9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

tgy9x is a fork of er9x, and is the default firmware that is released by hobbyking on the Turnigy 9XR transmitter.
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nidcker
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9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by nidcker »

Hi there!

Today I turned on the 9xr for flying for the third time, and I realiced that the LCD screen lights normally with the blue light, but there's no information on the screen, no digits, no anything.

The transmitter works fine, I've been flying perfectly. It's just the digits, that don't show up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've opened it to check if something is loose, but I don't know so much about electronics and everything looked like in the correct place...

Any idea???

Thanks!!!!!!!!!

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jhsa
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by jhsa »

Take a good resolution picture of your radio's board and post it here please..
Do you still have the original software or did you already flash opentx or er9x?
I'm asking because you could have changed the contrast of the LCD by mistake. If so, and if you already changed the software you can use eepe to set the contrast to 25 again and save the settings to the radio.. If you have still the original version of the software, it won't work with eepe because Hobbyking made modifications and now is not compatible..

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MikeB
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by MikeB »

Actually, the 9XR stock EEPROM is compatible, just Hobbyking have set the lock bits to prevent reading either the flash or the EEPROM!!!!

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jhsa
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by jhsa »

great :(

Are they afraid that someone steals the open source firmware?? :)

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Flaps 30
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by Flaps 30 »

Probably done to try and stop people stuffing up their radios by flashing some junk onto it, and in doing so create a dead radio. In a way I don't blame them.

nidcker
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by nidcker »

Sorry for the delay! I've been away some days.

There I attach some pictures, I hope you see something 'cos I see everything on its place.

If you take a close look at some parts on the top, where the sticks, it seems the glue has melted a bit because of the heat? I don't know if that's normal...

Thanks!!!!!!!
Attachments
P1030943.JPG
P1030942.JPG
P1030939.JPG
nidcker
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by nidcker »

And another picture!
Attachments
P1030944.JPG
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jhsa
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by jhsa »

I think you will have to get a multimeter and start measuring the voltages on the 3V regulator be very carefull not to short anything with the probes.. you could kill the radio by doing so..
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by nidcker »

What??? XD I've no clue, I'm a beginner, don't know anything about electronics :p
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Flaps 30
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by Flaps 30 »

Well.. You can box it all up and throw it back to whoever sold you that heap of junk.............. :roll:

If you know nothing about electrikery or/and you have no access to a multimeter, then your options are limited. Check that all the plugs and sockets are all firmly in place, giving particular attention to the white ribbon connector in the centre edge of the board.

Question - Does the transmitter work okay apart from the display?
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jhsa
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by jhsa »

Do you have any friend that can work with electronics? maybe someone from your club..
The only thing we can do is to tell you what you could do, and depending on your measurements, what we think the problem might be.. there is no way we can tell you what it is just by looking at the pictures.. they are a great help but most of the times people need to do some measuring ;)

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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by nidcker »

Yes I understand. I'll try to have a better look, and yes, maybe someone I know can take a look too.

Apart from the display everything works fine, meaning that the quad flies :)

Thanks!
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jhsa
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by jhsa »

I think it could only be a few things..
faulty display, but let's not get there yet ;)
no power to the display, that means that the display might not be getting any voltage...
the LCD ribbon not seated correctly in the connector (this one you can check) I don't own a 9XR so I don't know the system to open the LCD connector.. I'm sure that someone here will explain what to do..
But be carefull because these connectors and the LCD ribbon are very fragile..

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Flaps 30
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by Flaps 30 »

I have a feeling that the problem could be a simple one like the ribbon connection not seating as it should be, as everything else seems to work fine.

I wish we had more information as to the supply arrangements to the LCD and if it is like that of the 9X
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by nidcker »

Well the display has this blue light, so I´ll check the LCD ribbon carefully this evening and let you know.

Thanks!
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by MikeB »

The blue light is the backlight and is actually completely separate from the data display.

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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by Rob Thomson »

Maybe the contrast setting?

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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by Doofer »

Hmm, same problem, different year.

I was at my flying site for the Nth time, suddenly my 9XR Pro just has a blue LED and no screen (LCD or backlight). Oh, and a funny buzzing noise from the speaker. I am out of warranty, too...

So, checking volts on main PCB - 2V on the '5v' test point, and 1V on the '3.3v' test point. But only ~4.8v into the 5V switch-mode regulator that sticks out of the main board. Tracing back to the 'RF Deck', I find that the control input to a 3-pin SMD chip U1 goes from 0v to 2.2v on switch on, just like my other working 9XR Pro, but while the input (top) pin is getting ~10v from the LiFe batt, the output (bottom) is stuck at ~4.8v, unlike my working 9XR Pro, which goes to 10v on switch on.

Even better, if I crowbar these two power pins of U1 with a small screwdriver, the 9XR Pro comes to life and seems to work OK.

Diagnosis - With the same control volts going to U1 as in my working Tx, I can only assume that a fault has developed in the hi-side switch.

It has '109' inscribed on it. Anyone know what part number, or equivalent (something that can switch 10v from input to output when control input swings from 0v to 2.2v)?
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by SkyNorth »

Hi,
R9 is a 0.1R current shunt. U1 is a "high side" current monitor ...that sits across R9

Just short out R9 and your good to go ... The mAH and unit current display will be incorrect ..but thats no big deal...

-Brent
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by Doofer »

Brent you little beauty! R9 is indeed the culprit.

Thanks for putting me straight on U1! If I test R9 (on board, power off) it measures at ~0 ohms, but if I short it out, the 9XR works. It must have a fine crack in it, so when test prods push each end together, all is well. The cussedness of matter.
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by rcInky »

Hi,
I appear to have the same problem but can't locate R9. The only images I have seen are of PRO RF decks. I have a standard 9XR. Can someone point me in the right direction please.
Cheers,
David
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jhsa
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by jhsa »

I believe that current measurement resistor exists only on the 9XR-PRO, and not on the old 9XR. They have completely different electronics inside. So why don't you start by describing the problem, and what you were doing before it happened?
For example, can you still control your model, despite the screen being blank??

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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by rcInky »

Hi João,

I thought the original query related to an old 9XR and hence the solution applied to both, my mistake.

The background is; running OpenTX 2.1.9 for several months, battery voltage at the time was 11.5v.

I was adding new profiles on the transmitter (without Companion) and the screen became faint/hard to read and the clarity would occasionally fluctuate ie clearer then less distinct. Sometimes by turning the transmitter off and then on, the screen would be clearly readable for a few seconds then the data would fade. Sometimes the fading would be slow ie a few seconds, other times it would be instant. It has deteriorated so that no information is visible at all on the LCD now. The back light is fine. Everything functions correctly on the transmitter (apart from the LED :( ) and I can still control my model.


Cheers,

David
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jhsa
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by jhsa »

Ok, first thing, download the radio's eeprom onto companion and check that the screen contrast is at around 25.

As this seems to be an intermittent problem, it could also be that the LCD ribbon might not be making good connection with its socket.. Please check that as well. Be carefull when handling the LCD. The ribbon is quite fragile..

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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by rcInky »

Hi João,

I reseated the LCD connection cable, confirmed the contrast is set to 25 but no improvement.

Cheers,
David
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jhsa
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by jhsa »

Hmm, without having the radio here is difficult to say what it might be then. It could be a cold solder on the board, perhaps one of the resistors that connect to the LCD, or even a processor pin that is also not well soldered..
Try pressing gently on the processor pins with something made of plastic (NOT METAL) and see if you get thw LCD back.

João

EDIT: How do you add new profiles to the transmitter without companion? I didn't know that you can add profiles to the radio :)
Did you try to reflash the firmware?
You could even try Er9x and see if it does the same problem. But you will need to make a backup of your current firmware and eeprom first..
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by rcInky »

Hi João,

I've used the wrong terminology, by profile I meant new model profiles. I have multiple setups for the same model as I'm experimenting which works best with a new model. In this case a thermal soarer. I like to plan ahead and have multiple model profiles that I can change between on the day. As I'm older, it's easier than relying on memory and carrying paper and pen kinda detracts from what the flyings all about.

The way the fault presented I'm fairly certain it's hardware related. Is there a schematic/circuit diagram available for the standard 9XR? If there is I'll take it to an electronics repair shop as a last effort. I live at the edge of the world so items like this are expensive and we try and resurrect things if possible.

Cheers,

David
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jhsa
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by jhsa »

Try here, I didn't check if it is the correct one.. and it's been a while :)

http://openrcforums.com/forum/viewtopic ... 45#p128945

Also, check this post just in case the problem is a broken LCD

http://openrcforums.com/forum/viewtopic ... 837#p63146

João
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by rcInky »

Hi João,

Thanks for the links.
I tried running a plastic pointer over the main board and the screen came on briefly when I rubbed the soldier joints of the LCD connector. I've ordered a new 9XR Pro so will wait until that arrives before experimenting more with this unit. At present it's at least usable and I can change models using Companion.

Regards,
David.
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jhsa
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Re: 9xr LCD doesn't show digits - just blue light

Post by jhsa »

Then if it came on when you pressed on the connector, you might have to reflow its solder.

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