Just set up iGrid and get momentary voltage errors

[kevkdg]

Hi,

I've just added a Wi-Fi dongle which I took from my old PAW classic to my Rosetta in order to start using iGrid.

All configured and working fine.

However, in the hour or so I've been testing it out at home I noticed briefly that it complained about the voltage.  I was able to take a photo of the tablet screen.  It has done this a few times now, albeit very briefly each time.  Most of the time is says voltage OK.  Couple of photos attached to show the two.

I am using a PowerBank that I've always used without issue rated at 5-6v/3a 6-9v/2a 9-12v/1.5a and the supplied Rosetta JuiceBitz USB cable.

I am thinking the extra wi-fi dongle power draw is obviously causing this.

Any thoughts please?

[exfirepro]

Hi Kev,

While old 'Classic' WiFi dongles 'can' work as iGRID dongles, they use a different configuration to the newer dongles which are supplied specifically for that purpose. (Likewise the newer iGRID WiFi Connectivity Dongles will NOT work as primary WiFi dongles on PAW Classics.

My guess would be that although your old dongle appears to be working as an iGRID access dongle, it could well have degenerated in use (in the Classic) and be drawing higher than expected current, hence causing a reported drop in the PAW supply voltage, which will have knock-on effects as it is obviously throttling back the processor on the Pi. This is not unusual with older WiFi or SDR dongles that have had a lot of use.

Unfortunately the only way to tell for sure is to swap it out with another 'known good' dongle and see if the voltage errors go away.

My advice would be to buy and try one of the iGRID WiFi Connectivity Module dongles  available from the PAW Shop at https://www.pilotaware.com/product/igrid-wifi-connectivity-module

Please let us know if that resolves the issue.

Best Regards

Peter

[kevkdg]

Hi Peter,

I took a look at this thread which is why I salvaged the WiFi dongle from my PilotAware Classic.

http://forum.pilotaware.com/index.php?topic=2195.0

I was also under the impression that one of an incorrect chipset would simply not work for iGrid too.

So am a little confused now... easily done!

BUT I think that initially the RALINK 5370 were supplied for use as iGrid dongles, but now due to supply issues an alternative is offered that can't itself be used in a PAW Classic as the main Wi-Fi dongle ONLY iGrid.

I hardly used my PAW classic, so suspect the dongle hasn't had many hours of use.

But the new dongle may be worth a try.  Any ideas what chipset is in the new iGrid dongle as I have various ones at home.

[exfirepro]

Hi Kev,

Correct and they do usually work fine, - as you are seeing from the fact that you have iGRID running.

I'm not saying it won't, or isn't working, just that it is the 'new variable' in the setup, so the most likely to have resulted in the voltage error being displayed - unless you had voltage errors previously but just didn't notice them?

Try removing the dongle again (power down first - it's not good to swap WiFi dongles in or out with the system running), then reboot and see if the warning comes back. Then try gently wiggling the power lead at the microUSB connection - while monitoring the Home Screen for Voltage errors and also watching for the red power LED on the main board just below the P3i antenna socket - it's a bit difficult to see, but it (or at least the glow from it) should be visible through the slots at the side to the left of the power socket. The LED should stay solid red. Any dropouts or voltage error messages and you probably have a defective microUSB socket or cable. If this doesn't reproduce the fault, power down again and replace the dongle. If the error then returns it must be the dongle that is causing it.

Regards

Peter