How to understand if I have soldered the crystal properly?

Question

How to understand if I have soldered the crystal properly?

Closed this issue 3 years ago · 18 comments

After soldering I took my multimeter and tested every path on the emitter (continuity mode) and it seems that the paths are the same as in the original emitter (before desoldering). However it is not working. I checked my wiring 100 times and I am sure it is correct. I checked the jumper cables with the multimeter, too (they are OK). Any suggestions?

May be I am wrong in the setup:

I start the web server
Add new shutter
Click the program button on the back of the Somfy remote and click "Try programming again". The shutter never moves except when using the remote.

Answer 1 · 2021-02-14T15:55:46.000Z

Do you have any normal RF switches you could test? I tested my transmitter with https://github.com/milaq/rpi-rf and a RF switch before soldering on the new crystal. I have just gone through the full setup and it all worked for me.

Answer 2 · 2021-02-14T17:26:06.000Z

You could probably do the test with the new oscillator, it's unlikely your receive is as picky as Somfy's frequency-wise

Answer 3 · 2021-02-14T17:46:04.000Z

So you are basically suggesting something like this:

Connect both the RF receiver and RF emitter to the RPI
Try sending signals from the emitter to the receiver and see if it works.

I still have one untouched emitter (433.92) which I can test with.
Did I understand you, guys, correctly?

Answer 4 · 2021-02-14T19:16:55.000Z

You would need another RECEIVER, not emitter. I don't know if you can run them both on the Pi at the same time but you could try. On the top of my head, I think there is a Python port of VirtualWire.

The other solution is to use two Pis or a Pi and an arduino (which I did when first learning the radio stuff)

Answer 5 · 2021-02-14T19:23:35.000Z

Hi,
Thanks for the respond!

As far as I have understood this on the left is the emitter and this on the right is the receiver:

I will try connecting them both to the same RPI (I have only one) and see if it works. Here's a wiring diagram I will be using if somebody's interested in testing, too.

Answer 6 · 2021-02-14T21:30:10.000Z

The long one is your receiver, correct

Answer 7 · 2021-08-01T21:46:41.000Z

@ybelakov I assume that you found the problem. Can you share with us what it was and how you resolved it. I am also struggling to get the solution work with my somfy powered awning.
Tnx

Answer 8 · 2021-08-02T09:15:27.000Z

my somfy powered awning

Are you sure they're using the RTS protocol?

Answer 9 · 2021-08-02T11:02:36.000Z

@Nickduino I am sure that I have a somfy motor and a somfy remote. is it not implicit that these use RTS protocol?

Answer 10 · 2021-08-02T11:56:24.000Z

No, it can be io on the more recent hardware

Answer 11 · 2021-08-02T15:49:17.000Z

@Nickduino I believe that you are correct!
The user manual of the remote control shows the model name as Situo 1 io.
In that case, perhaps this is the reason I am not able to get Pi-Somfy to work.
Is there a solution that you are aware of that might work for io hardware (out of interest, what is the difference between RTS and io)?
tnx

Answer 12 · 2021-08-02T16:42:43.000Z

io is a more modern and safer two-way protocol. You'll need one of the two Somfy boxes (or possibly a third party that does io?) to control your stuff

Answer 13 · 2021-08-02T17:01:12.000Z

Thanks. While I will not have use of your project, at least I learned something new and had fun doing so.

Answer 14 · 2021-08-02T17:47:42.000Z

Great! Good luck with the rest

Answer 15 · 2021-08-14T13:14:47.000Z

I too am struggling with this (and I'm sure they use RTS). I don't have any fancy meters to check the power, and I'm completely new to both raspberry pi and soldering. Is there any form of software I can use to monitor or query the connection to the emitter to see if it's at least recognized as a connection?

Answer 16 · 2021-08-14T13:43:39.000Z

Is there any form of software I can use to monitor or query the connection to the emitter to see if it's at least recognized as a connection?

It's not a peripheral that needs a driver or something, it doesn't need to be "recognized": the RPi doesn't know there's an emitter (or nothing) connected to it.

Now if you want to make sure your soldering is good and your wiring correct, your best chance is to make the system work with your blinds.

Answer 17 · 2021-10-01T16:29:21.000Z

Hi,
I just went through the setup this afternoon. My first transmitter was screwed and I only realized it after desoldering + soldering everything. Had to desolder + resolder another one, glad I bought 5.
I have used a multimeter to debug it and essentially making sure that: the ground pin connect with the ground of the crystal, the 5V pin connects with the top pin of the crystal, and any other links are still working fine.

It's now working like a charm, super happy! Thanks again!

Answer 18 · 2021-10-03T16:14:49.000Z

It's now working like a charm, super happy! Thanks again!

That's some great news right there!