Vytec diy interface
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stiebs
Contributor
Hi Polle,
Not the Vytec, but I have just completed building the circuit for use with my Stinger. It is the same circuit, but just with different contacts.
Firstly, make sure that you check all you connections visually. Are the diodes the right way, are the transistors the right way? Do the tests that Roli has put in the document. If you have any electronic knowledge, you should also be able to measure some other voltages to double check.
If you don't have a multimeter or voltage meter, I would definately suggest that you get one!
If your circuit has passed the tests in the instructions, plug in the comm port (with computer not connected) and see if the Suunto software detects the inteface (This is an extremely basic test, and will very likely pass with almost anything connected!).
With just the comm port plugged in, check that you have a voltage across the DTR line.
If you can come back with some voltage measurements I might be able to help you out more.
SA-Diver
Contributor
Make sure the contacts on your interface and computer are clean and making good, solid contact.
nickjb
Contributor
Not sure about using the vytec but my Stinger is a bit sensitive to how it is connected. I haven't bothered making a decent case for it so it doesn't hold on the Stinger properly if I make contact, break contact then make contact again I need to reset the watch (cycle through the modes) to get it to work properly.
Hi
I did run the tests suggested by Roli, the 1. one was fine, but the 2. one gave me a few problems, but i managed to get the correct measurings after a while.
I tried to measure the DC´s connectors while trying to download from the Vytec, but it only gave a shorttime measure less than 1 volt.
I´ll try to test the connections in the interface again.
Thanks to all of you.
Polle
I did run the tests suggested by Roli, the 1. one was fine, but the 2. one gave me a few problems, but i managed to get the correct measurings after a while.
I tried to measure the DC´s connectors while trying to download from the Vytec, but it only gave a shorttime measure less than 1 volt.
I´ll try to test the connections in the interface again.
Thanks to all of you.
Polle
I have made a few and have also had a problem ocassionaly with the software recognizing the interface, but still won't transfer files. I know that with just the comm connected with those, I got a voltage of something like -10 volts at dtr. Everything seemed to be connected right and all the voltages (by Roli's tests) were fairly close, except for the rtr?, which was something like .09 when it should have been around 8 volts? ....decided to hook one of the "problem children" up and see what it gives... As some of you may know, I've been making a few of them for people but due to some problems like this... its a losing cause... I have about 4 of them with similar problems that are sitting around that I haven't had time to troubleshoot because it takes less time for me to just make another one since I have a dozen or so pcb's already etched and drilled. Anyway, heres the info...
#1 voltages (not in transfer mode, just comm connected) (dtr: -10.95 v); (rtr/x: -5.55v); (txd: -10.11v). with the software in transfer mode i have (dtr: 10.02v); (rtr: .09v); (txd: -9.14v).
#2 voltages (not in transfer mode)
(dtr: -10.95v); (rtr: -5.26v); (txd: -10.13v);
software in transfer mode:
(dtr: 10.04v); (rtr: .09v); (txd: -9.15v).
its obvious these share the same problem (which is probably something simple, but I'm not that knowledgeable about the electrical details involved) If I can solve this simple mystery I can offer them much cheaper since I won't be wasting as much time. After I finish with the boards I have etched, I may call it quits though. Thanks for anyone that has any ideas and maybe this can help others with the same problems.
also, one other thing... on #2 (not gonna bother checking 1 again) the voltage across the dive contacts is 2.36 volts. This was measured with the (-) lead from the multimeter on the common lead on the interface and the (+) lead from the mm to the I/0 interface lead. thanks again.
#1 voltages (not in transfer mode, just comm connected) (dtr: -10.95 v); (rtr/x: -5.55v); (txd: -10.11v). with the software in transfer mode i have (dtr: 10.02v); (rtr: .09v); (txd: -9.14v).
#2 voltages (not in transfer mode)
(dtr: -10.95v); (rtr: -5.26v); (txd: -10.13v);
software in transfer mode:
(dtr: 10.04v); (rtr: .09v); (txd: -9.15v).
its obvious these share the same problem (which is probably something simple, but I'm not that knowledgeable about the electrical details involved) If I can solve this simple mystery I can offer them much cheaper since I won't be wasting as much time. After I finish with the boards I have etched, I may call it quits though. Thanks for anyone that has any ideas and maybe this can help others with the same problems.
also, one other thing... on #2 (not gonna bother checking 1 again) the voltage across the dive contacts is 2.36 volts. This was measured with the (-) lead from the multimeter on the common lead on the interface and the (+) lead from the mm to the I/0 interface lead. thanks again.
also, one other thing... on #2 (not gonna bother checking 1 again) the voltage across the dive contacts is 2.36 volts. This was measures with the (-) lead from the multimeter on the common lead on the interface and the (+) lead from the mm to the I/0 interface lead. thanks again.
stiebs
Contributor
There's not much use in measuring the voltage while the circuit is in transfer mode, as the voltage will be changing 2400 times a second!
When doing test #1, if you're measuring the voltage with the negative terminal on ground, and the positive terminal on the IO contact, the voltage should actually be -3v, not +3v as the instructions say. (+3 volts is actually impossible, if the circuit is built properly!).
If the voltage reads anywhere between about -2.5v and -5.5v you it should work OK.
When you start the PC transfer, the up and down ceiling arrows on the computer display should start flashing. This is a good indicator if something is getting through the interface..
i am pretty confident that the circuit is assembled properly, but I do indeed get a positive voltage. Could this be because of a bad diode? One of the first ones I made didn't work and I replaced the zener diode and it worked. I also don't feel that there is a problem with the soldering or the tracks because it seems very odd that I would have the exact same problem on both circuits. I'll check everything out again, but if you have any ideas, please let me know. Also, the reason I measured the interface in transfer mode (in transfer mode, not while transfering files) is because the software doesn't take over the comm port until you put it into transfer mode. If what I believe is correct, the 2400 changes per second is only when you are attempting an actual file transfer and not when the software is only in tranfer mode. Also, you didn't mention anything about the low Rxd voltage i'm getting. that seems to be the source or rather the result of the problem. With the dive software in transfer "mode" not transferring, you are in effect doing Roli's test number 2 of (txd at -9v and dtr at +9v). My problem is that when in test mode, i get these two voltages, but the rxd, which should be -8v according to roli's info is around .09volts on both these interfaces. You don't have any ideas of what could be causing the rxd to be so low?
again, another clarification. as I said, when I am measuring voltages with the interface connected to the PC and software in transfer mode I actually have the same scenario as if I were doing test 2, not test one. My voltage should be zero instead of 2.36v according to roli's tests, not the -3v of test one. Also, just to validify this statement, I conducted test two with 9v batteries with almost identical results. Hopefully this will give you a clearer picture of whats going on. Sorry if I wasn't specific enough and thanks for any help.
