Maina intermittent issue

[mikekolling]

More tips to help to find the source of your problem:

- when you turn off the MacArthur HAT the Maiana stops getting power.
- when you are at port or anchorage the Maiana (or any AIS device) will send data by VHF only every 2-3 minutes.
- if you have not a GPS fix transmission by VHF stops.
- the signal k data browser will tell you exactly when Maiana last sent data.
- the signal k log will tell you if Maiana's serial port lost connection at any point

Chatgpt transcript
https://chatgpt.com/share/6818c5af-f034-...e01478701d

I travelled Saturday with the system and all working.

I did not turn anything off Saturday night, the RPI, Macarthur etc stayed on all night.

"- the signal k data browser will tell you exactly when Maiana last sent data." how, can you provide detailed instructions?

---

More tips to help to find the source of your problem:

- when you turn off the MacArthur HAT the Maiana stops getting power.
- when you are at port or anchorage the Maiana (or any AIS device) will send data by VHF only every 2-3 minutes.
- if you have not a GPS fix transmission by VHF stops.
- the signal k data browser will tell you exactly when Maiana last sent data.
- the signal k log will tell you if Maiana's serial port lost connection at any point

When the Maiana decides to stop talking to the Serial Port, what steps can i take to get it talking again?

Obviously tried power off and on, even left unit an hour to cool down if that was an issue.

No life.

it would help to know what to do to start it up again

---

Other points of note after reading this thread - https://forum.openmarine.net/showthread.php?tid=5891


it is a motor boat with twin engines and these run at 12V but the domestic power bank is 24v so both engines have Victron Orion DC to DC battery chargers 12v to 24v.

however when the engines are switched off, as mine were, the DC to DC are off.

what about when the boat is connected to shore power as mine was?

i have battery chargers but these were not switched on.

i also have several power points which can be switched on by wifi app eg like this - https://www.screwfix.com/p/british-gener...lsrc=aw.ds

[Sailoog]

You sent an screenshot of the signal k data browser here: https://forum.openmarine.net/showthread....3#pid33663
you will find a timestamp there for any data provided by the Maiana.

The section "Dashboard" on the same Signal k page will tell you (in red) if the serial connection with the Maiana failed.

When the Maiana "fails" sending data, try to answer these questions:
- what the SK data browser says?
- what the SK dashboard says?
- what the LEDs on the MacArthur hat say?
- is the Maiana getting power (only 12V, never 24V)?
- does it make a difference if you manipulate the connectors or plug/unplug the RJ45 connector from the Mariana into the MacArthur hat?
- can you reproduce the same issue at home or it works forever there? what are the differences between home and boat?

You bought the Maiana a year ago, has it been working correctly before even in a different environment?

The extra power module was labeled as a "router" with value 50GBP that generated 25€ of taxes. It should be already on its way to you again. Please send us the item back again with the correct description and value.

[mikekolling]

You sent an screenshot of the signal k data browser here: https://forum.openmarine.net/showthread....3#pid33663
you will find a timestamp there for any data provided by the Maiana.

The section "Dashboard" on the same Signal k page will tell you (in red) if the serial connection with the Maiana failed.

When the Maiana "fails" sending data, try to answer these questions:
  - what the SK data browser says?
  - what the SK dashboard says?
  - what the LEDs on the MacArthur hat say?
  - is the Maiana getting power (only 12V, never 24V)?
  - does it make a difference if you manipulate the connectors or plug/unplug the RJ45 connector from the Mariana into the MacArthur hat?
  - can you reproduce the same issue at home or it works forever there? what are the differences between home and boat?

You bought the Maiana a year ago, has it been working correctly before even in a different environment?

The extra power module was labeled as a "router" with value 50GBP that generated 25€ of taxes. It should be already on its way to you again. Please send us the item back again with the correct description and value.

When it stops functioning there are no rows in the SK Data Browser windows, so no timestamps!
so... what the SK data browser says - is nothing.
as far as i can remember the dashboard shows the maiana and maiana out, in grey ie inactive.
tried removing and recreating the serial connections until the cow comes home.
The serial cable to the Raymarine works every time.
LEDS - the GPS led obviously goes out, because there is no GPS feed. the NMEA0183 leds that transmit the data to my Raymarine also stop.
i did try unplugging and plugging in the RJ45.
as i have said, when it dies - it does not work with the breakout board either.
when it works, it works with the breakout board.
It will work forever at home, i ran it all last week.
The differences is its a boat....it has 2 diesel engines under the floor, a Radar, a VHF Radio, and numerous other systems.
I am also running an ESP32 which tracks engine gauges and transmits data to the RPI SK via wifi for Electronic Dashboard. This also never misses a beat, my circuit and my code.
it is running on 12v - please credit me with some sense!

There HAS to be a way to talk to the unit via the serial port ALL THE TIME. It is JUST a serial connection.

if it cannot be used on a boat, it is not fit for purpose.

Its not quite a year, i did not receive it until 24th July.

Not sure why the power module was labelled a router, i would never call it that as it isnt a router. Still not relevant to this issue.

[mikekolling]

Ok, so left it all on overnight.

This morning, still receiving GPS from the unit.

But when i try to run the Maiana AIS app, cannot connect to the unit.

Tried reinstall the app - no change.

Tried reboot - no change.

Shutdown, power off and on again - now working. But this is at Home.

I did all this on the boat and it did not recover. (Plus the GPS was not working either)

When it stops what are the steps to get it working again on the boat?

You would expect after a power off and on that it would reset but it doesnt on the boat.

I powered off and left it for 2hours - no good.

Do i need to move it to the other end of the boat away from interference? 

Or what?????

What is the steps to guarantee that it will restart talking to the Serial Port?

[Sailoog]

It is taken a while, but we are finally getting to the relevant details. Your device is working at home so now we know that the problem is only at your boat with your settings or installation.

As I told you on message #3 you can ignore the Maiana AIS app issue because is not related to your problem and we will update this app soon to improve the user experience and avoid the impression that your device is not working.

The problem to solve here is not how to restart the system when it fails because your device should not fail. Your problem is that your device stops sending data since you confirmed that the Signal K data browser is not getting any data from the Maiana when it fails. This could be caused by a serial connection interruption and you can see that in the Signal k Dashboard, in red in the section "Connection & Plugin Status". You can not confirm this yet so this could be your next test.

But the relevant detail you provided is the LED status because that GPS LED is not connected to the HAT data entry, it is connected to the Maiana output directly so if it is off that means that the Maiana is not getting power or there is not GPS fix due to poor satellites view or big interference. In the 2 last cases you could still see data in the SK browser so I would blame here the power issue. On next test try to tell us the status of all the LEDs, not only the GPS, and the status of the SK data browser and Dashboard when it fails again.

As stated in the product terms, our products are not plug and play products, you need to take some steps to install and adapt them to your needs and we are always happy to help you even beyond our legal obligations as we always do, but before we spend any more time helping you, we need to make these points clear because now we are the ones who feel stupid:

1. We sent you a new power module after determining that the original was damaged, based on the details you provided. Ultimately, the original device was fine, as the problem lay with its installation. You returned the device with an incorrect customs declaration, and we obviously had to refuse the package before paying very high taxes. Where is the package now? Does it have a tracking number? Do you plan to pay for or reship the device?

2. We believe we are now in the same situation: devices that work well, but are bad installed or configured. We do not do this for money, and our profits are very small, so any loss has a huge impact and puts the entire project at risk., so what this means?:

I have started the process of claiming Section 75 refund from Credit Card.

Let's try to get back to a good atmosphere, or it will be very difficult to help you.

[mikekolling]

It is taken a while, but we are finally getting to the relevant details. Your device is working at home so now we know that the problem is only at your boat with your settings or installation.

As I told you on message #3 you can ignore the Maiana AIS app issue because is not related to your problem and we will update this app soon to improve the user experience and avoid the impression that your device is not working.

The problem to solve here is not how to restart the system when it fails because your device should not fail. Your problem is that your device stops sending data since you confirmed that the Signal K data browser is not getting any data from the Maiana when it fails. This could be caused by a serial connection interruption and you can see that in the Signal k Dashboard, in red in the section "Connection & Plugin Status". You can not confirm this yet so this could be your next test.

But the relevant detail you provided is the LED status because that GPS LED is not connected to the HAT data entry, it is connected to the Maiana output directly so if it is off that means that the Maiana is not getting power or there is not GPS fix due to poor satellites view or big interference. In the 2 last cases you could still see data in the SK browser so I would blame here the power issue. On next test try to tell us the status of all the LEDs, not only the GPS, and the status of the SK data browser and Dashboard when it fails again.

As stated in the product terms, our products are not plug and play products, you need to take some steps to install and adapt them to your needs and we are always happy to help you even beyond our legal obligations as we always do, but before we spend any more time helping you, we need to make these points clear because now we are the ones who feel stupid:

1. We sent you a new power module after determining that the original was damaged, based on the details you provided. Ultimately, the original device was fine, as the problem lay with its installation. You returned the device with an incorrect customs declaration, and we obviously had to refuse the package before paying very high taxes. Where is the package now? Does it have a tracking number? Do you plan to pay for or reship the device?

2. We believe we are now in the same situation: devices that work well, but are bad installed or configured. We do not do this for money, and our profits are very small, so any loss has a huge impact and puts the entire project at risk., so what this means?:

I have started the process of claiming Section 75 refund from Credit Card.

Let's try to get back to a good atmosphere, or it will be very difficult to help you.

---

Hi,

I have completely recreated the power feed direct to the battery and throughout all these recent tests, there was not shortage of power to the RPI.

I have also tried the breakout board for the Maiana when it failed, and i have directly connected the two leads to 12V and tested with a multimeter and the damn thing had Power!

I also connected the breakout board RX and TX to 15/14 as well.

You put yourself in this situation when you sell products to the public.

We have consumer laws in the UK, i am within my rights to return this item for a refund which i suggest is the simplest solution.

If you sell to the UK you need to adhere to UK conditions.

If it is fine as you say, you will be able to sell it on to someone else.

As production has ceased i am sure someone will be desperate to have one.

I await your response.!

[Sailoog]

Response to what?
My questions are numbers 1 and 2.

[mikekolling]

Response to what?
My questions are numbers 1 and 2.

1. I thought you had sent it back? If i receive it back i will pay for it.

2. This is not a question?  I just want the product i have bought to work all the time, not on and off. Its a piece of electronics that should be fed 12v power and respond to serial port. When it dies, it DOES NOT. So its not fit for purpose. and hence i wish to return it for a refund.

Your manner in dealing with your customers over not just my Forum postings but others is pretty confrontational. 

You sell to the public, if you don't want to sell and respond to questions courteously, i am not sure this business is for you.

[Sailoog]

1. You sent the package, we just refused the package market as a "router" and 50 GBP value. the package is on its way to you, do you have a track number?

2. Yes, it is a question. What can we expect from that "process of claiming Section 75 refund from Credit Card"? your product is working right, we were trying to help you to install and configure it. Please take a look at the UK rules, specifically the "Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013" and the exceptions in "Consumer Rights Act 2015".

That is the point, this is not a business.

This discussion is ridiculous. Let's resolve points 1 and 2 privately and continue with the solution to your technical problem publicly.

[mikekolling]

1. You sent the package, we just refused the package market as a "router" and 50 GBP value. the package is on its way to you, do you have a track number?

2. Yes, it is a question. What can we expect from that "process of claiming Section 75 refund from Credit Card"? your product is working right, we were trying to help you to install and configure it. Please take a look at the UK rules, specifically the "Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013" and the exceptions in "Consumer Rights Act 2015".

That is the point, this is not a business.

This discussion is ridiculous. Let's resolve points 1 and 2 privately and continue with the solution to your technical problem publicly.

you made it public.

what i could use is some steps to run maybe a script or settings in RPI OS that will log everything, i have a 256Gb drive so i wont run out of space, so that the next time thhis thing dies, i know why.

I have still not received adequate answer to the basic question, when it dies, what do i need to do to get it going again, if it has power - why is it not pumping out data?