DFR0684 RS485 adaptor board - can not connect to any devices, dim LED's? power issues?

Hi,

I'm using the Lattepanda V1 to monitor some RS485 devices.  I've been able to get this working well with the FIT0737 USB to RS485 adaptor but wanted to try the DFR0684 board as it fits on top of the Lattepanda V1.

The board is setup using the 'COM1' device in device manager and no issue is seen there but I can not get the device to connect to any of the RS485 devices I am using.  The FIT0737 works just fine with the same setup so something is not right.

What I did notice is that the TX LED on the board flashes but it is VERY dim.  You can hardly see it light up.  This does not seem right as the FIT0737 has really bright LED's.  I was wondering if there was some kind of power connection issue.  Are these LED's supposed to be really dim?

The RX LED does not light up and my RS485 devices are not receiving any data so a signal strength problem could be possible?

I have connected the A and B wiring to my RS485 network.  I have also used the earth terminal to link the screen of the cable to.  I have not connected the 12V connection.

I was unsure how the device is powered.  From my understanding the device should be powered by a 5V signal coming from the Lattepanda V1.  Is this correct?  Is there any requirement to put power into the 12V terminal at all?

Is it possible I have a faulty DFR0684 module or Lattepanda V1?

If anyone can advise if the LED's are meant to be really dim on these boards or not that would help.  To me this suggests something is wrong.