Reset Mloader

For Formula AllCode users to discuss projects, programs, and any other issues related to the Formula AllCode robotics platform.

Moderators: Benj, Mods

Post Reply
sundgau
Posts: 78
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 4:18 pm
Has thanked: 5 times
Been thanked: 10 times
Contact:

Reset Mloader

Post by sundgau »

Hello,
I have 3 allcode out of 11 which cannot be programmed anymore; the red led no longer flashes. I can no longer program them either in USB or in Bluetooth. Is it about the 10uF reset capacitor C28? Can you confirm it to me?
Best regards and happy new year!
Bruno
Last edited by sundgau on Fri Dec 24, 2021 8:33 am, edited 2 times in total.

User avatar
Benj
Matrix Staff
Posts: 15312
Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:48 am
Location: Matrix TS Ltd
Has thanked: 4803 times
Been thanked: 4314 times
Contact:

Re: Reset Mloader

Post by Benj »

Hi Bruno,

Have they been working ok? Might be worth trying them in a warm environment we have had reports that some units have problems programming when cold due to a capacitance component issue.

Are the batteries charging up ok?

sundgau
Posts: 78
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 4:18 pm
Has thanked: 5 times
Been thanked: 10 times
Contact:

Re: Reset Mloader

Post by sundgau »

They have all worked fine since 2012-2017.
The recharge works and the BT connection too. I have just compared the signal at the terminals of the capacitor C28 of two allcodes and they seem identical: same rise time and maximum voltage.
I'll try to keep them warm! But this is not a lasting solution ... What are the capacitors that may need to be changed?

sundgau
Posts: 78
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 4:18 pm
Has thanked: 5 times
Been thanked: 10 times
Contact:

Re: Reset Mloader

Post by sundgau »

Miracle of the beginning of the year ! Thank you Ben.
They all came back to life!
Now my students will get their allcode on the classroom radiator!
Is there a repair solution (change of very specific SMD electrochemical capacitors)?

Bruno

User avatar
Benj
Matrix Staff
Posts: 15312
Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:48 am
Location: Matrix TS Ltd
Has thanked: 4803 times
Been thanked: 4314 times
Contact:

Re: Reset Mloader

Post by Benj »

Hi Bruno,

You're very welcome,

I beleive the cap at fault is C13 and can be confirmed as touching the cap when not working should allow the robot to come to life.

Replacing this with a ceramic 1uF - 10uF 1206 should fix the problem for you.

sundgau
Posts: 78
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 4:18 pm
Has thanked: 5 times
Been thanked: 10 times
Contact:

Re: Reset Mloader

Post by sundgau »

Hi,

I just tested 2 repairs on two of my allcode.
The first one was to remove the 10uF smd C13 capacitor; this is very delicate and the tracks are very very fragile! You have to be very well equipped to do the maintenance. I damaged the track and I had to do a strap from the "Vcap" pin of the microcontroller!!!
The second solution is to place a tantalum capacitor of 1uF in parallel with the existing one
P_20211216_153722.jpg
P_20211216_153722.jpg (149.29 KiB) Viewed 3949 times
and to place a protection in 3d printing (onshape link: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/5c31a ... ebb788f1a5) on the whole.
Screen Shot 12-24-21 at 08.51 AM.JPG
Screen Shot 12-24-21 at 08.51 AM.JPG (20.95 KiB) Viewed 3949 times
Screen Shot 12-24-21 at 09.02 AM.JPG
Screen Shot 12-24-21 at 09.02 AM.JPG (42.63 KiB) Viewed 3949 times
Happy christmas to all.
Bruno

Post Reply