All you should need to do is have CHDK running - no need to run a script. I presume you have "enabled remote" in the "remote parameters" submenu of the "scripting parameters" menu?
There's one simple test you should try. Switch on the camera with CHDK running (but not in Alt mode and not running a script). Then plug a USB cable into it. When you plug the other end into a computer and then unplug it (which will apply a power pulse) the camera should take a photo. If it does, then at least the CHDK/camera side is working (and the problem therefore lies in the R/C controller/Gentled part).
My CHDK enabled ixuses (ixus 60 and ixus 870) display 'USB' in the upper left corner of the display when the cable is connected to the USB port of the camera. Which build are you using? Maybe you can try the SDM version of CHDK: 1.81-148-ixus850-100e-57.zip.
I too recommend you use SDM. Dave's experiemnt will narrow down the problem to either the camera or the gentLED/radio system. Tell us what happens and we can diagnose further James
it works with the usb trick so now i know the cam is working... thanks ill try that build and post my findings... thanks for the help this is buggin the hek out of me.
servo moves normally. the SDM loaded but same story.
no clue what else to do to get this working. just in case theres something im overlooking, here is the rig Hobbyking HK-T4A radio Hobbyking TR-6A reciever servos are parallax from thr broox kit & an MRC left over from a car i had. battery pack 8.4V 6650mAh
Camera is Cannon SD850IS what else can i tell ya???? thanks for the help! i recently found some time to work on getting this working as i broke my arm :) james
The only thing I can suggest is to check the GentLED connector is seated properly in the receiver socket. I know that my Turborix has pins that are very close together and it's hard to get the Gentled plug in all the way when the neighbouring sockets also have plugs in them.
I assume the battery pack you mention is for the TX, what voltage is the RC working at? Less than 4 and the CHDK wont work, more than 7 and the gentLED WILL DIE! James
With the SDM build, in the Bracketing/Overrides menu set 'focus mode' (that comes after focus step-size) to Manual. 'FAST' should be displayed at the top of the screen.
If it is and the camera receives a large enough USB signal it WILL fire the shutter.
James means that if you give the gentLED-CHDK 8.4 volts, you will fry it. Or, most likely, you have done so. The device is designed for "3 to 5.5V ... (absolute maximum voltage, 6.5V)", as it says in the accompanying manual.
That would certainly explain your problem.
I have more gentLED-CHDKs and nice, safe 4-AAA battery boxes (4.8 - 6v) in stock.
Well, I do get a fire doing the usb test. Ill look into a different power source and see what happens. So I better understand; because the radio and camera seem to be working fine; what would I have killed with the higher voltage? thanks for your help! I really want to get this working as te city is tearing down another building that I thought would be a great opportunity to get some shots.
If the gent360-CHDK or gentLED-CHDK was powered by a voltage >7 it will be dead. Brooks should be able to supply a replacement to help you debug further? James
Similar problem here. But I have tried the above suggestions and still no joy.
Here's the set up, just rec'd from KAP Shop.
BEAK-Ho Gent 360 CHDK + the Adjust module Canon A720
It was kindly assembled by Peter before dispatch so I assumed it was all connected OK (A brief check against instructions and it seems to look OK)
I have tried with and without the remote script, with CHDK and SDM, in and out of ALT mode. And there's nothing. No shutter firing, no servo movement.
Following David Sykes suggestion a USB from my Mac fires it so camera seems OK.
My best guess is whether the 4.5v supplied by the 3xAAA batteries (which are fresh) are giving enough 'umpf' (I haven't fried it by going beyond this). I'm sure I saw something on the CHDK site that said the 720 wouldn't fire with low voltages.
So is it worth trying to power it with 4XAAA or AA as a test?
If not any other suggestions from the wise out here?
4.5V should be fine and you do not need any 'umpf', the current requirement is a fraction of a milli-amp. I assume you are using 1.5V batteries and not 1.2V.
With SDM in ALT mode the 'USB' legend WILL be briefly displayed if a long-enough pulse is present. If you connect to the PC with a USB lead, the 'USB' legend will be permanently displayed top-left.
I'm seeing the USB legend and can force a shot with a USB lead connected to my PC. (I know the camera works with remote firing from using the high speed flash trigger :-))
So if the voltage/current is sufficient and the camera is working OK something else must be amiss.
I'll try and trace current/voltages through the system later but not entirely sure what I'm looking for at each stage.
OK, I'm getting somewhere. But first ignore the voltages I quoted above. I think I was out by a couple of decimal places (I did say electronics wasn't my strong point) aside from the battery voltages.
Any way I have removed the Adjust module and used another battery supply direct to the GentLed CHDK (4 x AA as that is what I had handy). Success.
The servo is turning, and shots are being taken. Only every two turns of the servo though. I'm guessing that is a pre-focus issue although I do have the override set to manual focus (I'm using SDM).
The other bit I have to troubleshoot is that I'm getting a few shots (not sure how many as I didn't count but guess its a dozen or so) and then it stops taking shots (I do still see the USB legend) every time the servo moves. It then goes like that for a few servo movements and then the screen goes black. I'm guessing that is something to do with sleep settings somewhere so will be looking into that.
I'm still interested in any thoughts about the adjust module as I would like to get it working. And suggestions about the pre-focus or sleep issue would be welcome.
Right the issue with the GentLed is solved. It was the battery pack. The plastic casing was preventing the positive terminal of the middle battery fully touching its connector in the battery case. As a temporary fix a small piece of foil has got it up an running. L little bit of plastic carving when I have more time should be more permanent.
Still not there with the SDM yet.
It is n FAST mode David. And I have tested it with a USB cable connected to my PC. Plug it in and it pre-focuses, pull it out and it fires.
I can confirm that does not work on my current unreleased 1.82 version, so that is useful to know. It does work on the released 1.81 version with Focus mode set to Manual. Do not check 'Focus override' and there is no need to turn-off Synch mode.
I have sorted-out what the problem is. FAST mode is enabled when focus-mode is set to manual or digiscope. However, the code that skips waiting for switch release only checks for digiscope mode. I will fix that. For now, set focus mode to digiscope.
Half-pressing a Ricoh CA-1 switch generates a 30 msec pulse.
http://stereo.jpn.org/eng/sdm/ca1.htm
That is easily detected and immediately triggers the camera.
I'm sorry to see you had troubles with the battery box. I checked other boxes with different brands of AAA batteries and, indeed, in some cases the problem can occur. Good to know. I think you can put the gent360-Adjust back into the system as it has no influence on the output voltage.
Thanks for your concern Peter. However its all fine now. As you suggest, it is down to the batteries as well. The Duracells I'm using do seem to have a quite short positive terminal.
It was easier to resolve than I thought, no plastic shaving required, just very careful leverage of the connector brought it out enough.
And the adjust module is back in the system and working fine.
And David, thanks again for your help. Set on Digicsope it is indeed working fine.
