Can't program arduino with NRF connected

[Sweebee]

I have connected a NRF to my arduino. But when the vcc and gnd are conneccted to the NRF i can't program the arduino anymore. When i remove the vcc or gnd it works fine. After reconnecting the wires again i can read from the serial and the sensor is working fine, but programming doesn't.

The arduino and nrf uses around 20mA constant with my test sketch which is sending every 5 seconds.

the error from arduino IDE:

avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 1 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x85
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 2 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xa7
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 3 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xa7
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 4 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xa4
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 5 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x84
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 6 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x85
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 7 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x84
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 8 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x86
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 9 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x86
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 10 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x84

[tbowmo]

@Sweebee

Are you using ISP or UART to upload the new sketch?

[Sweebee]

Just a normal FTDI basic.

[tbowmo]

Have you checked VCC on both radio and arduino?

Could you try and power down the radio in between transmits? (gw.sleep() method) and check power consumption when it's not transmitting?

[Sweebee]

In sleep its using 1,68mA. powerLED is still on the arduino.

Tried to give it some external power. So I connected 12V to the raw input. But now the NRF is dead. :S really don't know whats going wrong.

There is coming 10V out of the Vcc when i connected 12V to the RAW.

[rvendrame]

I had bad experiences with Pro mini clones --- 12V is the absolute maximum that their on-board regulator support, and even not crossing the 12V frontier, they get very hot when near by it.

I fried some arduinos / radios before learning it properly ;-) The first sympthon is the high voltage (also high current) on VCC (sometimes only the radio fry, as the arduino chip is a bit less sensible ).

So if you are not using real/good arduinos, avoid to power via 12V. I use cheap mobile phone (USB) charges providing 5V to arduino, and a 3V3 stepdown in Radio.

[Sweebee]

normally i don't use the raw input. Or if i do i use 5V. But i'm making a 12V led strip dimmer.

Threw the arduino and nrf away and took new ones and they are working fine :)

[rvendrame]

Yes, I was referring to 12V on raw. At least to me it was enough to fry some arduinos / radios...

[Sweebee]

@rvendrame well, for the price i could burn one once in a while :P

But i guess there must be something wrong even before i put 12v on the raw input. I made like 10 sensors now and never had this before that i couldn't upload a sketch with the nrf connected.

[rvendrame]

Right, probably that arduino was already damaged even before the 12V... But I would keep an eye on that 12V --- As I really didn't a good experience with that.

[Sweebee]

today i burned a second regulator on a 5V pro mini. I use a car 5V adapter now, but its quite large :P. Any1 experience with good 5V regulators that can handle 12V?