Aux switch half working (solved)

[garymorris2]

Hello again

 i am working on a prizm saber and the aux switch will work for changing colors but not for lock up or blaster sounds, i checked the connection to the board and replaced the switch but still did not receive any results. any suggestions my friends?

[Dann]

How was this solved? I'm having the same issue!

[Yoda]

How was this solved? I'm having the same issue!

Dann I believe you are using a CF8 and Garry is using a Prism board?

Both are Plecterlabs so I think erv may be able to shed light on this.
Maybe something in the Config files conflicting with the Aux v/s color change.

You can always turn the color changing off and see if that fixes it.

[Yoda]

Moving this into Erv's section as I'm sure He will have the fast answer for you gentlemen

[Dann]

Yessir, I'm using a CF8.

[Yoda]

Yessir, I'm using a CF8.

If you are using the Stock SD card that came with the board I would
recommend making a copy of it so you hav an SD card and config to
experiment with and not loose the original settings.

Then You can try and go in and turn off all that on the fly color mixing stuff
that way you can see if the switch is working properly or not.

Also if a switch has a metal case make sure there isn't any metal contacting
it when activated and that the switch its self is insulated or has something
between it and what it is touching.

I typically will use a rubber bump stop or something similar to have contact
on a metal body switch so it doesn't short out.

[Dann]

I was able to get the blaster and lockup sounds by using a wire to bridge one contact to another from switch to switch (after scraping away some insulation near the solder points on each switch), but if I were to hold it there, it would be in continuous lockup. Anyway, just wanted to see if I could get the sounds at all, and I can, just not the way I want to. Now I'm even more confused.

I'm pretty sure I've insulated everything properly.

[K-2SO]

How about a sketch or so,etching to show how you have the switch wired. I have a suspicion that you have the switch wired ok (it’s hard to goof that), but you may NOT have it wired properly to the board.

[Yoda]

yeah we will need pictures at this point as K-2SO mentioned.

[Dann]

I'm pretty sure this is how I've wired my switches.

The slider is the activation switch, red button is the auxiliary.

Should I send the activator ground straight to the board rather than connecting to the aux ground? I've always done it the way I've drawn it, but the difference with this build is that I've used enameled magnet wire for the switches, 31ga.

Maybe that's the issue? Or maybe during final assembly the wires disconnected where I originally soldered them together? Everything looks fine on the board, though.

[erv]

Wiring above is just fine. As long as you dont create a large open loop with your wires above the power lines (induction) it should be working.

[Dann]

Thanks Erv, but the thing is, it's not working correctly. All I can do with the aux switch is change colors while holding it down and pressing the activation switch.

I'm not sure about the "large open loop" you're talking about, but the switch wires are underneath the power wires, not directly underneath, mind you. But they're very close to the board.

It's a bummer having to use tweezers to contact the aux switch and ground to change fonts.

Could there be an issue with the switches being glued directly to the anodized blade holder? Do they need more careful shielding where they sit? I'll have to look at it again, but I may or may not have put electrical tape beneath the switches so they wouldn't directly contact the blade holder's anodized coating.

Another thing I'm beginning to notice is that I'm having to apply more and more pressure to the activation switch to get it to work, or hit it just right. Anyone had this problem before? Maybe I should try new switches?

[erv]

I though you would have already tried new switches 
if you can have it to work by making an electrical contact between the aux pad and ground, then the board is functional and the problem is in the wiring or the switch itself.

[Dann]

Thanks Erv, I'll try some new switches.

[Dann]

So I tried new switches, and now, when wired the same way, when I power the board up, it goes straight to the sound font menu. If I disconnect the Aux switch ground and power up the board, then it powers on properly and I can ignite the saber, but the Aux switch doesn't work.