do mean it, who tried to help. This is a wonderful forum and I have found it VERY interesting.

Best of luck to all.
Sparkey.

[gizmo]

ment to post but i PM look in you box
scott

[toodle_pipsky]

Oh that's not good to give up! I'm sure it's just something mind-bogglingly simple (I know mine was and just about every happy ending on any board troubleshoot).

If you haven't seen/tried the finished version of the Grinch Troublshoot in the wiki - go have a look . . . even again. (I think the link I provided earlier has the pdf beta version removed). There are very few parts on this fab little board that can screw up, even counting user made variables (like adaptors and cables). So while it may not seem like it, you will find the problem if you stick at it.

Not to be too forward, but if you've got an offer to help troubleshoot from mr gizmo - take him up on it! Don't quit now, it's so close to Christmas!

Good Luck! :grin:

[gizmo]

Oh that's not good to give up! I'm sure it's just something mind-bogglingly simple (I know mine was and just about every happy ending on any board troubleshoot).

If you haven't seen/tried the finished version of the Grinch Troublshoot in the wiki - go have a look . . . even again. (I think the link I provided earlier has the pdf beta version removed). There are very few parts on this fab little board that can screw up, even counting user made variables (like adaptors and cables). So while it may not seem like it, you will find the problem if you stick at it.

Not to be too forward, but if you've got an offer to help troubleshoot from mr gizmo - take him up on it! Don't quit now, it's so close to Christmas!

Good Luck! :grin:

MR. gizmo how formal

[Aurbo99]

Quickly reading through this thread it struck me that it appears the LPT port in the computer BIOS may not be set correctly..

Just checking to see if you've explored that area.

If you use a Laptop, some EPP and ECP settings are slightly different depending on the brand.

Try changing those around to see if it helps. write down your original settings though..

[TERBObob]

Ok .. maybe someone else can help with this part .
I noticed that he set up using plug in OLSEN 595 ... shouldn't he be using BASIC 595 ? or SIMPLE 595 ? Rather than OLSEN ? ( again , not sure if this matters or not )

[Aurbo99]

My Grinch configuration is as follows;

LPT port on EPP 1.7 only in Bios

Olsen595 on the Grinch, all 64 channels assigned (did you assign your channels?)

5vdc

cable from computer to Grinch is 10inches