NRF24 what are expected results

[bluejets]

Hi,
Trying to set up two nrf24 units and came across Robin2 test page for these devices.
Loaded the testing programs, Tx and Rx into each unit, one at a time and looked at what was coming from the serial monitor, one at a time.

I removed the NF24 library and re-installed the one recommended.

Reason for running the test is, I have another program that would not work and I suspected that one of these units could be faulty or just not setup correctly.

Can someone run over the results from the serial monitor and advise where I should be looking for the fault. Really have no idea what is working or what I should expect to see.

Edit: caps on power rails
boards used are pro mini 5v 16mhz
software is from Robin2 test page
1 NRF24 is a low power unit
1 NRF24 is a high power unit
No spare units, some are on the way...Thanks

Borrowed a Uno from a friend and used the high power NRF24 with the following readouts from the serial monitor.(Uno_Tx and Uno_Rx)

[Robin2]

Images from Original Post so we don't have to download them. See this Simple Image Guide

...R

[Robin2]

Please don't post pictures of text. Just copy and paste the text.

Post the actual programs that YOU have uploaded to YOUR Arduinos (even if it is the same as my code).

Post photos of simple pencil drawings showing exactly how you have everything connected.

If the output in your picture is repeating very fast even when the other Arduino is unpowered then I would suspect a wiring error.

How are you powering the nRF24s? The ProMini may not have enough 3.3v current for the low power nRF24 and almost certainly will not have enough current for the high-power version.

Have you a reasonable distance (maybe 2 to 3 metres) between the two nRF24s in case the high power version is overloading the other one.

Do you have a spare nRF24 in case one of your devices is faulty.

...R

[bluejets]

Apologies for my errors above. Will collect details as you suggested.
In the meantime, is it possible to see how the screenshots of a working SimpleTx and SimpleRx are supposed to appear? Any link perhaps?

[Robin2]

bluejets:
is it possible to see how the screenshots of a working SimpleTx and SimpleRx are supposed to appear? Any link perhaps?

I don't have any sample output - but it will be pretty much identical to what you are seeing except that it will happen at 1 second intervals. And if you monitor the two Arduinos at the same time you will see the corresponding values.

if you look in the code you will see the Serial.print() statements.

...R

[bluejets]

Ok...thanks.

I suspect, as has been commented on another post here yesterday about NRF24 units, that it may possibly be a power issue.

I had originally taken the supply to a 3v3 regulator for the NRF24 from the 5v rail of the ProMini all-be-it with a 10uF cap.

I have now rehashed the layout so the 3v3 regulator is now fed from the main supply 7v4 Lipo.
Included below is an image of the layout.

I have seen where it is possibly not a good idea to run the Arduino through the usb lead at the same time as the Tx unit and the Arduino are powered via the battery.

So should I arrange to disconnect the Arduino from the battery supply during the serial monitor test given the battery could be required to supply the larger Tx unit power?

[bluejets]

Tried to follow your post on inserting an image but it left the origiinal in place, not sure where I went wrong there.

One thing I will also check (just noticed) the continuation of the gnd through the 3v3 regulator.

[Robin2]

bluejets:
I have seen where it is possibly not a good idea to run the Arduino through the usb lead at the same time as the Tx unit and the Arduino are powered via the battery.

I am not an expert on that but I believe it is OK to have the USB lead and external power connected at the same time.

You could always power just the nRF24 from the battery and the Arduino from the USB lead.

Out of curiosity what 3.3v regulator are you using? it seems to have 4 connections. I have just used the LD1117 which has 3 connections.

...R

[bluejets]

Hi Robin,
First ones I tried were the 8 pin regulators and when I re-hashed everything I changed to the 2pins in 2pins out variety.

Hope this works ...

The latter were from Banggood .......DCDC 12v 5V to 3.3v step down voltage regulator

[Robin2]

Thanks.

Have you a link to the datasheet for the small regulator?

...R

[bluejets]

Hi Robin,
Seems not.....only detail I could find was as described on Banggood site as below.
I took a close look at the chip but all id had been "scrubbed" off so no luck there.
Appears one of the cheapies that only time will tell if any good or not I imagine.

Item Name: DC-DC 12V 5V to 3.3V Step Down Voltage Regulator Power Module
Input voltage: 5.3V-26V
Output voltage: 3.3V
Output Current: 3A (maximum), long working hours keep in less than 1.8A
Conversion efficiency: 96% (maximum) pressure difference (Vin-Vout≥2V), the less the more efficient
Output ripple: <30mV
Operating temperature: -40 ℃ -85 ℃
Size: 22.3 * 17 * 4.2mm

Cheers Jorgo

[Robin2]

I presume you have been following this other recent Thread in which the OP had a problem with a voltage regulator

...R

[bluejets]

Hi Robin,
All working.
Turned out to be a power problem like you suggested.

Wired up like in the above with the regulator for the NRF24 fed from the Lipo and likewise the Arduino fed via the raw input.

Many thanks for your guidance and your test programs.

Didn't get to see the results of your Simple Tx and Rx yet as I was anxious to see if the new layout was working so re-loaded my originals.

Do fully intend to do a test run though as I can see it will be of great use in the future.

Thanks again...Jorgo

Yes, followed that thread also.