[werk_ag]

9. Occasional freeze when reconnecting USB. Seems ok once restarted and stabilized. Tested several times disconnecting Cumulus and USB, but leaving 12 volts applied. Each reconnect of USB and Cumulus restarts downloaded several fresh archives. Reassembled into box.

So waiting for new USB cable. I think I am about to order an FTDI board.

This is now my full I2C scan result since replacing the RTC:
Scanning...
I2C device found at address 0x27 !
I2C device found at address 0x57 !
I2C device found at address 0x68 !
I2C device found at address 0x77 !
done

Hope you found the problem. Please keep reporting.

[FJ rider]

I stripped back the usb cable and cut (open circuited) the red and black wires and the co-ax braid leaving only the two data lines.

As for the flash memory, apparently I have !! Just ran test again -


Security register (byte 64 to 127) :
0xC, 0x1, 0x15, 0x15, 0x1C, 0x1D, 0x1F, 0x22, 0x0, 0x0, 0x5D, 0x2, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xA2, 0xFF, 0x30,
0x30, 0x31, 0x54, 0x36, 0x30, 0x35, 0x33, 0x12, 0xB, 0x3F, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x3B,
0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF,
0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF,
Status register :10001100
Manufacturer ID :
1F
Device ID (part 1) :
22
Device ID (part 2) :
0
Extended Device Information String Length :
0


learning lots of stuff !!!

[qldbureau]

Hope you found the problem. Please keep reporting.

I forgot to mention I also installed the 100nF capacitor at the bottom of R5 to ground.

I tempted another test last night where I disconnected 12 volts whilst everything else was left connected, and reapplied 12 volts. That did make a freeze after about a minute or 2 after reconnecting the 12 volts. Anyway reset it all and has been running since with no freezes. As I said, it does seem to quickly stabilize after a freeze and reset, then seems alright if I leave it alone.....

[werk_ag]

qldbureau, keep in mind that when the RX unit is used with the data relay hardware installed (even if not activated in the software) or the data logger function active, it should always be powered by the external 12V power supply.

The 12V power supply should be applied before connecting it by USB.

As I said, it does seem to quickly stabilize after a freeze and reset, then seems alright if I leave it alone.....

After a power up or reboot, the more you leave it alone, at least during the first 4 to 5 minutes, the best it will work. Constantly plug and unplug the unit, can lead to imprevisible results.

After all, this is the way how it is supposed to work.

- Power it by the external 12V power supply
- Connect USB cable
- Program it (for first time use, or upgrades)
- Close VP1 switch
- If necessary do a factory reset (usually not required with software upgrades)
- Wait until the unit be ready to connect to PC weather software.
- Connect Cumulus or other software
- Leave it run!

If you intend to use the RX unit in a different PC than the one used for programming it, after programming it, don't disconnect the unit on the first 4 to 5 minutes.

[qldbureau]

A good recap of all the operating points, thanks Werk. That is essentially the procedure I normally follow.

It has been running constantly for more than 24 hours now without any freezes with everything connected. So I think I will say that mine is working fine. It is good that the RTC EEPROM is registered now, and I will still change to the EFI protected USB cable when it arrives.

[werk_ag]

qldbureau, maybe since the beginning your problem was only the RTC module. I thought you solved it, before we start to think about a million of other possibilities.
V1.4 software needs a reliable communication to the eeprom located at the RTC module, and to the flash memory, without it, it will freeze when it attempt to write to the flash memory.
Unfortunately the limited Arduino RAM doesn't allow me to do fancy things and hardware checks. I have to rely that the hardware is working as it should.

[werk_ag]

learning lots of stuff !!!

In the end, you will find that the "damn thing" will work stable and solid as a rock

[qldbureau]

qldbureau, maybe since the beginning your problem was only the RTC module.

I think so too. It bugged me from discovering its EEPROM missing in the scanner. Though everything worked I put it down to something "just because." Anyway when the freezing was a problem that I could not leave 12 volts applied I ordered a replacement RTC. Glad I have that changed over, and I now know that I can reliably run my Rx with everything intended.

[werk_ag]

qldbureau, after some days, how is it working? It's stable now?

[qldbureau]

qldbureau, after some days, how is it working? It's stable now?

Yes Werk it is very stable. It has run for a week non stop with power applied to 12 volts without any freezes. And if Cumulus is turned off the Rx continues logging.