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Controller Issues, Suggestions? (DRSSTC 2009 ctrl)

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LAN_403

Killa-X

Fri Jan 29 2010, 12:11AM

Registered Member #1643 Joined: Mon Aug 18 2008, 06:10PM
Location:
Posts: 1039

Been 3 days now since I've been scoping around and trying to find the issue. I have etched steves DRSSTC controller, and used flux to make it easier to solder. Sadly, I noticed it was making shorts. I have read online, Flux paste indeed can create electrical shorts, and it's recommended to be reoved, using something like 70% alcahol (Isopropyl). So I tryed this, and it had no effect on my flux. It's still all there. I can no longer VISUALLY see and shorts happening however.

As to the board, The issue im having is the OCD LED is constantly on, and flickering. Nothing is connected to the board except power. When i scoped the LED, you can see the 5V, and when it flickers, its all over to a max drop of about 2V. I found this kinda strange. I noticed the same similar things on IC1, Pins 11 and 13 i believe.

Also, I once removed ALL the chips, and on IC1 pin 6, I was reading 2.3V? The only connections there is just the CLK of the flipflopp (IC3) and pin 1 of IC2. So i checked everything, and didnt see anything possibly shorting to a live contact. Unless again, it's flux.

Any possible ideas what is keping PIN 6 of IC1 alive? or what can cause the OCD LED to be on constantly? I have removed ALL chips but the flipflop (IC3) and the LED still goes on. I've done all chips but the LM311, and its STILL on..

If you need any more pin readings from me, please ask, and if im here, I'll be glad to scope/volt the readings out. I know its hard without actually BEING in the room to fix a board..

Bennem

Fri Jan 29 2010, 06:34AM

Registered Member #154 Joined: Sun Feb 12 2006, 04:28PM
Location: Westmidlands, UK
Posts: 260

Hi Killa-x

I have two of these boards made up and they both behave
the same as you say.
when power is first applied. the OCD lcd will come on.
however when you apply the intterupter signal the OCD lcd will
turn off and the signal lcd will come on.
the OCD lcd will then only flicker on when over current is detected.

all the best,

Mel

Killa-X

Sat Jan 30 2010, 02:54AM

Registered Member #1643 Joined: Mon Aug 18 2008, 06:10PM
Location:
Posts: 1039

Bennem wrote ...

Hi Killa-x

I have two of these boards made up and they both behave
the same as you say.
when power is first applied. the OCD lcd will come on.
however when you apply the intterupter signal the OCD lcd will
turn off and the signal lcd will come on.
the OCD lcd will then only flicker on when over current is detected.

all the best,

Mel

Well, I have put a 555 signal generator to the primary CT jumpers, and left the OCD jumpers empty. All chips in place, it turns on with the OCD LED on. When i apply the signal, the OCD LED is STILL on, and the signal LED goes on to the flash of the cable.

Killa-X

Sun Jan 31 2010, 05:30PM

Registered Member #1643 Joined: Mon Aug 18 2008, 06:10PM
Location:
Posts: 1039

IC3B, aka the flipflop with the OCD LED connection. Should touching pins 11 and 13 with +5V or 0V do anything? I'm poking them at 5V first, and enabling the sensor, no change. Then 0V, enabling sensor, no change. Maybe, if this is unusual, i have a bad flipflop somehow? (i am buying more)

101111

Mon Feb 01 2010, 09:16AM

Registered Member #575 Joined: Sun Mar 11 2007, 04:00AM
Location: Norway
Posts: 263

Just to put it clear, Isopropyl alcohol works on flux so then it is not flux that is your problem.

Angstrom

Mon Feb 01 2010, 01:29PM

Registered Member #1900 Joined: Fri Jan 02 2009, 06:44PM
Location: Texas
Posts: 29

Do you have a multimeter with continuity buzzer? A lot of cheap ones have it, you can use it to check for shorts.

Killa-X

Mon Feb 01 2010, 11:11PM

Registered Member #1643 Joined: Mon Aug 18 2008, 06:10PM
Location:
Posts: 1039

101111 wrote ...

Just to put it clear, Isopropyl alcohol works on flux so then it is not flux that is your problem.

Says in huge letters right on the container, FLUX. and isopropyl doesnt effect it.

Anyways, yes i have short meters but so far I'm not noticing anything wrong...So I'll get back to this thread when i get my parts in a few days, incase the issue is a chip.

Killa-X

Thu Feb 04 2010, 01:12AM

Registered Member #1643 Joined: Mon Aug 18 2008, 06:10PM
Location:
Posts: 1039

Under further anylisist, I took the flipflop to a breadboard. Hooked it the same was the controller is.

Pin 10 - 5V
Pin 12 - 5V
Pin 11 - Open tap, for CLK testing
Pin 13 - Open tap, for CLR testing
Pin 9 - LED 1
Pin 8 - LED 2

as for getting new parts today, it seemed all works. The only problem is that there's a loud noise. I'm feeding a square wave 400hz to feedback signal. 450hz into the sensor, fiber optic one. On the far side, top right fet, there's a 10ohm resistor and 2 smd caps. Around that side, I beleivve is making a 400-450hz buzz. M prity sure it's NOT the fet. Maybe just a had connection, I hope.

I applyed power, with nothing connected to pin 11 and 13. LED 2 (pin 8, not Q) lights. No flicker though.

So, I put 5V...Then tryed ground, to Pin 11. Nothing changed. Pin 8 LED 2 is on.
I put 5V, then 0V, to pin 13. Nothing changed, Pin 8 LED 2 is on.

Either im doing it wrong, or the flipflop is burnt. I'm getting new ones tomorrow, and ill edit this and let you know what happens.

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