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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Maximite Power up problem
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Nick Guru  Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 512 |
I'm now offline from using my Colour Maximite. Everytime I power it up, it goes into firmware load mode with the flashing LED. It worked perfectly during the development of my Donut Dilemma game. Maybe the Donuts finally got to it? 
Any pointers as to where to start looking to resolve this? Nick |
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CircuitGizmos Guru Joined: 08/09/2011 Location: United StatesPosts: 1425 |
Which hardware version? With the CGCOLORMAX I included a pull up resistor on the firmware load line. The "Colour" Maximite does not have this. If you have something besides a CGCOLORMAX, try pulling the line up to 3.3V through a 1k-10k resistor. Micromites and Maximites! - Beginning Maximite |
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| Nick Guru Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 512 |
It's the Altronics kit. As per the Silicon chip artile. I'll look into adding this pull-up resistor to mine today. Nick |
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| CircuitGizmos Guru Joined: 08/09/2011 Location: United StatesPosts: 1425 |
I'm willing to bet the additional resistor solves your problem. I used 10K in the CGCOLORMAX design. Micromites and Maximites! - Beginning Maximite |
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| Nick Guru Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 512 |
I attached a 15K resistor between the non-ground side of the firmware program button to a 3.3 volt source but the problem continues. Have I done it right? Nick |
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| CircuitGizmos Guru Joined: 08/09/2011 Location: United StatesPosts: 1425 |
Yes you have. You should even be able to do a dead short. If a dead short doesn't work, then something else has happened. Try reloading the firmware. Micromites and Maximites! - Beginning Maximite |
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TassyJim Guru Joined: 07/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 6098 |
I would measure the voltage across the firmware program button first before trying a dead short to 3.3V. If it's not reading 3.3V with the added resistor in place, you have a problem, possibly a short in the button or a solder bridge. Shorting to 3.3V in that case will not do the 3.3V supply much good. Jim VK7JH MMedit MMBasic Help |
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| Nick Guru Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 512 |
Here's what I have done so far... Placed a 15K resistor at the 3.3v arduino solder point and the other end to the non ground (to PIC chip) connection of the bootloader switch. When I do this, the Maximite doesn't boot, not even the RED LED comes on. With the resistor in place, there is just under 3v at the end to the switch/PIC. I can't understand what went wrong. All that time and not a fault. Developed Donut Dilemma without a hitch. Then in the last few days it did this (flash the red LED) on power up but I found that turning off the power adapter at the wall then on again, it would fire up normally. Now it's completely gone. Voltage regulator? My power adaptor is a 7.5v. Worked with my original B/W Maximite and this one perfectly, and ran everything cool. Tried another 7.5v adaptor, same thing. Tried a 9v adaptor, same thing. I can't afford another Maximite so unless I can fix this, I'm out of the game... so to speak. Nick |
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| MOBI Guru Joined: 02/12/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 819 |
Hi Nick, do you have a CRO or borrow one to check the 3.3v rail? David M. |
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Geoffg Guru Joined: 06/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 3194 |
There is not much to go wrong here. The bootloader checks the status of the switch in the very first few lines of code - so the firmware version that you are running should have no effect. The bootloader does check that there is some firmware in place and it will automatically drop into bootload mode if there is no firmware. This can happen if erase was used in the PC bootload application. For this reason my bootload app does not have an erase button. Because the fault has gradually appeared it points to something that is slowly failing and that could be a bad solder joint or a component. It might be a power issue but I would check all the capacitors first - particularly the small SMD 10uF cap. Also check around the PIC32 for suspect joints - SMD soldering can leave a dry joint which is hard to spot. I know that you had a battle getting the SMD 10uF cap into place and it might have suffered from the heat - so replacing it would be my first action. Geoff Geoff Graham - http://geoffg.net |
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| Nick Guru Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 512 |
That SMD cap comes back to haunt me again. I hate that little capacitor. Grrrrr. 
I'll touch up the solder joints and hope for the best. Nick |
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| Nick Guru Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 512 |
Game Over. Maximite doesn't even power up now. Pic32 gets really hot and I can't see no shorts. Could the Pic itself be stuffed? I'm Maximite less. 
This brings up an interesting point. The Maximite would get more widespread use and acceptance if it could be bought ready built at a reasonable price. People who have the skills to create software and applications are not necessarily also able to solder together a kit computer. The Microbee back in the early 80's went through this. It was a popular kit for the hardware enthusiast originally but really didn't get to the level it did until it became a ready built product that many others could use. The Rasberry Pi has achieved such success because it is ready built and low cost (doesn't seem to matter that the average person needs to know linux!). Yes, I'm frustrated and disappointed and need my pills and a good nights sleep. 
Nick |
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Grogster Admin Group  Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9307 |
Oh no - what a sad story.
I agree with everything that has been posted here in terms of what you could try, and the fact that the PIC32 is getting hot now is NOT a good sign. Geoff's schematic for the colour MM does not show any pull-up, so perhaps that pin on the PIC32 has internal pull-up's, making an external one not necessary? What is the current consumption on power-on? I know it does not want to fire up for you, but if the PIC32 is getting hot, there must be a current consumption, so this would be useful to know. I also agree with Geoff about the dinky wee cap. Do you have the ability to take a close-up shot of your circuit board, so we can all see it, and see if there is something visually that needs attention or touch-up? EDIT: When you soldered on the tiny little cap, did you: 1) Use some form of liquid flux for SMD soldering? 2) Use a temp-controlled iron between 320'C and 350'C - no hotter 3) Solder the cap on the board taking no more then hald a second per side of the cap? I don't do a HUGE amount of SMD, but am doing more and more of it nowadays, and have found in MY OWN EXPERIENCE(not that this should be considdered scripture on SMD soldering), that they are quite unforgiving about incorrrect methods and heat application. Through-hole components are, by contrast, VERY forgiving about method and heat - SMD are not. Just an extra 2c... Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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MicroBlocks Guru Joined: 12/05/2012 Location: ThailandPosts: 2209 |
Nick, did you disconnect everything? When the PIC32 gets hot is is probably sourcing or sinking too much current through pne of its io ports. This can be caused by a short somewhere and just to rule out things it is best to try a startup with nothing connected also no SD card. Have you tried powering it from an USB? Microblocks. Build with logic. |
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| CircuitGizmos Guru Joined: 08/09/2011 Location: United StatesPosts: 1425 |
Isn't the CGCOLORMAX a reasonable price? Or the CGMMSTICK? Micromites and Maximites! - Beginning Maximite |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9307 |
I think so - just my 2c... Should have bought from you - STILL waiting for my CMM from Altronics in Australia. About two months now since I first ordered, and about six different emails. They "Forgot" to send the first time, even though I paid for express delivery, then they said it was sent, heard nothing, emailed them again, said they will send it today super express courier - that was last Friday. I get stuff from Element14 in Australia in TWO DAYS on the international courier, so I don't know what all the delay is about.... Grrrrrrr. But I digress - I should have bought from you, CG, and I WILL next time...  Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| CircuitGizmos Guru Joined: 08/09/2011 Location: United StatesPosts: 1425 |
Thanks, Grogster. Spread the word. I'll bet there would be a ton of people that would hop on board the train and enjoy the Maximite. The more people 'Maximiting,' the more code and experience can be shared. Micromites and Maximites! - Beginning Maximite |
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| Nick Guru Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 512 |
I like Geoff's Colour Maximite because it was nicely presented in a tidy enclosed box that looks like a small computer box rather than a piece of electronic gadgetry. Also, I wanted to support Geoff's efforts and design. It irks me that it worked brilliantly for the 2 months I had it, even ran it with the lid popped off so that it wouldn't get hot during my intense hours of programming. It ran very cool and at any point I could touch the PIC32 or voltage regulator heatsink and comfortably hold it. It just started to mysteriously and gradually fall apart in the last week just sitting there without touching it. I'll probably eventually save up to get another one, just so that I have a unit that runs my software again but right now, I have a ton of other expenses to deal with. For now, there will be no more Maximiting. $90 lost... less $15 donated by the 3 kind folks who donated to my efforts (of which I am grateful). I feel bad that I have let them down but the Maximite unfortunately doesn't have enough market share to make programming software for it economically viable.
Nick |
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| MOBI Guru Joined: 02/12/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 819 |
Hi Nick, If it is just the PIC that has died and you don't have the soldering facilities, perhaps one of us could replace the chip for you? I think CG's price is quite reasonable seeing as it is alread assembled. Perhaps we could chip in and help defray your cost in view of the great software development you have work you have done and I'm sure you will do. David M. |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9307 |
I was going to start another thread along the lines of PLEASE HELP NICK BUY A NEW CMM, but you beat me to that idea, MOBI!!!
I have already found Nick's posts and programs brilliant - I drool in anticipation of my CMM, so I can finally try out Donut Dilemma!!! Still, how about we all band together and contribute, say, A$5 to Nick, to help him buy a new unit? I'd be on-board for that, as we all know he would not let it sit idle - look at the complicated programming he has already done for us all to benefit from! Nick - if you setup a PayPal account, we could make a donation to let you buy another one. It would only take 18 members to donate five bucks each. Thoughts? Opinions? If this went ahead, perhaps you could try out one of the CG units just for something different this time around, and you would not have to worry at all about dealing with the nasty little ceramic then!!!  Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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