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DCC-EX / EX-T3-WiFi

ESP32 based WiFi throttle for DCC++
GNU General Public License v3.0
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Throttle will not reconnect after turning off then back on. #87

Closed Budman1758 closed 1 year ago

Budman1758 commented 1 year ago

Describe the bug

I don't know if this is a DCC-EX "thing" or a problem with the throttle itself. When I turn on the DCC-EX power supply and then turn one of my throttles on everything works as it should. I can turn the main and program tracks on and off and all other functions work fine. I then turn off the throttle and set it aside for a while leaving DCC-EX on. When I come back and turn the throttle back on it does not connect to the power supply. The icon showing connection to the PS shows connected but no functions work. After a short time the connection changes to showing disconnected.

BOTH of the throttles I currently have working show this behavior. Only way to get throttles to reconnect to the power supply is to power cycle it. As stated, this may actually be a DCC-EX bug. Not sure.....

To Reproduce Steps to reproduce the behavior:

  1. Turn DCC-EX on.
  2. Turn on the throttle and it connects and functions. Turn either main or program tracks on. (or both)
  3. Turn throttle off leaving DCC-EX in track on state.
  4. Come back after a bit, turn throttle back on.
  5. Throttle does not connect to or control DCC-EX.

Expected behavior Throttle should connect and function.

This is repeatable and constant.

Additional info

alex-code commented 1 year ago

Could you clarify what you mean by power supply? Is this your Command Station?

Is your CS connected to your home WiFi in station mode or is your CS in Access Point mode?

Budman1758 commented 1 year ago

DCC-EX command station. Connected to home WiFi in station mode.

alex-code commented 1 year ago

How long do you have the throttle off for? Doing a quick test on my setup the throttle re-connects (only off for about 10 seconds).

Budman1758 commented 1 year ago

How long do you have the throttle off for? Doing a quick test on my setup the throttle re-connects (only off for about 10 seconds).

If I reconnect that soon it will sometimes work but usually not. But it never keeps working. It may work to turn off or on (track power) once but not anymore after that.

If you wait over a minute it does not connect at all.

Ash-4 commented 1 year ago

Do you have this problem when using Engine Driver? Has the DCC-EX WiFi ESP8266 been flashed to version 1.7.4 ? Is the Mega powered using 7-9 volts to the barrel connector? Attach the startup logs and diags from the Arduino serial monitor. For additional diags, use the commands <D WIFI 1> and/or <D WIT 1>

Budman1758 commented 1 year ago

Do you have this problem when using Engine Driver?

Yes. Logs on engine driver is showing "connection refused"

Almost sure now this is a DCC-EX command station issue

EDIT: Looks like there is an update to Command station. Gonna update and see where we are.

EDIT 2: Updated command station to latest version and seem to have the same problem. Again, pretty sure this is not a throttle issue at this point as Engine Driver has same issue connecting. I posted the same issue in the DCC-EX CommandStation issue tracker.

daveclifford commented 1 year ago

"Has the DCC-EX WiFi ESP8266 been flashed to version 1.7.4?" How do I know what version I'm using ??

Dave

Ash-4 commented 1 year ago

Look for a few lines in the DCC-EX startup log. This is what I see. 15:45:33.238 -> < Wifi Check: [\r\nOK\r\n\0] > 15:45:33.238 -> AT+GMR 15:45:33.238 -> AT version:1.7.4.0(May 11 2020 19:13:04) 15:45:33.238 -> SDK version:3.0.4(9532ceb) 15:45:33.238 -> compile time:May 27 2020 10:12:17 15:45:33.238 -> Bin version(Wroom 02):1.7.4 15:45:33.238 -> OK 15:45:33.238 -> < Found in 17ms >

Some of the WiFi shields can work with a different version, but when folks have problems with wifi, the first check is the version and the next check is for adequate power. Without wifi, the usb connection should provide adequate power. With wifi, there is some question. I noticed a significant improvement in performance when Mega was powered with 9V to the barrel connector. Greater than 7V is good. 12V will cause excess heat. WiFi power requirements may be greater than expected, and several points of potential weakness with USB powered from PC USB port.

You may want to continue the discussion on the discord server; there have been some recent discussion on how to flash the wifi shield. https://discord.com/invite/PuPnNMp8Qf

Ash-4 commented 1 year ago

Found a recent guide. https://gist.github.com/nathankellenicki/7008540322c617869cec17226cff579d

There are other wiring options if you do not have the USB/TTL adapter.

daveclifford commented 1 year ago

Thanks- I'll check out the stream for the version Dave

Budman1758 commented 1 year ago

Found a recent guide. https://gist.github.com/nathankellenicki/7008540322c617869cec17226cff579d

After flashing the WiFi shield per these instructions the problem seems to have been solved.

Only thing I would note is that upon reconnect the status of track power does not update on the throttle display until you make a change to one of the track power statuses. In other words, say track main power is on when you reconnect. The throttle display does not reflect that. Once you turn one one or off with the throttle it then syncs with the Commandstation. This may or may not be an issue. Just thought I would mention it.

alex-code commented 1 year ago

Good to hear that fixed it. I'm using a Mega+WiFi combo board and not experienced your issue with that.

Unfortunately the CS doesn't have a way for the throttle to get the power states without a little bit of work. You need to include a file I've made when compiling and uploading your CS. https://github.com/DCC-EX/EX-T3-WiFi/blob/master/docs/code.md#command-station

Budman1758 commented 1 year ago

You need to include a file I've made when compiling and uploading your CS.

Well, that was easy..... :)

Works like a champ.