Two power supplies / freezing

Question

Hi Vlad

Ever since moving to the new version of Simvin (HCSCI) the arduino mega is freezing.  I am using an ATX power supply. Ive tried 3 other 5v power supplies as well. The arduino is powered via USB.

If I load up HCSCI it normally takes around 10 seconds to connect (Depending on how much I/O I have connected)  and then connects ok.  After a certain time period HCSCI says" lost connection". It then freezes Xplane.
I am using HCSCI for steppers and seven segments and a couple of analogue inputs

All Devices have a separate stabilised 5v ATX power supply and all grounds in the system are connected. I am not using the output of the arduino mega. I power the stepper arduino from the 5v supply although ive also powered it from the mega but still the same problem.

Thanks
Mark

Answer 1

1. .. This cannot be dependent of  the configuration "size". In my test system I can leave it connected for hours and it never "freezes" (but it's Linux). Normally it takes  2-3 second, if you have steppers in you cfg file it takes as much as needed for steppers initialisation because plugin should wait this time to send the correct initial states to the steppers (even if the slave board is not connected).

"...All Devices have a separate stabilised 5v ATX power supply..."
You don't need this, why? The PC PS is capable to feed a high-current circuits (10-30A) so you can use only one AT (better that ATX) PS for all system.

V

Comments

Hi Vlad

Thanks for such a quick reply earlier
I was about to give up when following your suggestions I tried using my main pc as a 5v source
I had used the 5v output on my 2nd pc previously but it didnt work, and also numerous other 5v power supplies.

I havent had one issue since using my main pc power supply
Its working perfectly now

Thanks for your help and patience
Mark

---

If you powered your system (that connected to the main PC) from another PC, you must have these separate computers have common case ground (chassis connected with thick wire) and all system have common ground.