HDC2450 with RCB503 - a strange thing happened yesterday

Yesterday I was working on a script and configuration profile for an acquaintance in the U.S. and was totally flummoxed by something that turned out to be a stupid mistake in one configuration parameter. However, a few hours before the obvious dawned on me (and it really was something so obvious that I just didn't see it; an analog deadband at 5% when it should have been 0), something very worrisome happened.

Wondering whether firmware V 1.8 might have a problem, I started to download earlier versions. Installing 1.7 via COM went OK, but the problem persisted (no surprise in the end because it had nothing at all to do with anything but my own blindness). 1.6 was the same, but when I tried to install 1.5 the COM install utility couldn't see the controller. Exited the firmware installer and returned to Roborun, and it too couldn't see the controller. Moreover, the power LED was lit, the status LED was only dimly and steadily lit and the communications LED stayed dark. None of the usual things one might do in the case of a PC glitch did anything.

I replaced the RCB503 with the older RCB500 and all was back to normal.

I do not understand how installing firmware could have done this, but the freshly-minted RCB503 seems to have been wiped. Anyone know if there's some way to bring it back to life?

Ciao,
Lenny

Great. I'll give it a try tomorrow. Given that my system is all raw CAN, I never use USB; I use an RS232 adapter + isolater.

No luck. Result was:



Any way around this? Does STM have a loader that doesn't require a "Device starting string"?

It did that multiple times, but perhaps not at the right moment. I'll try again tomorrow.

Still no joy. I've tried powering down and back up at the beginning, middle and end of the restart attempt, but the message is always the same "Device starting string not detected". Although control power is via a SPDT relay, so it is grounded when off and should be truly off, just to be sure that no power can leak through via the pre-charge resistor I also disconnected the Battery+ wires. Finally, I brought up my shop Win7 machine with Roborun 1.8, but got the same non-result.

I there any way to use the STM COM flasher? Or do it via SPI (though I'd probably have to buy another ISP for this - the only ones I have are AVR)?

Thanks Blake. I've replied to your e-mail via e-mail as well.

Xdc 2460,ran great via RC,hooked up laptop USB,now status power led dim,no comm led ,dosnt work with RC anymore.didnt seem to connect with laptop either.lots of experience with vantec controllers,new to roboteq,not very good with computers in general.anyone willing to help with me troubleshooting problem,then getting on board with the most basic laptop stuff?only want to monitor current, voltage,throttle settings,etc,thanks,ed