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Run Problem — Parallax Forums

Run Problem

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2001-07-27 02:11 in General Discussion
I've been running a simple DC motor exercise program with no problem unless
I disconnect the 232 cable from my PC. The editor can be exited and my
program
still runs fine as long as the 232 cable is still plugged into the PC.
As soon as I disconnect, and try to run the program, it goes nuts firing
outputs indiscriminately.

Any thoughts?

thanks,

John Ruddock

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-07-25 01:39
    Are you turning off the Stamp, disconnecting it, then turning it back on?
    Otherwise you can get spikes and the device might decide it is waiting for
    input, or the "noise" of the disconnection is "programming" the device with
    gibberish.

    Otherwise check your electrical connections as well for ground problems.
    Currently when the device is connected to the PC there is possibly of a
    common ground between the Stamp, the computer and the power supply for your
    motors that breaks when you unplug the RS-232 cable to the computer. You
    then are getting ground voltage level shifts relative to the control logic
    for your motors. I saw a lot of this with pinball games by one manufacturer
    back in the 70's and 80's...

    John :-#)#

    At 04:54 PM 24/07/2001, you wrote:

    >I've been running a simple DC motor exercise program with no problem unless
    >I disconnect the 232 cable from my PC. The editor can be exited and my
    >program
    >still runs fine as long as the 232 cable is still plugged into the PC.
    >As soon as I disconnect, and try to run the program, it goes nuts firing
    >outputs indiscriminately.
    >
    >Any thoughts?
    >
    >thanks,
    >
    >John Ruddock
    >
    >
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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-07-26 03:54
    John,

    Thanks for the advice.
    What I realized after you mentioned noise was that I was unplugging my 6'
    long RS232 cable from my notebook
    but leaving it plugged into the stamp. I unplugged at the stamp and it now
    comes up running every time.
    Maybe this info will help others. The stamp must be very susceptible to
    noise.
    thanks,

    John Ruddock

    Original Message
    From: John Robertson <pinball@t...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2001 7:39 PM
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Run Problem


    > Are you turning off the Stamp, disconnecting it, then turning it back on?
    > Otherwise you can get spikes and the device might decide it is waiting for
    > input, or the "noise" of the disconnection is "programming" the device
    with
    > gibberish.
    >
    > Otherwise check your electrical connections as well for ground problems.
    > Currently when the device is connected to the PC there is possibly of a
    > common ground between the Stamp, the computer and the power supply for
    your
    > motors that breaks when you unplug the RS-232 cable to the computer. You
    > then are getting ground voltage level shifts relative to the control logic
    > for your motors. I saw a lot of this with pinball games by one
    manufacturer
    > back in the 70's and 80's...
    >
    > John :-#)#
    >
    > At 04:54 PM 24/07/2001, you wrote:
    >
    > >I've been running a simple DC motor exercise program with no problem
    unless
    > >I disconnect the 232 cable from my PC. The editor can be exited and my
    > >program
    > >still runs fine as long as the 232 cable is still plugged into the PC.
    > >As soon as I disconnect, and try to run the program, it goes nuts firing
    > >outputs indiscriminately.
    > >
    > >Any thoughts?
    > >
    > >thanks,
    > >
    > >John Ruddock
    > >
    > >
    > >To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > >from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    > >Body of the message will be ignored.
    > >
    > >
    > >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >---
    > >Incoming mail is certified Virus Free.
    > >Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
    > >Version: 6.0.265 / Virus Database: 137 - Release Date: 18/07/2001
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > ---
    > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
    > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
    > Version: 6.0.265 / Virus Database: 137 - Release Date: 18/07/2001
    >
    >
    > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
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    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-07-27 02:11
    The serial cable (when hooked to the stamp, but not the PC) is probably
    acting as an antenna and picking up noise. This noise on the ATN line
    causes the stamp to experience spurious, 'random' resets.

    Aaron

    On Tue, 24 Jul 2001 18:54:25 -0500 "John Ruddock" <ruddock@a...>
    writes:
    > I've been running a simple DC motor exercise program with no problem
    > unless
    > I disconnect the 232 cable from my PC. The editor can be exited and
    > my
    > program
    > still runs fine as long as the 232 cable is still plugged into the
    > PC.
    > As soon as I disconnect, and try to run the program, it goes nuts
    > firing
    > outputs indiscriminately.
    >
    > Any thoughts?
    >
    > thanks,
    >
    > John Ruddock
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the
    > Subject and Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
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