Troubleshooting/Solutions: Difference between revisions
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:*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.