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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Karman on March 21, 2003, 05:33:34 pm

Title: How to test an optic board?
Post by: Karman on March 21, 2003, 05:33:34 pm

I have a brand new Happ 2.25 inch hooked up to an opti-pac.  I'm only getting one axis.  I can switch the plugs on the two optic boards and get the other axis, so I'm assuming one of the optic boards is bad.  Is there a way I can test it with a volt/ohm meter?  With the track ball being brand new, I just want to make sure.  

Title: Re:How to test an optic board?
Post by: _Iz- on March 21, 2003, 05:48:48 pm

Well, I know you can test to see if the emitters are working by looking at them on a video camera's display while they are powered on. (Their optical range is beyond human vision but is picked up by a video camera) I don't know how to test the detectors. I'd start by verifying the emitters are lighting and go from there.

Title: Re:How to test an optic board?
Post by: OSCAR on March 21, 2003, 08:27:28 pm

Unplug the trackball from the Opti-PAC.  Remove the suspect optic board from the trackball leaving it connected to the trackball harness, and then reconnect the trackball to the Opti-PAC.

Measure the voltage across the +5V and X1 (or Y1, whichever board you are testing) screw terminals on the Opti-PAC.  With nothing blocking the optics you should be able to read about +4.7V.  Next place something opaque between the optics to block them and measure the voltage again.  This time you should be able to measure about +0.5V.  If you are getting both readings, then the optic board should be okay and you might want to check the continuity of the harness.