[Elliott52]

Hello, I have just installed the GBFans wand electronics into my Spirit full-size pack however the bottom four bars are not lighting up. I have verified that the blue stiffener of the cable is oriented the right way as shown on the instructions PDF. Changing the potentiometer to other modes does make those four light up. Advice on fixing this would be appreciated.

[prodestrian]

Changing the potentiometer to other modes does make those four light up.

Just to clarify, you said that changing the potentiometer to other modes DOES make them light up? So it's only not working in a specific mode? If so, which modes work and which ones don't?

[Elliott52]

The whole bargraph is able to light up on the test modes at both ends. The movie and special effect modes have it partially lit up.

Also providing a picture of the ribbon connection.

[Elliott52]

Alright I had a hunch and flipped the bargraph ribbon cable around. The whole screen lights up now!

[OBSIDIAN]

That happened to me also. I think the instructions are incorrect.

[prodestrian]

Looking at other people's photos of the kit, your photo looks correct (and matches the documentation). Their kits worked, yours doesn't.

The 28 segment bargraph is available in two variants, the pin layout is identical but one is Common Anode and one is Common Cathode. It has either 7 + 4 pins or 4 + 7 pins depending which variant (11 pins total). But the bargraph board has 16 pins, it's a 16 wire bargraph.

So I'm wondering if perhaps Spongeface designed the board to work with both variants of the bargraph, and the latest run uses a different variant to the documentation and requires the ribbon cable to be flipped (like you've both done).

I've bought many of these bargraph LEDs in the past and sometimes one variant is sold out, so it makes sense to be able to support both types rather than waiting months/years to manufacture more. What impresses me is the design of the PCB, being able to support both variants is seriously clever design on Spongeface's part.

Glad you both got it working! Maybe the documentation needs an update so people can tell which way the ribbon cable should go depending on which variant they were shipped.

[davidansp]

I have the same issue - just got my wand light kit in April. I am using the TVG setup and only 24 of the 28 leds light in that setup. I tried reversing the cable as suggested, but that still functions the same (so cable orientation doesn't seem to matter). Maybe it is dependent on which mode is being used. Any other thoughts?

Update: I misunderstood what was meant by flipping the cable per the earlier post (and flipped the entire cable). So I tried just flipping one end from the original instructions, and that did solve the problem. Now the entire bargraph works! So it does appear to be an issue with the pinouts being opposite, and a mod update to the instructions is recommended. Thanks to the forum group for the recommendation for the fix!