Damaged Prop Plug? - Resolved

Whit

Hey All,

Has anyone ever damaged a Prop Plug? I hooked mine up the last night·(don't·really know if it is the one I had been using or a new one I just bought)·and got a "No Propeller found" message, after it searched.·I have two and tried the other and it worked.

How could I have damaged the Prop Plug? (I haven't tried a different USB cable - now that I think about it either)·I can't recall doing anything that might have damaged it.

Any other way to test it? Or should I just call tech support?

Any suggestions?

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Whit+


"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney

Post Edited (Whit) : 8/9/2009 5:06:48 PM GMT

P!-Ro

You can check to make sure the connectors aren't corroded or damaged. If it is corroded you could just get a cotton swab wet with alchohol and rub the metal. Try testing it with a multimeter and see what you get. Also--does your prop plug connect to your computer when it is plugged in?

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PG

Microcontrolled

I have had some connection problems before because my computer didn't recognize it. If it recognizes one then it will recognize the other because of the Windows driver configuration. Is your Prop Plug new or has it worked before? When you plug it in, the 2 lights on it will flash repetedly, but I assume that you know that since you have another one? If they do NOT flash then you need to install the FDTI drivers on the Parallax homepage.

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Toys are microcontroled.
Robots are microcontroled.
I am microcontroled.


If it's not Parallax then don't even bother. :-)
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mpark

The first Prop Plug I bought was defective. I called tech support; Parallax sent me a new one.

Mike Green

Sometimes there's a "cold solder joint". One of the pins on something isn't really bonded with the circuit board, it's usually underneath the pin where it can't be seen, and there's still an intermittent connection that gets worse over time as the conductive surface oxidizes. This can happen despite good manufacturing practices. Sometimes you can put pressure on the IC or its pins and the thing will work for a little while. In any event, call tech support.

Whit

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I just got a bad Prop Plug. I ordered a spare a while back and I think this is the first time I've tried to use it.

I checked it out completly just a few minutes ago. The USB cable is good. I can make connection with my other Prop Plug.

On the bad one, the lights do light, but it never connects correctly. It just keeps looking on different ports and never finds the Prop. Thanks for helping me make sure I wasn't missing something.

I will contact tech support Monday.

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Whit+


"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney

Toby Seckshund

Solder was never intended to suffer any form of stress, it is a soft material that work hardens. Any waggling of the joint will fracture it and, as said, gradual corrosion and further movement will make it worse.

I still stand in wonder that the act of baking an assembly, produces such a reliable result. If there is a problem then always look at the bit that is waggled, on connect/disconnect (or within 1/2 inch of it, or on a cable, 3 inches of it).

The 19" lcd that I am looking at at the present, had broken joints. The 17" at it's side had broken joints. How I love "recycling".

Get some flux on the plugs and gently sweat down the individual pins with a small tipped iron. Saves ordering the new one, hopefully, and saves that awful waiting.

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Style and grace : Nil point

Post Edited (Toby Seckshund) : 8/9/2009 9:33:02 PM GMT

Whit

Just a quick not to say that as always, Parallax's Technical Support is excellent! I'm sending it in for them to take a look-see.

Thanks Dave!

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Whit+


"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney

Microcontrolled

What would you expect from Parallax?

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Just call me micro.


If it's not Parallax then don't even bother.
·
I have changed my avatar so that I will no longer be confused with others who use genaric avatars.

Mini-Din/PS2 connectors are for sale! 5 for $1! PM me if you wish to make an order.
Cheap·shipping unless specified!··········150 left!!··