Beep and all segments lit (8s)

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scedward
 
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Beep and all segments lit (8s)

Post by scedward »

I finished my kit and every step tested good. When testing the display, it showed all 8's instead of 12 00, but I assumed it was working because it lit up. After all assembly was completed all it does is light up all 8's. After 30 seconds or so, the display goes off. Unplug, and plug back in and I get the beep and all 8's again.

Any suggestions?

-Scott

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Re: Beep and all segments lit (8s)

Post by adafruit »

well the boost converter works. and the tube is -probably- soldered correctly
could be shorted out pins on the tube or driver, or misconnected VFD driver pins.

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Re: Beep and all segments lit (8s)

Post by scedward »

I'm pretty confident that everything is connected properly, and the soldering is good. I can't see any visible shorts, but I will go over the tube pins and driver connection pins with an ohm meter to make sure no two pins are shorted side by side. I also verified that the tube is soldered to the correct holes in the board with the three non connected wires in the right location. Its very possible I made a mistake along the way, but I sure tried to do things step by step as the directions specified. I really enjoyed building this kit, and sure would like to get it working.

-Scott

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Re: Beep and all segments lit (8s)

Post by adafruit »

if you post up some photos we can look for any assembly problems

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Re: Beep and all segments lit (8s)

Post by scedward »

Pics:
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scedward
 
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Re: Beep and all segments lit (8s)

Post by scedward »

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scedward
 
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Re: Beep and all segments lit (8s)

Post by scedward »

PIcs
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Re: Beep and all segments lit (8s)

Post by adafruit »

try taking the battery out?

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scedward
 
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Re: Beep and all segments lit (8s)

Post by scedward »

adafruit wrote:try taking the battery out?
Without the battery. Sorry for the cruddy picture, I was trying to capture the display without a flash...

Some segments are brighter than others. Is that a clue, to what might be wrong?

-Scott
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Re: Beep and all segments lit (8s)

Post by adafruit »

do you have a scope of any sort? :/

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scedward
 
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Re: Beep and all segments lit (8s)

Post by scedward »

adafruit wrote:do you have a scope of any sort? :/
I have access to one.

-Scott

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Re: Beep and all segments lit (8s)

Post by adafruit »

yknow, i think its a loose solder connection from the VFD to the chip. thats why its being set to all '1's
disconnect power. wait a few minutes. resolder all of the chip socket pins, then go and do all the VFD socket pins, make sure theres enough solder and its nice and round & shiny :)
post back with results :mrgreen:

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scedward
 
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Re: Beep and all segments lit (8s)

Post by scedward »

All chip and any other questionable solder joints have been re-flowed, with solder added as needed. This time soldering under magnification. The result is the same. All segments lit.

-Scott

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Re: Beep and all segments lit (8s)

Post by adafruit »

with your scope, check the pins on the tube PCB, with respect to ground. are htey oscillating from 0 to ~50V or staying 'still'?

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