How To - Power cycle the GEM with a network sr-201-relay

[Teken]

Hi Jerryt,

Great to see you and thanks for sharing this *How To*. I would like to know why the need to power cycle the GEM? If there's a problem with the GEM please do engage the Brultech team for technical support.

[Teken]

Hey Teken,

Not sure if it is the GEM or one of the two Wiznet's, but it stops outputting and I lose my data for that period of time.

Normally happens after brown out from the power company.

I have everything on the same power supply so I normally cycle the power there, which fixes the problem.

I think it should be easy to figure out something which I can use to trigger the power cycle automatically.

If the GEM is one of the first generation units that came with the bad power supplies outlined in the General Forum. I’d replace it to see if it corrects the issue. Along with replacing the coin cell if present.

Keep in mind the GEM must remain powered if you intend to replace the coin cell.

There are a couple of settings which had to do with timing that I’ll let Ben inquire about with you. Also, check to see if your GEM is using one of the most recent Engine / COM firmware.

If not cost you nothing but time to insure it’s using the latest which resolved a few minor bugs while increasing reliability.

Don’t update till you engage with Ben. As the last release had very minor fixes. Whereas if your unit is on really old firmware you definitely should be updating.

Lastly, it’s wise to place the GEM on a UPS to offer some form of surge protection and longer runtime during brief power outages.

[Teken]

Firmware.JPG

Appears to be the latest firmware.

Great idea about using a UPS backup, that would be simple because there is one within 2 feet.

Running from a different power supply then original.

I will have to inspect the coin battery ??

I have access to the unit now, I am hoping to catch the next failure, to see what exactly needs to be cycled.

Older GEM's had a coin cell and the newer units have a super capacitor instead. If the problem is normally seen during a voltage sag / lull (brown out) a UPS is most definitely recommended!

[vespaman]

While it may be different issues, I have two gem, one fully stuffed, and one with about 6 channels in use. Both of them hangs from time to time, the fully stuffed more often. i run them on UPS, and it never happens during brownouts. (of which I haven't had for a couple of years (brownouts, that is))
Maybe it is the network board that is hanging, what do I know. Both of them are the old variant, and coin cells has been replaced.
I have had the intention to write a rule that compares Volt data over some time, and if it is not moving, reset the boxes. But there's always something else that needs attention, soo...

[ben]

Have you guys tried the COM1 Auto Reset function in the GEM Advanced section? It'll force a reset to the Ethernet module (or WiFi/Ethernet) every x * 16 seconds.

[Teken]

Also, just to add on what Ben noted up above depending upon network hardware in use. For those with a switch in the system consider forcing the connection from 1000 to 100. Some members have seen vast improvement in their managed / unmanaged switch in terms of connectivity.

Just something to review besides what has been offered previously . . .

[ben]

Settings.JPG

I have a Com1 and a Com2

What do you recommend for settings?

- Just changed the coin battery.
- Put the GEM and both Wiznet's on a new power supply.
- Discovered that the GEM was already on the UPS battery backup.
- Completed wiring of network controlled relay able to power cycle the GEM.

COM1:

Auto Reset: 100
No Response: 0

COM2:

Auto Reset: 0
No Response: 0

(COM2 is used by the Zigbee socket and header only, likely isn't being used on your GEM).

Ben

[Teken]

Jerry,

Keep us all in the loop as to how the GEM performs and consider forcing that port to use 100 vs 1000.

[ben]

I am using two Wiznets, one to btmon and another to Homeseer UltraECM3 Brultech plugin.

Recommened settings.JPG

Done

Is the one on COM1 from us or did you hook up via the headers?

COM1/COM2 from the header won't be able to auto-reset as it doesn't have access to the power line. If they are, disable all those settings. In this case you may have to have the relay reset the Ethernet modules (that'll do what the auto-reset does on the GEM basically).

[ben]

The two Wiznets are hooked up by the headers.

So back to all 0, 0, 0, and 0 ??

Recommened settings@.JPG

Power cycle system has been tested, after 1 minute of no updated values, the GEM and both Wiznets get a 3 second power cycle.

Yeah, I would try taking the GEM off the power cycle if possible. The lockups I've seen have been strictly the WizNET module.