How do I know if my Basic Stamp is Fried?
Ulrich
Posts: 11
I was using the Basic Stamp in a circuit and it was doing just fine. I then worked on another circuit on a different part of the breadboard and there was nothing from the second circuit connecting to the first circuit. I looked over and there was a small amount of smoke coming from the Stamp. I'm pretty sure it's fried. I don't know how it could have happened, that's what gets me the most. Is there a test I can use to be sure? Is there some kind of circuit or fuse or something I could use to try to prevent this happening again? Thanks for any help. Ulrich
Comments
When the stamp boots up, unassigned pins are pulled high, so you could check to see if your pins are at the state they should be. But I think its apparent that its dead Jim...
Are you using resistors between the pins and whatever you connect to them? This is a good way to protect the Stamp from damage from miswired circuits.
If I had to guess, you were sinking too much power into the stamp, it was able to take it for a bit, but after so long, the componets heated up too much, making the resistance even higher, and overheated.
I dont know, im sort of in the same boat. I just had to buy a new 2p40 . I was working with a serial communications device with it and then it just quit responding. All pins are high, the software sees the serial connection and the loop, but claims no stamp present. Even the status light on the stamp comes on (its an OEM module). Im hoping that I just fried the MAX232 chip, which on this module is socketed and easy to replace. If I ever get around to finding a new chip I guess we'll see.
Just consider it your dues to the electronics community.
Check the power ratings for the chip.· Check the datasheet and check the chip's manual.··Then check the circuit to make sure the power ratings aren't exceeded.··Double check the ratings for each pin, also for each port.· Make sure your circuits have the appropriate protection resistors.· Check the breadboard circuit·for shorts and loose wiring.·· Check the power source / voltage regulator·and make sure it's connected to the right pins.· Fuses are a good option, but a well designed circuit that doesn't need them is better!· And if you don't have a good multimeter,· a blown chip is always a good excuse to buy one!
Have fun!·
The Basic Stamps are pretty tough and can take a lot of abuse.· For all the screw-ups I've done (plenty) I've only nuked one BS and on that unit, one of the pins was stuck high.· I've had them so hot that you couldn't touch them and they still worked.
Disconnect everything but power and ground and see if it the BS gets hot.· If·it gets hot, your done.· ·Then test all the pins to for status.· Then try to program all of the pins to go high and low and back to high at one second intervals and test them again.·
For fifty bucks it's worth the time to check it out.
Daryl
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For the input pin I'm using a 220 ohm resistor. As far as I know that is the only that is suggested between the board and the rest of the ckt. Should I put resistors anywhere else to protect against frying another board? If so, where and what values, even what wattage rating? Thanks, Ulrich