You already have logs, SK data browser for data and SK dashboard warnings for serial interruptions and a really complete and customizable log system in SK to check almost everything.
Easy answer, your device should never die.
More after resolving points 1 and 2 privately or publicly, I do not mind, but people will not find it interesting and maybe the technical aspect will, or maybe the opposite
(2025-05-06, 02:34 PM)Sailoog Wrote: You already have logs, SK data browser for data and SK dashboard warnings for serial interruptions and a really complete and customizable log system in SK to check almost everything.
Easy answer, your device should never die.
More after resolving points 1 and 2 privately or publicly, I do not mind, but people will not find it interesting and maybe the technical aspect will, or maybe the opposite
When the unit died, and it does when used on a boat, there were no messages in SK Data Browsers, the rows just vanish, don't remember SK Dashboard warnings but will watch out for them as it surely will fail again.
I have used chatgpt (as you are not very helpful - your comment above about you have logs is typical) to set up persistent logging after reboots and will see what gets logged.
I have also switched on the Openplotter Debugging.
If serial gets interrupted, why doesn't it start up again?
I had to cycle power this morning to get the Maiana App to read from the device. I have other RPI apps (Victron for example) that havent missed a beat in over 6 months.
(2025-05-06, 02:34 PM)Sailoog Wrote: You already have logs, SK data browser for data and SK dashboard warnings for serial interruptions and a really complete and customizable log system in SK to check almost everything.
Easy answer, your device should never die.
More after resolving points 1 and 2 privately or publicly, I do not mind, but people will not find it interesting and maybe the technical aspect will, or maybe the opposite
Looking at this, the only way the issues received could happen is because thew Maiana is powered off. So either the maiana itself powers itself off and wont power on again, or - the macarthur stops sending power out to it via the Rj45 cable.
I have created a RJ45 breakout made from these with cabling between
so when it happens again i will be able to use a multimeter to check the 12v is making its way to the device.
Hello Mike,
Because I already made around 10 Maiana boards, I can consider I have some experience and I'll try to help, even your Maiana is not made by me.
I tried to read whole conversation but I'm not sure I got it correctly.
I'll try to figure out what is the problem but for this I'll need more information and also I need you to do some tests.
I assume you also have the UART to USB adapter. Can you use it? I'll suggest to disconnect the Maiana from Pi and use your UART adapter and connect it to a laptop by USB cable.
Pay attention, the UART adapter is not galvanically isolated so your laptop have to run on battery, disconnected from AC charger.
Use a terminal program like Termite (if Windows) or CuteComm (if Linux) and tell me if data is coming from Maiana.
Ofc, set the serial connection on 38400bps, 8N1
If data is coming, let the Maiana powered for long time (over night let's say) and check again.
You don't have to keep the laptop on or connected for all this time. Just make the USB connection when you want to check it.
When you are connected to Maiana serial port try to send some commands:
cli - this command will put Maiana in config mode. No more data will flow on the screen for visual comfort. Is it possible to send it twice, or more.
sys? - will report the board's characteristics.
tx? - will report the TX status.
station? - will report the mmsi, name, callsign etc.
reboot - will exit the cli mode and restart to normal operation.
Please try to provide screenshots
I hope my intervention will help, at least for finding the issue.
(2025-05-08, 06:59 AM)sebba Wrote: Hello Mike,
Because I already made around 10 Maiana boards, I can consider I have some experience and I'll try to help, even your Maiana is not made by me.
I tried to read whole conversation but I'm not sure I got it correctly.
I'll try to figure out what is the problem but for this I'll need more information and also I need you to do some tests.
I assume you also have the UART to USB adapter. Can you use it? I'll suggest to disconnect the Maiana from Pi and use your UART adapter and connect it to a laptop by USB cable.
Pay attention, the UART adapter is not galvanically isolated so your laptop have to run on battery, disconnected from AC charger.
Use a terminal program like Termite (if Windows) or CuteComm (if Linux) and tell me if data is coming from Maiana.
Ofc, set the serial connection on 38400bps, 8N1
If data is coming, let the Maiana powered for long time (over night let's say) and check again.
You don't have to keep the laptop on or connected for all this time. Just make the USB connection when you want to check it.
When you are connected to Maiana serial port try to send some commands:
cli - this command will put Maiana in config mode. No more data will flow on the screen for visual comfort. Is it possible to send it twice, or more.
sys? - will report the board's characteristics.
tx? - will report the TX status.
station? - will report the mmsi, name, callsign etc.
reboot - will exit the cli mode and restart to normal operation.
Please try to provide screenshots
I hope my intervention will help, at least for finding the issue.
Best regards,
Seb
Hi Seb
Thankyou for your response.
Just so that i am clear, you mean the breakout board like this - (see attachment)
I have a MAC, so presumably Terminal OK?
Let me just check what wiring is needed, so presumablly from the breakout board, the 12v connections are needed.
But as its a Mac and not a RPI i cannot connect the RX/RX leads? Is that ok
Yes, this is the adapter.
You have to wire only the power wires.
Don't need Tx and Rx because will communicate through USB.
IDK Mac but any terminal application which will let you send command should be fine.
With this test I want to be sure the Maiana itself it's working as expected.
And, if yes, the problem is somewhere else.
Maybe a ground loop? Who knows! But let's pass this test for now.
Good luck.
PS: if not necessarily, please don't quote messages for reply, the topic become heavy and difficult to read. Thank you for understanding
The UART board is connected to Pi by USB cable, yes?
You should see it as a new serial device in openplotter serial app.
You can set it as NMEA 0183 connection and add it into signalk with 38400bps as new connection for Maiana.
Let me know if you have Maiana data in SK browser and this data is updating periodically (especially the GPS related data)
2025-05-08, 09:14 AM (This post was last modified: 2025-05-08, 09:17 AM by mikekolling.)
one concern, pc is unplugged as suggested. Just so i know, what damage could it cause if it was plugged in?
(2025-05-08, 09:13 AM)sebba Wrote: The UART board is connected to Pi by USB cable, yes?
You should see it as a new serial device in openplotter serial app.
You can set it as NMEA 0183 connection and add it into signalk with 38400bps as new connection for Maiana.
Let me know if you have Maiana data in SK browser and this data is updating periodically (especially the GPS related data)
Yes i had that all working on the RPI - VIA USB ONLY. Now moved it to a Surface Pro (PC) and its receiving Serial on there too.
Shame it didnt work on the MAC as i have OpenCPN on the Mac
So what is your suggestion?
I leave Maiana running and just switch on the PC from time to time to monitor?
2025-05-08, 09:22 AM (This post was last modified: 2025-05-08, 10:11 AM by Sailoog.)
You can burn the USB port of the laptop or the UART adapter because no common ground. Or even worse
if you connect the UART adapter to Pi you should have a common ground (both Maiana and Pi powered by same 12v source (battery)
Ok, so Maiana is sending data.
If you have it working through USB UART adapter you can leave it like this. Just monitor the SK data browser for refreshing Maiana data.
Let's test it like this for long time to be sure it's stable.
You can add 3 LEDs on the UART board to easily monitor the GPS and the RX/TX activity.
If everything will be ok will try to move back to Macarthur hat connection and find the issue you have it.
It is possible to have issues with the Maiana app but this is not related to the connection. It is a different software compatibility between Maiana app and newer Maiana boards newer firmwares. Sailoog is already working for fixing this. So don't rely on Maiana app for now.
