Works at first, then super buggy

Projects Programming
1

I’m trying to rig a few IR proximity sensors on a train layout, ie when the train goes by, the sensor fires one of two loops: one fires 2 12v relays I’m using as a flasher for a crossing signal, the second fires a small servo.

It ran fine for a couple of runs, then got super buggy. All that happens when I turn on arduino is the flasher loop keeps running and won’t stop. So I commented out everything but the 12v flasher relay combo and the ir sensor and it still loops the flasher code without stopping.

I don’t think I have a setup issue because it all worked initially.

I’d post my layout, but don’t see a way to post pics in this forum. Code is below.
Thanx for your help!!


#include <Servo.h>
 
int servoPin = 8;
int sweepy = 0;
int iBlink;
int flasherOut;  
int flasherPin = 6;  
 
Servo servo;  


void setup() {

  
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(13,OUTPUT);
  pinMode(12,OUTPUT);
  servo.attach(servoPin);


}

void loop() {
  Serial.print("IRSensorip ");

//fire crossing flasher
flasherOut = digitalRead(flasherPin);
if (flasherOut == LOW){
    iBlink = 0;
    while(iBlink<5){
      digitalWrite(13, HIGH);
      delay(200);
      digitalWrite(13, LOW);
      delay(200);
      digitalWrite(12, HIGH);
      delay(200);
      digitalWrite(12, LOW); 
      delay(200); 
      iBlink++;

    }    
   }  

 //fire servo 
 if(digitalRead(4)==LOW){
    sweepy = 0;
    while(sweepy <5){
       servo.write(20);      
       delay(10000);        
       servo.write(100);     
       delay(5000);
       servo.write(0);
       sweepy++;
  }  
 }
}
2

Your topic was MOVED to its current forum category which is more appropriate than the original as it has nothing to do with Installation and Troubleshooting of the IDE

3

The Arduino is not a power supply. Sounds like there may be a power problem. How are the relay coils and servo powered?

Please post a schematic. Written descriptions are always more ambiguous than a drawing. Hand drawn, photographed and posted is fine. Include all pin names/numbers, components, their part numbers and/or values and power supplies.

4

it is so easy to post pictures that it is not obvious:

Simply copy your picture into the clipboard and then paste the clipboard by pressing Ctrl-V it into the posting.
This forum-software is pretty modern.

best regards Stefan

5

do the inputs need to be configured as INPUT_PULLUP with internal pullup resistors?

it's not uncommon for the output os such detectors to simply be a transistor that pulls low so that they can be used with a variety of circuity operating at different voltages

6

consider

// IR/Flasher code

#undef MyHW
#ifdef MyHW
byte PinIrs  [] = { A1, A2 };
#else
byte PinIrs  [] = { 6, 4 };
#endif

byte PinLeds [] = { 13, 12 };
#define Nled  sizeof(PinLeds)

unsigned long msecLst [Nled];

unsigned long MsecFlash = 200;
unsigned long msec;

enum { Off = HIGH, On = LOW };


// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
void
checkIr (void)
{
    for (unsigned n = 0; n < Nled;  n++)  {
        if (HIGH == digitalRead (PinIrs [n]))  {
            digitalWrite (PinLeds [n], Off);
        }
        else if (msec - msecLst [n] >= MsecFlash)  {
            msecLst [n] = msec;
            digitalWrite (PinLeds [n], ! digitalRead (PinLeds [n])); 
        }
    }
}

// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
void loop ()
{
    msec = millis ();

    checkIr ();
}

// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
void setup ()
{
    Serial.begin (9600);

    for (unsigned n = 0; n < Nled;  n++)  {
        pinMode (PinIrs [n], INPUT_PULLUP);

        pinMode (PinLeds [n], OUTPUT);
        digitalWrite (PinLeds [n], Off);
    }
}
1 Like
8

I think that’s my problem - servo is running straight off of the board. Working on a schematic so I can post it here. Thanx for the tip.

9

I’ll have to stare at that for a bit :grinning:
Thanx so much, I’ll give it a try.

10

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