EZ-B stops connecting to computer.

Question

Hi everyone,

I got my ez-b 2 weeks ago. I was able to successfully connect it to my computer, although it would sometimes take several attempt to have a successfull connection. But since this morning it stops connecting. Both status and bluetooth LED are flashing but it won't connect. I tried everything: I made sure the power supply is ok, I reinstalled ARC, successfully Paired the EZ-B with my computer, but it's still not connecting. Could someone help please?

Nick

Jeremie · Answer

Hi Nick, Please check out the CANNOT CONNECT thread in the General Discussion forum, there are a few suggestions there to try. The fix that help that specific user was to reseat the bluetooth module that sits on top of the EZ-B. I also found that I have to reset the bluetooth module every now and again when I just start up because I have a bunch of servos hooked up and they cause huge current spikes on initial power up and seem to cause power interference with the bluetooth module. (Seems to put bluetooth module in a constant state of reset, the red LED doesn't even come on). All I do is power up my bot, unplug and replug-in the bluetooth module, wait for the blinking red LED and then connect, works for me everytime.

TXTCLA55 · Answer

Hello, Skater_j10 and Nicolson. I am sorry to report that my problem in the thread CANNOT CONNECT! still persists. The resetting of the Bluetooth is a good temporary fix, however I still can't hold a connection with my computer. Lyron and I had another thread about this problem here, but so far we have had little/no assistance.

nicolson · Answer

Hi skater_j10 and TXTCLA55, thank you for your prompt replies. I did try to reseat the bluetooth module but with no success: the bluetooth LED will stop blinking for 2 seconds and resume again with the cannot connect message. I included this video to show you what happened.

TXTCLA55 · Answer

Mine does nearly the same thing. I think the problem must be in the ARC or the code within the EZB. Unfortunally we have no way of fixing this problem till DJ comes back. stress Have you you ever gotten the EZB to successfully connect to the computer for more than 5 mins? and what happened after connection?

nicolson · Answer

Yes TXTCLA55, I was able to be connected for more than 2 hours, but before it stopped connecting permanently I noticed that some servos that used to work properly would no longer respond while others worked ok. I have noticed that the small voltage regulator(L4931), near the power adapter between the 2 small capacitors would get red hot even without load. do you experience the same thing? Here a picture showing the voltage regulator:

TXTCLA55 · Answer

From the sounds of things it looks like you might have overloaded your board. How many servos did you have attached? I never really experienced a heat problem like that, normally mine is only on for less than 5 mins. How much power were you connecting to the EZB?

TXTCLA55 · Answer

Ignore this double post

nicolson · Answer

I am using a 8.4 volts, 4000mah, NI-MH battery pack with 9 servos attached. It seems that the less than 5mns problem you're having may have to do with the battery pack you're using. I used to have the same problem using the small battery pack shipped with the unit. What is the voltage and mah of your battery pack? When it comes for the overheating of the voltage regulator, it was happening from day one with no servos attached. Would you please touch yours to confirm if its normal to be that hot. be careful if yours is as hot as mine you may get burned! If it's unusual to be that hot I will attempt to replace it and see what happen.

Troy · Answer

I was just reading up on this because I want to power my servos separately. The higher you get from the 5 volts the board requires at minimum the harder the regulator gets trying to bring it down. Quote from the Getting Started Guide: "The EZ-B requires a minimum of 5 volts DC. The ideal voltage is 7.2 volts. The maximum voltage is 14 volts. *Note: The higher the voltage, the hotter the regulators will get!" I hope this helps...with the power and temp question anyway.

nicolson · Answer

Thanks Glikclik for this input. But the small voltage regulator, (L4931) not just the 2 larger ones on the ez-b, was red hot from day one using the 7.5Volt battery pack shipped with the item with no load attached.

Troy · Answer

Wow. Gonna have to work with DJ on that. I havent received mine yet but should this week. Possibly regulator gone bad? Have you tested for its regulated +5?

Troy · Answer

----IGNORE---- Grrr I wish there was a double post delete button.

nicolson · Answer

Yes Gliclick, I tested both input and output and read a +5 Volts input, but a 0 Volt output. I don't know if that is normal since the data sheet shows that it's a "very Low Drop regulator which means that when the device is used as a local regulator, it is possible to put a part of the board in standby, decreasing the total power consumption." L4931 datasheet

Jeremie · Answer

Yeah the L4931-33 which is a 3.3V voltage regulator is usually un-used on the EZ-B since the only place it goes is to the Arduino compatible power header, it seems that somehow it may be shorted out. I'd suggest removing it if you don't have a need for 3.3V. Otherwise with the EZ-B power off use a multimeter, on the Ohms setting, to try and poke around and see if the output of the regulator is shorted to GND somewhere. I forgot to suggest this but have you guys tried removing the LINVOR module from your Bluetooth devices and then re-discovered it? This may help but be aware it may showup on another COM port if you do. You can also try a different USB port on your PC/Laptop with your Bluetooth dongle (if you are using a dongle). Another thing to check is the voltage level of your batteries, the EZ-B can operate at a pretty low voltage but it doesn't hurt to have a good voltage. The 7.4V - 8.0V range is ideal. As for having too many servos on board, I can dispel this by saying I have had 17 standard servos operational on an EZ-B before at the same time. But be aware that was pushing the limits of the 5A fuse, I popped a few at that current.

winstn60 · Answer

On my EZ-B V3 board there is a cut in the track labelled Gnd on the header nearest the L4931 voltage regulator and missing C1 capacitor. This was obviously a mistake in the board design check you have that cut? We really could use a cct diagram to help fault find though If the L4931 is hot then it is shorted somewhere to ground as Skater_j10 suggests. The only time my board behaves in a weird way is if the power supply is low and it needs a recharge. The motors still work but the EZ-B just loses contact. Hope this helps

nicolson · Answer

Thank you guys for latest feedback. I removed the L4931 regulator, but the same problem persist: the EZ-B won't connect at all. I start to wonder if I should not order another EZ-B stress

TXTCLA55 · Answer

Nicolson I am right there with you. I have just let mine sit around for the past few days because of my connection issue. I really think the Firmware on the EZB needs to be looked at as soon as DJ returns. My best guess is that there is a glitch in there some where...

raym0nd · Answer

Do you guys know when is DJ coming back?

winstn60 · Answer

Just tried my EZB ver 3 board and it connects perfectly on com port 13. The EZ firmware updater reports Ver 12 installed no need to update

TXTCLA55 · Answer

Winstn60 what version of ARC are you using? When I got mine it too had Frimware version 12 on it, but because I had the newest ARC software; it told me I had to update to Firmware v14. So I did and now I cant hold a connection or even get one after at least 10 tries.

nicolson · Answer

could anyone provide me please with the older version of ARC? I would like to try to connect using it

winstn60 · Answer

Hi TXTCLA55 I have got ARC 2011.08.10.00 and firmware version 12. Which is the latest version's on DJ's EZB site. I have no idea how you have got V14 firmware!! unless you are a beta tester? All the files are in C: windows program files (x86)EZ-Robot It would be easy enough to send you the folder and you can run it from there ok However as a test I just uninstalled ARC and reloaded it from the ARC page on this website and it is exactly the same as before and all works with V12 firmware Confused? However I have just tried reinstalling ARC without 1st uninstalling it from control panel and you get the repair uninstall option. Clicking on repair seems to screw up the Bluetooth comm ports so I'm now trying a machine reboot

winstn60 · Answer

Reboot fixed it all my comms ports now have reappeared and I can connect again.

nicolson · Answer

Hi every one, Since it has been impossible to connect the EZ-B to my laptop using the bluetooth connection, I connected it using a serial to USB cable and found out that the firmware version is V85 when it should be V12. Does any one know what may be the reason? I include this video to show you guys.

Jeremie · Answer

Wow Nicolson looks like you've taken a Delorean trip to the future and you were able to get EZ-B firmware version 85!!! Very weird. With your USB to serial adapter try doing a firmware update to v12, the firmware updater comes with the ARC download, look for it in your programs under "EZ-Builder" DJ even has a small tutorial on updating your EZ-B firmware. P.S. I hope that you are using a USB-TTL serial adapter, as normal serial communication from a COM port is 7-12V and will most likely damage the PIC chip, where as TTL level serial is usually in the 5V range which is ok for the PIC chip (even voltage levels at 3V should still be OK).

nicolson · Answer

Thanks sater_j10 for your feedback. I did try to update the firmware using the USB to serial adapter. Here's a video showing what happened:  Any suggestion?

winstn60 · Answer

What speed does the USB to serial adapter work at can you alter this parameter? I doubt the firmware is V85 for what you are trying to do you need to know bit rate, parity etc to communicate correctly with the PIC chip. Good luck

nicolson · Answer

Yes winstn60, I have full access to alter this parameter. The actual parameter is: 9600 bits per second, 8 data bits, parity None, stop bits 1, flow control None. Do you know the matching parameter for the PIC chip?

winstn60 · Answer

Well I don't know actually It could be 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200, 230400, 460800, 921600, and 1382400 I stumbled across what looks like the bluetooth module used on the EZ-B clicky Suggest you try 9600 and then go up in stages and see if you get more sensible results you. The original settings look to be 115200, N, 8, 1 from this data sheet If this doesn't work I suggest you need a new EZ-B board

nicolson · Answer

Thanks winstn60 for keeping in touch. There is a way to find out the exact parameter: please go on your computer to control panel, device manager, expand "Ports (COM and LPT), double click on the standard serial over bluetooth link COM port for your bluetooth connection, then click on the port settings tab, you should see the exact parameter.

Jeremie · Answer

Yeah I'm pretty sure that it's 9600 baud. It seems to me that you may have to get your PIC chip re-flashed the firmware seems quite messed (i.e. V85 showing up). DJ should be able to do it for you when he gets back from Vacation, or else you might be able ship your EZ-B back to Solarbotics if you purchased it from us and we can always quickly re-flash it for you. (Be aware that we ship ground when sending stuff back so it may take a little while).

nicolson · Answer

Thanks skater_j10, yes I bought the EZ-B from this website. I will ship it back to you today, would you please let me know the address? don't worry about the shipping cost, I am willing to pay to get the EZ-B back fast. It has been a frustrating week, many of my friends are desapointed, some are talking about $100 dollars scam! But me personally I don't think the EZ-B is a scam: to many of you guys in this forum seem to be happy with it and too much had been put in both the board and the software. The EZ-B is a master piece, it's the best way to build real robots. Thank you all for your support. Nick

nicolson · Answer

Hi skater_j10, would you please confirm that the ez-robot shipping address is the following? 4528 Stanley Road SW Calgary, Alberta T2S 2P9 Canada

Jeremie · Answer

Sorry Nick, Solarbotics is a separate entity than EZ-robot, we are a distributor. You'll have to wait for DJ to make a call on that one, please send a message to EZ-robot at the bottom of the FAQ section on the website.

nicolson

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