Fuzipeg
Resolved by CochranRobotics!
I've got the developer kit, this is my first time trying to build a proper robot. After putting in the batteries to the holder and connecting it to the power shell (the ez-b was already in the shell) it is supposed to just start up, but it hasn't done anything so far. No sound, lights, anything. I've tested the rechargeable batteries (they're new anyway) and they are working. I've checked and re-checked the cable from the battery pack is connected correctly to the socket adaptor and wires are securely screwed in. I've opened the shell and the EZ-B, and can't see any fault with the connections. I'm an electronics technician and I'm on the verge of going into work just to get my multimeter.
Can anyone suggest something that I might have missed?
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Can you open the shell and check the fuse ? If is in place and/or is intact.
https://www.ez-robot.com/Tutorials/Lesson/47
If you are getting about 7.6 volts or so
then, can you check the voltage on the barrel side of the power adapter?
Again, you should be getting about 7.6 volts or so.
Next is the power base. Check the voltage from the little red plug on the top of the base. Again, you should be getting about 7.6 volts or so
From there, can you plug back in the EZ-B and then check the voltage from one of the sets of pins on the left side of the EZ-B or digital pins. You will check any black pin to a red pin. You should get about 7.6 volts.
Please report the voltages. This will tell you where in the power chain the issue is. It could just be a fuse that is in the power base, a bad power barrel or loose wire on the battery holder.
If you validated all the previous suggestions, the next step is to open EZB and check for bent or missing pins.
http://www.ez-robot.com/Community/Forum/posts.aspx?threadId=10364
The battery connector plug says that there is just over 8V coming out. I've checked and the batteries are all definitly 1.2V
The power shell connections are going all the way through from the battery socket to the metal pins in the red box.
Thanks guys x *confused*
If it stops working when I get home I'm going to be annoyed :/
The digital pins are not voltage regulated, so you can always check the digital pins for voltage to see if the same 8V is making it all of the way through the board to the pin.
No, this isnt a common problem, or you would see a lot of posts about it in the community. I suspect that there is a loose connection somewhere in the mix, probably where the connections between the different components are involved.
The battery holder has such a tight grip on some of the batteries that the spring isn't strong enough to push the battery right up to the positive connection on a couple of the side slots where the holder has extra grips
Thanks for the help ^.^