Datalogger Problems

[calsbo]

Hi, just got my new data logger up and running and I've encountered some problems.

First I got the RTC and the SD card reader working. Then I soldered on the ITG/MPU accelerometer I hope to use to record movement. This sensor was working great before I tried to put it onto the board. I realise both the MPU and the RTC use i2c to communicate but after looking at the forums it doesn't seem like this should cause any problems.

Thing is, now my RTC readout doesn't display the correct time-

2000/3/14 0:30:44
since midnight 1/1/1970 = 952993844s = 11030d
now + 7d + 30s: 2000/3/21 0:31:14

2000/3/14 0:30:49
since midnight 1/1/1970 = 952993849s = 11030d
now + 7d + 30s: 2000/3/21 0:31:19

And my MPU doesn't display a correct readout:

MPU-6050
Read accel, temp and gyro, error = 0
accel x,y,z: 16384, 64, 0
temperature: 75.659 degrees Celsius
gyro x,y,z : 20, 1792, 0,

MPU-6050
Read accel, temp and gyro, error = 0
accel x,y,z: 16384, 0, 0
temperature: 75.659 degrees Celsius
gyro x,y,z : 18, 1792, 0,

MPU-6050
Read accel, temp and gyro, error = 0
accel x,y,z: 16384, 0, 36
temperature: 75.706 degrees Celsius
gyro x,y,z : 20, 1808, 0,

Now my question is, have I ruined the board with my poor soldering and use of audio copper wires? Or might there be an i2c problem?
Anyways, I hope there might be a way I can fix this. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks!

[adafruit_support_bill]

It could be an address conflict. The RTC uses address 0x68. I'm not familiar with that accelerometer, but if it uses the same address you would have problems reading from it.

[calsbo]

It does use 0x68. Is it something that can be changed?

[adafruit_support_bill]

On some devices it is configurable. The address on the DS1307 is fixed. You would have to check the data sheet for your accelerometer to see if it could be changed.

[calsbo]

Ok thanks. Will have to give it a go. Just to check, could there be an interference even if the Arduino is only coded to operate one- such as when I use the example RTC sketch- while the accelerometer is connected?

[adafruit_support_bill]

If they both have the same address, they will both try to respond when a command is sent on the bus.

[calsbo]

Thanks for your help. Was able to get the MPU communicating as 0x69.

But I seem to have encountered another problem and I wonder if you could help me with that too.

So I got the accelerometer logging data with the Arduino plugged into the computer. Then I tested it with a battery pack (4XAA). When I looked at the files, the accelerometer read out was 0,0,0 for x,y,z. Then when I used my old MPU sketch I also got 0 for all the read outs.

Thinking it was my code, I got another MPU library and sketch working and that fixed the problem- I got x,y,z readouts again. So then I got that working with the SD writing code and was able to get it to work with it plugged into my computer. So I tested it again with the battery pack and now I have the same issue again, and can't get any readout anymore.

Do you think this is an issue with the sensor, my wiring, the Arduino, or battery pack?
Would my problems be fixed if I bought the ADXL335?

[Franklin97355]

Make sure you have a common ground between all your devices and your power source is big enough to handle the requirements of the system. If you have one try a wall power pack for testing. Writing to the SD card takes quite a bit of power.

[calsbo]

I only have one sensor and it's connected to the ground on the datalogging shield. Would that be a common ground with components on the shield?

If it were a power issue, should the sensor give a readout when it's then connected back to the computer? For some reason when I do that it still gives 0. It's like te battery pack triggered something.

[adafruit_support_bill]

If you post some clear photos of your setup we'll see if we can spot any problems with the way it is hooked up.

[calsbo]

Here are some pics- sorry it's messy!


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[Franklin97355]

Your solder joints need some touch-up Take a look at this Soldering Guide for some tips.

[calsbo]

Seem to have got it working now. Fixed the joints and the code. Think it was a problem with how I switched the MPU to 0x69.

Thanks so much for all the help. You have been fantastic!