Hello!
I have a project with an MCP 3208 BI/P ADC (8in 12bit 2.7-5.5V) to which 3 softpots, a pressure sensor and an FSR are connected. A few weeks ago it worked fine, but after repairing some broken wires it outputs bad data when I don't touch anything and only zeros when I touch one of the sensors (even one of the sensors not connected to the ADC, but directly to the Arduino analog input). As an electronics newbie I don't know what this might mean. Have I managed to fry my ADC chip?
Any hints to what might be wrong are greatly appreciated!
Cheers!
Erik
"but after repairing some broken wires it outputs bad data when I don't touch anything and only zeros when I touch one of the sensors "
Review the repairs, sounds like something was not done correctly.
Nathnainiel:
A few weeks ago it worked fine, but after repairing some broken wires it outputs bad data.
So.... it worked fine. Then it broke. You noticed broken wires... so went toward fixing the visibly damaged areas.
If still broken, it might be handy to get two more adc chips of the same kind..... then put in your new chip. Or you could disconnect unnecessary parts... and test the functionality of the original adc to see if it is ok.
Spare parts can really help with testing and sorting issues. The possibility of plugging an expensive part into the system when uncertain if another fault can destroy the new chip is always there. So it's often good to make sure there's no obvious issues like short circuits or incorrect voltages where there should not be.