[FTC]: Samantha Module Smoked and Burned Out?

[RonHoof]

We powered up to work on autonomous code and seem to have had an unusual Samantha module problem. As soon as I hit start on the FCS, the connection dropped and the Samantha module started smoking. Attached pic is the board. Charring is near the power (no surprise) and also the USB. Any ideas what we should look for as a cause?

[pyroslev]

No chance of putting the magic black smoke in there.


Any charring on the power connector or USB cable?
Any chance of a picture of the opposite side? Might be more informative.
Matrix or Tetrix?
Any USB surge protectors or Ferrite Chokes used?


I'd really like to find out what caused this to happen. I've seen a few die and internal parts die but NEVER like that.

[BenDSterling]

I have never seen this happen. thats actually really interesting. I have no clue what could of caused that.

[orangemoore]

Was this the first use of the module? If so contact to see if you can get it replaced. We have done a lot of things to our Samantha and nothing has happened like this.

[RonHoof]

Thanks for the replies. It was used on Tetrix and this is its second season. Other side looks like new, date stamp is 2011. No charring on the cables or the ports. We use a surge suppressor (http://www.l-com.com/surge-protector-usb-surge-protector-type-a-type-a-panel-mount-style-with-pigtail-12) between the NXT and Samantha.

I think we have decided there must have been a short on the robot that put voltage on ground - Samantha went because it was the weakest link.

Rewired, shortened, tightened and isolated wherever possible. Working fine on the replacement module.

Thanks again,
Ron