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Author Topic: AstroEQ DIY Build - No motor activity at all  (Read 2736 times)

gordtulloch

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AstroEQ DIY Build - No motor activity at all
« on: January 28, 2019, 21:52:31 »
Hi there - I finished off a build of the AstroEQ using the PCB and pre-burned ICs the other day. After soldering everything up I went over the board with a continuity tester and made sure that all of the connections were working and it looked good (despite my not so great soldering skills.) I plugged the board in and configured it using the AstroEQ software, which worked fine. I can connect to the board using EQASCOM and all appears well. Except, the motors don't move, or even warm up. I tried cranking up the current limit progressively, powering down, giving the screw a 1/4 turn, then powering up but nothing.  I have RJ12 cables running from the board to an RJ12 connector on the motor mount.  The pinout I used for the RJ12 cables from the board to the motors is as follows:

A1 -> 5
A2 -> 2
B1 -> 3
B2 -> 4

Next step I guess is to build a breakout board to see what signals are coming out of the motor ports, any other way anyone can suggest to debug the motor side of the circuit? Thanks!

Regards,
  Gord

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TCWORLD

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Re: AstroEQ DIY Build - No motor activity at all
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2019, 22:04:55 »
Which motor drivers are you using?

Once EQMOD is connected and unparked, I would probe the EN pins (pin 1) of the motor drivers - these should be at 0V when the motors are enabled.

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Tom Carpenter (AstroEQ)

gordtulloch

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Re: AstroEQ DIY Build - No motor activity at all
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2019, 23:02:04 »
I'm using DRV8825 drivers, I'll check that -- gt
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gordtulloch

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Re: AstroEQ DIY Build - No motor activity at all
« Reply #3 on: February 18, 2019, 21:59:10 »
Quote from: TCWORLD on January 28, 2019, 22:04:55
Which motor drivers are you using?

Once EQMOD is connected and unparked, I would probe the EN pins (pin 1) of the motor drivers - these should be at 0V when the motors are enabled.

Hi again - finally getting back to this, got through checking cables etc all good, but yes the EN pin is >0 - what can cause that?

Regards,
  Gord
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TCWORLD

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Re: AstroEQ DIY Build - No motor activity at all
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2019, 19:36:17 »
If the En pin is not being driven low, it suggests either there is a bad solder joint, or there is a short to another pin.

Could you post a photo of the back of the board?
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Tom Carpenter (AstroEQ)

gordtulloch

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Re: AstroEQ DIY Build - No motor activity at all
« Reply #5 on: February 28, 2019, 20:38:37 »
Quote from: TCWORLD on February 19, 2019, 19:36:17
If the En pin is not being driven low, it suggests either there is a bad solder joint, or there is a short to another pin.

Could you post a photo of the back of the board?

Will do, I'll go over it with the continuity tester again as well! Thanks! -- gt
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