$20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project

[upsss]

No, I ended up compiling my own.  I tried yours and had some problem, I don't remember now the problem.

[upsss]

Hi, I am having a problem with my tester and the rotary encoder, I don't know if that is a common problem.

If I am in the Menu selection and I turn fast the encoder it will sometimes lock the processor.  Turning the encoder fast back and forth locks it almost every time.  The display will be cleared and no matter what, I cannot turn off the tester.  The only way to turn it off is to remove the power or reset the processor.  Otherwise the tester works fine. 

I am wondering, is there a solution for it or just don't turn the encoder fast and add a reset switch (my battery is not accessible).

[stj]

can you upload your makefile.
and are you using PD1 & PD3 with the correct resistors?

[upsss]

Yes I am using PD1 & PD3, all my resistors are fine and the rotary encoder works OK.  Did you try to rotate your encoder back and forth fast? 

I had to rename my Makefile to Makefile.txt, it wouldn't let me attach a file without an extension.

[stj]

if i rotate the encoder fast, it just exit's from the menu.
i think that's intentional - something else to remove!

of course i/m not using the same encoder because yours looks like some type of arduino addon.
i'll go read your makefile.

[stj]

well if your unit works - other than that issue,
i suspect what was wrong with the code i supplied was the encoder was running backwards, also the contrast was different (the questions i asked!).

the only other thing i noticed was the setting:

# The PULLUP_DISABLE option disable the pull-up Resistors of IO-Ports.
# To use this option a external pull-up Resistor (10k to 30k)
# from Pin 13 to VCC must be installed!
#CFLAGS += -DPULLUP_DISABLE

try enabling that option - you do have that pullup resistor.
the text refers to a dil package, on smd it's pin11

[upsss]

I just recompiled with the CFLAGS += -DPULLUP_DISABLE and I still have the same problem, if anything it is maybe worst.  I also noticed that I have the same problem not only when I am in the Menu selection mode but also in the regular testing mode. 

I am not sure, did you try to rotate your encoder back and forth fast?  Does your tester use the 328P SMD processor?  I noticed that all the testers sold with the encoder don't use the SMD processor.  I added my encoder to the SMD tester version.  As far as the encoders from China, I think they are all the same, mine was just assembled on a small board for the Arduino.

[stj]

interesting.
so i tried "back and forth fast" and it still exit's the menu,
but it also enters the menu from the regular screen!

and yes, i'm using an smd 328p mcu.

the chinese encoders are not all the same btw.
when i went to buy one i noticed that there are atleast 2 from different manufacturers on ebay.
one has a blue base section and the metal section looked very cheaply made,
the other is bright green and is much better quality IMO.
so i got the green one - it was about twice the cost btw - but still next to nothing.

i dont think the encoder can be blamed for a software lockup though.

[upsss]

I guess my encoder is the "cheap" one, $0.53 on Aliexpress.  BTW, mine also sometime would enter into the Menu mode from the regular screen when turning fast the encoder.  Just to make sure, I also tried to compile with encoder type "1" and the processor locked up immediately as soon as I turned it.

Hopefully some of the experts here will chime in with some ideas.

[madires]

The rotary encoder is in parallel with two display signals. Do you know which display signals?

[upsss]

Yes, PD1 and PD3, on the Graphics display it goes to SI and S0.

[stj]

hey, does that rotary-pcb have the "button" totally isolated from the rotary function?
the pcb has 5 pins, but you should need 6.

once you get this fixed btw, you need to swap out the crystal for a 16MHz one - then you can enable the resonator&crystal testing function 

[madires]

Yes, PD1 and PD3, on the Graphics display it goes to SI and S0.

Serial In and Serial Out?

[stj]

no, he's linked to SI and A0

[upsss]

Of course I had to isolate the switch, one leg was grounded.  I should know what I am doing, I am only an EE.  Also I had to add the 2 series 1k resistors, the 2 10k pull ups were already on the board.

[madires]

hey, does that rotary-pcb have the "button" totally isolated from the rotary function?
the pcb has 5 pins, but you should need 6.

A mechanical rotary encoder with push button usually has 5 pins, two for the push button and three for A, B and C(ommon).

[stj]

hey, does that rotary-pcb have the "button" totally isolated from the rotary function?
the pcb has 5 pins, but you should need 6.

A mechanical rotary encoder with push button usually has 5 pins, two for the push button and three for A, B and C(ommon).

yes, but the pcb included pullup resistors.

[upsss]

Sorry the PD1 and PD3 goes to SI & A0 at least that what is says on the schematic.  I actually wired it directly to the processor pin 1 & 31

[stj]

try desoldering one of the wires and see if you can still crash the cpu

[stj]

in "config.h" is this:

// number of rotation steps to identify a fast rotation of rotary switch
#define FAST_ROTATION 10

try changing it to 100 or something to effectivly disable it.

[upsss]

I give up, it didn't make any difference.  Can you attach your eep, hex and makefiles maybe my source is somehow corrupt?

[stj]

try this.
i made some changes.
(to a lot more than the makefile)

[upsss]

Thanks but I cannot use your files as is because I am using now a Li-Ion battery.   Is that the firmware you are using now and it doesn't lock up when you rotate fast the encoder?  BTW, does you tester have the same graphics display as mine, maybe that is the problem.  Can you recompile it again with CFLAGS += -DBAT_POOR=3000 so I can try it.

[stj]

with 3v poor
 

to answer your questions,
i'm not using a T4,
the GM328A uses different pinouts, but the same display.
no crashes / lockups.

there is code to detect fast spins, maybe it's the problem - so i sabotaged it in the test file.

[upsss]

Ok, I tried your version and the smallest movement of the encoder even not in the menu selection locks up the processor. 

Obviously there is some fundamental difference between your tester and mine.  I think I need some help from someone that is intimately familiar with the software.  I need to find out whether there is a bug with the software or something is wrong with my tester.  Like I said, except for the fast rotation of the encoder everything including the encoder itself is working fine.