Ren48lsd don't working

**rogerv** · 12-11-2011, 03:50 PM

Well now that I have all my lights out and tested (with ren-c and grinch) it's the time for ren48lsd and the rainbows, its the first year that I use them and I can't get the ren48 working. The rainbows are ok because I tested them applying 12v to the conector and all of them where ok. The ren48 don't works, I followed the troubleshoting and I think that the problem is with comunication. I have the clock ok and the soldering seems to be ok so I think that the problem is with reciveing data. The problem can be the stop bits? With ren-c I have 1 stop bit and with my computer I cant setup 0 stop bits and in the troubleshoting guide says to setup with 0 stop bits.

**budude** · 12-12-2011, 01:18 PM

The Ren48LSD has exactly the same comm interface as the RenSS boards - the same wire/settings will work for both. Have you confirmed programming of the PIC - many that were shipped were corrupt.

**rogerv** · 12-12-2011, 02:28 PM

the PIC of the grou buy are corrupt? If they are, how can I know it?

**michaelc** · 12-12-2011, 02:30 PM

I'm having similar response from a previously working REN48lsd. Confirmed all the voltages on the 485 and the PICs. Confirmed the Pin 2/14 voltage at about 2.5V. Confirmed I have good signal coming into the board. Confirmed the strips work if I jumper the pins on the PIC. Confirmed that all PICS are programmed correctly. Confirmed continuity between PINS 5/6 for each chip and the previous one. Still no response on the superstrips.

**rjchu** · 12-12-2011, 02:32 PM

If you have another, working, Ren48 you can swap them to see if one PIC is bad. Aside from that, since there are slight firmware config changes between the Ren48's and other Renard boards I don't think they're interchangeable. The best thing to do is just reflash them.

Thanks,

-joni-

Originally Posted by rogerv

the PIC of the grou buy are corrupt? If they are, how can I know it?

**rogerv** · 12-12-2011, 02:34 PM

I don't have PIC programer

What can I do?

**rjchu** · 12-12-2011, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by rogerv

I don't have PIC programer

What can I do?

Ok...well, there are 6 PIC's on a Ren48, try rotating each of them into the first, U1, position and running your test. If the issue is corruption then hopefully at least one of them is good and you'll be able to run the test successfully to determine that.

As a side note, and I know this doesn't help you now, a PICKit2 isn't too expensive (compared to the rest of the hardware we all tend to buy as part of the DIYC lifestyle) and can really be helpful. It's saved me a number of times when PIC's become corrupt or otherwise lose their programming.

-joni-

**michaelc** · 12-12-2011, 02:45 PM

It's not so much that the PIC's are 'bad' the problem is we believe that some screening process at the mail centers might corrupt the programming and they need toe re-flashed. Unless you can find someone locally who can help you flash them, it might be easier to just by a PIC programmer. I picked one up last winter after suffering the same frustration as you are. They are relatively cheap and very easy to use. Most folks on here use the PICKIT2 or PICKIT3. I bought this:
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...9LqtxwbwB9r913
It's about $50 bucks and it's worth every penny.

**michaelc** · 12-12-2011, 02:47 PM

It also allows you to change starting addresses if you use the boards in DMX mode. If you are going down the RENARD route there are several items you should keep stock of for spares: PICS, RS485 Chips, Oscillators, Transistors.

**rogerv** · 12-12-2011, 03:01 PM

I'm browsing the internet looking for a DIY programer and I only find programmers for pics of 8 and 18 pins. I think that will be better to buy one build, so I don't want to buy more at mouser for the moment because I pay 25€ for shiping. Other websites with a good price?