Chance Pi problem....¿¿¿????

[solmer2]

Hi, I've built a Chance PI and it's not working. The buttons work OK but when I turn it on I only get a continuos sound. The coil it's not working, doesnt react to a metal piece, only constant sound......

Any help would be appreciated

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHU2PPuNosg

[WM6]

Hi, I've built a Chance PI and it's not working. The buttons work OK but when I turn it on I only get a continuos sound. The coil it's not working, doesnt react to a metal piece, only constant sound......

Any help would be appreciated

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHU2PPuNosg

Can you test this far from main line and on something like plastic table not on floor (there can be a lot of Ferro parts and different installation under floor)? And greater distance between coil and main circuit would be fine too - use coil cable. Then tell us if all remain the same.

[solmer2]

Coil

Hi, thanks for the inputs, I've tested it without the coil and the unit remains calm, no strange or constant sounds. Now I've to test it with a cable atached to the coil. I suspect that the problem it's on the coil, I'm using a mono coil....

Thanks in advance.

I'll post the results in a short time....

[solmer2]

Coil with cable

Confirmed, the unit starts emiting a constant sound when I attach the coil, with or without a cable. I put the coil far away of metal sources ......

Any idea?

Thanks in advance.

[WM6]

Hi, thanks for the inputs, I've tested it without the coil and the unit remains calm, no strange or constant sounds. Now I've to test it with a cable atached to the coil. I suspect that the problem it's on the coil, I'm using a mono coil....

Thanks in advance.

I'll post the results in a short time....

Mono coil is OK.

Problem can be coil near environment if it is not clear out of all metallic parts.

Only for starting test can be with a little smaller diameter say 8" no more and with zig-zag windings to lower coil self capacitance.

Look here at authors coil:

http://www.thunting.com/smf/pi_desig...657.0.html#new

[WM6]

Confirmed, the unit starts emiting a constant sound when I attach the coil, with or without a cable. I put the coil far away of metal sources ......

Any idea?

Thanks in advance.

Remain this the same if you take out controller and then switch power on (if it is mounted in socked of course?)

[solmer2]

Remain this the same if you take out controller and then switch power on (if it is mounted in socked of course?)

ummmmm, I don't know waht you mean, do you mean take the microcontroller (Atmel) out and switch the unit on?

[WM6]

ummmmm, I don't know waht you mean, do you mean take the microcontroller (Atmel) out and switch the unit on?

Yes, right this. Hope Atmel is on socket, otherwise not (if you solder it on PCB. Did you buy pre-programmed uC?

[solmer2]

Controller

Yes, right this. Hope Atmel is on socket, otherwise not (if you solder it on PCB. Did you buy pre-programmed uC?

Hi, yeah luckly the Atmel is on a socket, I've removed it (with the unit off) , turned the unit on again and the LCD shows a line with black squares, the I've put it again into the socket, turned the unit on again and the problem stills, a constant sound with the coil attached and no sound with the coil off. BTW, the unit' buttons work ok, I can change parameters but the constant sounds is always present.....

Any idea?

Thanks one more time for your help

[Rom_1]

The problem is the battery, test with a power supply or a 6AA battery holder. It need more power when coil is connected..

[solmer2]

Battery

The problem is the battery, test with a power supply or a 6AA battery holder. It need more power when coil is connected..

Ok, I'll try tomorrow and I'll post if it works.... 'cause I dont have a power source right now, BTW could I use 12v instead of 9v?

Thanks in advance.

[solmer2]

BTW since The Chance has battery monitor I can see that my battery is 8.7v so I think the battery its ok......


Thanks again.

[WM6]

BTW, the unit' buttons work ok, I can change parameters but the constant sounds is always present.....

Any idea?

Agree that use 9V battery can be possible problem, happily Chance is not so much current consumption device and 9V supply can possibly cope with some short tests.

If you can change parameters as you say (probably you mean parameters visible on LCD?) then uC clock is likely OK.

As next check, de-solder one pin of R9 (1.5k) mean break line from R9 to T1 pin on uC. Then try again with power ON and check if sound remain the same.

Did you check thoroughly your PCB on short circuit or breakage (poor soldering joint)?

[solmer2]

Agree that use 9V battery can be possible problem, happily Chance is not so much current consumption device and 9V supply can possibly cope with some short tests.

If you can change parameters as you say (probably you mean parameters visible on LCD?) then uC clock is likely OK.

As next check, de-solder one pin of R9 (1.5k) mean break line from R9 to T1 pin on uC. Then try again with power ON and check if sound remain the same.

Did you check thoroughly your PCB on short circuit or breakage (poor soldering joint)?

Ok, I'll desolder the r9 and try again with another power supply tomorrow (I'm out of home now....)

I'll post the result asap.

Thanks again

[WM6]

I'll desolder the r9

Not need to de-solder whole R9, only one of its pin (preferably pin which lead to uC).