Aeon Problem

[packetbob]

I finally got a few evenings free to work on the Aeon and have run into a snag.
Once I powered it up all the LEDs lit up...
Thinking it was the firmware issue I hooked up my PICKIT3 and flashed the PIC....
Powered it up again and the same issue..
This time I pulled out the battery and hooked up the PICKIT3 again..
Erased the flash and re-programmed it again...
Same results..
Looked for a IC in the wrong way but all look good...
Checked for bridges and missed joints but couldn't see any..
Retouched every joint just to be sure....

I'm sure the problem is eitehr very obvious or something strange...

One thing I did notice that was whe I used the ICSP connection for the PicKit3 it eneded up powering all the LEDs on the board. Not sure if this is normal or if the PICKIT3 can handle such a load without issues. Mind you the programming seemed to go fine....

Any thoughts?

[batdive]

Sounds like you have the corrupt firmware that came from the coop.  No issues, try this hex I have attached and see if it fixes the problem.  Its the same attached to the wiki, just already in hex and tested on an Aeon.

That was the exact same result I had when originally powered up with the corrupt hex.  It is a happy accident as it lets you know all your LEDs work  .  Which my next Aeon I will keep that firmware to just confirm all LEDs are ok before flashing.

If this file doesnt fix it, how are you using the pickit 3?  the mlab or the ""express"  software?

[packetbob]

Thanks for the firmware but it seems to be exactly the same as the one I downloaded from the wiki earlier today as it has the same checksum....
I'l try it and see if it helps though...
I'll also go over all the resistors and make sure I didn't mix something up..

[batdive]

It is the same, but I know it works =). 

So I would guess either how the pickit3 is installing is corrupting it again, or bridge some place.

I cant recall if my pickit powered all the LEDs while programming so I will let someone else comment on that part.

[packetbob]

I tried the code batdive uploaded with no change.....
Checking out the PCB it looked like the 10K resistors didn't have the correct color code. I'll admit that I didn't actually check any of the resistors for correct values and sort of stuck them in through the processs of elimination when I was building it... I yanked em out and the values were correct. I replaced with some new ones I had in stock anyways...

I know the PIC has some functionality as the PicKit3 reconizes it and it appears to program and verify it.....

[RJ]

check that the connection for the manual switch is not bridged to itself or the copper board as this would make the unit be all on all the time.

RJ

[packetbob]

OK...
Checked out both pushbutton switches and they looked fine...
Just to be sure I removed both..
All LEDs still light when powered up (with both switches removed)....

Next I was thinkign of the following:
1) Remove PIC and replace with another programmed out of circuit...
2) Remove all the LED driver ICs and try one at a time to see if any single one works..

Other than that I'm not sure what to do next....

Bob

[RJ]

Ignore my previous post I was confused    I was answering alot of pms and was thinking you were talking Aether not Aeon.

First this is your using a pickit 3 and I have had issues with the MPlab modifing the configs on the chip. There is a utility like the pickit 2 has for the 3 I think that lets you program the hex file with out using MPLab. Can you try this. If not or it does not help I can walk you through setting the configs in mplab manual. This is all that I can think might be the issue.

If the pic does not start up the light will be all on.  Also if you mess with the resistors chaning values on the leds or leds that pull more you can cause this issue.


RJ

[packetbob]

That was it!!!
I re-programmed the PIC again using the stand alone PICkit3 utility and all is now well...
Here is the link for anyone else using a PICkit3:
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

It's only a beta but seemd to work fine for me...

Thanks RJ...

Bob

[RJ]

Glad you got it going.

 RJ