Ren-W Troubleshooting - Revision history

Dirknerkle: /* RS-485 Patch for Ren-W as a Transmitter at the PC - Pre-version 20100622 only */

2012-07-02T01:21:30Z

RS-485 Patch for Ren-W as a Transmitter at the PC - Pre-version 20100622 only

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:21, 2 July 2012
Line 76:		Line 76:

	== RS-485 Patch for Ren-W as a Transmitter at the PC - Pre-version 20100622 only ==		== RS-485 Patch for Ren-W as a Transmitter at the PC - Pre-version 20100622 only ==
	::NOTE: This patch applies ONLY to Ren-W boards prior to version 20100622, and it does not apply at all to the Rev-6 ~~board~~.		::NOTE: This patch applies ONLY to Ren-W boards prior to version 20100622, and it does not apply at all to the Rev-6 or Rev7 boards.

	:A better and more secure transmitter can be made by using only the -485 signal and allowing the Max232 chip to invert it before sending it to the XBee. The patch has been well-tested and is very easy to make. You probably will need to make the change only to one Ren-W board if you plan to use it as a transmitter direct from your PC instead of using the XBee Explorer board. Here's how:		:A better and more secure transmitter can be made by using only the -485 signal and allowing the Max232 chip to invert it before sending it to the XBee. The patch has been well-tested and is very easy to make. You probably will need to make the change only to one Ren-W board if you plan to use it as a transmitter direct from your PC instead of using the XBee Explorer board. Here's how:

Dirknerkle: /* Construction Mistakes */

2012-07-02T01:20:12Z

Construction Mistakes

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:20, 2 July 2012
Line 13:		Line 13:
	::* The 3.3 voltage regulator (U1) has the metal tab facing up, toward the JP2 header pins. On the Rev-6 board, the metal tab faces to the right, toward the C3 capacitor.		::* The 3.3 voltage regulator (U1) has the metal tab facing up, toward the JP2 header pins. On the Rev-6 board, the metal tab faces to the right, toward the C3 capacitor.
	::* The electrolytic capacitor (C3) has the - stripe facing DOWN toward the LED, which means the + side is up toward the J2 jack.		::* The electrolytic capacitor (C3) has the - stripe facing DOWN toward the LED, which means the + side is up toward the J2 jack.
	::* Capacitors C1, C2 ~~and C3 are needed at the very least and if you find that your Ren-W doesn't work without optional capacitors~~ C4, C5 and C6~~, install them and you'll probably solve your problem. These three additional capacitors do a lot~~ to ~~clean up~~ the ~~RS-232 serial signal output and adding C4~~, C5 and ~~C6 are highly recommended if you encounter inconsistent communication from~~ the ~~Ren-W to your Renard controller~~.		::* Capacitors C1, C2, C4, C5 and C6 are essential to the stability of the MAX232 chip, and C3 is needed to help smooth out the 5vdc power.
	::* If using an electrolytic capacitor for C1, C2, C4, C5 or C6, be sure its polarity is correct~~. The + sides are marked on the board; the opposite side it obviously the - side, which is marked on the capacitor itself~~.		::* If using an electrolytic capacitor for C1, C2, C4, C5 or C6, be sure its polarity is correct.
	::* The LED (D2) while not very clear in this photo, has the kathode (flat side) facing the mounting hole to its right. On the Rev-6 board, the flat side faces to the right, toward the U1 voltage regulator.		::* The LED (D2) while not very clear in this photo, has the kathode (flat side) facing the mounting hole to its right. On the Rev-6 board, the flat side faces to the right, toward the U1 voltage regulator.
	::* Resistor R1 (33 ohms) is immediately below the MAX232 chip. The resistor has no polarity concerns.		::* Resistor R1 (33 ohms) is immediately below the MAX232 chip. The resistor has no polarity concerns.

Dirknerkle: /* Renard/XBee Timing Issue and Channels 57-64 */

2012-04-24T00:50:40Z

Renard/XBee Timing Issue and Channels 57-64

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:50, 24 April 2012
Line 142:		Line 142:
	:::* Write the settings to the radio.		:::* Write the settings to the radio.
	:::* Make sure Vixen's com settings for the Renard plug-in is set to MARK parity and 2 stop bits also.		:::* Make sure Vixen's com settings for the Renard plug-in is set to MARK parity and 2 stop bits also.


			== What if I can't Figure It Out? ==
			You can always send your Ren-W boards to Dirknerkle -- he'll be glad to check them out and fix whatever needs fixing. If you need to do this, just PM the dirk sometime for his address. Oh, and you'll want to send the XBee modules too, because he'll want to check everything out and test it. You'll get them back in perfect working order and his turnaround is super-fast.

Dirknerkle: /* RS-485 Patch for Ren-W as a Transmitter at the PC */

2012-04-24T00:30:13Z

RS-485 Patch for Ren-W as a Transmitter at the PC

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:30, 24 April 2012
Line 75:		Line 75:
	::* Using 57600, 8 bits, Mark parity and 2 stop bits for daisy-chained Ren-W/controllers. Use 57,600, 8, N, 1 instead.		::* Using 57600, 8 bits, Mark parity and 2 stop bits for daisy-chained Ren-W/controllers. Use 57,600, 8, N, 1 instead.

	== RS-485 Patch for Ren-W as a Transmitter at the PC ==		== RS-485 Patch for Ren-W as a Transmitter at the PC - Pre-version 20100622 only ==
	::NOTE: This patch applies ONLY to Ren-W boards prior to version 20100622, and it does not apply at all to the Rev-6 board.		::NOTE: This patch applies ONLY to Ren-W boards prior to version 20100622, and it does not apply at all to the Rev-6 board.

Dirknerkle: /* RS-485 Patch for Ren-W as a Transmitter at the PC */

2012-04-24T00:29:35Z

RS-485 Patch for Ren-W as a Transmitter at the PC

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:29, 24 April 2012
Line 76:		Line 76:

	== RS-485 Patch for Ren-W as a Transmitter at the PC ==		== RS-485 Patch for Ren-W as a Transmitter at the PC ==
	:::NOTE: This patch ~~does not apply~~ to Ren-W ~~SMA~~ boards version 20100622 or the Rev-6 board.		::NOTE: This patch applies ONLY to Ren-W boards prior to version 20100622, and it does not apply at all to the Rev-6 board.

	:A better and more secure transmitter can be made by using only the -485 signal and allowing the Max232 chip to invert it before sending it to the XBee. The patch has been well-tested and is very easy to make. You probably will need to make the change only to one Ren-W board if you plan to use it as a transmitter direct from your PC instead of using the XBee Explorer board. Here's how:		:A better and more secure transmitter can be made by using only the -485 signal and allowing the Max232 chip to invert it before sending it to the XBee. The patch has been well-tested and is very easy to make. You probably will need to make the change only to one Ren-W board if you plan to use it as a transmitter direct from your PC instead of using the XBee Explorer board. Here's how:

Dirknerkle: /* Construction Mistakes */

2012-04-24T00:27:26Z

Construction Mistakes

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:27, 24 April 2012
Line 8:		Line 8:
	== Construction Mistakes ==		== Construction Mistakes ==

	: Be certain that the following components are mounted on the board properly:		: The Ren-W board was designed for home-etching and thus has very generous traces and solder pads. Be certain that the following components are mounted on the board properly:
	::* The notch on the MAX232 chip faces to the right, toward the U1 voltage regulator.		::* The notch on the MAX232 chip faces to the right, toward the U1 voltage regulator.
	::* The zener diode (D1) has the black stripe on the TOP, next to the JP6 header pins. On the Rev-6 board the diode stripe is on the BOTTOM.		::* The zener diode (D1) has the black stripe on the TOP, next to the JP6 header pins. On the Rev-6 board the diode stripe is on the BOTTOM.

Dirknerkle: /* Construction Mistakes */

2012-04-24T00:26:11Z

Construction Mistakes

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:26, 24 April 2012
Line 13:		Line 13:
	::* The 3.3 voltage regulator (U1) has the metal tab facing up, toward the JP2 header pins. On the Rev-6 board, the metal tab faces to the right, toward the C3 capacitor.		::* The 3.3 voltage regulator (U1) has the metal tab facing up, toward the JP2 header pins. On the Rev-6 board, the metal tab faces to the right, toward the C3 capacitor.
	::* The electrolytic capacitor (C3) has the - stripe facing DOWN toward the LED, which means the + side is up toward the J2 jack.		::* The electrolytic capacitor (C3) has the - stripe facing DOWN toward the LED, which means the + side is up toward the J2 jack.
	::* Capacitors C1, C2 and C3 are needed at the very least and you ~~may~~ find that your Ren-W ~~works fine~~ without optional capacitors C4, C5 and C6. ~~However, these~~ three additional capacitors do a lot to clean up the RS-232 serial signal output and adding C4, C5 and C6 are highly recommended if you encounter inconsistent communication from the Ren-W to your Renard controller.		::* Capacitors C1, C2 and C3 are needed at the very least and if you find that your Ren-W doesn't work without optional capacitors C4, C5 and C6, install them and you'll probably solve your problem. These three additional capacitors do a lot to clean up the RS-232 serial signal output and adding C4, C5 and C6 are highly recommended if you encounter inconsistent communication from the Ren-W to your Renard controller.
	::* If using an electrolytic capacitor for C1, C2, C4, C5 or C6, be sure its polarity is correct. The + sides are marked on the board; the opposite side it obviously the - side, which is marked on the capacitor itself.		::* If using an electrolytic capacitor for C1, C2, C4, C5 or C6, be sure its polarity is correct. The + sides are marked on the board; the opposite side it obviously the - side, which is marked on the capacitor itself.
	::* The LED (D2) while not very clear in this photo, has the kathode (flat side) facing the mounting hole to its right. On the Rev-6 board, the flat side faces to the right, toward the U1 voltage regulator.		::* The LED (D2) while not very clear in this photo, has the kathode (flat side) facing the mounting hole to its right. On the Rev-6 board, the flat side faces to the right, toward the U1 voltage regulator.

Dirknerkle: /* Cabling Mistakes */

2011-10-23T23:59:35Z

Cabling Mistakes

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:59, 23 October 2011
Line 34:		Line 34:
	::* When connecting a Ren-W directly to a computer's -485 output to be a "transmit only" unit, remember that the Ren-W takes input only on pin 4 of J1 connector and ground is made on pins 1-2. You may need to make a special cable by connecting -485 to pin 4 before plugging it into J1 of the Ren-W. Ren-W does not use pin 5.		::* When connecting a Ren-W directly to a computer's -485 output to be a "transmit only" unit, remember that the Ren-W takes input only on pin 4 of J1 connector and ground is made on pins 1-2. You may need to make a special cable by connecting -485 to pin 4 before plugging it into J1 of the Ren-W. Ren-W does not use pin 5.
	::* If the Ren-W locks up unexpectedly when connected to a PC in transmit only mode and only unplugging power temporarily restores operations, check the input voltage of the RS-485 line connecting into J1 of the Ren-W; it should be the -485 line.		::* If the Ren-W locks up unexpectedly when connected to a PC in transmit only mode and only unplugging power temporarily restores operations, check the input voltage of the RS-485 line connecting into J1 of the Ren-W; it should be the -485 line.
			::* The Rev-6 version of the Ren-W board requires that JP2 on an SS8, SS16 or SS24 sontroller be open and not shunted. This is because Rev-6 has only one RJ45 jack, and it uses a different physical connection point to the SS board. (JP2 is the termination resistor on an SS controller)

	== Interaction With other Wi-Fi Devices ==		== Interaction With other Wi-Fi Devices ==

Dirknerkle: /* Other Easy Mistakes */

2011-07-17T20:44:13Z

Other Easy Mistakes

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:44, 17 July 2011
Line 72:		Line 72:
	::* Unplugging or plugging-in an XBee module while the Ren-W board is powered up. This can adversely affect and XBee module, and it's just good practice to remove power from it before unplugging anything.		::* Unplugging or plugging-in an XBee module while the Ren-W board is powered up. This can adversely affect and XBee module, and it's just good practice to remove power from it before unplugging anything.
	::* Resetting an XBee module back to its default specs (an option in the XCTU software) but forgetting to reset the baud rate back to 57600 before putting it back in a Ren-W socket.		::* Resetting an XBee module back to its default specs (an option in the XCTU software) but forgetting to reset the baud rate back to 57600 before putting it back in a Ren-W socket.
			::* Using 57600, 8 bits, Mark parity and 2 stop bits for daisy-chained Ren-W/controllers. Use 57,600, 8, N, 1 instead.

	== RS-485 Patch for Ren-W as a Transmitter at the PC ==		== RS-485 Patch for Ren-W as a Transmitter at the PC ==

Ravinglunatic: /* Renard/XBee Timing Issue and Channels 57-64 */

2011-01-29T05:00:21Z

Renard/XBee Timing Issue and Channels 57-64

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:00, 29 January 2011
Line 155:		Line 155:
	*[http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8102 Ren-W Topic on the DIYC Forums]		*[http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8102 Ren-W Topic on the DIYC Forums]

	~~[[Category:Renard]]~~

	[[Category:Ren-W]]		[[Category:Ren-W]]
			[[Category:DIYC Index]]