Images from #15:
Image from #21:
Pin 10 is part of the SPI interface, try to wire a module with CSN to Pin 8 and CE to Pin 9, adjust the code accordingly and try if printDetails() shows a valid output.
EDIT: Seems like the wires for MOSI and MISO are switched. Hard to see on the pictures, MOSI from NRF24 goes to pin 11, MISO to pin 12.
Your adapter seems to have a 3.3V regulator on it...
I've not used one before, but am I correct?
You seem to be powering it from the Arduino's 3.3V output...
I've no idea what the drop out voltage of your regulator is.
If there IS a regulator onboard, try giving it a bit more juice. Power it from the 5V line.
Danois90:
Pin 10 is part of the SPI interface, try to wire a module with CSN to Pin 8 and CE to Pin 9, adjust the code accordingly and try if printDetails() shows a valid output.
It's Slave Select and only used if the Arduino is a SLAVE. It's very common practice to use it for CSN in this application.
There has been a couple of topics regarding problems with the adapters, I would try to remove the adapters and wire directly between arduino and radio.
D10 must be an output if the Arduino is to be SPI Master. If it is an input and goes low, the Arduino becomes SPI Slave.
pcbbc:
None of these values look correct to me...
Everything is zeros, even after you set an address.If you look at the power on defaults in the datasheet the Tx address, even before you set anything, should be...
0xE7E7E7E7E7Have you tried....
if (!radio.isChipConnected())
{
Serial.println(F("NO RADIO!"));
while(true);
}
I've tried this. Guess what? "NO RADIO" Thanks for the idea though.
pcbbc:
If there IS a regulator onboard, try giving it a bit more juice. Power it from the 5V line.
As you say, the power adapter MUST be powered from the 5v pin or a completely separate 5v (or greater) power supply.
The image does suggest that the power adapter is being fed from the Arduino 3.3v pin but the angle of the photo measn that the pin labels cannot be seen and it certainly would not have occurred to me that someone might try to connect the power adapter to the Arduino 3.3v pin.
That is silly for two reasons. FIRST because the reason for using the adapter is because the Arduino 3.3v pin cannot provide enough current and SECOND because the input voltage for the adapter must be higher than the output voltage.
It is not surprising that the OP is having a problem.
This also illustrates why a drawing of the wiring connections is much more informative than photos of the hardware.
...R
Yup. I have some of those adapter boards. The two pins in a group by themselves (yellow and green wires) are the power input / ground connections.
OP has them connected to the 3.3V regulator's output on the Uno.
Robin2:
The image does suggest that the power adapter is being fed from the Arduino 3.3v pin but the angle of the photo measn that the pin labels cannot be seen and it certainly would not have occurred to me that someone might try to connect the power adapter to the Arduino 3.3v pin.
Not disagreeing with you... but I counted the number of "holes" to the end of the connector to come to my conclusion.
Perhaps, if the OP used these adapters successfully in the past, they used the 5V pin?
pcbbc:
Not disagreeing with you... but I counted the number of "holes" to the end of the connector to come to my conclusion.
I realise that. It had never crossed my mind that the OP might try to use the 3.3v pin so I never bothered to do what you did.
...R
The radios will operate down to ~2V(*), the voltage drop over a linear regulator is usually ~1V. Having 3.3V as input leaves ~2.3V which should be enough to power the chip and get connected to the modules. OP should IMO remove the adapters since they are unnescessary parts which may complicate debugging.
(*) My personal experience is that the range is rapidly deteriorating below 2.8V, but the modules are still operational.
Danois90:
OP should IMO remove the adapters since they are unnescessary parts which may complicate debugging.
The high-power nRF24s do not get sufficient current from an Arduino 3.3v pin. The correct solution for the OP is to feed 5v into the power adapters.
...R
The high power modules consume ~150mA during write ops and 3.3V on UNO will supply up to ~200mA. The modules should at least be recognized by the arduino, even if powered from 3.3V - but they are not, which suggest other problems.
Danois90:
The high power modules consume ~150mA during write ops and 3.3V on UNO will supply up to ~200mA.
I don't have any of the high-power modules myself but there have been several Forum Threads from which I have formed the view that the 3.3v supply is not sufficient.
I have some Mega clones and their 3.3v supply is not even sufficient for the low-power nRF24s.
My preferred test power is simply a pair of AA alkaline cells (3v).
...R
Unos and Megas only 150mA 3.3V supplies. nrf24L01s need more than that. SD cards as well.
Well guys, you were right. I originally used the NRF's without the adapter and 3.3v. I couldnt get them to work so I bought the adapters. The numerous warnings I had seen about not going over 3.3v with the NRF2401's had stuck in my mnd. I didnt see they needed 5V.
My test now works although I do notice if I move the boards, sometimes the program stops working.
If I hadnt seen it work a few times, I would still assume there was something wrong.
I shall endevour to make up a board with soldered connections.
Thanks to all for your assistance, I know it must be frustrating dealing with newbies.
I really appreciate it.
Herrid:
The numerous warnings I had seen about not going over 3.3v with the NRF2401's had stuck in my mnd. I didnt see they needed 5V.
You seem to have a strange ability to get things mixed up.
The nRF24 will be damaged with a 5v supply. The maximum voltage for the nRF24 Vcc pin is 3.6v - read the Nordic nRF24L01+ datasheet
The power adapter for the nRF24 needs a 5v input so it can produce the 3.3v output for the nRF24
...R