Troubleshooting/Solutions: Difference between revisions

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:*Light string not working - '''Remember to plug it in.'''
:*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'''
:*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)'''

Revision as of 22:50, 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)