JP1 Remotes :: View topic - 2116 Erratic Behavior

JP1 Remotes

FAQ

7 Days

Memberlist

Usergroups

Profile

File Section

File Search

Lookup Tool

Wiki

2116 Erratic Behavior
Goto page Previous 1, 2

JP1 Remotes Forum Index -> JP1 - General Forum

View previous topic :: View next topic

Author

Message

johnsfine
Site Admin

Joined: 10 Aug 2003
Posts: 4766
Location: Bedford, MA

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 6:51 pm Post subject:

ek2116 wrote:

what would
cause the remote to behave better after reversing a battery?

The components in a 4 battery remote are pretty much the same as the components in a 2 battery remote. Those same components work at around 3 volts in the 2 battery models and at around 6 volts in the 4 battery models.

If the printer port voltage is too low, it can't communicate with a remote using 6 volts but can communicate with one using 3 volts.

If you put just two batteries in a 4 battery remote, there's no connection (unless you kludge something) so you have zero volts. But four 1.5 volt batteries one of which is backwards gives you the 3 volts you want.

Capn Trips
Expert

Joined: 03 Oct 2003
Posts: 3990

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 7:11 pm Post subject:

ek2116 wrote:

what would
cause the remote to behave better after reversing a battery?
Does it cause a momentary reverse current flow (until the
reversed battery's potential equals that of the rest of the
system) that discharges a component on the board?

Eric

The experts can certainly chime in here with more details, but reverse current flow is NOT the issue. Rolling Eyes

My elementary understanding of electricity tells me that 4 1.5 volt batteries in series yield a 6 volt potential powering the remote under normal circumstances. Internal to the remote, there is circuitry that does "something" Confused

to that voltage to establish the correct operating voltages for each of the components within the remote, including keeping the EEPROM out of a "reset" condition. (Hence the "reset" every time you change the batteries, as that "holding" voltage is removed). Question

The JP1 interface, via the parallel port, when it tries to speak to the EEPROM, has to send some measurable voltage to the EEPROM. If that voltage is insufficient to overcome the "holding" voltage (if you will - I'm making up terminology, 'cause I'm in WAY over my head here Embarassed

), then you get failed interface checks, etc. Apparently, each computer's parallel port has some minute variability in that voltage, such that there is no "Universal" combination of batteries, interface types, etc that will always GUARANTEE successful communication. Rolling Eyes

I tried up/downloading with a battery REMOVED, but got no communication either, so an open-circuited power supply was not an option. My combination of equipments require a completed circuit through the remote's power supply circuitry, but not too high a voltage. Surprised

When I saw that - in MY particular circumstance - using a couple of DEAD batteries gave me greater success, I concluded that rather than keeping a segregated set of dead batteries lying around just for JP1 use, that would invariably get lost or mixed up with something, I could get the same net result - reducing the remote's supply voltage, by simply reversing a battery Exclamation

. Nothing more complex or insidious.

Bottom line: The only effect on the remote of reversing a battery is that the SUPPLY voltage is reduced from 6 to 3 - and in MY particular combination of computer, port, interface and remote - it works. Very Happy

P.S. All of the above only applies to my RS 15-2117. My RS 15-1994's all work fine with any state of charged batteries and I have been uploading/downloading for two years, now.

ek2116

Joined: 12 Jan 2004
Posts: 13

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 1:03 pm Post subject: Update

All: FYI, I'm having the same problem with my 8810. Since the probability of both remotes having the same problem is essentially nil, I have concluded that it's my PC. I will live with the problem. Thanks for all your comments. Eric

Display posts from previous:

	JP1 Remotes Forum Index -> JP1 - General Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours Goto page Previous 1, 2
Page 2 of 2

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum