Problems with digilite SD card

VK5BI
Posts: 36
Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:32 am

Problems with digilite SD card

Post by VK5BI » Tue Oct 13, 2015 8:28 pm

I have built up the SD Card adaptor (veroboard style) as per this forum, however with the card inserted the led is always
solid on indicating the sd card is scanning but nothing happens. It always remains on solid when there are no files on the card.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Wayne VK5BI

G4EWJ
Posts: 1358
Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 10:11 am

Re: Problems with digilite SD card

Post by G4EWJ » Tue Oct 13, 2015 10:37 pm

Are you using an SD card of 2GB or less, formatted as FAT or FAT16, not SDHC?

After powering up and without a card inserted, there should be 3.3v on pins 9, 1, 4, 8 and 2.5v (depending on your meter impedance) on pins 2, 5, 7 of the SD card socket. Note the unusual numbering of the SD card socket.

Brian

VK5BI
Posts: 36
Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:32 am

Re: Problems with digilite SD card

Post by VK5BI » Wed Oct 14, 2015 8:22 am

Thanks for the info Brian, all the voltages are as you suggested.
The card is 2gb formatted with fat.
I shall probe a little further.

Regards

Wayne VK5BI

G4EWJ
Posts: 1358
Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 10:11 am

Re: Problems with digilite SD card

Post by G4EWJ » Wed Oct 14, 2015 12:14 pm

There should be activity on pins 1, 2, 5, 7 when the card is being accessed.

Brian

G4KLB
Posts: 244
Joined: Wed May 28, 2008 10:46 am

Re: Problems with digilite SD card

Post by G4KLB » Wed Oct 14, 2015 1:58 pm

With no SD card inserted you should get a double flash, when a blank formatted SD card is inserted the LED should go solid for one second, then keep flashing 4 times.
Your assumption that the card is stuck trying to read is logical.

I would try another card or reformat with SD Formatter https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_4/
Many different types just show FAT as the file system so you cant be shure its correct (most 2Gb ones are normally OK though)

Good luck

Colin

G4KLB
Posts: 244
Joined: Wed May 28, 2008 10:46 am

Re: Problems with digilite SD card

Post by G4KLB » Wed Oct 14, 2015 2:04 pm

Just done a test with a very small SD card formatted Fat 12 and the LED stayed lit solid all the time.

73
Colin

G4EWJ
Posts: 1358
Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 10:11 am

Re: Problems with digilite SD card

Post by G4EWJ » Wed Oct 14, 2015 3:03 pm

It should recognise FAT12 and flash 5 times to indicate 'unsupported file system'. I just tried it here with a 32MB card.

If you connect to the CONTROL port at 57600,n,8,1,noflow it might give some more info, but probably not when the LED is on solid.

Brian

G4KLB
Posts: 244
Joined: Wed May 28, 2008 10:46 am

Re: Problems with digilite SD card

Post by G4KLB » Wed Oct 14, 2015 8:23 pm

Mine was also 32Mb, windows just reports file system as FAT.
It was one I knew didn't work from the early tests, I bought 10 different brands of 2Gb SD cards and all worked fine. (Didn't have to reformat any either)

The 32Mb one was just found in a draw probably from an old phone. Unusual for a 2Gb one to play up.

Thanks for the correct info Brian :D

Let us know how you get on Wayne.

73
Colin

VK5BI
Posts: 36
Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:32 am

Re: Problems with digilite SD card

Post by VK5BI » Thu Oct 15, 2015 8:12 am

Thanks to everyone for their continued suggestions. At this stage it seems that the problem may
exist in the farnell 10 socket between digilite and the sd card adaptor. I shall go into the city on the
weekend and purchase a different socket and also a second sd card. I shall advise of progress.

Regards

Wayne VK5BI

VK5BI
Posts: 36
Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:32 am

Re: Problems with digilite SD card

Post by VK5BI » Sat Nov 07, 2015 3:57 am

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.
The problem was eventually tracked to a faulty SD card socket.
As I build it on veroboard I replaced the suggested farnell socket with the
719-8744 from RS. This has a more definite switching action when the card is inserted.
It however must be installed upside down so that the pins line up with the farnell one.

Regards

Wayne VK5BI

Post Reply

Return to “DigiLite”