Pressing phase select button often causes lid to open and remain open

[Aaron Moore]

Hello all,

I've recently completed the wiring for my crowbox, and everything worked as expected during the functions check. However, after having it on for a while, I noticed two unexpected behaviors:

1) About every four or five presses of the phase select button result in the lid opening permanently until the Arduino is reset.

2) On phases three and four, the lid sometimes opens randomly when no coin is inserted, then closes again. I haven't been able to tie this to anything specific.

I've rewired and retested the electronics several times, and the behavior continues. I've switched out the power block and pigtail, but haven't gone as far as to redo everything else. If anyone has any advice or tips to help me solve this, I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you.

-AJ

[Michael Kapp]

AJ,

It sounds like possibly your coin sensor is shorted and constantly triggering the lid...

I would check on that connection next.

Thanks,

MK 

[Aaron Moore]

Mike,

I've tested a few times with a multimeter. There's no continuity between the coin sensor and ramp (when the box isn't doing anything, or when the lid opening is triggered via the phase button).

[Michael Kapp]

AJ,

Please look through this thread as it might offer some guidance:

https://groups.google.com/g/crowboxkit/c/9MMPKMFMmj8/m/y3P-05tZBwAJ

Any pictures, video or other info you can provide would be helpful. 

Thanks,
MK

[Aaron Moore]

Mike,

I've read through that thread, and I'm pretty sure it's not the power supply, don't seem to be overheating, etc. I'm getting 5.44vdc and a max of .618A. I have attached photos of the wiring and multimeter readings. I also have a video, which I can't seem to attach, that shows a short between the coin sensor and ramp, but only when they are attached to the Arduino. Removing the jumper cables and testing them separately shows no short. Attaching separate jumpers to the arudino at pins 3 and gnd shows a permanent short...

I have already replaced the Arduino and breadboard once, and remade all of the wires.

This is the power supply I'm using:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BY7P3GJ8?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

These are the servos:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NQJ1VZ2?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

[Aaron Moore]

It was a software issue, fixed now.

[Josh Klein]

Aaron, can you share what the software issue was in case someone runs into it in future?

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[Aaron Moore]

Mike,

The issue with phase 3 was something to do with the timing between coin deposits. It was doing something weird with the variable holding the number of coins enqueued, I think.

The issue with the lid opening when pressing the phase select button was actually expected behavior, I think? Basically cycling the phases all the way around to phase 1 always resulted in the lid opening, even without resetting the Arduino.

I've modified the Cros sketch to better handle both issues, and have added functionality for an IR remote. I now have an IR tx/rx attached the the Arduino, and the remote allows you to set the phase without resetting the Arduino, and lock the lid open or closed. I'm working on making the tx trigger an Rpi with a camera, in order to record when a bird lands.

I'll post my updated code once I'm done with it.

-AJ

[Josh Klein]

Cycling to Phase 1 does reset the lid; we built this in intentionally both as an indicator to the user as well as a test to ensure that it clears properly. 

Strange to hear about Phase 3, though. Looking forward to seeing your code updates!

Finally, very exciting to hear about the IR remote - that's a great addition!

All best,

Josh

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