MobiFlight Community Support

Hi

Received 10x units today of 7 seg display and intending to go over the tutorial for COM1.

Can I hook a unit up to the MEGA, test it, hot plug to another unit and continue my test to ensure board is OK?

Have you tried before and is it safe to do?

Thanks.

Hi

I don´t know exactly what you mean with "HotPlug" . Google tell me this is a change of components while system is running.... correct ?

If yes.... Then the awnser is NO ....

The Max7219 Chips must get initialised at systemstart..... Not when you press RUN in MF.... I mean when the MEGA is powerd up ( and the Firmware start working).
So if you disconnect a Max while Mega is ON then it will no longer work ( whatever you reconnect it) ..... And also a new one will not work without a RESTART of the Mega.

Testing Procedure:

1. Choose if you like to use Single Devices OR Chains. If Single device then you need only to test the LEFT Connectors ( IN) .... If you like to use chains you must also test the RIGHT Conncetors (OUT).

2. Max Chips are sensitive... So it´s high recommend to use Solder conections. Also for Testing. You can use Dupont wires to unplug the Displays easy.... BUT the Pins (1x5) on the Left ( ro Right) Side must be solder to the PCB !!

3. Create one Device on the Mega ( NUM1 to test the LEFT Pins..... NUM2 to test the Right ones) E.g. Pin 7,8,9

4. Disconnect the Mega from USB .... Connect your testing Display to the 3 Pins ( CS CLK DIN) and also to GRD and 5V

5 Now connect the Mega to USB .... Start Mobilflight .... Create a Output Config .... Use as Device the Max you create....
Go to Display Tab ..... Activate all 8 Checkmakrs for the Diggits ..... And press TEST ( In Display Tab... NOT in the Main Bar)
If all is OK the Display show 12345678

6. To test another one.... SAVE the Config ( Cause we can use it again) ..... Close Mobiflight ..... Disconnect Mega from USB
Disconnect the Max7219 and connect the next one on the same Pins.
Reconect Mega.... Start MF .... Use the same Config Again and Press TEST in Display Tab.

*****

7. To test the Right Side:
Change the Device Settings to NUM2
Connect a MaxTube you ALREADY tested the Left side !!!!
Connect a Second Max Chip that was ALREADY tested for the Left side before .... Set it in a chain ( wired to the right side of the first one)
In Mobiflight Config (Display Tab) you now choose the Display number 2 in the Dropdown.
Make the same test like before.
If all is fine the SECOND Tube in the Row must show 12345678 !

Why we do this.... We still have confirmed that LEFT side was fine for both Tubes.... With this test ( checking the second module) we confirm the FIRST Module got a working Right Output side.
For Multiple testings.... Just use all your tubes one time as first in the row..... To confirm all have a working Right OUT Side.
And sure... Also here Disconnect of Mega is needed for every Hardware Change !