Hi Everyone,
I recently got the RFM69 modules working well on a Arduino Nano and decided to get some Monteino boards with the RFMHCW 868/915Mhz board to try.
I purchased 12 of them and also purchased the FTDI Adaptor Board to program them with.
I went to this website and downloaded the device drivers which installed fine http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
I plugged the FTDI board in by itself and my laptop did not recognise it.
I tried every USB port and it still was not recognised.
I tried plugging it in with the Monteino attached and the Monteino LED flickers a few times to indicate it has power.
My laptop still did not detect it but it should be detected regardless of whether the Monteino is connected or not.
I downloaded the FTDI instructions and went through all the troubleshooting sections. I downloaded the USBView.exe program and it does not see the FTDI board at all when I plug it in.
I got out another laptop and tried that with the FTDI board, it did exactly the same thing.
Seems like the FTDI board is faulty...
I have tried a few different cables.
My main laptop is running windows 10, the other one I tried it on is running on windows 7.
Has anyone else had any problems?
I am thinking the board is faulty.
Anything I am missing?
Is this the FTDI R3?
Your OS is windows (version?) ?
Did you try another computer?
Having Moteino attached makes no difference.
As always, all the FTDI boards get tested here before shipping to ensure they are recognized and an upload is performed to a tester Moteino.
If you believe you have a faulty board you can return it for inspection and we can take it from there.
Hi Felix,
Thank you for your response.
Please see answers to your questions below
Yes it is FTDI R3. I only received it last monday. It arrived in a anti static bag and I opened it today.
It is Windows 10
Yes I tried a windows 7 PC as well as the windows 10 PC.
Having the Monteino attached makes no difference
I checked the USBview.exe program on both PC's and no connection was seen. With or without the monteino.
I checked both PC's with the Arduino Nano and Uno and both work on both computers.
I am in Australia so returning it will be expensive. I am happy to post it back to you by Australia Post so it is cheaper for me but it will be slower.
I ordered the 12 Monteinos and they came with DHL which was very fast.
Are you able to send a replacement quickly? I have a big project I am working on for a customer. That is why I ordered 12 of them.
Please try another USB cable as well, some folks have had issues with that before. Preferably a short cable.
Also analyze the board and USB connector solder points to the board. It could perhaps be possible that the USB connector has a weak connection during reflow, it works here when I test it, then the weak solder joint breaks sometime during handling/shipping or afterwards.
But overall I am very confident you should have a working board, and it might be a driver issue. However that;'s sorted out after trying a different PC and/or cable.
If you are in a big hurry, you could also source another FTDI/usb-serial board locally which has the same layout and can source 5V for power and 3.3v for signals. For me to send you another I would have to at least have the chance to look at the old one and rule out any manufacturing defect, that's the store return policy.
Hi Felix,
Yes I have tried 2 different cables on 2 different computers running 2 different operating systems.
I think the board is faulty. I sell products online as well and it is not nice knowing they have failed when you go to the effort of testing them all.
But sometimes it does happen and there is nothing you can do.
I did inspect the solder joints but not under a magnifying glass so will do that tomorrow.
Please give me the address to return it to.
I will need to source a FTDI cable locally then.
From your website it looks like this cable will work https://littlebirdelectronics.com.au/products/ftdi-serial-ttl-232-usb-cable
I think the pin outs for this cable should work with the monteino as well. Is that correct?
It is $28 plus shipping so a bit more expensive than yours.
If I send your FTDI Board back I would like a full refund when you receive it. Is that ok?
Just an update.
I was having a small cleanup today and found a 3rd Cable that will fit the FTDI board. This cable was brand new in its bag.
I plugged it in and it worked straight away.
Tried the other 2 cables used previously and it didn't work...
So I have 2 bad cables that are now in the trash.
Thank you Felix for your support. It is much appreciated.
Just as I thought, thanks for the follow up!