Master card inoperative

[737NUT]

I have 2 mastercards i built from kits, when i plug them into my usb expansion card and run the controlador software, all inputs from 000 to 070 show active. I have double checked for shorts, bad solder joints, and anything out of normal. All on both look good. Any ideas?

[deering]

Hello..there.

What's the status of the USB card on the Controlador panel: "USB not found" or "IOCardUSB running"?
Your symptoms suggest that the USB card is not being seen.

Jim.

[verticallimit]

Hi
Are all diodes mounted in the correct direction.

[737NUT]

They are mounted per the pictures as their schematic is not standard. The software, USBCk, SIOC, and controlador all see the usb exp. card and it shows USB running. Very frustrating and confusing. I went over all the solder joints again and inspected with a magnifying glass. I'm sure it is something simple since 2 seperate cards are doing the exact same thing.

[Buddym]

Are you applying 5 volts DC to the mastercard? It must be powered and gets power from a 5 VDC source on the 2-pin connector lableled J0.


Buddy

[737NUT]

Yes, also verified each IC is getting 4.98V

[Buddym]

Hi Jim,

I certainly do apologize for asking dumb questions, but as a support engineer it's my nature.... I agree with you that if 2 cards are doing the same thing then it is prob something simple, or at least obvious..but not. When you run the controllador program do the axis pins fluctuate if you touch them with your fingers? If so then this at least verifies that not only does the USB controller in the PC see the USB exp card, but it is actually communicating with it as a USB device. The way USB works it is possible for the PC to detect the USB device connected and not communicate with is.. This is because the USB device is "sensed" by voltage level changes on the D+ and D- pins on the USB interface. Pullup resistor causes the detection.

I suspect that the USB exp card is operating ok, as you would most likely get "unrecognized USB device" if the interface and microprocessor were not connected and operating properly. This leaves us with the connection to the master card(s)..

Is the mastercard connected directly to the SUB exp card, or is a db25 cable being used? if cable then is it a true straight-through cable?

Racking my brain here to try and get a grip on the main symptom... all pins high.... Again, going back to the dumb questions, when you are looking at the controllador program, is the mastercard connected and that's it? Or is a breakout board connected to one or more of the IDC headers on the MC? Do the inputs go inactive if you disconnect the MC from the USB exp card?

Buddy

[737NUT]

Thanks for the help. Yes, the axis inputs change when i touch them with my fingers. No cable used, hooked directly to usb ex. card. No inputs or outputs hooked to anything. INputs go away on software when i disconnect master from usb ex card. Very perplexing and made worse without good schematics.

[737NUT]

Just tried to test the output side of the master card. Hit the ALL-ON button on the controller software, grabbed my Fluke and tested all the pins on the J2 40pin connector. Nothing! All i have is the pin 1 and 2 5vdc as it supposed to. So, i have a serious comm issue here. Im guessing??

[deering]

I've been trying to fathom why inputs 0-70 are active (low) and not input #71. The only way I've been able to reproduce that here is by disconnecting the USB; but, it does seem like your USB is running O.K. You're not likely to have the last diode reversed on both cards.

Jim

[iwik]

Can u give us a photo of both top sides of Master card?.We may be able to see something differnet from our working cards.u could get yourself a Parallel
cable to see if either card will run.However there is no gaurantee that all // ports will work.But it is a possibility if u make no progress.Correct me if im wrong but u said that touching the axis inputs gives u something.Just to be more positive connect a pot to one axis and watch Cotradlor software and when turning the pot the axsis connected should vary 0 to 255.This will tell us for sure that the MC is communicating correctly.
Les
Also check with schematic to make sure correct chips are being used.Seen their kits supplied with incorrect parts.

[737NUT]

Unfortunately i dont have a camera. If u could post up a pic of yours i could compare. All the diodes are in correct per the manual. I verified the orientation of the IC's as well. If i had a 'good' schematic i could trouble shoot it better as i have an o-scope and good fluke meter.

[iwik]

What about verifying the TYPES of chips are correct?Can u connect up a pot to one axis and tell me ur results?.Will take a photo of my one and will post it for u.
Les
Have u tried the outputs yet.Lets see what is and isnt working,may help to localise problem.

[737NUT]

What about verifying the TYPES of chips are correct?Can u connect up a pot to one axis and tell me ur results?.Will take a photo of my one and will post it for u.
Les
Have u tried the outputs yet.Lets see what is and isnt working,may help to localise problem.

I just tried a pot on the USB exp. card axis and it worked perfect. 0 to 255 on the software. I cant get outputs to work either on the master card. I verified the IC part numbers in correct location and orientation.

[737NUT]

Just found this, i have 2 manuals on the mastercard and both are different!! IC1 and IC10 are oriented different. How are yours facing, towards DB9 and DB25 or away?
Thanks,
Rob

[737NUT]

Just hooked up both master cards to usb ex. and controller software shows 000 to 142 active all the time.

[iwik]

hi,
iv attached pics hope this helps.
les

[737NUT]

Thanks for the pic, looks just like mine. Frustrating, as im trying to get my real 727 radios going.

[iwik]

Rob,
Have u tried plugging each MC directly onto the USB card.I think u can do that,it eliminates the cable if thats how u are doing it.
Its very strange that u have both cards doing exactly the same thing.Either you have copied the same mistake or the fault lies with the Connection between the MC acrds and the USB i/f card.If the cards donot work by being plugged in directly i think u have to closely look at the USB i/f card especially around the 25 pin d connector.If u dont make any headway then what i can do is to scope my MC cards at 25d connector and see whats going on inmy one and post scope pics.This might give u a clue.But please try and plugg directly.Can u get hold of a Parrallel cable,so we can PROVE your MC cards are good.
Usually when the // port option doesnt work its that all input wont work.This would at least help to eliminate something.Keep going we will get u going somehow.
Les

[737NUT]

I have one plugged directly to MC and one hooked via parallel cable to MC. My pc doesnt have a parrallel port so the USB Exp. is my only choice. I have looked at these dang cards a hundred times now so i know it is something simple. lol Amazing how i can build real gauges to work, real flight controls, etc but can't get simple interface cards to work. lol I have built and repaired several Heathkit weather stations as well. 1000's of solder joints there but i am human, :) Like i said, i'm used to having good schematics. Thanks for all the help guys.

[iwik]

Hi rob,
First,have u got one mc card plugged into the connector as per my setup,pic enclosed.
When u plug in one mc card directly while running Contradlor does your RED LED on the USB card flash.
I know what u mean,ive been in electronics a s a tech for 44 years and still miss simple things.Its unfortunate u dont have a camera cause a pic of your setup might show something.Please report back.Do u have anyone local who could test out your cards?.
If u get desperate,ive a spare mc here that is known to work.U could borrow it to prove what is faulty.
Les

[deering]

So, two Master Cards built correctly. USB Exp card PIC and onboard axes working correctly. Seems like we've got to focus on the downstream components of the USB card which manage the scanning of attached master cards. Check IC5 (74253) and IC6 (74139): orientation? voltage?

Jim.

[Not a response to IWIk; composed while he/she was posting. J. ]

[737NUT]

Nice set-up! Yes, the led flashes for a sec when i plug in the MC then stops. This tells me that the MC is talking to the USB Ex ok. Correct? So this leads me to believe that for some reason the MC is thinking all inputs are active do to either a bad IC or incorrect assembly that i am missing.

[iwik]

Its looks a bit like that.That red LED only flashes on my setup when i activate an input.in my case i already have one switch closed so it flashes quickly.
What puzzles me though is both of your MC show the fault.It is possible your two kits were packaged with faulty bits.Did u put ic sockets in,if so you should be able to replace an ic if u suspect it.Do both of your cards show exactly same amount of inputs as active.it may help to check the Print on both sides of your boards with the manual to see that u are not missing or have etching problems with your boards.
If u want some scoping done,i can do this and post pics if necessary.good Luck
Les

[fordgt40]

737NUT

This may have no relevance to your problem but today I hooked up an extra master card to my USB Expansion card, ran controlador and found to my horror that all the (edit) inputs had gone high. Quickly traced the problem to the controlador.ini file which was only showing one mastercard instead of the two that were connected. Just thought that I would share the info in case there may be a lead here somehow?

David

[Buddym]

Hi Rob,

Any update on the status of your cards? Anything you think I can do to assist?

Buddy