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RavingLunatic
10-06-2007, 12:51 PM
Finally got my first Renard64 and Ren-T assembled and PICs programmed. I was ready to see some blink/flashy on the Renard64 leds but when I ran a test sequence nothing happened.

I tried these firmware files but they all had same result:

renard-pwm-20070430.asm
renard-20070812.asm
renard-20070907.asm

On U10, I see the zero cross on pin 4, Oscillator on pin 2 and data coming in on pin 5 but I don't see any data going out pin 6 it is just a HIGH (I pulled the chips and it isn't shorted to anything expect pin 5 on the next chip). All of the triac driver signals are also HIGH.

I loaded up diag firmware (ren-diag-20070815a.asm) and see this:

Channel 1 - always on
Channel 2 - blinking (heartbeat signal so should be a good thing)
Channel 3 - always on
Channel 4 - always off
Channel 5 - blinking (zero-cross detect, so should also be a good thing)
Channel 6 - always on when receiving sequence data
Channel 7 - always on when receiving sequence data
Channel 8 - always off

This looks to indicate a problem with my serial data (correct?). My original Ren-T setup was to convert to RS485 and send to Renard64. I also tried just passing the RS232 thru the Ren-T but still got the same results.

I have the Renard plug-in setup as COM1/57600/N/8/1 and also have the COM1 setup the same in the device manager.

I can get the Channel 7 to go off and stay off if the COM1 is set to 19200 but it still won't run normally.

On the oscilloscope, the RS232 goes from +10VDC to -10VDC and the RS485 goes from +5VDC to 0VDC. When no data is being sent the RS485 remains HIGH.

Ok, that should about cover everything. Let the assistance begin!

Oh yeah, more tidbits:
Yes, I am running the Renard64 with an external power supply and trying to use the PWM firmware.

It does the same thing with VIXEN 1.1.11 and Beta 2.

P. Short
10-06-2007, 01:06 PM
Channel 7 on when running diagnostics indicates a framing error...not good. Framing errors indicate some sort of problem with communications that will prevent the controller from working (or make operation erratic).

Possible causes are incorrect baud rate, swapped data signals (not likely in this case, since you seem to be saying that the output of the RS485 chip stays high when the PIC is not transmitting), possibly ground or cable problems.

--

Phil

Wayne J
10-06-2007, 01:08 PM
Just to add to the information above, I see you are using the PWM firmware, how are you powering the Ren64?

RavingLunatic
10-06-2007, 02:26 PM
Man I hate it when it is something small that I overlooked. :oops:

Both of you had a piece of the puzzle. I am using an external power supply running the Renard64 and I didn't make sure that I had a common ground with the Ren-T.

Ran a quick jumper from the power supply ground to ground on the Ren-T and now it is working. :D

I just need to remember that when I make the final setup.

Thanks guys!!

Wayne J
10-06-2007, 02:35 PM
Cool, glad you got it. Now you know what that means...... VIDEO! :P