I use a RS232 cable like this :
I tried 2 different brands of cable and a laptop which has the 9 pin RS232 build in, all worked
without any problems. Note that I use the 2 transistor interface as shown in the schematic, not
a MAX232 chip.
I never noticed the 30F getting warm to the touch ? try to measure the current from the 5V supply, it
should be a bit less than 200 mA... The reset button should work immediately and not 'sometimes'.
Arlo, try taking baby steps. Solder or breadboard from the beginning and after every step check supply
current and functionality (use a socket if you want to solder so you can swap chips and re-program using
the board you have already). First only solder all supplies and the mclr & setup pins (use switches or
jumpers for these last 2). Put chip in setup and measure supply current (less than 200 mA). If you have
a RS232 cable like mine, add the 2 transistors for the RS232. At this point (so without anything else
connected but supplies and RS232) you can already go into the menus and change all settings.
When this works, add hall sensor input lines and try hall calibration. After this, add the bit with
the 6 diodes and all resistors (2200 ohms, Ra, Rb). Now you should be able to measure backemf (main menu b).
Ask and plot all graph outputs to make sure all is OK. Every time you add some circuitry, measure
supply current to make sure it's not over 200 mA. When all is OK, connect FET drivers and FET's. Setup
the PWM and make sure it works like it should using the 'test PWM' options. Again check supply
currents. Take baby steps, that's how I did it.
The dummy program you got can spin a motor but use only at very low RPM ! It will only do a very bad sensored....