Metrics Capture Failing

[Aces]

See screenshot for specific of failure but also other random weirdness like these popup banner error from UI

- Supreme Impediment! I've Lost Track of Time. Data Recording Paused.
- Major setback. I've Lost Contact with the Solar Controller. Verify Integrity of Communication Cable.

My Wifi RSSI signal strength varies from -59 to 62db.

Reading some other posts in this forum I've seen others mention 3 different led lights but when I popped the cover on my device I only have a blinking blue led.

The Snektek device is attached to a new Renogy Adventurer 30a,

Firmware Information
Version: 6.0-f44f74-2023-02-24-06-45
Update Channel: stable
Controller Type: renogy-rs232
Version Notes: Changed MODBUS to asynchronous operation (affects EPEVER, RENOGY, SIGINEER), Added sensors for PLUS model

Here are 2 log entries from different days showing (apparently) different issues.
[main]: Hello World, Begin Setup: 25-08-2023 00:29:41
[main]: Firmware version: 6.0-f44f74-2023-02-24-06-45 25-08-2023 00:29:41
[main]: WiFi Station Status: 0 WiFi Station IP: (IP unset) 25-08-2023 00:29:41
[main]: HTTP server started on port: 80 25-08-2023 00:29:41
[main]: WiFi Station Status: 0 WiFi Station IP: (IP unset) 25-08-2023 00:29:41
[updater]: Checking for updates, retry=1/6 25-08-2023 00:29:41
[updater]: Failed to connect to mysolardashboard.snektek.com:8123 25-08-2023 00:29:41
[updater]: Update check result: failed_to_connect 25-08-2023 00:29:41
[updater]: Checking for updates, retry=2/6 25-08-2023 00:29:44
[updater]: Connected to mysolardashboard.snektek.com:8123 25-08-2023 00:29:45
[updater]: Update check result: no_update 25-08-2023 00:29:45
[clock]: RTC epoch: 1692923388 25-08-2023 00:29:48
[clock]: NTP epoch 1692923388 25-08-2023 00:29:48
[clock]: NTP epoch 1692923388 25-08-2023 00:29:48
[clock]: NTP updated RTC 25-08-2023 00:29:48
[mqtt_client]: not enabled. 25-08-2023 00:29:48
[main]: ERROR: Invalid Sample 25-08-2023 00:29:49
[clock]: RTC epoch: 1692923393 25-08-2023 00:29:53
[clock]: NTP epoch 1692923393 25-08-2023 00:29:53
[clock]: NTP epoch 1692923393 25-08-2023 00:29:53
[clock]: NTP updated RTC 25-08-2023 00:29:53
[main]: WiFi Station Status: 1 WiFi Station IP: 192.168.5.188 25-08-2023 00:29:53
[MODBUS]: Error: Response timeout 25-08-2023 00:30:13
[sd_card]: Wrote Sample: 2023/08/25/data.txt 25-08-2023 00:30:48



******SNEKTEK****** 00-00-1970 00:00:00
******************* 00-00-1970 00:00:00
[reboot_stat]: lastUpdatedTime: 0 rebootCount: 35992 rebootCause: NORMAL 00-00-1970 00:00:00
[supervisor]: Checking Power Supply... 00-00-1970 00:00:00
[supervisor] Power supply Voltage:3.47 00-00-1970 00:00:00
[supervisor] Power supply Voltage Stable. Continue... 00-00-1970 00:00:00
[sd_card]: Power Cycle (Slow Ramp) 00-00-1970 00:00:00
[clock]: RTC-I2C Comms Initialized. 00-00-1970 00:00:00
[light]: Light Sensor Setup 26-08-2023 02:02:18
[light]: Setup IO error 26-08-2023 02:02:18
[Environment]: Environment sensor Initialization 26-08-2023 02:02:18
[Environment]: device not found 26-08-2023 02:02:18
[sd_card]: Found config key value pair debugEnabled=1 26-08-2023 02:02:18
[main]: Hello World, Begin Setup: 26-08-2023 02:02:18
[main]: Firmware version: 6.0-f44f74-2023-02-24-06-45 26-08-2023 02:02:18
[main]: WiFi Station Status: 0 WiFi Station IP: (IP unset) 26-08-2023 02:02:18
[main]: HTTP server started on port: 80 26-08-2023 02:02:18
[main]: WiFi Station Status: 0 WiFi Station IP: (IP unset) 26-08-2023 02:02:18
[updater]: Checking for updates, retry=1/6 26-08-2023 02:02:18
[updater]: Failed to connect to mysolardashboard.snektek.com:8123 26-08-2023 02:02:18
[updater]: Update check result: failed_to_connect 26-08-2023 02:02:18
[updater]: Checking for updates, retry=2/6 26-08-2023 02:02:21
[updater]: Failed to connect to mysolardashboard.snektek.com:8123 26-08-2023 02:02:21
[updater]: Update check result: failed_to_connect 26-08-2023 02:02:21

[Aces]

I've been doing more troubleshooting and starting to think there is a power supply issue. Possibly a problem with the cable? SnekTek doc mentions this is a custom cable.

If you look at the rebootCount in the logs above it sits at nearly 36000 reboots.

I just disconnected SnekTek from my wifi, unplugged it and waited for it to rebroadcast its wifi SID. I connected to the SnekTek wifi from my phone and set my phone to always reconnect. I got the "Connected without Internet" message on my Android phone. After waiting a few seconds I saw the phone disconnect, the SnekTek blue led to flash and then the phone reconnect again.

In other words, the SnekTek is randomly power cycling every few seconds/minutes.

[jonathan]

Hi

Yes it could be a power supply problem. Some Renogy units have less power available than others.

Try this modification to the cable:

Let me know if it helps.

[Aces]

Thanks Jonathan.

I just checked the cable you sent with the device and it appears to be a standard RJ12 cable. All 6 wires are connected and pass through on my cable tester. Did you send me the wrong cable or are Renogy customers expected to create a custom cable?

For the customization can you please be more specific about changes?

- The diagram above indicates I should inject a 5-30v external power source on wire 6. But what about wires 4 and 5? Should they be ignored in the final cable (resulting in just a 3-wire TX/RX and GND cable)?

- Wire 3 (GND) shows "possibly optional" for the power injection on the diagram. How do I know if it is needed or not? In my scenario you can assume that I will be pulling the power injection off of either the LIPO battery or the 5v USB jack on the front of the Renogy. It would be much easier to make this cable if I an not having to jam 2 GND wires into the RJ12 connector at pin 3. If I do need a GND for external power, can I just connect it to pin 4 since it also appears to be a GND?

[ronmackaypei]

I had a similar issue with my new SnekTek which would not power up at all from my Renogy 30A MMP. The Renogy RS232 port worked fine with my BT-1 but would not power the SnekTek. I wired +12v via a series diode to the "Aux Power" connections inside the SnekTek and it works fine now.
I do have a question as to whether cutting wire-6 is needed in this case? Perhaps to prevent (Aux) power going out to the RS232 port?
- Ron

[Aces]

Thanks for the reply Ron. Hopefully we will hear back from support soon. My window for returning this is a couple days away.

I could make one of these on my own with an ESP32 Wroom and a MAX3232 TTL to RS232 converter I already have on hand. But I know this is a lot of work which is why I went the buy-vs-build route. But if it is going to be a struggle to get support on this device I may be better off with an open source solution like https://github.com/rosswarren/renogymodbus or https://github.com/sophienyaa/NodeRenogy. Ultimately I want to manage this through Home Assistant and so I need to do a fair amount of customization no matter which route I take.

[ronmackaypei]

Hi Aces, well for me the Renogy Li 30A MMP would not power up the Senktek unit at all. I opened the box to confirm it has the new dc-dc converter on board but even that was not getting enough juice.
You can see the pins for "Aux-power 5-30v" so that's what I hooked to for +13v from my main battery. This unit has been working very well since I rebuilt my test setup in my basement instead of the garage. I see only 1 reset in the past 24 hours.
Reboot Count: 1
Last Updated: 1969-12-31T20:00:00-04:00
The wifi connected easily to my home network so monitoring is a breeze. I've only had it for a few days but so far I'm very impressed.

-Ron

[Aces]

Thanks Ron,

My board is v6.0 and different than yours. It has an XL1509 Buck Converter
https://datasheetspdf.com/pdf/789105/XLSEMI/XL1509/1

I am not seeing anywhere an aux-power connection. At this point I am not even sure this is a power issue because I placed a voltmeter directly on the VCC and GND pins of the ESP12f https://www.quick-teck.co.uk/Management ... 298650.pdf and I had a steady 3.29v for at least 3 minutes.

I am going to return this and move on to a DIY ESP based monitoring solution.

I do appreciate you jumping in here with your thoughts Ron.

[jonathan]

Thanks Ron,

My board is slightly different than yours. It has an XL1509 Buck Converter
https://datasheetspdf.com/pdf/789105/XLSEMI/XL1509/1

I am not seeing anywhere an aux-power connection. At this point I am not even sure this is a power issue because I placed a voltmeter directly on the VCC and GND pins of the ESP12f https://www.quick-teck.co.uk/Management ... 298650.pdf and I had a steady 3.29v for at least 3 minutes.

I am going to return this and move on to a DIY ESP based monitoring solution.

I do appreciate you jumping in here with your thoughts Ron. It is more than what I got from the "support" staff.

Sorry for the delay sometimes life gets in the way. I sent you a refund, try to get it working regardless with the cable modification. It's really just luck of the draw with the Renogy units. In the future I am adding capability to power it externally.

[Aces]

Thanks for this Jonathan. I have been hesitant to modify this in any way for fear of damaging and not being able to return.

Now I can justify making the recommended mods. I will work on this over the weekend and post my findings in a separate thread,