Hello!
My problem is that my SRF04 ultrasonic ranger doesn't work with my Arduino. When I connect all the wires to the Arduino and connect the USB cable nothing happens. The Arduino doesn't power up. But when I disconnect the ground or the 5v wire of the ultrasonic ranger Arduino powers up normally and the power LED lights up. What should I do now? Could somebody help me?
If you aren't powering it with an external regulated 5V power supply capable of sourcing > 50ma of current - that might be your problem. Hopefully you haven't harmed your Arduino. See this example (which uses a BASIC Stamp):
http://www.acroname.com/examples/10019/10019.html
Can you show us a schematic of -your- wiring?
Well presumably he is powering it through the arduino 5v and gnd whoch would give him more than enough current.
Are you sure that the connections are not bridged on the distance sensor? The reason why the light would go off on the arduino board is normally if you shorted the 5v to gnd.
Mowcius
I used the wiring that I found on this site: Arduino Examples. Also, what does bridged connection mean?
what does bridged connection mean?
I mean, maybe there is some stray solder bridging (connecting) the 5V and Gnd together.
That wiring looks good to me so not sure unless it is just a wiring issue.
You got a picture of what you've done?
Mowcius
OOPS
visit glowfoto.com
to view this image...
Hmm... Looks like a fail image to me.
You want to use flikr or imageshack or picassa or something please?
Mowcius
Here is what I've done. Little bit crude soldering there...
I would first recommend unsoldering those connections, cleaning it up and doing it again. They don't look too great. They don't look like they are bridging but you never know.
Mowcius
I soldered the connections better and now the ultrasonic ranger works! But is it normal that the TX led flashes rapidly while using the sensor? Arduino makes rapid and quiet clicking sound too.
But is it normal that the TX led flashes rapidly while using the sensor
Isn't that what it is supposed to do? (TX == "transmit")
Are you sure the clicking doesn't come from the sensor?
I can hear my SRF02s when they "fire".
I soldered the connections better and now the ultrasonic ranger works!
Oh good!
But is it normal that the TX led flashes rapidly while using the sensor?
Well presumably you have it sending serial data to the computer as to the distance so yeah it is
Arduino makes rapid and quiet clicking sound too.
That's more likely to be the range sensor. Ultrasonic transmitters often make a fast but quiet clicking sound when running. There is nothing on the arduino which could click.
Mowcius
Ok. Thank you for your help!