Projects and Stuff

[PaulJ]

Another observation of picky netusbee. Last night it quit working... wouldn't start. Would flash something on the screen then quickly go back to the desktop. Took out the ole iPhone and did a video so I could see what it was saying.

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Flashes up to quick to read but captured it with the video. So I checked the power supply and it was reading 4.890.. so I cranked it up to 5.00 volts and it works again. The bee must have a narrow band of voltage in which it works. Sure its voltage related.. didn't turn off the St but just adjusted voltage and tried again. Maybe when they built the bee they got a deal on 8019's that were rejected from some other product. Have a couple ethernet to usb adaptors that use 8019's that are don't exhibit this issue. Maybe its just this bee?

[stephen_usher]

It's INCREADIBLY finicky.

[PaulJ]

I totally agree but I wonder why, its using the same chip as the ethernet to usb adaptor required by the lightning board which exhibits none of this finicky behavior. Wonder if its a design issue or shoddy components? I'm leaning towards a design issue today. Isn't the bee public domain..? As I recall I have come across a schematic some where.

[stephen_usher]

When I examined the Lotherek version, the decoupling capacitors seemed a bit far from the chips. Also he's used "HC" CMOS chips which aren't fully TTL compatible in terms of the logic levels.

[stephen_usher]

Just to confirm, my NetUSBee doesn't like the Exxos PSU.

The STFM I'm using as a development machine was OK with the NetUSBee until this morning when I swapped out power supplies from the stock to the Exxos one and then it just stopped responding. It can't even read the ethernet PROM.

[exxos]

Theres something really screwy with NetUSBee , nothing should be that sensitive to what PSU is used. Mine have way better regulation than the originals, things should be better, not worse.

[PaulJ]

The netusbee is pretty sensitive to voltage, anyway the Ethernet for sure. This voltage issue is correctable (via voltage adj) but in my mega it hangs the mega immediately. Doesn’t get far in the boot process. I believe when its looking for executable code in the cartridge it thinks it sees code and jumps there immediately hangs the machine. Would be a great plug in to the 68000 socket on a H4 or H5 if we could get the thing more reliable. I suspect the 8019’s must be crap since the the usb half of the device appears solid and all the usb Ethernet adaptors don’t exhibit this issue. Hmm.. would be interesting to replace the 8019 Ethernet device with a quality one.

[PaulJ]

I've noticed some of you appear to be having issues with power supply currents and required fuse sizes. So in an effort to put this subject to bed once and for all I've taken the liberty of posting this guide for fuse replacement. Pay attention @PhilC , @rubber_jonnie .

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[PhilC]

Thanks @PaulJ , do you also have a guide for correct chip orientation?

[stephen_usher]