Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: razvanc_roro on May 07, 2007, 12:28:42 PM

Title: 50$ robot> PC motherboard protection
Post by: razvanc_roro on May 07, 2007, 12:28:42 PM
I've understand that if something is going wrong in the circuit, I could do the "smoke test" on the PC's motherboard. Also found out that there is some components that I might use to save "my precious" from being turned into ashes  :D :
ST202EC or ADM3202
If anyone knows about this, let me know. Or this circuit it's too easy for making a foolish mistake.

Thank you!

Greetings from Romania!
Title: Re: 50$ robot> PC motherboard protection
Post by: Admin on May 07, 2007, 01:15:56 PM
hmmm thats a good question.

I believe both recommended AVR programmers have a built in protection circuit (especially the more expensive Atmel one) . . . but I could also be wrong . . . does someone know for sure?

Worst case scenario you will only end up damaging your serial port.

If you are using a serial to USB converter, it is almost guaranteed to have a safety buffer built in.

Anyway, before plugging in your circuit to your PC, you should always use a multimeter to make sure all the pins are doing what they are supposed to do. :P
Title: Re: 50$ robot> PC motherboard protection
Post by: JonHylands on May 07, 2007, 02:12:35 PM
I fried a $500 PDA by connecting +5 volts to the ground line on the TTL level serial port.

- Jon
Title: Re: 50$ robot> PC motherboard protection
Post by: Admin on May 07, 2007, 02:25:30 PM
ouch.
Title: Re: 50$ robot> PC motherboard protection
Post by: ed1380 on May 07, 2007, 02:34:49 PM
been doing a bit of (http://www.societyofrobots.com/robotforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1035.0;attach=301)  ;)
Title: Re: 50$ robot> PC motherboard protection
Post by: JonHylands on May 07, 2007, 02:51:24 PM
No, just a case of using a 3-pin molex connector to plug into a 4-pin connector. I had a momentary lapse of reason, and plugged it off-by-one.

So, after that I decided I would never again be lazy - even if I didn't need the fourth pin, it would be on the connector anyways...

Some lessons you have to learn the hard way.

- Jon
Title: Re: 50$ robot> PC motherboard protection
Post by: razvanc_roro on May 08, 2007, 11:33:12 AM
Thank you all for replying my message! Your answers replyed my questions.
Keep in touch!

Bye!