Unsure about CAN Jaguar Errors

[Zentx]

Rookie Here.
Jaguars Flashing Yellow Signalling a Comms problem.

Unsure if the the serial connector is pinned properly, I followed the instructions from this link
https://decibel.ni.com/content/docs/DOC-14865
Noticed that this link and this Youtube video have different wires going in the same pins.(2,3,5).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSsaOqKdAJ0

I assumed the wires were universal, that is why i followed the written instructions. I used the Blue, Yellow and White wires on the adapter.
Made the termination, crimped onto pins 3 and 4 like instructed.

Another problem noticed was that the the usb-serial adapter on the laptop, has exclamation marks in control panel, but we did install the drivers.
Sometimes when we try to boot up the BDC-Comm, it would say Comm Fault.

I wonder if you guys could determine any errors I made making the db9-serial adapter or if you can solve the Comm Fault problem.

Should i just play it safe and use a voltmeter next time I wire the db9-serial connetor? Good thing i have a spare ready .

Thanks.

[otherguy]

The youtube video you linked is mine.

The wiring for the connector from NI and in the video should (and need to be identical). The colors NI lists in the document don't match, but you shouldn't wire by color. I mention this in the video, the wires within the DB9 connectors are not always consistently colored. There is a standard convention, but not all manufacturers seem to adhere to it.

There's a comprehensive writeup of how to make the cables and flash the jaguars on my team's website here: http://team2168.org/index.php/resour...10-can-jaguars

Verify your cable is made correctly with a multimeter to check continuity to the pins listed on the website. Use a paperclip to probe the pins in the DB9 conenctor, and the tip of the meter should be able to probe the pin on the RJ12 connector.


All that said, I would first verify that the USB to serial adapter you have is actually working. There's a lot of crappy USB to serial adapters out there, and a lot of them don't actually work with newer versions of windows.

A quick way to check is to plug in the adapter, open up a serial application (like putty). Bridge the transmit and receive wires on the DB9 side of the serial connection. Anything you type in the terminal program should show up printed on the screen. If it doesn't, then you have a problem with your USB->Serial adapter that needs to be addressed before you can start tying to get anything else working.

If you need more help let me know what you need clarification/guidance with.

[edit] It also may be worth noting that in the upcoming season, you will no longer need to communicate to the Jaguars through the serial bridge to a black jaguar. The new roboRIO has built in support for the CAN bus. See more information here.

[Zentx]

Alright I'll try it out, I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.
Thanks

[RufflesRidge]

Originally Posted by otherguy

[edit] It also may be worth noting that in the upcoming season, you will no longer need to communicate to the Jaguars through the serial bridge to a black jaguar. The new roboRIO has built in support for the CAN bus. See more information here.

You still need the serial bridge to update the firmware.

[Zentx]

Today i tried to redo the serial connector, I got the RDX and TDX mixed up, so we ended up striping the wires and soldering them to its proper wires.

The team was able to update the firmware 4/5 jaguars, one died during the update process.I read that there was option to recover the jaguar, has anyone succeeded?
This is my task for tomorrow before the Christmas Break.

Thanks.

[otherguy]

What is the failed jaguar doing when powered and connected? The status LED should help diagnose your problem.

[RufflesRidge]

Originally Posted by Zentx

I read that there was option to recover the jaguar, has anyone succeeded?

The recover button is right below (or above, can't remember) the button to update the firmware in BDC-Comm. Connect the serial adapter directly to that Jag (no other devices on the bus) and use the recover button.

[Zentx]

Thanks for the help guys!
Everything went well and I was able to recover the Jaguar.
Good Luck with the 2015 Competition!!