Sparkfun RGB Rotary encoder

ludof · January 26, 2022, 4:08pm

Hi there,

Hope you are all doing well. I have been trying to fix a rgb rotary encoder I bought a while ago. For the record, I am very new to arduino.

So I bought this one to be exact:

I am struggling to make it work even though I am just trying to run the example code in the document tab from the previous link. (link to code below)

github.com

sparkfun/Rotary_Encoder_Breakout-Illuminated/blob/main/Firmware/RGB_Rotary_Encoder/RGB_Rotary_Encoder.ino

// "RGB_Rotary_Encoder"
// Example sketch based on the Lilypad MP3 Player
// but modified for the the Arduino Uno/RedBoard
// Modified By: Ho Yun Bobby Chan
// By: Mike Grusin, SparkFun Electronics
// http://www.sparkfun.com

// This sketch demonstrates (only) the use of the rotary encoder
// hardware on the Lilypad MP3 Player board from Sparkfun. If you
// want to use the rotary encoder in your own sketches, this code
// will give you a starting point.

// HARDWARE CONNECTIONS

// This sketch will run on a LilyPad MP3 Player board (with
// a rotary encoder installed) without modifications.

// If you're not using the LilyPad MP3 Player board, connect
// a rotary encoder to your Arduino using these pins:

This file has been truncated. show original

The only thing that I got working is the rotary encoder itself, when I turn it, I get an increasing or decreasing counter but that’s it. The switch does not work when I press the button (I did set the pull down resistor) and the led is not working.

I did all the connection as mentioned in the code comments, I triple checked so I assume everything is fine from this point of view (can take pictures if someone want to double check).

So I started to wondered if maybe the rotary encoder could be damaged and here is my question.

When I try to test the different pins with my multimeter (set to test leds), I manage to lit up the led in red with the pin 1 but pin 2 and 4 don’t make it turn green or blue. it just stays off.

I tried it on the 6 other rotary encoder I got and that’s the same issue so I doubt they are all damaged. Do I get anything wrong? Should not I be able to turn it green and blue as well when I test all the pins?
Also I tried to test the different encoders for continuity and when I push the button and try the continuity between pin 3 and the common anode, I don’t get anything. Am I missing anything?

Last piece of information that might be helpful maybe, I am using an Elegoo mega2560.

Any help would be appreciated Did anyone used that rotary encoder before and could give me a hand on this?

Thank you

Ebram · February 1, 2022, 10:50pm

Hello @ludof,

Welcome to RobotShop community.

We are sorry to hear that you are having trouble with your encoder.

We have forwarded your issue to the manufacturer and will get back to you shortly.

Sincerely,

ludof · February 2, 2022, 8:22am

Hi Ebram,

Thank you for your answer. I actually managed to get the leds working. The diagram was a bit confusing and I inverted the pins so 1 was actually the 5 in my wiring.

However the switch still does not work with the code example. I did use a 10k pulldown resistor and it should be wired properly but no lick so far.
I did test the continuity for the switch and it works fine so Not sure why the I can’t get it working

I am adding a picture of my wiring in case I did something wrong. I changed the pin number in the code so it’s the number 7 for the switch as I changed it in the wiring.

Thank you

Ebram · February 5, 2022, 2:22am

Hello @ludof ,

Thank you for your reply.

We have received a reply from the manufacturer regarding the issue:

The best source for an answer to this is in our Forum. The URL is below.

https://forum.sparkfun.com/?_ga=2.155516795.139600499.1643926765-1758064955.1634919087&_gac=1.220690922.1643666672.Cj0KCQiArt6PBhCoARIsAMF5wajAVix4hT2r6tMv04uPeBNoCSQjNvp5vA86ZdCLXARK8sYMCDz78dQaAvogEALw_wcB

Please check the link and let us know if the issue was resolved or not.

Sincerely,