In June 2010 I have been advised on your MK163 forum to use the K8049
(with a mute function) to command the MK163 electronic volume control.
After building the MK163 the non-IR part was working.
The K8049 showed after assembling there was no possibility to set it on channel
4, so no means to test the IR part of the MK163.
Shift 1 gives ch 1, S 2 gives ch 2, S 3 gives 3 but S 4 gives 3 instead of 4.
After analysing the problem, wrong program data in the PIC16F630-I/P appeared to
be the cause of the error.
My findings were confirmed by my supplier (your Haarlem distributor) who did give
an excellent service in this case.
They also tested the IC’s (2) from their remaining stock and found the same error.
A new set received through their Dutch Velleman agent had the same error.
A VM121 send to them by the agent and tested by myself had the same error.
A MK162 I got from my supplier proved that the IR part of the MK163 is working.
It lacks however a mute function, so I want a solution for the K8049.
All these findings are pointing to the K8049 PIC16F630-I/P IC’s with wrong data.
May be there was a new batch of these IC’s programmed and put untested in stock ?
I would appreciate if you will test a MK163 with a K8049 from present stock and
find out if your findings are the same.
As these problems started after assembling the units over 10 weeks ago, I wonder
how to get a new IC with the proper data in the fastest way, in order to use my
K8049 to command my MK163
This is the first time we hear about a supposed problem with the K8049, altough it has been on the market unchanged since 2003.
We will investigate an post the result.
After checking, it works fine.
Are you sure you’ve selected mode 4? Press and hold shift until led lights, next press ‘4’.
Mute is button 1, vol up is button 3, vol down is button 4
If you cannot get it to work, please return both kits for inspection.
[quote=“VEL417”]After checking, it works fine.
Are you sure you’ve selected mode 4? Press and hold shift until led lights, next press ‘4’.
Mute is button 1, vol up is button 3, vol down is button 4
If you cannot get it to work, please return both kits for inspection.[/quote]
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Dear VEL417,
Thanks for your fast response. I’ll try to say it in another way:
Like I stated originally, pressing and holding shift until the led flashes followed by pressing 4 ends up in channel 3, proved by three flashes after interrupting and connecting the power.
One, two and three are giving one, two and three flashes, while four is giving only three flashes.
A total of 6 PIC16F630-I/P ic’s from various sources (1 from a VM121 and 5 from K8049 kits) have been tested and none of them could be switched to channel 4.
Despite this, I retried to switch my K8049 to mode 4, the result was as stated before (no response from the MK163 and only three flashes after interrupting power).
Please realize that my supplier found the same results. As you were able to pick a working K8049 from stock, there is hope for a fast solution !
As my MK163 is build in in a complicated setting and is operating as expected when driven by the MK162, I will ask my supplier to send the K8049 only.
I will appreciate to hear from you the name of the person at Velleman the sending must be directed to by my supplier as well as the estimated time to have the working set returned.
(By the way, the manual states 5 for volume down in stead of 4 ?)
Make sure to include a copy of this conversation.
Turnaround time is usually 1-2 weeks.
Just a tought: Our units definately flash 4 times and work fine. The software has not been changed. Check your assembly. If there is a problem on the PCB, it could be the case that button 4 is actually button 3, due to some kind of short.
What happens when you learn SHIFT ‘8’ instead of SHIFT ‘4’ ?
Make sure to include a copy of this conversation.
Turnaround time is usually 1-2 weeks.
Just a tought: Our units definately flash 4 times and work fine. The software has not been changed. Check your assembly. If there is a problem on the PCB, it could be the case that button 4 is actually button 3, due to some kind of short.
What happens when you learn SHIFT ‘8’ instead of SHIFT ‘4’ ?[/quote]
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Dear VEL417,
Thanks again for your speed.
There is no short circuit on the PCB (simple single layer PCB checked with 10x magnifier) and Shift 8 gives three flashes.
Just my thoughts:
As the software has not been changed: The ic’s were running out, so a new batch was made. Due to an unbelievable error there was a change in the data file during loading. All new ic’s were programmed with partly wrong data. Due to another unbelievable error the programmed ic’s were not checked in i.e. a K8049. but went straight to stock where they have been mixed with the (old) good ones…
Unit will be prepared for sending. We will find out soon.