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Interface not connecting to BlackBox

Discussion in 'Interfaces' started by Evilspawn, May 28, 2022.

  1. Evilspawn

    Evilspawn New
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    When I plug my interface into the BB it goes through the setup process but fails on step 7/7 telling me to check the AUX1 connector. I have checked that and see no issues.
    There's nothing connected to the BB except power and the AUX cable, anyone have any input on this?
    My BB is on GRBL 1.1h and the brain board is V2.10. The interface is on firmware V1.51
     

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  2. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Did you remember to unplug the USB cable from BlackBox? (see docs.openbuilds.com/interface > Connecting to BlackBox)
     
  3. Evilspawn

    Evilspawn New
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    Yeah, that was what I thought the problem might have been but even when I unplugged and restarted both devices it was persisting.
     
  4. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Check the pins on the connectors of the Aux cable - a hard tug can pull the pins back and out of position - you can reseat them in the housing if that happened.

    Otherwise please continue to contact the store via Support and they will assist with the issue. Thanks
     
  5. Evilspawn

    Evilspawn New
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    Ok, well I got a new BB from support for another issue, and I'd hoped it would fix this issue as well, but no luck. Before contacting them again, does this wiring look correct? I'm not sure if the white and yellow wires are supposed to be switched like that?
     

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  6. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    They are not, would you mind taking a knack at swopping one end? Quicker than waiting on a replacement cable
     
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  7. Evilspawn

    Evilspawn New
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    This fixed my connection issue! Thank you!
     
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  8. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Good stuff! Good catch and thank's for taking a go at it :)
     
  9. dpow

    dpow New
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    In a similar vain, the RJ end of my interface cable is punched Black - Yellow - Green - Red. The molex end is different. Is that correct? Also, I've read about varying versions of the cable - 6 pin vs 4 pin. My socket appears to be 6 pin. I'm getting the check AUX1 error.
     
  10. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Contact the store via Support > New Ticket for assistance
     
  11. GoblinSpanker

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    Hi Peter,

    I know this is an old thread. I hope you see it. I have same AUX1 problem as mentioned above. I have the BB X32 and the old interface.

    I have followed the guide for jumper settings, USB is removed, and firmware is updated. I’ve been scratching my head for a long time now. I just now checked the cable, but it’s not exactly as described above. For your reference I’m attaching a couple of pictures of my Interface and my cable.

    I hope for a solution. Thanks in advance,

    Rene
     

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  12. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    You can find the X32's pinout at docs:blackbox-x32:aux-serial [OpenBuilds Documentation]
    Interface's pinout is printed right next to the port:

    upload_2024-1-26_16-15-57.png

    upload_2024-1-26_16-15-45.png

    So on your cable, at the RJ11: Black is GND, Green is RX, Yellow is TX and Red is 5V

    On the Interface side, red, black, green, yellow = 5V, GND, RX, TX

    You can try swopping RX and TX and see if it helps, depinning the 4pin connector is super easy, pull them back, swop, reinstall.

    The original order looks correct, but don't have one at hand just this moment to compare, quick test may or may not work, but lets see - the backwards compatibility cable was a limited run, with newer Interface and BlackBox both having a RJ socket, much easier
     
  13. GoblinSpanker

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    Thanks for the reply,


    Unfortunately that didn’t work. I’ve double checked the corresponding colors between interface and BB32. The original color combination appears to be correct. Last thing I can think is that something in the interface is fried, but I doubt it, as the startup sequence seems perfectly normal up until the point where it can’t communicate with the BB.


    I really do want to like the OB setup, but I’ve had more trouble than success. I bought the new BB because the old BB started doing random operations, I’ve swapped multiple motors, etc. I think I will have to throw in the towel on OB unless I, against all odds, find a solution.


    Thanks for all the help and support , though. I really do appreciate it.


    /Rene
     
  14. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    The Old interfaces predate the X32 so get a new Interface too so its plug and play.
    While it's ideal to try maintain backwards compatibility, a new Interface v1.9 is massively different inside than the old one you likely have. Its been revamped after the X32s release too
     
  15. GoblinSpanker

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    Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll try to order a new interface as a last ditch attempt. Then I need the cable with RJ11 plug in both ends, right?
     
  16. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Yes, but that's included with the new Interface
     
  17. GoblinSpanker

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    Hi. It’s me - again.

    I just got my new Interface. Same story. Absolutely no connection.

    Short of throwing it in the bin, I’m out of ideas.

    Thanks for trying, though, Peter. I appreciate your time.
     
  18. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Followed all the setup steps? (Firmware V1.57? BlackBox USB cable unplugged? BlackBox otherwise in working order (all light still on when you disconnect USB)
     
  19. GoblinSpanker

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    yes to all of the above. Either there’s some stupid little thing I’ve overlooked, or I keep getting DOA units. Last option is highly improbable. First option is probable, but maybe I’ve been staring at it too long. I’ve gone through the complete setup several times. Checked cables, connections, wiring, firmware, tried all combinations I can think of between new and old BB and Interface. Frustrating is a huge understated.

    As I said I have double up of just about all components now. It’s getting a bit expensive. I wish there’d be a way to get a walkthrough via Skype or zoom.
     
  20. GS76

    GS76 Well-Known
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    I have the OpenBuilds X32 motion controller.

    I had purchased the OpenBuilds Interface V1.7 before the X32.

    I have subsequently OpenBuilds kindly sent me the new cable to connect the interface down to the X32.

    I think I read I need to change a jumper position. See the image attached. I have encircled the areas in BLUE that I believe I need to swap out.

    Am I correct or is there something else I should do?

    Thank you.
     

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  21. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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  22. GS76

    GS76 Well-Known
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