Problems connecting to controller

[fd678]

I have had my RA for a few months, and haven't messed with it since I got it set up initially. I decided to try and connect to it to make some changes via the RA Gen. When I tried to upload the file to the board it seemed to be uploading ok, but when it completed I got a message that said "problem uploading to the board"

I tried several times with the same result. I unistalled everything RA related and re-downloaded the RA installer. Each time I tried to reinstall it would make a new port#, for instance it is currently installed on COM11. I never could get the RA to communicate.

I used a fresh computer and installed everything from scratch and it worked fine. But I need to use the original computer for monitoring.

How do I get it to work on the original computer???

Thanks

[rimai]

Go to menu Tools->Board and make sure the board selected is Reef Angel Controller and not Reef Angel Controller w/ optiboot.
Maybe the installer is not setting the board properly.
Optiboot boards started shipping only in July.

[cain]

i got the new RA with optiboot, got it 20mins ago.
i used the reef angel controller w/ optiboot and am stuck on the red blinking status led and the screen is blank.

i also got the problem uploading to board.

[cain]

i tried uploading this code using reef angel w/ optiboot, it says done uploading avrdude done. thank you, but the unit lcd display has nothing on it but blank screen and the status LED keeps on blinking:
#include <Wire.h>
#include <EEPROM.h>
#include <OneWire.h>
#include <Time.h>
#include <DS1307RTC.h>
#include <NokiaLCD.h>
#include <ReefAngel.h>
void setup()
{
ReefAngel.Init(); //Initialize controller
}
void loop()
{
ReefAngel.LED.On(); //Turn Status LED on
delay(1000); //Waits for 1000ms before proceeding
ReefAngel.LED.Off(); //Turn Status LED off
delay(1000); //Waits for 1000ms before proceeding
}

[rimai]

That's exactly what that code does. It just blinks.
It's just a code to have you get familiar with uploading codes to the controller.
Now that you know how to upload code to the controller, make sure to read this thread:
http://forum.reefangel.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=60

[cain]

well, the blinking doesnt stop. and there's no display on the LCD display, it has power but it is blank.
i'm beginning to think i did something wrong.

[rimai]

No, what you did is correct.
It's just that the code will only blink the Status LED forever and will do nothing more.
It won't turn the LCD on, it won't activate relays, it won't do anything else.
Like I said, it is meant to just get you familiar with uploading something to the controller.
It's doing exactly what you asked to do:

Code: Select all

ReefAngel.LED.On(); //Turn Status LED on
delay(1000); //Waits for 1000ms before proceeding
ReefAngel.LED.Off(); //Turn Status LED off
delay(1000); //Waits for 1000ms before proceeding

The code is turning LED on, waiting 1 second, turning it off, waiting another second and repeating this loop forever.
The controller is only going to do what you tell it to do and right now, it's doing its job... Blinking for you
Anyway, please follow the above posted thread to get your RAGen setup and start generating code. Then, you will have something useful, instead of just blinking.

[cain]

roberto, how do i get back to the original screen?
you know the screen w/ all the display when you first power the thing.

[rimai]

You need to upload the original code again.
http://www.reefangel.com/Support.Return ... -code.ashx

[cain]

o.k.
ty, lemme mess it up more. lol

[chridijon]

ok i copy and pasted the blink code. i have made sure that i am using the right port. for me its comport 4. i have used all 3 boards. and i cannot upload on to the RA. i always get problem uploading to board. even when i hit the upload button nothing blinks nothing happens at all. the controller is powered up. the only thing conneted to it is the USB cable and the serial cable to the outlets, since that was the only way to power up the controller. it wont power up if the USB cable is the only thing conneted to it. i have uninstalled and reinstalled the installer countless times, hell i even re downloaded the installer countless times. what am i doing wrong??

[rimai]

I'm assuming you placed your order recently and you have the optiboot bootloader.
If this is the case, make sure to pick "Reef Angel Controller w/ optiboot" under the menu "Tools->Board".

[chridijon]

Yes I received it yesterday. I have tried all 3 board settings, nothing worked. However I did notice on the program, that you use to upload to the I/O board, it says sending but nothing is recvd, and it says that it is not syncs.

[rimai]

Ok, so we know you definitely have the optiboot bootloader.
Now, let's check which serial port you need to use.
1. Make sure that the USB-TTL cable is connected.
2. Open the Arduino IDE
3. Go to menu "Tools->Serial Port" and write down all COM ports listed.
4. Remove the USB-TTL cable.
5. Go to menu "Tools->Serial Port" and write down all COM ports listed.
6. Compare your notes and you will find out you have one COM port missing from step #5.
7. This is the COM port you have to select when uploading your code.

[chridijon]

On step #3 only 1 port is listed. On step #5 nothing listed.

[rimai]

Ok, so there is only one COM port setup on your computer.
Now, make sure that you have a check mark on the side of the COM port that you identified on step 3.
If you do not, click on that COM port to mark it.
Now, you should have all setup.
You board should be "Reef Angel Controller w/ optiboot" and the Serial Port should have a check mark on it.
Let's try to upload something now.
When you click the "Upload" button, do you see the red status led on the head unit blink??

[chridijon]

Everything is checked as suppose to be. The green power light is on and status light is solid red and does not blink. Doesn't blink when I plug it into computer, doesn't blink when I try and upload, only time it goes off is when I go to view logs.

[rimai]

Do you have a jumper like in this photo?

[chridijon]

Yep

[rimai]

Please check if for some reason the RTS checkmark did not get flagged.

• Open "Control Panel"
• Click "Hardware and Sound"
• Click "Device Manager"
• On the "Device Manager" window, expand "Ports (COM & LTP)"
• Double Click "USB Serial Port (COMx)
• Select the tab "Port Settings"
• Click the button "Advanced"
• Check mark "Set RTS On Close"
• Close all windows

[chridijon]

Yep it was already flagged.
Welcome to my level of frustration LOL

[rimai]

It seems you don't even have a bootloader.
If you disconnet the controller from the wall and plug it back in, do you see the red led status flashing on the head unit?
Pay close attention, because the flashing is very fast and it happens right after the power is on.

[chridijon]

I don't know if it will help but when I was installing the software using the installer, when I got to the part where it checks for connection it said no ports were found.

[chridijon]

When I unplug the screen and lights turn off. When I plug in the screen comes on and the green power light as well as red status light comes on and both are steady, no blinking.

[rimai]

I think your head unit was not programmed correctly.
You got PM.

[chridijon]

Thanks for all the help. I wish all companies had half of your level of customer service!!!