Good to know, Arduino common problem (updating)
Unread postPosted:Tue Mar 22, 2016 8:43 am
Many people would encounter some problems along their Arduino journey, here is some good-to-know tips based on my own experience (On Windows only, but most of them can be applied to other platform), not that long but some are what I think worthy of sharing. May it helps.
The title would be named as reason, phenomenon, or even solution. I would feel very grateful if you could point me out my mistake or share more about your precious experiences!
(This post is blocked, but any suggestion/experience to share are welcomed to post on this index and attch a related link. And I will update them here. Thanks in advance.)
Common Arduino Operation Notes
There are several very very basic notes related to Arduino/ Electrical operation to avoid destroying your boards, sensors or any other components.
Content of Topic Below
The title would be named as reason, phenomenon, or even solution. I would feel very grateful if you could point me out my mistake or share more about your precious experiences!

Common Arduino Operation Notes
There are several very very basic notes related to Arduino/ Electrical operation to avoid destroying your boards, sensors or any other components.
- To avoid getting Arduino board bootloader lost, i.e. your Arduino card can not be recognized anymore by your computer
If got defective, clike here to fix by urself?
- Do not run your project (Arduino) with an insufficient power supply! Arduino would reboot itself repetitively in a high frequency to get the bootloader lost.
e.g.
1. When your Arduino was powered by battery(s), you should cut off the power supply to Arduino when the battery voltage is below the minimum power supply requirement.
2. When using large power consumption module(s) with Arduino, e.g. servo, motor, large display modules... , you'd better supply Arduino with an external power source. Merely with a USB cable is not enough especially when the servo(s) running with a load.
3. Power source Maximum Current Output should also be considered to content with the current absorption. e.g. The power adapter/ battery can only output 500mA, but your system demands current @1A... - Serial Monitor should be closed firstly before unplugging the USB cable from Arduino card. Or your Arduino card is at the risk losing its bootloader. It is not a must but a suggested operation.
- Do not run your project (Arduino) with an insufficient power supply! Arduino would reboot itself repetitively in a high frequency to get the bootloader lost.
- DON'T do wiring while powering on! Although Arduno is LV, but some capacitive components/ modules will cause short-circuit in that case, and your board/ components may highly possible become defective/ burned.
- Short Circuit by water/ mistaken wiring/ careless operation... should always be avoided
.
- All devices can NOT be powered wrong, i.e. Do not wire by 5V-GND, GND-5V, some devices have voltage reverse protection, while some not, so this careless mistake will burn it in a wink!
- In most cases, all the GNDs (ground) of the power sources/ boards/ sensors/ actuators in the same project should be connected as a Common Ground System to work properly.
- Make sure your cable, connection is reliable. Bad cable, loose/ wrong connection would make you feel really confused when something weird happen.
e.g. many connecters need a screwdriver/ by pressing something to buck-up the cable, when you finished tightening, if the screw is lower than the screw hole surface, that's good, while they are on the same level or the screw is higher than that, that's bad connection. showing in the picture below,
Content of Topic Below
- Topic: Power Supply for Arduino card (Motor driver+ servo ...)
- Problem: Can't include a library, or Error came up when the library was compiled?
- Topic: Some common mistakes causing data reading error (analog, digital, serial etc.)
- Issue: Can't upload any program
- Question: How to fix Arduino if its bootloader was lost?
- Other FAQ