Wi-Fi and other data issues

[cvachon79]

In September a lightning storm took out my temperature sensor module on my GEM. Now my wi-fi stopped working and the GEM no long sends data to my Dashbox via the connected serial cable. I purchased the GEM in Sept 2014 and have never had wi-fi issues.

I have rebooted the unit several times and also confirmed I have a strong wi-fi single. I have also removed power from the unit by unplugging the PT and PSU transformers along with the battery coin cell within the unit.

My concern is this may be a result of the possible power surge from the Sept lighting storm. Wi-fi issues aside, the unit should still be sending data to the Dashbox via the connected serial cable – correct?

Any recommendations on next steps?

Software versions:
COM firmware ver: 4.22
ENG firmware ver: 1.49

[ben]

In September a lightning storm took out my temperature sensor module on my GEM. Now my wi-fi stopped working and the GEM no long sends data to my Dashbox via the connected serial cable. I purchased the GEM in Sept 2014 and have never had wi-fi issues.

I have rebooted the unit several times and also confirmed I have a strong wi-fi single. I have also removed power from the unit by unplugging the PT and PSU transformers along with the battery coin cell within the unit.

My concern is this may be a result of the possible power surge from the Sept lighting storm. Wi-fi issues aside, the unit should still be sending data to the Dashbox via the connected serial cable – correct?

Any recommendations on next steps?

Software versions:
COM firmware ver: 4.22
ENG firmware ver: 1.49

First thing I would do is check your 5V power supply versus the notice here: http://www.brultech.com/contact/. If it's one of the old-style, it's possible the capacitors have gone bad on it.

Also, take note of the LED status on the GEM (Sys and COM) and post them here.

[Teken]

In no specific order of importance please offer a screen capture of the following:

- In the Dash Box: Settings->System->Change Baud Rate. Does the system indicate the GEM is connected and if so what COM? Does the COM 1/2 baud rate match the GEM's settings?

- In the Dash Box: Settings->Energy Monitors. If you're running firmware 4.2.3c5a that page will indicate the GEM's connection status too. It will show the type, last packet, status (should be green ) as active, and if properly connected via the RS-232 cable monitor setup and dashbox settings should be available for selection.

- What DB firmware are you running?
- If you go to the raw logs does it show any data streaming in?

[cvachon79]

Ben - I swapped out the power with a new supply (form my Dash Box) and tried a USB 5v option with no luck.

After the GEM has booted the System LED is solid green and the other LED blinks green in approximately 1 second intervals (they appear to be "normal").

Taken - I have always used COM1 and have not changed the baud rates or applied any updates to the Dash Box or GEM recently.



I am running DashBox Version: 4.2.3b12.
Raw logs does not show any GEM data streaming in (only my weather feed obtain from OpenWeatherMap.org).

[Teken]

Based on the image capture indeed the GEM is not connected and communicating with the DB. Can you please offer a screen shot of the *Advanced Tab* for the GEM. Would like to confirm the baud rate for COM 1 matches the DB's COM 1 at 115200 baud.

Also, so everyone is on the same page I would probably update the Dash Box to the latest firmware once you get the go ahead from Ben. As this will offer the other status condition under the *Energy Monitor* section as seen below.

[cvachon79]

Sorry Taken, my primary issue is my wi-fi on the GEM no longer connects to my network (I have the wi-fi only GEM). At the same time I noticed I could not access the my GEM, I noticed it was not feeding data to my Dash Box. I can't provide the GEM screen print as I can't connect to the GEM. I am thinking it is a bigger problem beyond the wi-fi because the GEM stopped sending data to the Dash Box also.

[Teken]

Ben will need to confirm but I believe if you update your DB to the latest 4.2.3C5A firmware. You will see the option to connect to the GEM via port 8001 / 8002 as seen in my screen capture.

[ben]

Sorry Taken, my primary issue is my wi-fi on the GEM no longer connects to my network (I have the wi-fi only GEM). At the same time I noticed I could not access the my GEM, I noticed it was not feeding data to my Dash Box. I can't provide the GEM screen print as I can't connect to the GEM. I am thinking it is a bigger problem beyond the wi-fi because the GEM stopped sending data to the Dash Box also.

Download and install the latest DashBox firmware as Teken suggested from here:

http://www.brultech.com/software/files/getsoft/1/4

It can be applied under Settings->System->Update DashBox. Don't try to extract it, the DashBox reads in the .img file. Reboot once finished.

The blinking green light sounds like the GEMs WiFi is connected. Do you happen to get an endless "Waiting for response" when you try to access it in the web browser?

If so, that information along with the baud rate screen would have me believe it's stuck in a lower baud rate. Luckily you can still access it through the DashBox.

Drop both baud rates to 19200. Wait 1-2 minutes to see if data starts flowing again.

Either use the link under Energy Monitors of the DashBox or go to http://DashBoxIP:8001/ (for COM1) or http://DashBoxIP:8002/ (for COM2).

You should be able to adjust baud settings under the Adv section of the GEM. Set COM1 to 115200 (if it's 19200).

[cvachon79]

Initial Problem solved...but new problem discovered!
I replaced my wireless router with open-mesh OM2P-HS access points (http://www.open-mesh.com/products/access-points.html)
For some reason the GEM does not like this 2.4g GHz access point. The access point has the same SSID and password as my old wireless router (Same IP space as well). When I swapped out the hardware all other devices (22 of them ranging from thermostats, Chromecast's, phones, etc) connected to the new OM2P-HS access point with problems (no need to update wi-fi settings). The GEM will not connect (single is very strong).
Are there limitations in the wi-fi module of the GEM that may cause it to be non-compatible with an Access Point vs router?

[Teken]

Initial Problem solved...but new problem discovered!
I replaced my wireless router with open-mesh OM2P-HS access points (http://www.open-mesh.com/products/access-points.html)
For some reason the GEM does not like this 2.4g GHz access point. The access point has the same SSID and password as my old wireless router (Same IP space as well). When I swapped out the hardware all other devices (22 of them ranging from thermostats, Chromecast's, phones, etc) connected to the new OM2P-HS access point with problems (no need to update wi-fi settings). The GEM will not connect (single is very strong).
Are there limitations in the wi-fi module of the GEM that may cause it to be non-compatible with an Access Point vs router?

Is this device truly configured as a *Access Point vs Repeater*?