Hi everyone. I need some help. I just received my Interface today and tried to install it. It won't power up. Now, the computer won't even recognize the Black Box. I made sure everything on my end was correct as I did it. I checked the harness for continuity. It was pinned correctly, I know it's not the harness. I checked voltage at the Interface, nothing. For what it's worth, I'm WHMA certified, so I know my way around stuff like this and am certain I didn't damage anything when I removed the transistor. The Black Box used to light up just with a USB plug plugged into it. I know one of the things said was by removing the transistor, it wouldn't power it up anymore. I can confirm that the Black Box no longer lights up under USB Power. Is there a jumper or something that I missed or looks out of line? I followed the instructions exactly. I don't want to say my interface is bad, as it's not getting power so of course it's not going to turn on. My question is, what now is wrong with my Black Box Controller? I have a project I'm supposed to finish tomorrow. I should have done it before installing the Interface. I had heard they were a bit sketchy when they came out, like perhaps they were released a bit too soon. Seems like they are doing better now. Any help would be greatly appreciated! I've attached a before and after pic of removing the transistor, and pic of installing the piece over the 6 pins, and a pic of how the harness is plugged into the Interface and the Black Box.
I just answered you on FB. Its better to keep the discussion here. So.... " I dont think you specifically said this, but are you saying that the PC no longer sees the BB even after turning on the BB with the power switch? If that's the case, you may have an issue. I wood unplug everything from the BB except 24v power and USB and try again. If that doesnt work, contact support. If you can get it to work, lets us know and we can walk you through the Interface issues next."
Speak to http://support.openbuilds.com/support/home and they'll sort you out. Symptoms consistent with a blown 5V regulator on the Muscle board at the bottom. Happens sometimes earlier in the Blackbox lifetime by shorting a limit switch or other place where V+ and GND are present. Usually during first wiring, usually goes unnoticed. Still works off USB power, but then when you get an Interface, you cannot run Interface as it doesn't power up without the regulator (which broke some time ago), and the modification also disables USB Power (expecting the Muscle to be intact and not damaged after all). Now without any 5v rail, no longer connects to PC either. Old damage finally caught up The history will be hard to track, but do go over the wiring and just make sure it cannot short again. Popular ways are insulation stripped too far back, and nearby wires shorting right near connectors, or limits/probes etc whose contacts touch frame or other conductive surfaces. Or if you know of an incident like that, already resolved, then consider it checked
Thank you both. When I power up the Black Box, it turns on and the fan runs. When I plug into USB, the computer doesn’t see it anymore. I’ve restarted both. I can confirm the transistor is out, as the usb no longer powers the Black Box. There is no voltage coming to the interface from the Black Box. I just connected the interface to a 5V power source and it turns on but gives errors because it can’t see the controller. I even played a little cheesy game on it. I’ve pretty much narrowed it to the Black Box, but am certain I didn’t damage anything removing the transistor. There has to be another issue, hopefully simple. I’ll call support. Hopefully they can help me. Just bad timing. I should’ve never tried something new before I had something to run, that was an error on my judgment. I trust everything was going to work OK.
Reread my edited reply above for explanation You found the easter egg. Beat the high score: Interface Game (High Scores)
I clicked on the link per your request to speak to someone and it’s just prompting me to send an email. Is this all I can expect for the rest of the day? Thanks.
I opened a ticket. FWIW, the XYZ probe no longer lights up either. Guess no voltage making it there either. SMH.
Update: I was working on the machine tonight. I got the red light straightened out. Over current on X. I now have full control again thru the computer. I still have nothing on the interface. I shut everything down. Unplugged the computer from the black box and plugged in the interface. If I unplug the interface, I hear a difference in sound from the Black Box, so it seems like something is connecting. I do have 5 volts both at the Black Box and the Interface end of that cable. It's been a long time, but I had this same issue. I got so frustrated I walked away from the machine. So here I am a couple years later ready to give it another go. I was in the exact same place, except replacing the muscle board didn,t fix my problem. Also at the same time as trying to install this I now have a red light on the black box for the X which was never there before. Could that be related? I should add that I can still control the machine from the computer, just nothing on the X.
