AutoTop DIY

[Shehadehd]

Originally Posted by JayG

Ok, I got it all wired and connected to the switch and harness

unfortunately it does not work. I get a clicking sound from both the relay and somewhere in the top. If I hold the switch, it clicks and the top moves in a very slow stepping manner



I did a minor change to the design, I used pins D7&8 instead of 8&9. I did change the definitions to reflect that.



I am not a programmer and this is the first time I have used an Arduino



any ideas?

As a first attempt, check your wiring, specifically the 10k pulldown resistors on pin 7,8 be sure they're there and the connection is secure.

If you soldered the everything, sometimes a solder joint can look good but internally it's actually not making a good connection. By moving the wires during operation, you will see a change in operation if you have a bad connection.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by Shehadehd

As a first attempt, check your wiring, specifically the 10k pulldown resistors on pin 7,8 be sure they're there and the connection is secure.

If you soldered the everything, sometimes a solder joint can look good but internally it's actually not making a good connection. By moving the wires during operation, you will see a change in operation if you have a bad connection.

thanks for the fast reply

I should preface that that I have done a lot of soldering, I used to build and repair pro audio gear and soldered about a million XLR and multipin connectors.
In any case, I checked the pull down resistors, good connections
I tried the wiggle on all connections with no luck

In order to get any movement, I have to hold the button and instead of smooth operation, it is clicks and steps as it moves

Could it be a bad board?

[Shehadehd]

Originally Posted by JayG

thanks for the fast reply

I should preface that that I have done a lot of soldering, I used to build and repair pro audio gear and soldered about a million XLR and multipin connectors.
In any case, I checked the pull down resistors, good connections
I tried the wiggle on all connections with no luck

In order to get any movement, I have to hold the button and instead of smooth operation, it is clicks and steps as it moves

Could it be a bad board?

More likely bad pins than a bad board. You can always try four different pins and see what happens. If both opening and closing the top acts the same, then maybe the transistors aren't working properly. Make sure you didn't wire them backwards... you might also want to check to see if the 1k resistor to the transistor is an acceptable value for the transistors you're using.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by Shehadehd

More likely bad pins than a bad board. You can always try four different pins and see what happens. If both opening and closing the top acts the same, then maybe the transistors aren't working properly. Make sure you didn't wire them backwards... you might also want to check to see if the 1k resistor to the transistor is an acceptable value for the transistors you're using.

I used the exact transistor you spec'd and 1k resistor as you listed. In reviewing your parts list,you did mention that you thought it was a 1 k resistor. I have no idea how to check what value the transistor needs
I double checked the transistor wiring and it is correct

The clicking is both on open and close

[Shehadehd]

Originally Posted by JayG

I used the exact transistor you spec'd and 1k resistor as you listed. In reviewing your parts list,you did mention that you thought it was a 1 k resistor. I have no idea how to check what value the transistor needs
I double checked the transistor wiring and it is correct

The clicking is both on open and close

Haha, I didn't write the thread. I can look through the transistor to see if it'll theoretically work but the OP got it working in his so it's probably fine. It looks like he gave a top down view of the transistor in the wiring diagram so be sure that you have the left most pin ( if you're holding the transistor with the curved side towards you) wired to the switch harness.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by Shehadehd

Haha, I didn't write the thread. I can look through the transistor to see if it'll theoretically work but the OP got it working in his so it's probably fine. It looks like he gave a top down view of the transistor in the wiring diagram so be sure that you have the left most pin ( if you're holding the transistor with the curved side towards you) wired to the switch harness.

From what I can tell, it is wired correctly

[Shehadehd]

Originally Posted by JayG

From what I can tell, it is wired correctly

hmm... give me a minute to take a look at the transistor. Is it possible to take a picture of your set-up? Also, is the relay that's clicking the one that's by the foot pedals?

[Pdwight]

It is simply a electronic switch, the 1K resistor is a current limiting device to protect the transistors from drawing too much current. It would help if the writer listed the EBC codes on the drawing. I will try to open this up a bit. The 1K resistors go to the Base of the transistor, it looks like the Emitter is grounded and the Collector supplies switched power to the harness. The Arduino can only handle a few milliamps of current so the transistors are used like electronic relays to trip the regular relay in the car.