2 Arduinos stopped working simotaneously

Using Arduino IDE 1.x
1

Hi, I am doing a project of a VU meter, consisting of 2 arduino uno's, one for each stereo channels.

I connect 5V power pin from Arduino #1 to %V pin of Arduino #2 and do the same with GND

I ran it off a DC power supply at 7.5 V at 1 Ampre

It was working fine, but recently this morning. I connect the two arduinos as usual, I saw a VU meter's LED light up as usual, but suddenly, I noticed some burning smell from Arduino #1, I immediately unplug the circuit from the board. I touch the Arduino #1 USB controller, It was quite warm to hot so I knew I could blew the chip, but it makes no sense that it'll ruined the second one.
After that, i tried plugging each arduino independently with the laptop. Try to upload blink code, but all i get from these two arduino is

Arduino: 1.6.9 (Windows 10), Board: "Arduino/Genuino Uno"

Sketch uses 1,066 bytes (3%) of program storage space. Maximum is 32,256 bytes.
Global variables use 9 bytes (0%) of dynamic memory, leaving 2,039 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 2,048 bytes.
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 1 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x2e
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 2 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x2e
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 3 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x2e
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 4 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x2e
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 5 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x2e
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 6 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x2e
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 7 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x2e
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 8 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x2e
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 9 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x2e
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 10 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x2e
Problem uploading to board. See http://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/Troubleshooting#upload for suggestions.

This report would have more information with
"Show verbose output during compilation"
option enabled in File -> Preferences.

The LED ON does light up on both arduino so i knew the power supply part is ok

the resp code changes with every upload, so i wonder what's going on with the 2 arduinos?
Did i destroyed the Atmega328p chips? or is it the Mega16U2 USB chip?

2

Check the 5V levels with a multimeter.

Run the loopback test. If that works, your USB chip should still be OK.

If your Uno is the type with the DIL 328 and you have determined that it's more than likely the 328, you can buy replacement micros with the optiboot bootloader preloaded.

3

Thanks for tip, I ran both of these board on the exact same configuration

COM 5 is the second one (that is daisy chain from 5 V pin of the first arduino)

COM 7 is the first one (that is connected to 7.5 V supply)

The COM 7 when i type in "1234" , it just show a gibberish text

COM 5 also show a gibberish text, too

So I pretty sure both of the board's the USB controller is shot? :confused:

Correct me if i'm wrong, thanks.

2017-05-20_221711.png
2017-05-20_221711.png1361×725 12.9 KB

4

Don't daisey chain.
Try each one independently.

Fact that its showing something "might" be a good sign so ensure your com setting are all correct and that you did not alter them in your system in any way !

5

I have not modify anything, The serial data rate is a standard 9600 bits per second. And sorry, I didn't tell you that in the loopback test, i tried each Arduino independently, each of it are connect to USB 3.0 hub (non-powered), So did the hub cause the issues? or I have to change anything in the settings?

Thanks :slight_smile:

6

LOL the forum has plenty of instances of USB 3.0 not working with Arduinos.
Some people get lucky but a lot more dont.

If you must use USB 3.0 ports then the best solution is to insert a USB 2.0 POWERED hub between the Arduinos and the computer.
Make sure the PSU for the USB hub is adequate.
That vital clue about USB 3.0 might be all it take to get you running again hopefully.

7

Hi again, So i tried using different computer, I ran the loopback test and...
Nothing, whatever I typed in, The serial monitor just display nothing replied back from both of the board.
So I'm pretty sure the controller has completely dead. :frowning:

I'll try getting another Arduino to test if the Atmega328P chipset itself is still okay.

Thanks for all your help. :slight_smile:

8

Update: Plot twist here.

I just got a new Arduino Uno board. So i tried the board first, okay, board is good. and then tried the 2 Atmega328P chips i removed from 2 "dead" board. Surprisingly, it failed to upload the blink code.

So then, i remove the known good chip from the new board. and put it into the 2 "dead" board and a surprise result. Both of them passed the blink code upload test.

So it wasn't the USB controller that's dead, the 2 microcontroller chip itself are actually dead!

I'll get the 2 new Atmega328P to replace the two dead one after this soon.

Thanks for all your help! I appreciate it very much! :smiley: