Dazzler connec ted to Lilliput 7" HDMI monitor fails.

[Rev. Rick]

I have:

    Arduino Uno R3
    Gameduino Dazzler Shield
    Adafruit Ultimate GPS and Logging Shield (trace to pin D8 cut and rerouted to D4 because of conflict with Dazzler requirements)
    Lilliput 7" HD Camera Monitor, HDMI connected to Dazzler

When I plug the Arduino Shield Stack into a USB source and the Monitor to a separate wall-bug (12v DC, 2.5A), all works fine.

I then plugged the Arduino Shield Stack into the same 12v DC wall-bug as the Monitor and it displays for a few seconds, blinks a couple times and the black screen.

Now no matter what I do to power the Stack and monitor, the monitor indicates it is not getting an input signal.

Did the Dazzler blow up?? Could there be a GND loop happening through the HDMI cable between the Shield Stack and the Monitor?

I only have a single Dazzler shield, so I cannot test another one to see if the monitor and Arduino is working properly. The status lights on the GPS seem to be functioning properly.

If the GPS was at fault I would still get an HDMI signal to the monitor, it would just be black, but I am getting "no signal found".

I left the who pair of devices off for 5 minutes and then with the Arduino Shield Stack powered by USB and the Monitor powered by a wall-bug, it is working again and I am getting the proper GPS display of data.

Suggestions on how I can isolate the cause without damaging the boards or monitor?

Blessings,
Rev. Rick

[jamesbowman]

Right, thinking about how the Dazzler gets power.

images.prismic.io/circuito/8e3a980f0f964cc539b4cbbba2654bb660db6f52_arduino-uno-pinout-diagram.png

It gets its 5V input from the "5V" pin, not from the "VIN".

When running the Uno on USB vs battery, is the Dazzler still getting the 5V it needs?

[Rev Rick]

Yes, the Uno and thus Dazzler would have problems if the set were being powered by the 12v DC from the Monitor.

But, the problem is when the monitor and the Arduino are plugged into the same 12v DC source the monitor shows the proper display for a few seconds and then it blanks to blue and then nothing. I have to unpower the shield stack with the Dazzler for several minutes in order for the display to come back with the proper data displayed.

If I have two separate 12v DC supplies, one to the Arduino and Shield Stack, and one for the Monitor, the problem presents again.

I am uncertain if it is an UNO R3 issue, or it a Dazzler issue.

Just now sure.

Blessings,
Rev. Rick

[Rev. Rick]

Let's make this simple...

This works perfectly fine...
,-----------------, ,-----------------,
| | | |
+12v DC +++++++++++| Lilliput | HDMI | Arduino |++++++++++ USB +5v DC
| 7" Monitor |.......| Shield Stack | USB Connector connected to wall-bug, or my computer
GND ===============| | | with Dazzler |========== USB GND
| | | |
'-----------------' '-----------------'

This does not work. The display is fine for a few seconds and then it flickers after a few seconds and does not work.
,-----------------, ,-----------------,
| | | |
+12v DC +++++++++++| Lilliput | HDMI | Arduino |++++++++++ +12v DC (either a seperate or the
| 7" Monitor |.......| Shield Stack | Barrel connector on UNO same 12v DC supply and GND
GND ===============| | | with Dazzler |========== GND as monitor source)
| | | and GPS |
'-----------------' '-----------------'

I can make a video of the issue for you to see if I can have an email address to send it too.

Blessings,
Rev. Rick

[Rev. Rick]

Well I made a nice text graphic of the setup and this Blog collapsed the needed space in the diagram. Bless Bess...

It seems that it may not be the Dazzler, but the UNO since as long as I power the UNO R3 from the USB port, it all works fine. I can supply power tot he USB port by my computer or an external ball-bug. But once I plug power into the barrel power connector, the display goes bad. I will be also asking Arduino about it.

[Rev. Rick]

I have news from the Arduino Forum. It appears that my shield stack is drawing too much current when powered by the Uno R3 onboard 5v regulator.

0.02A -- Uno R3 - no shields attached
0.03A -- Uno R3 and GPS shield
0.24A -- Uno R3 and Gameduino Dazzler shield
0.30A -- Uno R3, Gameduino Dazzler & GPS shields

It seems the Dazzler is pulling too much current for the Arduino R3 5V regulator to handle the draw.

Therefore I will have to power the board stack from the USB port with an external 12v to 5v regulator that can handle the higher current draw.

[Rev. Rick]

I forgot to add that the 5v regulator installed on the Uno R3 is an ON Semiconductor NCP1117ST50T3G
(https://octopart.com/ncp1117st50t3g-on+semiconductor-538119?gclid=Cj0KCQiA4feBBhC9ARIsABp_nbUOnruKiUscIhoRr1yJ2NjFsbKriWV87C52xbRtUpV0tM1ZfZj6HgEaAsozEALw_wcB)

And it is rated at 0.1562A, which makes the Uno R3 unable of supporting the Dazzler when used with the Uno R3 onboard voltage regulator, but the workaround is to power the board(s) by the USB port.

I STILL LOVE the Gameduino Dazzler. It is a wonderful addition to the Arduino shield world.

Thank you Gameduino...

Blessings,
Rev Rick