AP-8 not playing the first sound clip

[Shotzie]

As the topic states I had trouble tonight with my AP-8. When tested it after wiring it worked fine. However, when I pluged everything in it would only play the first clip 1 out every 7 or 8 times. It played all of the other clips without a problem. This made for a frustrating evening. Have you encountered this problem before?

[JonnyMac]

If it plays at all (under control from the Prop-1) then I don't think there's anything wrong with the AP-8.  A "failure" is typically complete, i.e., nothing plays, not just one file. 

We Halloweeners are really good at dashing stuff together at the last minute -- I was working on putting LEDs eyes into a rubber rat just before leaving for a series of parties.  With automation, testing is critical and when we don't give ourselves time to thoroughly test, these kinds of things happen.  I know this from my own experience and spending time with tech friends tonight as things weren't working quite right (but will be perfect tomorrow!).

[Shotzie]

I've gone backwards and forwards over the connections and everything. I don't understand why it did this. The only thing is I had to set it on a plastic surface because due to some wicked corporate plan radio shack no longer carries standoffs in the stores. This would be the only other thing I can think of. If you have any ideas as to what else to check please let me know.

[JonnyMac]

Troubleshooting an intermittent problem is really tough without being able to see the setup and connections.  My first thought got to the valve wiring/connections as the valve is activated right before the first segment is played.  If there is some interaction between the two, perhaps a code change can overcome this.  You might change the first section of code to this:

  sfx = 6                                       ' speak (ntc)
  GOSUB Play_AP8
  PAUSE 100
  Valve = IsOn                                  ' lean forward
  PAUSE 11000                                   ' almost to end

This will start the AP-8 before the valve is activated.  If after this change things work, great.  If the AP-8 hiccups -- like starting and then stopping -- after this change then I would suspect something with the valve you're using; perhaps it's causing a noise spike or is on the ragged edge of what the controller can supply, current-wise.

Again, I'm just speculating because I cannot see what you have or how things are connected.

[JonnyMac]

...due to some wicked corporate plan radio shack no longer carries standoffs in the stores.

Have you seen this?: http://www.efx-tek.com/topics/prop-1_ap-8_mount.html

[Shotzie]

Thanks I will try that. As for my valve when I ordered it I messed up and bought an AC powered one so it is actually running through a relay. I will let you know in a couple days how it works. Thanks.

[Shotzie]

Your mount is what I'll be ordering from now on. (I'll be placing an order soon to put with the electrice chair.)

[Shotzie]

I changed that code in the Prop-1 and it works superbly.  Thank you very much.  It's wild how electronics work and the smallest thing having an effect like that.

[JonnyMac]

Glad it's working.  Electronics, like any science, takes a bit of practice to get used to how things interact -- writing code to drive electronic devices is sometimes like a chef cooking in that combining ingredients in the wrong order can lead to undesirable results.  How does one learn these things?  Like getting to Carnagie Hall: practice, practice, practice.

With the Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Years holidays coming, there's a bunch of opportunities to write display and decoration programs.  Take advantage!  ;)