[SOLVED] LED Matrix and Code with a RNG stops working after a few minutes

8BitJustice · January 24, 2016, 1:17am

Hello

I'm a novice to Arduino as will be apparent and could really use some insight. I've tried a few projects after many successful tutorial projects and small experiments I wanted to use a max7219 LED matrix that I got and see what it inspired me to make. At first I tried to make a dice roller for the sake of simplicity and it worked quite well...at first. Pick a flash several "Sprite Numbers" on the LED matrix until it slows and stops on one. At first it was activated by a button and after a few presses I just looped it because I just wanted to watch it. After about 5 or so minutes the LED matrix turned off. I reset the Arduino and it worked again, for another amount of time and turned off. Re-uploading caused it to start again, and again it stopped. I tried it with the button input again, and after so many presses, it also eventually stopped displaying.

I went back to looping and added an LED as an output to blink within the loop to see if it was still executing or running my code. It did, but the LED matrix would still turn off. I scrapped the project feeling that I must have made a coding mistake or a wiring mistake.

A few weeks later I tried another project a bit simpler. Sprite face that looked left and right and blinked randomly. New circuit, new code, same problem. The LED matrix just turns itself off. Tried with a battery powering my Arduino and same problem. The LED face code will hopefully posted below. (I haven't used a forum in a long time). I did try at one point a code where it randomly selected one of 6 LED outputs to turn on and never seemed to be an issue. So I assumed it was an issue with the max7219.

I did use a Sprite (library?) to help draw my animations. I thought that might have been the issue so I told it to count up with sprite numbers and looped it over from sprite 1 to sprite 20. Never turned the matrix off.

Thoughts? Questions? I appreciate it.

#include <Sprite.h>  // Sprite before Matrix
#include <Matrix.h>

//                  DIN, CLK, LOAD, #chips
Matrix myLeds = Matrix(8, 10, 9, 1);

  int rnd;
  int rndDelay;
  int action;
  int cnt;
void setup() {

  Sprite awake1 = Sprite(8, 8,
  B00000000,
  B00010000,
  B00000000,
  B00000000,
  B00000000,
  B00000000,
  B00010000,
  B00000000
  );
  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, awake1);

  delay(1000);

  Sprite awake2 = Sprite(8, 8,
  B00000000,
  B00010000,
  B00010000,
  B00000000,
  B00000000,
  B00010000,
  B00010000,
  B00000000
  );
  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, awake2);

  delay(1000);
  
  Sprite awake3 = Sprite(8, 8,
  B00000000,
  B00010000,
  B00010000,
  B10000000,
  B10000000,
  B00010000,
  B00010000,
  B00000000
  );
  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, awake3);

  delay(1000);

  Sprite awake4 = Sprite(8, 8,
  B00000000,
  B00010000,
  B10010000,
  B10000000,
  B10000000,
  B10010000,
  B00010000,
  B00000000
  );
  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, awake4);

  delay(1000);

  Sprite awake5 = Sprite(8, 8,
  B00000000,
  B00010000,
  B10010000,
  B10000000,
  B10000000,
  B10010000,
  B00010000,
  B00000000
  );
  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, awake5); 

  delay(1000);

  Sprite awake6 = Sprite(8, 8,
  B00000000,
  B00010000,
  B00010001,
  B00000001,
  B00000001,
  B00010001,
  B00010000,
  B00000000
  );
  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, awake6);

  delay(1000);

  Sprite awake7 = Sprite(8, 8,
  B00000000,
  B00000000,
  B00011001,
  B00000001,
  B00000001,
  B00011001,
  B00000000,
  B00000000
  );
  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, awake7);

  delay(500);

  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, awake6);

  delay(250);

  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, awake7);

  delay(500);

  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, awake6);

  delay(250);
  
  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, awake7);

  Serial.begin(9600);
  randomSeed(analogRead(A0));
  Serial.println("Randomize!");


  //sprite definitions

}

void loop() {
  Sprite neutral = Sprite(8, 8,
  B00000000,
  B00000000,
  B00011001,
  B00000001,
  B00000001,
  B00011001,
  B00000000,
  B00000000
  );
  Sprite lookleft = Sprite(8, 8,
  B00000000,
  B00000000,
  B00000001,
  B00011001,
  B00000001,
  B00000001,
  B00011000,
  B00000000
  );
  Sprite lookright = Sprite(8, 8,
  B00000000,
  B00011000,
  B00000001,
  B00000001,
  B00011001,
  B00000001,
  B00000000,
  B00000000
  );
  Sprite blinkNeutral = Sprite(8, 8,
  B00000000,
  B00010000,
  B00010001,
  B00000001,
  B00000001,
  B00010001,
  B00010000,
  B00000000
  );
  
  //looking loop
  rnd = random(4);
  rndDelay = random(700) + 250;
  rnd++;
  for(int i = 0; i < rnd; i++){
  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, neutral);

  delay(rndDelay);

  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, lookleft);

  delay(rndDelay);

  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, lookright);

  delay(rndDelay);
  
  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, neutral);

  delay(rndDelay);
}

//blink
  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, blinkNeutral);
  delay(500);
}

GUMPIPtoyoyupr.ino (3.41 KB)

CrossRoads · January 24, 2016, 1:20am

What Rset are you using with the MAX7219? Anychance it is just overheating?

8BitJustice · January 24, 2016, 1:25am

I used the term "Reset" in a very loosely. Power cycling is what i'm really doing. Is it possible for the matrix to be overheating?

CrossRoads · January 24, 2016, 1:36am

Sure, but when LEDs overheat they usually fail and do not recover.

8BitJustice · January 24, 2016, 1:49am

Well, thankfully that is not the case. Though when it first happened I thought that's what surely happened. But a re-upload or power cycle gets it working again.

Grumpy_Mike · January 24, 2016, 8:52am

Have you any decoupling capacitors on the 7219? It could be latching up.

Paul_B · January 24, 2016, 9:36am

You may have misunderstood.

"R_set" is the resistor that defines the segment driver current on the MAX7219. It should not be less than 10k, and generally is 10k.

8BitJustice · January 31, 2016, 10:58pm

Paul__B:
You may have misunderstood.

"R_set" is the resistor that defines the segment driver current on the MAX7219. It should not be less than 10k, and generally is 10k.

This is likely a dumb question but, I haven't put in a resistor anywhere on the circuit. With the exception of when I use an input. Should I be putting a 10k in series somewhere?

Grumpy_Mike · January 31, 2016, 11:01pm

Should I be putting a 10k in series somewhere?

Yes, between pin 18 and 19 of the MAX7219.

Paul_B · February 1, 2016, 9:00am

8BitJustice:
This is likely a dumb question but, I haven't put in a resistor anywhere on the circuit. With the exception of when I use an input. Should I be putting a 10k in series somewhere?

That's OK.

There is a bit of confusion here.

You are actually using one of these, are you not?

Or possibly one of these much more useful versions.

The 10k resistor R_set - and the decoupling capacitors mentioned - are part of the module, so that is not a problem.

8BitJustice · February 7, 2016, 7:15pm

Yes, the first one is exactly what i'm using! So I need a 10k with this but...i'm not seeing where it is labeled pin 18 or 19. I assume that it's referring to the shift register (I think that's what it's called) and it's pins 18 and 19. A little googling helped me find a wiring diagram with a resister in parallel across there. Again I could use some guidance on this one. I am still figuring a lot of these new parts out.

If that is the case though, I also assumed that it would have come with that resistor included, as in already on the circuit board. Does that mean I need to soldier one in on the back of the circuit board? Or is there a way to get that resistor in the circuit at another point?

Once more, help is greatly appreciated

Paul_B · February 8, 2016, 1:21am

Either you got it as a kit, or pre-assembled.

If the latter, you will find the resistor and two capacitors (the electrolytic folded over) under the matrix display. It will not be a concern, it will be there!

Reviewing the problem, I am going for a problem with the Sprite or Matrix library.

No! It is a memory leak problem with your loop()!

Let me see ...

I have no idea what library you are using as I cannot make it compile in the IDE, but suggest you try this:

#include <Sprite.h>  // Sprite before Matrix
#include <Matrix.h>

//                  DIN, CLK, LOAD, #chips
Matrix myLeds = Matrix(8, 10, 9, 1);

int rnd;
int rndDelay;
int action;
int cnt;
void setup() {

  Sprite awake1 = Sprite(8, 8,
                         B00000000,
                         B00010000,
                         B00000000,
                         B00000000,
                         B00000000,
                         B00000000,
                         B00010000,
                         B00000000
                        );
  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, awake1);

  delay(1000);

  Sprite awake2 = Sprite(8, 8,
                         B00000000,
                         B00010000,
                         B00010000,
                         B00000000,
                         B00000000,
                         B00010000,
                         B00010000,
                         B00000000
                        );
  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, awake2);

  delay(1000);

  Sprite awake3 = Sprite(8, 8,
                         B00000000,
                         B00010000,
                         B00010000,
                         B10000000,
                         B10000000,
                         B00010000,
                         B00010000,
                         B00000000
                        );
  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, awake3);

  delay(1000);

  Sprite awake4 = Sprite(8, 8,
                         B00000000,
                         B00010000,
                         B10010000,
                         B10000000,
                         B10000000,
                         B10010000,
                         B00010000,
                         B00000000
                        );
  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, awake4);

  delay(1000);

  Sprite awake5 = Sprite(8, 8,
                         B00000000,
                         B00010000,
                         B10010000,
                         B10000000,
                         B10000000,
                         B10010000,
                         B00010000,
                         B00000000
                        );
  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, awake5);

  delay(1000);

  Sprite awake6 = Sprite(8, 8,
                         B00000000,
                         B00010000,
                         B00010001,
                         B00000001,
                         B00000001,
                         B00010001,
                         B00010000,
                         B00000000
                        );
  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, awake6);

  delay(1000);

  Sprite awake7 = Sprite(8, 8,
                         B00000000,
                         B00000000,
                         B00011001,
                         B00000001,
                         B00000001,
                         B00011001,
                         B00000000,
                         B00000000
                        );
  Sprite neutral = Sprite(8, 8,
                          B00000000,
                          B00000000,
                          B00011001,
                          B00000001,
                          B00000001,
                          B00011001,
                          B00000000,
                          B00000000
                         );
  Sprite lookleft = Sprite(8, 8,
                           B00000000,
                           B00000000,
                           B00000001,
                           B00011001,
                           B00000001,
                           B00000001,
                           B00011000,
                           B00000000
                          );
  Sprite lookright = Sprite(8, 8,
                            B00000000,
                            B00011000,
                            B00000001,
                            B00000001,
                            B00011001,
                            B00000001,
                            B00000000,
                            B00000000
                           );
  Sprite blinkNeutral = Sprite(8, 8,
                               B00000000,
                               B00010000,
                               B00010001,
                               B00000001,
                               B00000001,
                               B00010001,
                               B00010000,
                               B00000000
                              );


  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, awake7);

  delay(500);

  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, awake6);

  delay(250);

  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, awake7);

  delay(500);

  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, awake6);

  delay(250);

  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, awake7);

  Serial.begin(9600);
  randomSeed(analogRead(A0));
  Serial.println("Randomize!");
}

void loop() {
  //looking loop
  rnd = random(4);
  rndDelay = random(700) + 250;
  rnd++;
  for (int i = 0; i < rnd; i++) {
    myLeds.clear();
    myLeds.setBrightness(1);
    myLeds.write(0, 0, neutral);

    delay(rndDelay);

    myLeds.clear();
    myLeds.setBrightness(1);
    myLeds.write(0, 0, lookleft);

    delay(rndDelay);

    myLeds.clear();
    myLeds.setBrightness(1);
    myLeds.write(0, 0, lookright);

    delay(rndDelay);

    myLeds.clear();
    myLeds.setBrightness(1);
    myLeds.write(0, 0, neutral);

    delay(rndDelay);
  }

  //blink
  myLeds.clear();
  myLeds.setBrightness(1);
  myLeds.write(0, 0, blinkNeutral);
  delay(500);
}
}

8BitJustice · February 8, 2016, 2:26am

I feel like memory leak is right on. The symptoms fit. I think the library might also be partial to blame. I did try running the code but it said 'neutral' was not delcared in this scope and highlighted...

void loop() {
  //looking loop
  rnd = random(4);
  rndDelay = random(700) + 250;
  rnd++;
  for (int i = 0; i < rnd; i++) {
    myLeds.clear();
    myLeds.setBrightness(1);
    myLeds.write(0, 0, neutral);

The final line of the myLeds.write(0, 0, neutral);
I don't have a good grasp on this library, or apparently proper declarations so that my loops can use the sprite objects. Is there a better library you or someone could suggest? Or even a simpler way to do the sprite drawings on the MAX?

Paul_B · February 8, 2016, 4:32am

Can you identify where the library comes from? It does not appear to be part of the IDE.

8BitJustice · February 8, 2016, 4:44am

Honestly, got it from a link from a youtube tutorial I saw a while back. It's been a while and I forgot where I got it from. Just called sprite. Here's the attachment. Heck I can't event remember is the matrix library was for. Annoying, I know. Like I said though, maybe I need to start fresh with something and try again.

binary.h (10.1 KB)

keywords.txt (9.49 KB)

Sprite.cpp (2.42 KB)

8BitJustice · March 17, 2016, 3:27pm

I went back to normal LEDControl.h and started fresh with proper class programming for the "pixel" byte arrays. This resolved the issue. Thanks for pointing out the memory leak.

Mark this one up as solved!

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[SOLVED] LED Matrix and Code with a RNG stops working after a few minutes

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