SparkFun Forums

[free-bee]

Yeah yeah yeah, I know, no support for parts obtained in the dumpster dive, blah blah blah.
I received this in the last dumpster dive. I can't find anything wrong with it visually (it came in an already-opened package with headers soldered on), so I tried powering it up. Nothing showed on the display. I tested one segment and it lit up. It looks just like the one in the product picture, 'cept for the numbers on the bottom of the ATMega saying "1223".

There are a few things I can think of that could be wrong with it: broken traces hidden under the display, the ATMega not being programmed (or not having a boot loader, even), or just a dead ATMega. I actually want to salvage the thing if I can. So the question comes down to this. Where what and how should I test the board to see where the problem lies? I have a DMM, a pocket o-scope, and two Arduino UNOs.

*EDIT*
The resistors are showing about 1K of resistance. I know the Mega is getting power (I got the Eagle files). I have not tested all of the traces yet, though.

[free-bee]

I finally found my headers to access the FTDI connections and attempted to burn the master code. After fighting the IDE for twenty minutes, something happened. The display does light up, but not with numbers.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/847 ... .10.03.jpg

After removing the ATMega from my UNO and connecting Rx-Tx and Tx-Rx and DTR-RESET (Display-Arduino format there) and getting the IDE to program the display, I opened the serial monitor and it said something along the lines of:

Code: Select all

Check jumper settings:

Now what?

[free-bee]

I finally found my headers to access the FTDI connections and attempted to burn the master code. After fighting the IDE for twenty minutes, something happened. The display does light up, but not with numbers.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/847 ... .10.03.jpg

After removing the ATMega from my UNO and connecting Rx-Tx and Tx-Rx and DTR-RESET (Display-Arduino format there) and getting the IDE to program the display, I opened the serial monitor and it said something along the lines of:

Code: Select all

Check jumper settings:

Now what?

My bad. It was Rx-Rx and Tx-Tx. I put a 1uF cap between RESET and DTR to make sure.

*EDIT*
Proof that I need to read things before posting:
I got numbers, but.....
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/847 ... .31.18.jpg

[free-bee]

And I believe I am done with this thread (some of you are thinking, "Yay!").
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/847 ... .18.51.jpg

Poorly soldered resistor on the A segment? Probably. I poked around with my DMM and managed to get that segment to become on and off. I'll go back with my iron and try to get it on the board better.

[Ross Robotics]

I like the members who troubleshoot and give updates on their issue without anyone having to reply. Glad you posted the solution.

[free-bee]

Since I have everything open on an unrelated problem, I'll go ahead and post a more in-depth solution.
The reason I had so much trouble in the IDE was because I didn't read this:

Code: Select all

// This code uses the SevSeg library, which can be donwnloaded from:
// https://github.com/sparkfun/SevSeg
#include "SevSeg.h"//Library to control generic seven segment displays

When you get all files in place, take the ATMega out of the board (if you have the PTH version). Connect RX-RX, TX-TX, RESET-DTR (I don't think the cap is necessary). In the Arduino IDE, load the "Serial_7_Segment_Display_Firmware" code from "File>Sketchbook". There should be three active tabs, the others being "System_Functions" and "settings.h".

In the "Serial_7_Segment_Display_Firmware" tab, find:

Code: Select all

#define DISPLAY_TYPE OPENSEGMENT

Replace with:

Code: Select all

#define DISPLAY_TYPE S7S

Go to "Tools>Board" and select "Serial 7-Segment Display". Hit the upload button and wait.