[solved] Arduino uno and deek-robot data logging shield RTC problem

Projects Networking, Protocols, and Devices
1

I have a deek-robot data logging shield on the Arduino uno. Being new to Arduino (but have done Windows C++ programming as well as some work with PIC microcontrollers) I struggled along to get to grips with the Arduino experience.
Needless to say that I didn't get any bit of documentation with the shield. As far as I can make out it should be compatible with the Adafruit Data Logger Shield.

I checked the first samples for the RTC and SD card and it all seems to work. Now I'm struggling with the RTC. I can set the time and once set it does work ok - unless I cut the power (by pulling the USB from the computer). Whenever I switch the power back on the RTC does not run.

I have included Wire.h and RTClib.h and use the RTC_DS1307

This is the sketch I'm using:

// Date and time functions using a DS1307 RTC connected via I2C and Wire lib
#include <Wire.h>
#include "RTClib.h"

#if defined(ARDUINO_ARCH_SAMD)
// for Zero, output on USB Serial console, remove line below if using programming port to program the Zero!
   #define Serial SerialUSB
#endif

RTC_DS1307 rtc;

char daysOfTheWeek[7][12] = {"Sunday", "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday", "Saturday"};

void setup () {

#ifndef ESP8266
  while (!Serial); // for Leonardo/Micro/Zero
#endif

  Serial.begin(57600);
  if (! rtc.begin()) {
    Serial.println("Couldn't find RTC");
    while (1);
  }

 if (! rtc.isrunning()) {
    Serial.println("RTC is NOT running!");
    // following line sets the RTC to the date & time this sketch was compiled
    // --- rtc.adjust(DateTime(F(__DATE__), F(__TIME__)));
    // This line sets the RTC with an explicit date & time
    // rtc.adjust(DateTime(2016, 4, 20, 15, 58, 00));
  }
}

void loop () {
    DateTime now = rtc.now();
    char s_Time[40]="2016/04/20 (Wednesday) 16:39:00";
    char s_tmp[20];
    
    sprintf(s_Time,"%4i",now.year());
    sprintf(s_tmp,"/%02i/",now.month());
    strcat(s_Time,s_tmp);
    sprintf(s_tmp,"%02i (",now.day());
    strcat(s_Time,s_tmp);
    strcat(s_Time,daysOfTheWeek[now.dayOfTheWeek()]);
    sprintf(s_tmp,") %02i:",now.hour());
    strcat(s_Time,s_tmp);
    sprintf(s_tmp,"%02i:",now.minute());
    strcat(s_Time,s_tmp);
    sprintf(s_tmp,"%02i\n",now.second());
    strcat(s_Time,s_tmp);
    Serial.print(s_Time);
    delay(1000);
}

The output on the serial monitor always gives me the

RTC is NOT running!
2000/01/01 (Saturday) 00:00:00

after power over the USB port was interrupted.
I have checked the coin cell battery and it is connected and supplying voltage (checked on the contact pads on the board).
Any ideas? Or have I missed something in the concept here? Any pointers welcome!

2

As it turns out the button cell I got sent with the unit is a dud...
I would have checked before putting it in but my DVM was at sea with a colleague and just returned.

3

I had a similar problem with a Deek-Robot data logging shield v1.0
It would not hold the time and date.
The lithium batter seemed dud, but then I found the RTC was drawing 25mA from it!

  • whereas my standalone RTC draws less than 2 micro amps.

I contacted the supplier, but instead of offering a hardware solution / replacement thy want to send me a pdf manual. Quite how that is going to help I don't know!

I eventually got a refund