First RenSS16 Built but not working - Help!

[ncc1701mda]

I have completed the build on the first of four RenSS16 boards and everything seemed fine running through the beginner's setup guide (all test steps worked, LEDs lit when expected etc) up to the point where I progammed and installed the PICs. I started with the normal firmware compiled for PWM, connected it to my USB DMX Pro clone (RPM's) and ran a Vixen test sequence... Nothing. No LEDs blinking at all on the board. So I removed U6 and replaced it with a PIC programmed with the diagnostics firmware that uses an external osciallator - nothing. Reprogrammed the PIC with the internal oscillator firmware... thing. I put a logic probe on the clock input to the PIC and it is pulsing, same with the ZC signal. I don't have a scope to check signals with... I also replaced U2 as recommended in the troubleshooting guide - still dead. Any ideas on how to go about getting this working?

Mike

[Wayne J]

Have you tried it straight from a serial port, not using the USB DMX?

[ncc1701mda]

Does the diagnostic firmware require a connection to a data source? I thought it would run on its own.

Mike

[budude]

You have to use the DMX code, not the Renard standard/diag code if using RPM's dongle. In addition - the pinout from the dongle to the RenardSS connector is not 1-to-1.

The dongle uses pins 1&2 for data and 7&8 for ground, the Renard uses pins 4&5 for data and 1&2 for ground. So something like this:

Dongle -> Renard
1 -> 4 (or 5) - Data A (or B)
2 -> 5 (or 4) - Data B (or A)
7&8 -> 1&2 - Ground

Sorry - I don't remember which is which with Data A/B on the Dongle - just swap the two pins around if it doesn't work. I can check when I get home as I have it running as we speak for my new project.

[ncc1701mda]

The cable I built to connect RPM's USB-DMX does have the 1 to 4, 2 to 5 and grounds connected - verified that with an ohm meter. With the diag code nothing else is connected though - or is it supposed to be?

Mike

[budude]

I looked over a previous post I had and 1->4, 2->5 was for LOR which is backwards from Renard so I'm thinking it should be 1->5, 2->4 - easy enough to check.

You might try the beta-diag code - with nothing connected it will run through all your channels one-by-one (see the Wiki for details).

[ncc1701mda]

Tried the beta diag code - no controller connected to serial or dmx - same thing - light string connected to channel 1 comes on as soon as power is turned on and never goes off - no HB - ZC - SD - FE - OE LEDs blinking. When running the diag code am I supposed to remove the second PIC (U7)? Edit> Removed the second pic - no change

Mike

[stenersonj]

im sure you didn't do this but- when i tested mine for the first time i got what sounds like the same results. i had forgotten to put the jumpers on the board. i put them on and it worked great.

[RavingLunatic]

Originally Posted by ncc1701mda

Tried the beta diag code - no controller connected to serial or dmx - same thing - light string connected to channel 1 comes on as soon as power is turned on and never goes off - no HB - ZC - SD - FE - OE LEDs blinking. When running the diag code am I supposed to remove the second PIC (U7)? Edit> Removed the second pic - no change

Mike

Did the manual test of the LEDs/lights in the Beginner's Guide work?

Have you tried running the Beta code with the internal oscillator instead of the external?

In case you don't know how, change these lines:

__CONFIG _FCMEN_OFF & _IESO_OFF & _BOD_OFF & _CPD_OFF & _CP_OFF & _MCLRE_OFF & _PWRTE_ON & _WDT_OFF & _EC_OSC
;; __CONFIG _FCMEN_OFF & _IESO_OFF & _BOD_OFF & _CPD_OFF & _CP_OFF & _MCLRE_OFF & _PWRTE_ON & _WDT_OFF & _INTOSCIO

to

;; __CONFIG _FCMEN_OFF & _IESO_OFF & _BOD_OFF & _CPD_OFF & _CP_OFF & _MCLRE_OFF & _PWRTE_ON & _WDT_OFF & _EC_OSC
__CONFIG _FCMEN_OFF & _IESO_OFF & _BOD_OFF & _CPD_OFF & _CP_OFF & _MCLRE_OFF & _PWRTE_ON & _WDT_OFF & _INTOSCIO

[budude]

OK - sorry - have to ask - is the PIC plugged in the right direction?...

I would check all around your Oscillator - make sure all the connections are good on that as well as to pin 2 on at least the first PIC. If nothing obvious, then a good check of all solder joints would be in order around the PICs. Check the voltage output of the regulator (3rd pin when looking straight at it) for 5v.

edit - also check pin 4 on the PIC (ZC in) - make sure it is not at 0v...