Troubleshooting/Solutions: Difference between revisions

From doityourselfchristmas.com
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 58: Line 58:
:*Part of display not working - '''Check GFIC'''
:*Part of display not working - '''Check GFIC'''
:*GFCI constantly tripping on wire frame props - '''Add ring of pipe insulation at base to insulate wire frame from ground.'''
:*GFCI constantly tripping on wire frame props - '''Add ring of pipe insulation at base to insulate wire frame from ground.'''
Outside Influence (weather, acts of God, etc.)
:*Wind blowing yard props around - '''Anchor to ground better, reduce surface area of prop if possible.'''
Other
:*Not enough time - '''(no solution offered)'''
:*Dryer fire in house delayed everything - '''Keep a good fire extinguisher handy'''
:*Visitors don't stay for the whole show - '''Run program in a continuous loop, no official "start or stop" time.'''

Revision as of 22:57, 9 February 2010

A survey was taking during the 2009 season of typical types of problems DIY-er encounter and how they solved them. The graph below outlines the general survey topics and frequency of responses:

The problem is stated first; the solution is in bold

Soldering/Construction Problem

  • Ordered wrong part (H11A1) - Ordered proper part (H11AA1)
  • Part soldered in backwards -Remove, resolder properly
  • Confusion on ZC circuit -Helped by DIYC member
  • Newly assembled board not working right - Reflowed connections with hotter iron
  • Cracked resistors -Caused by torquing-down heatsink on SSRez too tightly.
  • Channel not working on controller - Missed soldering a lead


Cabling Problem (wrong pin-out, broken cable, etc.)

  • Cable broke between testing and layout - Replaced cable
  • Lights not coming on with controls - Plug in cat5 cable tighter
  • Cheap 3-outlet extension cords, no contact - Replace
  • Cheap cables with mismatched ends - Replace
  • Cat5 control cable loose - Plug in until it "clicks"
  • Cheap cable crimpers, poor connections - Get better quality crimper
  • Channel not working on SSR - Replaced cat5 connector
  • Poor cat5 connections - Wrong cat5 plug for the kind of wire. Solid vs. stranded makes a difference.
  • Light string not working - Remember to plug it in.
  • Broken cat5 internal cables (wires 6 and 8 out) - Rewired plugs with remaining 6 good wires


Circuit Board Manufacturing Defect

  • Two channels worked when only one should - Checked board traces, removed copper bridge on edge of board


Electrical/Electronic Component Failure/Defective Part/Defective Lights

  • Light string bad - Replace string
  • Lost 4 channels on Grinch - Switch to other working channels
  • Led string not working - Shake/twist string to find bad LED, resoldered LED socket
  • Channel had intermittent flicker - Replaced resistor and opto
  • Channels coming on all by themselves with show not running - Bad batch of triacs; replaced.
  • Dead light string - Replaced string
  • Channel stuck on on SSR - Replaced SSR - borrowed from another DIYC member (it's nice to have a spare)


Computer Hardware/Configuration Problem

  • Parallel port not working with 595 board - Change CMOS setting to EPP mode
  • Controller not working - Wrong plug-in. Changed to correct plugin.
  • Controller not working after changing com port - Forgot to reset baud rate; check all com parameters.
  • Controller not working after changing com port - Forgot to enable Vixen plug-in after changing com port
  • Vixen not responding to sequence - A leftover instance of Vixen.EXE was still running. Killed it with Task Manager.
  • FM Transmitter - distorted sound - Volume on PC sound card was set too high, overdriving the transmitter input


Software Problem

  • Dimming curves not working (Vixen 2.5.0.8) - Created new profile, re-adjusted curves


Electrical Power Problem

  • No lights - Remember to plug it in.
  • Part of display not working - Check GFIC
  • GFCI constantly tripping on wire frame props - Add ring of pipe insulation at base to insulate wire frame from ground.


Outside Influence (weather, acts of God, etc.)

  • Wind blowing yard props around - Anchor to ground better, reduce surface area of prop if possible.


Other

  • Not enough time - (no solution offered)
  • Dryer fire in house delayed everything - Keep a good fire extinguisher handy
  • Visitors don't stay for the whole show - Run program in a continuous loop, no official "start or stop" time.