HMC5883L Troubleshooting- Flashes green when code is ran

yeohkc1995 · February 27, 2018, 3:18am

Hi guys… Do help out this newbie here… i recently purchased this HMC5883L Magnetometer and i wired it to my Photon… however… whenever i run the code… the Photon just breathese cyan after 10s… does this mean the Magnetometer is spoilt? I’ve wired it according this code below, and all it shows on serial monitor is

Sensor:   HMC5883
Driverr Ver:   1
Unique ID:   12345
Max Value:   800.00uT
Min Vlaue:   -800.00uT
Resolution:   0.20uT

Its the same print even when I disconnect the HMC and run the code (I would expect the line “Ooops, no HMC5883 detected … Check your wiring!”, but it does not print this).

Can anyone advise??? I am worried I damaged the HMC when i was soldering, cause I am a noob at soldering so I think the component took some heat…

Below is the code i used. I only connected the 4 pins(SDA, SCL, VCC, GND).

(Note: I just troubleshooted and realise its the mag.getEvent(&event) that causes it… when i comment that line and assign value to x,y,z manually, the photon run fine (but the values are not the magnetic value of coz). Is it because the HMC is spoilt therefore there is no data coming from it or smth???)

ANY HELP WOULD BE SO MUCH APPRECIATED :)))))

Below is the code

/***************************************************************************
  This is a an example for the Adafruit HMC5883 magnetometer/compass library
  Note from @Fidel: The example was not ported with the library, so I tried it with some help and now it works, but I found the calculated heading is far from correct...

  Connections:

  Module	Photon
	DRDY	  Data Ready pin: "To speed up readings"...
	SDA	    SDA (D0)
	SCL	    SCL (D1)
	Gnd	    Gnd
	Vcc	    3v3
 ***************************************************************************/

// Libraries include for use with Particle Lib (not Web IDE)
#include "math.h"
#include "Adafruit_Sensor.h"
#include "Adafruit_HMC5883.h"

#define PI 3.1415926535897932384626433832795

/* Assign a unique ID to this sensor at the same time */
Adafruit_HMC5883_Unified mag = Adafruit_HMC5883_Unified(12345);

void displaySensorDetails(void)
{
  sensor_t sensor;
  mag.getSensor(&sensor);
  Serial.println("------------------------------------");
  Serial.print  ("Sensor:       "); Serial.println(sensor.name);
  Serial.print  ("Driver Ver:   "); Serial.println(sensor.version);
  Serial.print  ("Unique ID:    "); Serial.println(sensor.sensor_id);
  Serial.print  ("Max Value:    "); Serial.print(sensor.max_value); Serial.println(" uT");
  Serial.print  ("Min Value:    "); Serial.print(sensor.min_value); Serial.println(" uT");
  Serial.print  ("Resolution:   "); Serial.print(sensor.resolution); Serial.println(" uT");
  Serial.println("------------------------------------");
  Serial.println("");
  delay(500);
}

void setup(void)
{
  Serial.begin(9600);
  Serial.println("HMC5883 Magnetometer Test"); Serial.println("");

  /* Initialise the sensor */
  if(!mag.begin())
  {
    /* There was a problem detecting the HMC5883 ... check your connections */
    Serial.print("Ooops, no HMC5883 detected ... Check your wiring!");
    while(1);
  }

  /* Display some basic information on this sensor */
  displaySensorDetails();
}

void loop(void)
{
  /* Get a new sensor event */
  sensors_event_t event;
  //mag.getEvent(&event);    //works when i comment this. Turns cyan when i run this
  
  event.magnetic.x = 10;       //manual values i used for troubleshooting
  event.magnetic.y = 10;
  event.magnetic.z = 10;

  /* Display the results (magnetic vector values are in micro-Tesla (uT)) */
  Serial.print("X: "); Serial.print(event.magnetic.x); Serial.print("  ");
  Serial.print("Y: "); Serial.print(event.magnetic.y); Serial.print("  ");
  Serial.print("Z: "); Serial.print(event.magnetic.z); Serial.print("  ");Serial.println("uT");

  // Hold the module so that Z is pointing 'up' and you can measure the heading with x&y
  // Calculate heading when the magnetometer is level, then correct for signs of axis.
  float heading = atan2(event.magnetic.y, event.magnetic.x);

  // Add your 'Declination Angle' to your heading, ('Error' of the magnetic field in your location) Find yours here: http://www.magnetic-declination.com/ In Belgium: +0° 47' E = 0.015 rad (360° = 2 PI rad)
  float declinationAngle = 0.015;
  heading += declinationAngle;

  // Correct for when signs are reversed.
  if(heading < 0)
    heading += 2*PI;

  // Check for wrap due to addition of declination.
  if(heading > 2*PI)
    heading -= 2*PI;

  // Convert radians to degrees for readability.
  float headingDegrees = heading * 180/PI;

  Serial.print("Heading (degrees): "); Serial.println(headingDegrees);

  delay(500); // Slow down serial monitor readings!

HEng · February 27, 2018, 3:24am

Go in and modify this code:

void Adafruit_HMC5883_Unified::write8(byte address, byte reg, byte value)
{
  Wire.beginTransmission(address);
  #if ARDUINO >= 100
  Wire.write((uint8_t)reg);
  Wire.write((uint8_t)value);
  #else
  Wire.send(reg);
  Wire.send(value);
  #endif
  Wire.endTransmission();
}

to be

void Adafruit_HMC5883_Unified::write8(byte address, byte reg, byte value)
{
  Wire.beginTransmission(address);
  Wire.write((uint8_t)reg);
  Wire.write((uint8_t)value);
  Wire.endTransmission();
}

You’ll probably have to make a similar change in a lot of places in this library.

ScruffR · February 27, 2018, 7:15am

In order to make the Particle code more compatible with Arduino libraries such adaptions should not be needed anymore when you now add #include <Arduino.h> to your main project.

This should take care of actually defining ARDUINO 100 for the whole project.

Disclaimer: I have not tested this, but if you can report back if this worked, we’d appreciate the feedback

To prevent the device from losing cloud connection change this in your code

  if(!mag.begin())
  {
    /* There was a problem detecting the HMC5883 ... check your connections */
    Serial.print("Ooops, no HMC5883 detected ... Check your wiring!");
    while(1) Particle.process; // <-- to keep cloud connection alive
  }

When using an I2C device you may always want to check whether it can be found at all when you run into similar issues.
And here is a hand sketch to do that
https://go.particle.io/shared_apps/58cda34c77e5d3ec090004fe

yeohkc1995 · March 1, 2018, 8:29am

Ok guys!! Thank you so much for the help! Will test it out by the Sat and update you guys :)))) Really hope it works!

stiofan · March 4, 2018, 2:42pm

Following…
Also include <Adruino.h> throws an error…

ScruffR · March 4, 2018, 3:01pm

What system version are you targeting?

"anymore" was meant as "not anymore when using the more recent versions".

stiofan · March 4, 2018, 3:32pm

What do u mean by system version?

Recent version of what?

#include <Adruino.h> throws an error that file is not found..

ScruffR · March 4, 2018, 3:36pm

What device are you using?
How are you programming/flashing the device?

Assuming it’s a Particel device - since is the Particle forum - these devices have a system firmware on-board.
And the usere firmware should match that system version.
If you are using Web IDE you can set the target system version like shown here

stiofan · March 4, 2018, 3:38pm

Photon On the device: 0.6.3
Using the web IDE.

ScruffR · March 4, 2018, 3:42pm

On the device, but what have you selected as application firmware target (in the drop down)?
You can have 0.6.3 on the device, but if you can still build an e.g. 0.5.0 application which would not allow #include <Arduino.h> while 0.6.3 does.

BTW, if you get an error message when compiling, it's always good to post that too (best the SHOW RAW output surrounding the actual error message)

stiofan · March 4, 2018, 3:55pm

targeting the same ver, 0.6.3

I just realised your original answer which i copied and pasted has a spelling mistake, the include works when i fix it:

#include <Adruino.h> 
#include <Arduino.h>

But i get the same result as the original poster, flashing green LED.

Code below:

    /***************************************************************************
    This is a an example for the Adafruit HMC5883 magnetometer/compass library
    Note from @Fidel: The example was not ported with the library, so I tried it with some help and now it works, but I found the calculated heading is far from correct...

    Connections:

    Module	Photon
    DRDY	  Data Ready pin: "To speed up readings"...
    SDA	    SDA (D0)
    SCL	    SCL (D1)
    Gnd	    Gnd
    Vcc	    3v3
    ***************************************************************************/

    // Libraries include for use with Particle Lib (not Web IDE)
    #include "math.h"
    #include <Arduino.h>
    #include "Adafruit_Sensor.h"
    #include "Adafruit_HMC5883.h"

    #define PI 3.1415926535897932384626433832795

    /* Assign a unique ID to this sensor at the same time */
    Adafruit_HMC5883_Unified mag = Adafruit_HMC5883_Unified(12345);

    void displaySensorDetails(void)
    {
    sensor_t sensor;
    mag.getSensor(&sensor);
    Serial.println("------------------------------------");
    Serial.print  ("Sensor:       "); Serial.println(sensor.name);
    Serial.print  ("Driver Ver:   "); Serial.println(sensor.version);
    Serial.print  ("Unique ID:    "); Serial.println(sensor.sensor_id);
    Serial.print  ("Max Value:    "); Serial.print(sensor.max_value); Serial.println(" uT");
    Serial.print  ("Min Value:    "); Serial.print(sensor.min_value); Serial.println(" uT");
    Serial.print  ("Resolution:   "); Serial.print(sensor.resolution); Serial.println(" uT");
    Serial.println("------------------------------------");
    Serial.println("");
    delay(500);
    }

    void setup(void)
    {
        Serial.begin(9600);
        Serial.println("HMC5883 Magnetometer Test"); Serial.println("");

        /* Initialise the sensor */
        if(!mag.begin())
        {
            /* There was a problem detecting the HMC5883 ... check your connections */
            Serial.println("Ooops, no HMC5883 detected ... Check your wiring!");
            while(1) Particle.process; // <-- to keep cloud connection alive
        }

        /* Display some basic information on this sensor */
        displaySensorDetails();
    }

    void loop(void)
    {
         Serial.print("Loop start");
        /* Get a new sensor event */
        sensors_event_t event;
         Serial.print("Loop start1");
        //mag.getEvent(event);
        mag.getEvent(&event);
        Serial.print("Loop start2");

        /* Display the results (magnetic vector values are in micro-Tesla (uT)) */
        Serial.print("X: "); Serial.print(event.magnetic.x); Serial.print("  ");
        Serial.print("Y: "); Serial.print(event.magnetic.y); Serial.print("  ");
        Serial.print("Z: "); Serial.print(event.magnetic.z); Serial.print("  ");Serial.println("uT");
        
        // Hold the module so that Z is pointing 'up' and you can measure the heading with x&y
        // Calculate heading when the magnetometer is level, then correct for signs of axis.
        float heading = atan2(event.magnetic.y, event.magnetic.x);
        
        // Add your 'Declination Angle' to your heading, ('Error' of the magnetic field in your location) Find yours here: http://www.magnetic-declination.com/ In Belgium: +0° 47' E = 0.015 rad (360° = 2 PI rad)
        float declinationAngle = 0.015;
        heading += declinationAngle;
        
        // Correct for when signs are reversed.
        if(heading < 0)
        heading += 2*PI;
        
        // Check for wrap due to addition of declination.
        if(heading > 2*PI)
        heading -= 2*PI;
        
        // Convert radians to degrees for readability.
        float headingDegrees = heading * 180/PI;
        
        Serial.print("Heading (degrees): "); Serial.println(headingDegrees);
        
        Serial.print("Loop end");
        
        delay(500); // Slow down serial monitor readings!
    }

ScruffR · March 4, 2018, 8:12pm

One thing I'd also change is this line

to

Adafruit_HMC5883_Unified mag(12345);

It won't change a lot as long the I2C addresss issue isn't solved. The original code does in fact produce two objects - one with the default ID -1 and a second with the custom ID.

yeohkc1995 · March 7, 2018, 1:54pm

anyway guys, sorry i took so long to reply, have been bogged down for last week and haven’t been able to touch my project.

The problem still persist after i included the include <arduino.h>, it still flashes green haiz… so yea haven’t been able to fugure out that one…

my friend gave me a LSM303 and the library code works, I will stick to LSM303 for now for compass purpose. Thanks so much nonetheless for all the help you guys gave!

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HMC5883L Troubleshooting- Flashes green when code is ran

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