REN 64 Help

**Charles V** · 02-23-2008, 08:52 PM

I am having some difficulty getting my REN64 to work. I have verified that mine is built correctly and the jumpers are set right. I am using the RENt for the RS232 conversion and feeding the REN64 board with a computer power supply. I am using a known good SSR.
I get channel 3 on constantly, Channel 1 is on at about 50% but gets brighter when I slide the channel test slider. Channel 4 flickers on when I slide the slider in the channel test window and goes off when I stop moving the slider, doesn' matter if I selecte all or none.
No other channels are on or flicker.
Any idea where to look for the problem.
I built the board without LED's and using non-PMW firmware. I have set the laptop com port to the correct settings and matched them in vixen.

**Wayne J** · 02-23-2008, 10:40 PM

check all the solder joints, make sure you haven't missed one. (easier to do than you would think. )

**Macrosill** · 02-24-2008, 10:55 AM

Any chance you could take a pic of both boards so we may visually see them. Its a nice place to start the troubleshooting. Otherwise we are just taking a shot in the dark.

**Elmo2resc** · 02-26-2008, 01:42 AM

I agree with the two posts above. The solder joints can sometimes be difficult to see even under a magnifying glass. Pictures would help to see if something was placed wrong or missing. Jerome

**Charles V** · 02-27-2008, 11:22 PM

I compared my boards with pictures of a known good REN64. All parts were in correctly.
I did find one small solder bridge, no change in behavior once removed.

Out of despiration I pulled all PICs and put them back in different sockets. I found no bent pins but did get it to come to life, sorta.

I can get the lights to come on using the channel test and run a simple sequence but it seems to get confused. The first time you click select all, all lights come on, but it may take 2-3 clicks to get them to go off and then several more select all clicks to get them to come one. The slider produces a choppy dim. I don't have alot of knowledge but looks like some sort of timing issue.

Does any of this sound familiar? Could my PICS have been corrupted and need reflashing?

I have another board which I intend to build in March, we will see if I get the same results with new pics when I get that one built. I feel confident my REN-t is working properly.

oh, btw I am using a USB to 232 converter into the REN-t

thanks
Charles

**Macrosill** · 02-28-2008, 09:12 AM

If you swapped out the pics and the behavior changed then that would lead me down the road of re-flashing the pics. Have you also checked your data cables? There could also be an issue with the Ren-T sice the data passes through it.

**Charles V** · 03-04-2008, 04:45 PM

Is there anyone who would re-flash my chips for me?

**RavingLunatic** · 03-04-2008, 04:57 PM

If you can't find someone closer to you, I can do it.

I would suggest that if you are gonna send out your chips, you might as well send the board also. That way it can be checked out when the chips get re-flashed to make sure it all works together. Also would get a second set of eyes on the Ren64 to see why it might not be working.

PM me if you need my services.

**Wayne J** · 03-04-2008, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by RavingLunatic

If you can't find someone closer to you, I can do it.

I would suggest that if you are gonna send out your chips, you might as well send the board also. That way it can be checked out when the chips get re-flashed to make sure it all works together. Also would get a second set of eyes on the Ren64 to see why it might not be working.

PM me if you need my services.

Same here, I will be glad to help also. PM if you need.

**Charles V** · 03-20-2008, 08:53 PM

I would like to thank John for his help. As suspected I had two blown PIC's, probably happened when I applied power incorrectly.
Good News, The Ren64 is working great!
Bad News, one more left to build, it never ends.....

Thanks RavingLunatic