Helix Main Board
Assembly and Setup Manual
18
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Initial Power Up of the Main Board
Before powering up the main board for the first time, perform these checks:
Do
NOT
install any of the ICs, MP3 Player, XBee radio or the battery for the RTC at this time
Do
NOT
install the heat sinks on the voltage regulators at this time
Verify that all diodes, LEDs, electrolytic capacitors, voltage regulators, IC sockets are aligned properly
Verify that all components are properly soldered and there are no solder bridges or cold joints
Next perform these steps
1.
Install a 1A fuse in the fuse holder F1
2.
Install the shunts (jumpers), Mouser part #151-8010-E, on Header 1 in the correct configuration for your line
voltage. See Picture 7 for 120 VAC and Picture 8 for 240 VAC.
3.
Install a power cord on TB1, being careful to properly align the Hot and Neutral leads. The Neutral wire is
the one connected to the wide blade on the plug and is usually white or has ribs or dashes on the wire.
4.
Place the main board on a non-conductive surface
5.
Plug in the power cord
6.
The Power LED (D6) should be illuminated, if not then unplug the power cord and troubleshoot the power
supply section of the board. The Power LED is powered by the 3.3VDC regulator which in turn is powered by
the 5VDC regulator which is connected to the transformer via the full wave rectifier and filter capacitors.
7.
With the main board plugged in, carefully touch the heat sink tabs on the two voltage regulators. They
should be cool to the touch or slightly warm at most. If they are hot then you have a short circuit
somewhere on the board. Unplug the board, find the short circuit and repair.
8.
With the main board plugged in, use a voltage meter to check the voltage b5V and GND on the test
points. This voltage should be a solid 5VDC. If it seems to be excessively low or high then unplug the main
board and troubleshoot the 5VDC section of the power supply
9.
With the main board plugged in, use a voltage meter to check the voltage b3.3V and GND on the
test points. This voltage should be a solid 3.3VDC. If it seems to be excessively low or high then unplug the
main board and troubleshoot the 3.3VDC section of the power supply
10.
Once the board passes all of these tests then you are finished with the initial testing.
Picture 7
Picture 8
120 VAC
240 VAC