I have just started using a SSC32 that I purchased back in March. I had it working (was using it about an hour) and all of a sudden it stopped. Now the low drop out regulator gets hot (110 degrees) when I attach the 9v battery to it even with nothing else attached. Did I damage it somehow? If I have the serial cable hooked up to it, it appears to be getting data as the led light will blink as data is being sent to it. (com port and baud rate set correctly). But the servo’s won’t move. I tried to use lynxTerm and same thing servo’s won’t move. What else can I try? Is there a warranty on the SSC32? Do I need to buy a new one? (another $50 whew) I’m new to this and don’t know if I’ve damaged it somehow. I’m making 3-axis skulls for Halloween and really need to get it back working. What else can be wrong, what else can I test?
How are you powering the servos? If you are somehow trying to power the servos via the on board regulator, then it might get hot and burnout (servos need an external power source). Otherwise something on the board is probably shorted between the +5v bus and ground. Have you moved or repositioned any of the jumpers on the board?
I am using a seperate power supply for the servos. All of the jumpers are correct (didn’t move any) and double checked them. It gets hot even when no servos or power supply for the servos are attached.
If you are using separate power supplies for VS and VL you need to remove the jumper that is labeled VS1=VL. Remove that jumper, and test the board again.
If the regulator gets hot with nothing else connected except a 9vdc battery, then the regulators output is shorted, or it has been damaged in some way. We ensure the project gets working. We will replace pretty much anything short of if the user connects the power supply backwards. But we can’t warranty a board forever. We have no control of what signals are being put through the boards, etc.
Okay,
So will it be replaced? It was just bought this past March, I can show copy of invoice. The power was not hooked up wrong. Is there a way to test the regulator? Do you have a new regulator that could be soldered to board?
Thanks,
Rick
Please send the SSC-32 to us for review. We will either repair or replace it. If we find it was damaged we may ask you to pay for the repair. We can not warranty a board forever. This is 8 months later…
To put this into perspective. Sparkfun has the following policy.
"Warranty Information
SparkFun Electronics strives to provide accurate descriptions and high quality merchandise. If you have any problems with your order, please let us know as soon as possible! We will do everything in our power to make it right. Any reports of problems with an order shipped more than 30 days ago cannot be serviced.
All merchandise returns for full refund or credit must be within 14 days in new, resalable condition. Please see our Returns Policy for further information."
