Adafruit Superhero Power Plant

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bobbythebuilder
 
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Adafruit Superhero Power Plant

Post by bobbythebuilder »

Hello everyone! I come to you in dire need of help. My friend and I took on the Adafruit Superhero Power Plant project (for our final project) described here:

https://learn.adafruit.com/superhero-po ... t/overview

We followed the circuit diagram down to the T and are still having a huge problem with it. For starters the NeoPixel Ring only has one light that turns on and it is the light next to the Data Out pinhole. We're not sure if the code provided needs to be altered as we realized there are different assortments of neopixel rings.

Here is a blog post of our anguish that goes into more detail: http://makercommons.org/2014/05/11/the- ... -iron-man/

BOM:

1 Adafruit Gemma
1 NeoPIxel Ring 16 RGB
1 Flora RGB Smart NeoPIxel
Wires

(We're beginners and can't read code all too well so any help would be welcome! We're literally stuck here!)

Thank you!

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Adafruit Superhero Power Plant

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

Can you post a close-up of the top-side solder joint for the data out connection?

bobbythebuilder
 
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Re: Adafruit Superhero Power Plant

Post by bobbythebuilder »

We couldn't figure out how to import images into this text box so i hope you don't mind us just sending you hosted links.

http://imgur.com/9QEfHxy

http://imgur.com/oJu2Q53

we took pictures of both sides for you. let us know if you need us to get an even closer image.

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Adafruit Superhero Power Plant

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

I see what appear to be a few solder bridges there on the VCC, GND and DOUT wires. The solder looks like it is touching the legs of the adjacent pixels. It is important to keep the solder only on the small ring surrounding the hole. Usually it is better to solder from the back side (it looks like you did that with the DIN wire)

Use some solder wick or a solder sucker to clean up the excess solder and you can probably get the rest of it to light up.

bobbythebuilder
 
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Re: Adafruit Superhero Power Plant

Post by bobbythebuilder »

Ahhh okay thank you! Unfortunately our maker space at school got closed for the day. We'll be trying this out tomorrow and let you know. Out of curioisoty do you think there is anything in the code itself that we might need to change? Cause that's something I could work on tonight.

Again thanks for your help!

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Adafruit Superhero Power Plant

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

The code from the tutorial should work as written. I think what is happening is that you have a short between the output pin of the first pixel and the DOUT connection, so the only two pixels that are lighting are the first and last in the chain.

bobbythebuilder
 
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Re: Adafruit Superhero Power Plant

Post by bobbythebuilder »

Ahh okay i see now. I'll definitely keep you posted tomorrow. i cant wait to try this.

bobbythebuilder
 
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Re: Adafruit Superhero Power Plant

Post by bobbythebuilder »

Hello,
My friend and I posted a question earlier on a project we are developing. We were trying to complete the Adafruit Superhero Power Plant for class. The initial problem we were experiencing was that the LED lights wouldn't all light up. We would have at most 3 out of the 16 lights turn on. It was suggested that perhaps there was a shortage in our cables and we decided to re solder everything over. Now, not only won't any of the lights even turn on, but neither does the gemma. Does anyone have any suggestions? We are desperate for answers. Thanks!

http://imgur.com/Q9T5LY6

http://imgur.com/6OA8j3L

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Adafruit Superhero Power Plant

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

You have too much solder on those joints. And it looks like the red wire to the 5v connection is touching one of the pins in the pixel next to it.
This guide has some tips on fixing common soldering problems. http://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-guid ... n-problems

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