Need help troubleshooting HM 4.1.4


 
B

Brad_E

New member
Newbie to HM here (and soldering electronic components), just finished soldering the 4.1.4 version and attempted to load the software.

Powering up the RaspberryPi via the micro USB before I do the official "smoke test", the display on the HeaterMeter is blank. Nothing changes when I attempt to adjust the contrast.

Poking around in the UI, I attempted to upgrade the HeaterMeter firmware under LinkMeter -> AVR Firmware using the bundled firmware in /lib/firmware and it reports:
Stopping LinkMeter OK

LinkMeter platform is BCM2708
AVR fuses ERROR

Starting LinkMeter OK



Could that indicate that I need to look at my soldering or is there something else going on here?

If so - where should I start probing with me multimeter?

Any suggestions, tips or direction to a previous would be greatly appreciated!
 
To me, it looks like the RasPi can't see the Atmega chip, and thus can't flash it.

Have you got the Atmega chip installed in the correct orientation?

Some pictures would also help.
 
First step I would take when having an issue with a fresh build like this is to inspect the board with a magnifying glass (or take a close up digital picture that you can zoom on your pc) and look for solder bridges, stray solder, bad solder joints etc. While you are at it check the orientation of all the chips, diodes and electrolytic capacitors (cans) and make sure they are installed right. Check that all the pins on your ATMega are in the socket, none bent over or missing their slot etc. Then verify your voltages, I would pull the rPi and power the HM (alone) via 12v and check for 12v. 5v, 3.3v. Hopefully somewhere in this process you will discover the problem.
 
Thanks for the help. Found and fixed the issue.

While I fixed that issue, I broke the SD card holder :( - currently waiting on a replacement from Digi. They sent it out today so I'll most likely have that here on Saturday.
 
I wasn't using my head.

I neglected to mention that I wasn't following the instructions exactly as laid out... I had planned on using a 26 pin ribbon cable to connect the rPi to the Heatermeter. Turns out that cable inverted the rows of pins... Something I really should have checked BEFORE adding power. Thankfully it doesn't appear to have screwed anything up on the Heatermeter as that seems to be functioning properly without the rPi.

I should have my rPi back up and running on Saturday - then I'll start getting it calibrated for the Thermoworks probes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

 

Back
Top