51 replies to this topic

[SimpleSkin]

Ok, are you using a 10 solenoid setup? If you are, then tell me which ports are hooked up to what feedback device(like port 7 is hooked up to a solenoid emulating a flipper, port 13 is hooked up to bumper back left, etc.)

 

Let me back up a bit and explain what I'm working with. I started with an Arcade1Up Marvel Pinball cabinet. I gutted it except for the playfield and dmd monitors and the four stock solenoids. I added a vsdisplay card, and the virtuapin plunger kit with the KL25Z board. I'm using X360ce with the buttons, plunger and accelerometer all mapped and working. I fire up x360ce and them FX3 and I can play FX3 with nudge, plunger etc and everything works perfectly and looks great with all my FX3 tables. Way better than the stock Android powered cabinet with 10 games. 

 

Now I want to add the solenoids back into the mix and this is why I'm trying to get DOF and DOFLinx working. 

 

So I have the four solenoids positives and negatives wired to diodes and and and then positive and negative wires attached to four of the 8 Sainsmart USB relays. The "left" four if the USB port is facing forward. USB goes to the PC and the Sainsmart is powered by the stock 12 V power supply that is powering everything else in the cab. 

 

When I turn on the PC and power up the cab the Sainsmart lights up on both ends (power and usb). I try to start DOFLinx and I get the error from my first post in this thread.

 

I only have one solenoid connected at the moment as I wanted to get it working before wiring in the other 4.

 

Hope this helps clarify my situation.

 

Edited by SimpleSkin, 07 May 2021 - 07:54 PM.

[Impzu]

Ok, so I assume that you have your 1 solenoid hooked up to port one? If you do, I can fix your problem.

[SimpleSkin]

Ok, so I assume that you have your 1 solenoid hooked up to port one? If you do, I can fix your problem.

 

 

Is that port 1?  The bottom left in the photo above?

[Impzu]

Can you point out where the solenoids are(and by port 1 I mean on the sainsmart relay)

Is it possible that you can send me a screenshot of the dof config tool ports assignments page?

[SimpleSkin]

If you look at the photo above and maybe zoom in. The solenoid is the black rectangular box on the inner left wall of the cabinet. You can follow the pos. and neg. through the diode and to the lower left relay on the board. 

 

[Impzu]

Ok! There are 2 things to try:

1:

Backup DOFLinx.ini, delete it and replace it with Try V1:

DOFLinx.ini Test V1

2:

Backup DOFLinx.ini, delete it and replace it with Try V2:

DOFLinx.ini Test V2

 

I really think one of them might work, but make sure you launch DOFLinx using the C:DirectOutput\DOFLinx.exe running as an administrator.

[SimpleSkin]

I get the same error with both .ini files. Here is a screen shot of the error I always get from DOFLinx. I am running as admin.

 

[Impzu]

Which ini file is that? and can i see the full window?

[SimpleSkin]

I edited both of your ini files to reflect that my config is named directoutputconfig.ini per your previous posts recommendation.

 

[Impzu]

Well, I afraid of, well, this:

DOFLinx Adding SainSmart 8 Relay - Getting Error - DOFLinx General Discussion - VPForums.org

Wait! I think I got it! Close DOFLinx, Try closing the x360ce software, looking for the program in task manager,(Ctrl + Alt + Delete, Task manager, scroll down to find x360ce, if it's there, then end task, otherwise close task manager.) Then unplug the sainsmart, plug it back in, and open DOFLinx.exe as an administrator. 

Really hope it helps!

[Outhere]

SimpleSkin
-
On post 6 I asked you about this file GlobalConfig_B2SServer.xml and you said it was already there But the picture you posted in post 15 I do not see it
Maybe rename this file   -- GlobalConfig_B2SS.xml File

 

 

That file was already there. Here is what's in it.

 

Thanks

 

###################

 

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>

<!--Global configuration for the DirectOutput framework.-->

<!--Saved by DirectOutput Version 3.1.7776.42172: 2021-05-03 14-30-10-->

<GlobalConfig>

  <LedWizDefaultMinCommandIntervalMs>10</LedWizDefaultMinCommandIntervalMs>

  <LedControlMinimumEffectDurationMs>60</LedControlMinimumEffectDurationMs>

  <LedControlMinimumRGBEffectDurationMs>120</LedControlMinimumRGBEffectDurationMs>

  <PacLedDefaultMinCommandIntervalMs>10</PacLedDefaultMinCommandIntervalMs>

  <IniFilesPath>C:\DirectOutput\Config</IniFilesPath>

  <CabinetConfigFilePattern></CabinetConfigFilePattern>

  <TableConfigFilePatterns />

  <EnableLogging>true</EnableLogging>

  <ClearLogOnSessionStart>true</ClearLogOnSessionStart>

  <LogFilePattern>.\DirectOutput.log</LogFilePattern>

</GlobalConfig>

 

Edited by Outhere, 07 May 2021 - 10:34 PM.

[DDH69]

Please read my first post.  I repeat and expand for clarity, there is nothing in the DOFLinx configuration (DOFLinx.INI) required to detect output boards.  If your output board, ie a Sansmart 8 channel relay board, does not show up AUTOMATICALLY in the DOFLinx LOG then you have a fundamental problem with the output board being recognised by DOF.

 

I suggest starting simple ....

 

1. Place all the DOF files in your chosen folder (ie \DirectOutput)
2. Unblock them, etc
3. Add DOFLinx.EXE and its DLL, unblock them
4. Grab a basic DOFLinx.INI from the sample folder, at this stage it doesn't matter which one, as I said, DOFLinx will recognise the Sainsmart before needing a configuration
5. Check if DOFLinx logs the fact that there is a Sainsmart device.

I have never setup a Sainsmart device for DOF, but I strongly suggest following @outhere's advice.  I have a funny feeling that you need it configured in the GlobalConfig_B2SS.xml file - I hope someone with more Sainsmart experience can help with this.  However, in the mean time, forget the DOFLinx.INI and any errors you see there, your problem is before this.  You are only seeing the invalid device ID as you have no output devices being recognised.

[Outhere]

If I plug in one of my old Sainsmart boards this shows up in the log like it should

 

07-May-21 17:29:29.338 - DOFLinx Device: 1 Initializing as FTDI (Sainsmart) #1 serial # AH035EZ9
07-May-21 17:29:29.341 - DOFLinx device:1 FTDI (Sainsmart) setup with 8 outputs

[DDH69]

If I plug in one of my old Sainsmart boards this shows up in the log like it should

 

07-May-21 17:29:29.338 - DOFLinx Device: 1 Initializing as FTDI (Sainsmart) #1 serial # AH035EZ9
07-May-21 17:29:29.341 - DOFLinx device:1 FTDI (Sainsmart) setup with 8 outputs

 

Thank you.  Any setup in the DOF XML file(s) or simply detected?

[Outhere]

 

If I plug in one of my old Sainsmart boards this shows up in the log like it should

 

07-May-21 17:29:29.338 - DOFLinx Device: 1 Initializing as FTDI (Sainsmart) #1 serial # AH035EZ9
07-May-21 17:29:29.341 - DOFLinx device:1 FTDI (Sainsmart) setup with 8 outputs

 

Thank you.  Any setup in the DOF XML file(s) or simply detected?

 

simply detected
 

[SimpleSkin]

 

 

I suggest starting simple ....

 

1. Place all the DOF files in your chosen folder (ie \DirectOutput)
2. Unblock them, etc
3. Add DOFLinx.EXE and its DLL, unblock them
4. Grab a basic DOFLinx.INI from the sample folder, at this stage it doesn't matter which one, as I said, DOFLinx will recognise the Sainsmart before needing a configuration
5. Check if DOFLinx logs the fact that there is a Sainsmart device.

 

 

Didn't want fuss with this over the weekend but now I am again. I backed up my original C:/DirectOutput folder and reinstalled DOF and DOFLinx, configured with a simple DOFLinx.ini. It's still not finding the SainSmart board. When I plug it in and power it on Window's chimes as it usually does when you plugin USB devices. Not sure what else to do at this point. 

 

I really appreciate everyones help. Thank you.

[Outhere]

 

 

 

I suggest starting simple ....

 

1. Place all the DOF files in your chosen folder (ie \DirectOutput)
2. Unblock them, etc
3. Add DOFLinx.EXE and its DLL, unblock them
4. Grab a basic DOFLinx.INI from the sample folder, at this stage it doesn't matter which one, as I said, DOFLinx will recognise the Sainsmart before needing a configuration
5. Check if DOFLinx logs the fact that there is a Sainsmart device.

 

 

Didn't want fuss with this over the weekend but now I am again. I backed up my original C:/DirectOutput folder and reinstalled DOF and DOFLinx, configured with a simple DOFLinx.ini. It's still not finding the SainSmart board. When I plug it in and power it on Window's chimes as it usually does when you plugin USB devices. Not sure what else to do at this point. 

 

I really appreciate everyones help. Thank you.

 

Do you have the (DOF) SainSmart board. working in VP?

[SimpleSkin]

 

Do you have the (DOF) SainSmart board. working in VP?

 

 

 

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by that? I have VP working. How would I know if DOF or the SainSmart is working? Am I'm missing something fundamental?

 

If I turn on my PC what is the sequence of events that I should go through if I was to start everything manually? 

Edited by SimpleSkin, 10 May 2021 - 08:18 PM.

[Impzu]

 

 

Do you have the (DOF) SainSmart board. working in VP?

 

 

 

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by that? I have VP working. How would I know if DOF or the SainSmart is working? Am I'm missing something fundamental?

 

If I turn on my PC what is the sequence of events that I should go through if I was to start everything manually? 

 

It means "Do you have DOF Force Feedback in Visual Pinball?"

[SimpleSkin]

Thanks.