LEDTRIKS Debugging Problem

[dvanteslaar]

I have completed the LEDTRIKS contoller, Panel and Interface Cable assembly (SEE BELOW). For some reason, I am getting NOTHING out on the LEDTRIKS panel when I run a test sequence in Vixen.

I have checked all the connections and everything is intact. I have grounded the controlling board to pin 18 of the DB25 (as I have an external power supply that has a rated output of 5V 4A SEE BELOW). I have approx. 5.2 volts reading on pin 1 of the chips.

I have read through every post on this site, as well as the LEDTRIKS archive site and have found nothing useful for my specific problem. Any suggestions on a debugging procedure to find out what's going on would be appreciated.

David

[Ronp]

Are you enabling the vixen output. each time you open a sequence.

If you see the previewer running the output is not enabled.

(Also play is the second button The play from here is first)

On the controller you should have a shunt in pin 1 of the board select.

Plugin setup? no changes should be made to the chanel # just make sure you are on the correct port
http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=6404400

[dvanteslaar]

Are you enabling the vixen output. each time you open a sequence.
If you see the previewer running the output is not enabled.

Plugin setup? no changes should be made to the chanel # just make sure you are on the correct port
http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=6404400

OK, when I load a LEDTRIKS sequence, and I change the playback mode from "preview" to "execute", nothing happens. The Playback controls at the top dont seem to function. How do you actually run a sequence to the board?

Also, under LedTriks > Attached Plugins. I enabled the LedTriks Plugin and is displays, under PORT CONFIGURATIONS, "378 Ledtriks". To the very top-right, there is a CHANNELS title ... do I need to do anything with this? Right now, its greyed out.

[Ronp]

once you click play you will not see the sequence run on vixen just on the pannel


http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=6404477

Also the task maniger should show Vixen using 99 % when running a sequence

[dvanteslaar]

once you click play you will not see the sequence run on vixen just on the pannel

When I click play (the second button), nothing happens on the board.

Attached is a picture of my shunt on pin 1 ... is this setup correct?

Also, how do I determine the correct port number? The standard choices under the Ledtriks Plugin for the Parallel Port setup are: STANDARD PORT 1 (0378), STANDARD PORT 2 (0278), and STANDARD PORT 3 (03bc) ... I am using the first setting (although I have tried all three with no results).

When I put a check box in the LedTriks Plugin, the CHANNELS option to the right are pre-filled in with '1 TO 0".

When I press play, the taskmanger IS SHOWING 99%

[Ronp]

That is corect on the board select

vixen is outputing.

port setup
http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=6404491

next Check your wireing

[Ronp]

That laptop has a parellel port?

[dvanteslaar]

That laptop has a parellel port?

LPT1

[Ronp]

we are in the chat if you need something

[dvanteslaar]

Chat ... where is that?

[Ronp]

you should be on the first setting on vixen

[Ronp]

Flash chat top and bottom of the main page

[dvanteslaar]

That laptop has a parellel port?

LPT1

[dvanteslaar]

you should be on the first setting on vixen

First setting ... check.

[JaysonH]

I can't recall and cannot look on my Vixen computer (as it's PS took a dump and blew electrolytic caps on my mobo while I was in Rhode Island) but should that printer port be set to Standard vice ECP? Sorry cant remember for the life of me right now which one it needs to be for Vixen and/or LEDtricks.

[Macrosill]

It appears as though this problem has been remedied. The leds were installed backwards. Let this be a lesson to all, pay close attention to every detail when building a project. You may miss a minute detail that will require the re soldering of over 1500 joints.

[stempile]

Before I started on the big board panel (build 2 of 3 right now), I built a small 4x8 LED matrix on a solder pad proto board. I posted questions to the board about its performance. It used of 32 LEDs and one $1 proto-board, the only real expense was the couple hours it took to make it.

I wanted to make sure the driver boards all worked before spending the time to build the big board. Testing is a good thing that takes time up-front but will save lots of time in the end.

We have all made mistakes and it hurts but you learn from them. Test before your build, test while you build and test test test a lot after you build!

Example Picture (http://www.christmasinshirley.com/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=76)
ms

[dvanteslaar]

Before I started on the big board panel (build 2 of 3 right now), I built a small 4x8 LED matrix on a solder pad proto board. I posted questions to the board about its performance. It used of 32 LEDs and one $1 proto-board, the only real expense was the couple hours it took to make it.

I wanted to make sure the driver boards all worked before spending the time to build the big board. Testing is a good thing that takes time up-front but will save lots of time in the end.

We have all made mistakes and it hurts but you learn from them. Test before your build, test while you build and test test test a lot after you build!

Example Picture (http://www.christmasinshirley.com/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=76)
ms

Matt,

I went to your project webpage and viewed it (or was it a posted thread in the forum - I can't remember) a short time ago; good advice to follow. My mistake was a very easy one to avoid had I read the instructions carefully (and making a smaller prototype is an excellent idea as well) - rookie move on my part!

David

[dvanteslaar]

It appears as though this problem has been remedied. The leds were installed backwards. Let this be a lesson to all, pay close attention to every detail when building a project. You may miss a minute detail that will require the re soldering of over 1500 joints.

Words to live buy, Brian! Anyone who reviews these posts should yield to the advice within them; mine is a relatively easy mistake to address, but one hell of a time consuming job to correct!

David

[Jeff Millard]

Man Oh Man! Every one backwards! Oh my gosh... I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. I just cringe at the thought of having to re-do all that soldering. What a drag!

Jeff

[dvanteslaar]

Man Oh Man! Every one backwards! Oh my gosh... I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. I just cringe at the thought of having to re-do all that soldering. What a drag!

Jeff

Jeff - truer words were never spoken...I believe it took a little under 60 hours to solder that matrix. Hey - that's ONE mistake I won't be making any time soon! :shock:

[Mudsculpter]

I remember I did that very same thing on my first 595,..... I thought 128 solder joints was bad,.... I don't envy your task.