Help programming SSC

[dgreen]

Hey guys,
I am having trouble programming my SSC's V3 with David's firmware.
it is something I am doing wrong because they are working with the DILA firmware.
Here is how I am programming.
1.   I connect my pickit 3 to the computer and then to the SSC, the program jumper is on
2.   Then I open up MPLAB
3.   I choose configure/select device
4.   Then on the dropdown I choose PIC24FJ32GA002 and click ok
5.   Then I select programmer/select programmer/pickit3. It reads the device with no errors.
6.   Then I choose file/import and browse to the hex in the downloads section.
7.   Then I click program. It completes with no errors
8.   Now I disconnect the pickit3 programmer and hook up a string of lights.
9.   I now open up the smart string grouping program I downloaded here (jumper is still on)
10.   I type a description, put in a new start channel, set the node count, leave device as string.
11.   Finally I click program all SSC on hub and click program. Then close the program.
12.   Now I open Xlights and test. I get nothing, cant get the lights to come on.
13.   If I remove the jumper on the SSC then they all turn on white and I have no control
Any ideas what I am doing wrong?
Like I said, this works with the other firmware so it is something I am doing.
Thanks.

[David Pitts]

With SSCv3 jumper will always be off. It will never be on.

[dgreen]

ok, i dont know why i thought it had to be on.
So i remove the jumper and reran the smart string grouping program just as i did before.
Then i open Xlights and click on test/all channels and output to lights.
as soon as i click output to lights they all turn on white.
Thanks

[David Pitts]

ok, i dont know why i thought it had to be on.
So i remove the jumper and reran the smart string grouping program just as i did before.
Then i open Xlights and click on test/all channels and output to lights.
as soon as i click output to lights they all turn on white.
Thanks

When you do the programming with Smartstring Grouping the string should turn Rainbow color when it programs successfully. Did you see this.

[dgreen]

No, the lights never come on when programming.
Does that mean the .hex didnt take?

[mms]

Did you happen to program the string for hybrid mode?  In my experience, if the lights are going all white on a test all that's usually what the case is.  Unselect the hybrid channels and try a chase. 

Also, did you "power cycle" the SSC after you programmed it?

Otherwise it looks like you did everything correctly.

[JerryPlak]

for  dgreen,
After reading list on #10. I type a description, put in a new start channel, set the node count, leave device as string,
On my setting up I end up using Flexible strip (DLA 1809)  for the device type:

I found the same thing that the SSC all turn on white.. so I re program my SSC using Flexible strip (DLA 1809)  for the device type:
now got Rainbow color when it programs successfully

[Kevin]

Do not use the MPLAB IDE program.  Use the PICKit 3 version 1 stand alone program to flash the firmware on SSCs, Etherdongle, and all Falcon products. here is a link to it:

http://favstar.fm/users/MicrochipTech/status/61119098477740032


Kevin

[dgreen]

Thanks guys, that fixed it!!!
I guess it was in the programming of the .hex file.
it works now even when set to string.
Thanks again.

[JonB256]

Has anyone ever looked at why MPLAB does not program PICs properly?
I've heard to not use it for years, but I don't know PIC programming well enough to tell anything about why it fails.