Vero not booting when connected to a powered Arduino Uno

Help and Support Vero 4K / Vero 4K +
1

Hi,

I try to set an ambilight system connected to my Vero with Hyperion.
I use an Arduino equivalent as a Led Controller (Adalight).

Here is my setup :

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  • Arduino Uno (equivalent Elegoo Uno, same spec) is connected to Vero by USB (1). It is self powered by an external power supply (2).
    It needs to be powered because of the led stripes that are connected to it.

  • Vero is powered by his own power supply (3).

So when I plug Vero (3), nothing is happening, Vero is not booting.

I tried to switch USB cable(1) from one USB port to the other, it does not work. Vero is not booting.

I tried to unplug the Usb cable (1), then switch on Vero (3) : Vero startup.
Then I plug USB (1), reboot Vero by Kodi interface : It works and my ambilight setup is working.
But if I have to shutdown Vero, I can’t turn it back on.

So :

  • When Arduino is connected to Vero : Vero don’t boot.
  • When Arduino is not connect to Vero : Vero boot, I can then connect Arduino. But I can’t shutdown Vero or it won’t boot again.

Any idea why Vero is not booting ?

As a side notes :

  • I noticed that the IR reciever is on (red light near 3) when Arduino USB cable is connected (1) even if Vero power supply (3) is not connected.
    Maybe is it an electrical issue on Vero ?

  • I also tried on Raspberry 3, it works. But I’d really like to get it works on the Vero I just bought :slight_smile:

Thanks for help.

2

What exactly happens? Do you see the red cross on the Vero? Anything on the screen?

That’s the SPDIF port. If it’s active then the Arduino is backfeeding power via the USB port. It should not be doing this!

If you disconnect the Vero power supply, and only connect the Arduino to the left (white) USB on the Vero, does the Vero then boot? Or do you see the red cross light and then turn off?

3

What exactly happens? Do you see the red cross on the Vero? Anything on the screen?

No red cross, it’s like Vero is not powered.

If you disconnect the Vero power supply, and only connect the Arduino to the left (white) USB on the Vero, does the Vero then boot? Or do you see the red cross light and then turn off?

The Vero does not boot.
I saw the red cross light going on/off on first attempt, but then I failed to reproduce it. Vero cross is black when I plug / unplug USB from Arduino to Vero on left slot while the Vero power supply is disconnected.

That’s the SPDIF port. If it’s active then the Arduino is backfeeding power via the USB port. It should not be doing this!

Yeah, I’m starting to think that my “Eleego” is not doing exactly what an official Arduino is supposed to do.

Look at this picture :
I plugged an USB Switch to Eleego, while the power supply is connected.
You can clearly see that the Switch is powered by the Eleego.

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Is it not supposed to do that ?

Should I buy an official Arduino Uno to solve the issue ?

Getting late here (1am), I’ll read your answer later.
Thanks for the help !

4

I solved my problem, if that can help someone too.

According to this post :

I removed that transitor, so the 5v line can’t go through the USB, and the USB still can transmit data.
Capture

Now everything works :

  • Vero boot
  • Ambilight system is working :slight_smile:

Thanks for help !

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