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Author Topic: LED-WIZ help  (Read 2319 times)

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ABACABB

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LED-WIZ help
« on: September 15, 2015, 01:50:52 pm »
I have 2 LED-WIZ+GP devices (with different device IDs) set up and running in my pinball cabinet.  Device #1 malfunctioned, I sent back to GGG and it was repaired.  The problem was one of the button inputs was sticking open on the gamepad side of the device.  When I reinstalled it to play my pinball cabinet again, device #2 now randomly disconnects and reconnects.  While it does this it takes focus away from VP and my ball drains and it is game over.  There are no inputs connected to device#2, it is running solenoids connected through relays with diodes in place.  I have been over my wiring several times to look for the issue.  I believe I have everything wired up properly and the most important thing is that I had been playing my pinball cabinet for months with no issues at all so I have to assume that the wiring is correct.  Does anyone have any ideas on what could be wrong?  It is driving me nuts and when my pinball table freezes in the middle of a game I just want to scream!  :banghead:

RandyT

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Re: LED-WIZ help
« Reply #1 on: September 16, 2015, 11:58:14 am »

Random disconnections of USB devices usually indicates an overloaded USB port.  You may need to use a powered hub, or if using the 5v USB supply to power things, move those to a dedicated power supply.

SavannahLion

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Re: LED-WIZ help
« Reply #2 on: September 16, 2015, 01:18:46 pm »
Wouldn't a problem like that manifest itself before a repair?

Unless it had dedicated power before and not after....

ABACABB

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Re: LED-WIZ help
« Reply #3 on: September 16, 2015, 03:50:24 pm »
Thanks for the suggestions.  I did try different USB ports already, no dice there.  The LEDWIZ that is disconnecting (#2) is running solenoids and relays off of a separate dedicated power supply.  Nothing is hooked to the +5v line on this one.  My #1 device is running 5 RGB LEDs but it does not fail.  Device #1 is the one that was repaired.........Thanks for that Randy.

[/EDIT: some more info that could help troubleshoot.  When I play the table Medieval Madness and the ball goes to the far left "catapult launch", this causes the disconnect.  Other things do as well but I picked up on this one since it has happened here more than once.  How would I figure out which outputs are being activated when a ball gets launched from the catapult?  I'm now assuming some combination of devices being fired simultaneously is the problem.i]
« Last Edit: September 16, 2015, 03:59:38 pm by ABACABB »

RandyT

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Re: LED-WIZ help
« Reply #4 on: September 16, 2015, 04:20:06 pm »

The interesting observation is that the second unit didn't start doing this until you re-installed the first unit, and I assume that some of your wiring was moved/re-configured at that time. 

Another thing to look at is the USB cable connection.  Something may have gotten torqued or pulled, leaving it with an intermittent connection issue.  If you have solenoids or other vibrations in the machine, it might be enough for a momentary disconnect.  I would try wiggling the connection a bit to see if you can re-create the intermittent issue.

Since you indicated that certain events seem to cause it to occur, you should also go over any wiring and devices connected with those events with a fine toothed comb.  It may be that there is power backfeeding to the LED-Wiz somehow, which would definitely be a bad thing.  If you want to try to to pin this down in email, I'll do my best, but issues like this one can be tough to troubleshoot from afar.

ABACABB

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Re: LED-WIZ help
« Reply #5 on: September 16, 2015, 04:34:03 pm »
Yes, I find this very puzzling too since I had it working properly before. Maybe just talking this through on here with you is helping.  In the Windows desktop, I tried wiggling my USB cables around and did not get the error.  On a side note when the error happens it says "USB device not recognized".  so I think we can eliminate the USB cable issue.  I have to agree that somehow in my wiring power is coming back through to the LEDWIZ and causing it to reset or something momentarily and that is when Windows gives the "USB device not recognized" error, which is what causes VP to lock up.  Does the firmware in this device need to boot up?  Do you know what is making Windows not be able to recognize it all of the sudden when it is in use?
« Last Edit: September 16, 2015, 04:39:46 pm by ABACABB »

SavannahLion

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Re: LED-WIZ help
« Reply #6 on: September 16, 2015, 06:24:52 pm »
On a side note when the error happens it says "USB device not recognized".  so I think we can eliminate the USB cable issue.

Actually that's not true. This is exactly one of the error messages I get when the USB cable is going/gone bad. My kids destroy USB cables almost daily (thank you $1 store). I spent hours tracing down a once working setup until I flat out replaced the cable and voila, I stopped getting that error message. I myself see it mostly with the smarter devices like Androids rather than the dumbed down power suckers. Not excluding a problem with the controller itself but I wouldn't be quick to rule out the cable.

I would straight up use a different known good cable before rulling the cable itself out.

ABACABB

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Re: LED-WIZ help
« Reply #7 on: September 17, 2015, 07:29:19 am »
Wow, never looked at it that way.  I will absolutely try the new USB cable when i get home this evening.  Thanks for the info.

ABACABB

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Re: LED-WIZ help
« Reply #8 on: September 21, 2015, 08:45:32 am »
*SIGH*   Tried 2 different known working USB cables and still get the error "USB Device not recognized".  I really started to think you were on to something because the wiring for device #2 has not changed, so it makes sense that something has failed. 

RandyT asked about the wiring/rewiring.  The rewiring only happened on device #1 when it was sent to you for repair.  Device #2, which is giving me the problem now, was not disconnected.

I have a few other things to look at.  One of my 12v push type solenoids I use for slingshot bumpers has failed.  The solenoid itself is no longer firing, even outside of the LEDWIZ.  It is protected with a relay and diode but I'm trying to think this through.  I should check the other one to see if it is possibly failing.  Perhaps that could be causing the LEDWIZ to have the error?  But it is connected through a relay so the power should not be going through the LEDWIZ?  Again I'm thinking out loud here to see if anything I type sparks an idea for help.

SavannahLion

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Re: LED-WIZ help
« Reply #9 on: September 21, 2015, 10:50:11 am »
At this point I would either swap LEDWiz's. That would involve reprogramming the I/O. Don't just blindly swap them, that would be no different than changing the USB cable. I'm not sure what your setup is but if the error follows the Wiz, it might be the Wiz. If the error jumps to the other Wiz, it's the wiring. The inherent risk is if the Wiz is damaged from the wiring, you're going to get the CoD disease. (Google Iomega ZIP if you want to know)

Another would be to disconnect everything from #2 and systematically reconnect each output in turn until the problem arises. Again, I don't know your wiring scheme but this would be a little safer since you're not flat out swapping the wiring. You just have to take care not to cross wires or anything like that.

BadMouth

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Re: LED-WIZ help
« Reply #10 on: September 21, 2015, 10:56:12 am »
I have an unused LED Wiz if you want to borrow it to plug into the USB to see if it's recognized.
Not sure I want it connected to your pinball setup in case there is something bad going on there.  ;)

ABACABB

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Re: LED-WIZ help
« Reply #11 on: September 21, 2015, 11:45:48 am »
Thanks for the suggestions guys.  I think I'm starting to chase down the problem.  Since I have one push type solenoid that died, I was curious about the 2nd one (these are connected to Device#2 and set as slingshot bumbers).  I pulled the fuses from the fuse block that control these solenoids and the problem *seems* to have gone away.  I need to do a little more testing (by actually playing a table) but so far in the LEDWIZ test utility program, I have not been able to get the error again.

If I can actually play a table without the issue coming up, I've narrowed it down to these solenoids and/or relays as the culprit.

ABACABB

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Re: LED-WIZ help
« Reply #12 on: September 22, 2015, 03:55:23 pm »
I had a chance to play a few tables last night and I did not get the USB error!!  That's the good thing, I found the problem.  I pulled the fuses for my 2 relays that control 12v push solenoids for slingshot bumpers.  This makes sense that something failed because it was working and I had not changed the wiring to that device.  I didn't do any testing to see if it was the solenoid that failed or the relay.  I'm assuming it is the relay otherwise how would the solenoid be causing the interruption when it wasn't directly connected?  I guess this is helpful for troubleshooting in the future, these electronics do fail.  These relays were only about 4 months old as well.

SavannahLion

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Re: LED-WIZ help
« Reply #13 on: September 23, 2015, 12:58:05 am »
My blood level is too high so I can't recall ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- right now, but do you have your diodes in their right places?

ABACABB

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Re: LED-WIZ help
« Reply #14 on: September 23, 2015, 02:39:38 pm »
I have double checked that but I will triple check tonight.  I am pretty sure I do.  All of my other toys are wired the same way, with diodes, and everything else works.