Help — NC314 2.2 starts up, but no tubes

[derek.merckParticipant]

Hi —

I just received a NCS314 HW v2.2. Took it out of the box, plugged it in, and flashed it with the HW 2.0 firmware that I found in the GitHub 314 shield repository (no HW v2.2 available). Similar outcome to sheva.serg’s post at startup — leds cycle colors, no tube activity, sound test (pink panther, much to my children’s delight) works. Nothing appears broken, bent, loose, or hot. Also tried flashing HW v1.2 and got the same result.

Is there a debugging procedure for the hardware? Anything that I can test and fix?

I am using a Chinese-made Elegoo Uno microcontroller, but I haven’t had any compatibility issues with this model before. Just mentioning though, in case others with similar problems are also using clone boards. I’ll go dig up a genuine Arduino and try that next.

It’s such a cool product idea — I will recommend it to my friends when I get it working!

[Gra AfchKeymaster]

Hello Derek.

Everything seems to be right.
The firmware version is correct.
And all: Pink panther tune, diodes flashing seems right.
Before trying another Arduino board try the following.
If you are familiar with electrotechnics, you can test the Shield board.
Use the reference below and check high voltage (175-180V) at test points.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Cz9PnqB14MxTdhIy1

Write back with your findings.

Actually here are some general recommendations:

– Check connections of power supply to Arduino board. The power supply should be at least 12V and 1A. Also check polarity
– Check connection between Arduino and Shield board
– Check voltage at test point 1 TP1, should be 11.3-12.5V
– Check voltage at test point 1 TP2, should be 11.3-12.5V
– Try to regulate high voltage at trimmer R56, within range 170-190V
– Check quality of soldering at U6 chip, also check key orientation
– Check quality of soldering of: R53, R36, R61, R50, R56, R58, Q1, L1, D9. Also check the polarity for D9.

[derek.merckParticipant]

The power supply requirement was the problem! I had not even realized that the Audrino could pass along higher voltage dc until you pointed out that the board needed 12v in. I refreshed the NC314 to firmware v2.0, plugged in a 12v adapter to the Audrino, and it works as expected.

You may want to mention the power requirements explicitly (or more prominently?) in the docs. I wrongly assumed that the board could step up the current from whatever the Audrino was using, so I _only_ saw it running from USB power while flashing it.

Thanks! Looks beautiful sitting on my desk!

Derek–

[billymac101Participant]

Hello I am having same problem with newer latest board v 2.2 of the Adurino board, no 180 volts, just 12 volts present at all points where 180 should be, everything seems ok. ran 12 volts 2.5 amps on bench supply ,adjusted trimmer pot, still getting 12v across HV side

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