Smart Effector: 6 flashes MANY times before 2 flashes

garyd9

When first powering up, I've noticed that my smart effector does the "6 flashes" thing for many cycles before settling down to 2 flashes. To be clear, it usually takes over 2 minutes (2 minutes and 30 seconds) of cycles of 6 flashes before it settles. Once it settles down with 2 flashes, everything seems to be functioning normally.

I've read on the wiki that "...if your sensor flashes 6 or 7 times once or twice before it flashes twice, this is normal."

However, the wiki also seems to suggest that if it's flashing 6 (or 7) times and something isn't working, that it would forever be flashing 6 (or 7) times and never pass the self-test.

Does the extended length of time before it settles to only 2 flashes indicate that something might be going wrong, starting to fail, etc?

The wiki suggests this might relate to voltages settling down. Throughout the span of time between powering on and the smart effector finally doing "2 flashes", DWC is showing a clean 24v.

Thanks
Gary

Edit: I've tested this several times this evening, and the timing is very consistent: I power off the duet3, but leave the attached SBC powered (duet3 jumper is set so they don't share power.) I then power on the duet3 and watch the SBC's DWC to see it showing 24VDC almost immediately. As soon as I notice the "2 flashes" on the smart effector (instead of 6,) I check the timer on the 'console' page of my paneldue, and it shows ~ 2 min, 30sec.

dc42

@garyd9 said in Smart Effector: 6 flashes MANY times before 2 flashes:

When first powering up, I've noticed that my smart effector does the "6 flashes" thing for many cycles before settling down to 2 flashes. To be clear, it usually takes over 2 minutes (2 minutes and 30 seconds) of cycles of 6 flashes before it settles. Once it settles down with 2 flashes, everything seems to be functioning normally.

That suggests to me that your Smart Effector may be only marginally within the tolerance of the resistance ratio between the traces on the lower and upper sides. If it is a new effector, and you have not scratched or otherwise damaged the strain gauge traces, please ask for it to be replaced under warranty.

garyd9

I hate bumping my own threads, but if I'm going to need to order a new smart effector (and considering shipping time), I should probably do it near the beginning of the week.

Carlo

@garyd9

I often get 6 flashes on at least 3 of my smart effectors on power on and then always get the 2 and they work fine but never timed it... but over 2 minutes maybe its noise initially with the SBC booting ? as long as you get the 2 flashes and it works I would look to maybe separate/isolate your wiring a little more maybe if a fan is kicking in close to the wiring or similar and see if it makes any difference or run with just the bare essential to test for noise but I wouldn't look to replace it yet if it does settle.

achrn

My smart effector used to do that - it would go through lots of sets of too many flashes and take several minutes to get to two flashes, then it stopped having problems. I just did a power on and it was straight to two flashes. I haven't knowingly changed anything, so this is next to no use at all to you (except to say it might fix itself, maybe).

I deliver 5V to the MB6HC board (and seperately but simultanmeously, from teh same POL adapter ) and attached Pi, but not supplying Vin (which is 24V, when I do supply it).

dc42

@garyd9 said in Smart Effector: 6 flashes MANY times before 2 flashes:

When first powering up, I've noticed that my smart effector does the "6 flashes" thing for many cycles before settling down to 2 flashes. To be clear, it usually takes over 2 minutes (2 minutes and 30 seconds) of cycles of 6 flashes before it settles. Once it settles down with 2 flashes, everything seems to be functioning normally.

That suggests to me that your Smart Effector may be only marginally within the tolerance of the resistance ratio between the traces on the lower and upper sides. If it is a new effector, and you have not scratched or otherwise damaged the strain gauge traces, please ask for it to be replaced under warranty.

garyd9

@dc42

Thank you for replying. It's over a year old (and not scratched that I'm aware of.) I'm starting to think it might be related to the "zesty nimble" adapter I have bolted to the top of the smart effector via the three inner holes. (Using M3 screws/nuts and nylon washers to prevent metal to PCB contact.)

I'll try to loosen those nuts (and check my wiring) and if that doesn't help I'll consider replacing it before it goes bad.

Thank you again
Gary