No sound on PC

[Jucksta]

I've read a number of threads now on sound problems, all which have focused on when people changed sound fonts.

My current issue is that I can get no sound on power up. The only thing I've changed on the config file is the switch to 2 since I'm using a momentary AV illuminated. What am I missing?

Also, this little bugger gets really, really hot in specific spots. Is that normal?

Thanks for any thoughts.

[Sunrider]

Sounds like it doesn't see the sd card. Some parts will get hot but they shouldn't burn you.

[Jucksta]

Sounds like it doesn't see the sd card. Some parts will get hot but they shouldn't burn you.

When I'm touching these spots they definitely burn. What might be the issue w/ so much heat?

[Skottsaber]

That should probably be the voltage regulator, little black part near the battery connections. What voltage are you applying to the board?
And the easiest way to see whether the SD card is being recognized is if your switch LED lights when the board is powered. If this is the case then you might need to look at your speaker and its connections. Make sure you haven't put your wires through the holes on the pads, because you might be grounding the speaker out on the SD card holder.

[Sunrider]

When I'm touching these spots they definitely burn. What might be the issue w/ so much heat?

Really? It like left a mark? Then maybe you shorted the regulator out.

[Rhyen Skytracker]

As Skottsaber said, be sure you DO NOT solder the wires through the holes as it will cause a short. Can you post a pic of the wiring?

[Jucksta]

Lovely. Just what I wanted to hear. I had run the speaker wires through the holes.

In the included photos, they are wired correctly however. Also, in the photo, the ground wire for an accent light came loose.

I am running 7.4v. I've swapped the speakers twice now, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try another one.

So is there any salvaging this or did I just toast the whole thing? Any suggestions on where to go from here?

5744

[Xanatos1986]

Just going on what I have been told, read, and experienced. You should never put the wires in the holes and solder them, they get hot sometimes, mine do. I have installed 2 pc-u and really haven't had problems. My advice desolder all connections inspect the board for burns or melts, clean the solder pads either with a delidrrung bulb or desoldering braid. Then redo it, with out putting wires through the holes. If you still have the same issue, try hooking up a aux switch. Idk if you have to have one but worth a shot. From your picture nothing looks toast. Also someone but I don't know who can repair the board if it's toasted but I don't know who lol, but it can be pricey. Hope this helps my friend. Good luck

[Rhyen Skytracker]

The speaker wires are the most important ones that you do NOT solder through the holes. As mentioned above, I recommend unsoldering them, using some desolder to remove any solder that may have dripped through to the other side of the board and then resolder the speaker wires the correct way.

[Skottsaber]

Soldering tips:

Tin everything (tm)
That means take all the solder off of your pads, then add a bit of solder to them ,and restrip your wires, add a bit of solder to the end. Place wire onto pad and press down with your soldering iron.
Use shorter wires. You don't need to have a lot of wire on the pad, and you have a lot sticking out from the pad, that wire can bend and break. Use about 1mm of stripped wire and make sure it is all "under" the solder on the pads. That will give you really good, strong connections.
And, as it has been repeated, don't put the wires in the holes. It wasn't your fault as this isn't really detailed in the manual. Just lay the wires flat across the pads and surface mount them.

Oh and your regulator looks fine, don't worry, it is designed to get hot when the cells are at full charge. For parts like that, they are only going to fail when they reach temperatures that will come close to melting the solder, so I wouldn't worry.

Hope this helps and you get your board working ;)

[Jedi-Loreen]

And make sure every wire is soldered on top of the board. In your pic, I see that your LED wires are on the bottom of the board.

[Jucksta]

Ok, a little update... though it's one step forward, two back.

I removed as much of the solder as I could, which it seems was just about everything. I have cut the wires a bit shorter now and nothing through any holes. (If I had done this in the first place, I doubt I'd have any problems at the moment.)

I've also replaced the speaker. When I power up (connect the battery pack via the quick connect plug) I get a quick flash of the led and the speaker starts sqwacking. I powered down, pulled out the sd card and replaced it. I still get sqwacking and a few beeps. Also the sd card doesn't want to stay in it's slot now... I have to press it in or keep it in place with a bit of tape.

The overheating is still an issue, but I've localized it to one component, which I will include a shot of. Can anyone think of a particular area where there might be short causing the problem? Any ideas on what has cause the problem w/ the sd slot now??

5767

[Xanatos1986]

good news, nothing looks fried to me in this pic. as stated before it will get hot, if its not smoking you should be good IMO. as far as the sqwaking, that could be the boot sound, if its constant then I dont know what it is then. the beeps mean there is a file missing that is needed, weather is a wav file or your config, or maybe your led config file. dont worry my first PC install went bad too, but I fixed it up real quick. I had the beeps too but was missing a file. are you using light meat, or dark meat font? or custom font? I hope this helps.

[Jucksta]

I'm using dark meat. I made a backup of all the files after I first started it up... I suppose it's possible something was corrupted by that point already. Is there an index anywhere that anyone knows of listing what files should be present and/or a spot to dl a new config file?

[Skottsaber]

That is interesting that the cap is getting hot. The black chip right behind it is the one that should.
What is the highest voltage you've powered the board at?

[Sunrider]

At this point I would say send it in for repair. The card holder being damaged is not an easy fix. I'm guessing it got overheated. PM Zook here or MH on fx forums for repair.

[Jucksta]

I will PM Zook now. Skottsaber - I'm using a 7.4v power supply, consisting of 2 protected trustfires in a holder. I'm also using a quick connect plug until I get everything figured out. Just figure it's safer, easier as I go about powering it up and then fiddling with things.

[jedimastergarcia87]

Hope you get your board fixed. =[

[Jucksta]

So Zook fixed up my PC, so it should be all set. For some reason I can't seem to get it to stay on however. When I add juice it play the boot sound. When I hit the power switch, it lights up including sound (it was a bad speaker previously) and then powers down.

I thought I was using a momentary (AV switch), but it could be latching. I've run each of the switch settings - 0,1,2 and not keep it on. Anyone have thoughts?

[Darth Xusia]

So Zook fixed up my PC, so it should be all set. For some reason I can't seem to get it to stay on however. When I add juice it play the boot sound. When I hit the power switch, it lights up including sound (it was a bad speaker previously) and then powers down.

I thought I was using a momentary (AV switch), but it could be latching. I've run each of the switch settings - 0,1,2 and not keep it on. Anyone have thoughts?

You need to change the switch setting in the config file to 2. I assume you are using a momentary switch, correct?

[Skottsaber]

Either that or you need to charge your batteries.