ARRRG!!! Anyone else have trouble connecting to Centralite LiteJet?

[86turbodsl]

I'm pulling what little hair I have left out. I'm installing a new Litejet48 in my new home.
I've got everything installed except the loads are not connected yet. I'm trying to get some
construction lighting going. Just a couple of loads.

I have tried everything I can think of to connect to the unit for programming.

I'm trying to use the supplied modem cable that came with it.

I've tried several dip switch settings, I've tried resetting it, I've tried two different computers, one laptop, one desktop.

I've tried connecting to both units on com port 1, both with and without the connection between the units.

The touch panel programmers I got with the unit both say "initializing...." and nothing else, no matter how long I wait.

I have a request into centralite support, but haven't heard anything back.

Any insights? Are these things really difficult to connect to?

Is there a problem with my units?

ARRRRRGGGG!!!

 

[86turbodsl]

Ok, I replaced the serial cable and got the same thing. I also tried to connect to the units with hyperterm on the windows xp computer and
on unit 2, I got output like this:

^K0174 ^K0184 ^K0194 and so on.... just counting up by 10s until it repeats.

On unit 1 reading with hyperterm, I get a few characters of garbage. Also of note, the red light
comes on briefly on unit 2 upon powerup, then goes out. The red light never comes on when I powerup
unit 1. That's the same unit with garbage output on the RS232-1 port.

I'm starting to think I have a couple of dead units here.

No connection, buttons do nothing, stuck key flashing red light on unit 2 with no keypads connected, etc etc.

Is quality control a problem with these things??? I assumed it was checked out based on the sticker inside that said checked by jim or whatever....

This thing is too expensive to be a paperweight...

 

[ctay]

Ok, I replaced the serial cable and got the same thing. I also tried to connect to the units with hyperterm on the windows xp computer and
on unit 2, I got output like this:

^K0174 ^K0184 ^K0194 and so on.... just counting up by 10s until it repeats.

On unit 1 reading with hyperterm, I get a few characters of garbage. Also of note, the red light
comes on briefly on unit 2 upon powerup, then goes out. The red light never comes on when I powerup
unit 1. That's the same unit with garbage output on the RS232-1 port.

I'm starting to think I have a couple of dead units here.

No connection, buttons do nothing, stuck key flashing red light on unit 2 with no keypads connected, etc etc.

Is quality control a problem with these things??? I assumed it was checked out based on the sticker inside that said checked by jim or whatever....

This thing is too expensive to be a paperweight...

Don't despair... There must be some setting wrong. If it is putting out codes then it is working and trying to do something. Lets start from the top...

My LJ48 did not come with a RS232 cable so I don't know what cable you have there. Maybe they started putting them in recently or something but lets simplify this and find yourself a straight through RS232 cable. Turn ALL the dip switches off. Push the little "reset" button under the dip switches to reset the unit. Connect to UNIT 1 RS232-1. Load up the Litejet software (you can get it from their website HERE).

Set the RS232 to "Automatic" at the top of the first page. It should find the port that the litejet is attached to and the RS232 image will turn green. If it doesn't turn green then we need to trouble shoot the communication port. If it does connect then start programming your little heart out!


Your going to love the Litejet once you get it working! It is the one bit of automation my wife can not do with out!

Oh BTW if you need light NOW you can always flip that little toggle switch at the bottom. That is an override that will turn all the loads on.

Chris

 

[86turbodsl]

Don't despair... There must be some setting wrong. If it is putting out codes then it is working and trying to do something. Lets start from the top...

My LJ48 did not come with a RS232 cable so I don't know what cable you have there. Maybe they started putting them in recently or something but lets simplify this and find yourself a straight through RS232 cable. Turn ALL the dip switches off. Push the little "reset" button under the dip switches to reset the unit. Connect to UNIT 1 RS232-1. Load up the Litejet software (you can get it from their website HERE).

Set the RS232 to "Automatic" at the top of the first page. It should find the port that the litejet is attached to and the RS232 image will turn green. If it doesn't turn green then we need to trouble shoot the communication port. If it does connect then start programming your little heart out!


Your going to love the Litejet once you get it working! It is the one bit of automation my wife can not do with out!

Oh BTW if you need light NOW you can always flip that little toggle switch at the bottom. That is an override that will turn all the loads on.

Chris

I picked up a straight thru RS232 cable tonight just in case. I plugged in both ends, to RS232-1 on one end, and com1 on the computer on the other.

All dip switches were off. Double checked. Press reset button on MCU #1 several times. No effect. If i push the reset on #2, the red light comes on for a bit then goes off. Not on #1.

Load LJ software. Set to automatic. Try to connect. No dice. Red icon.

Double check the com port settings on the PC. Set to 19,200 baud, 8, N, 1. No flow control. No dice. No connection.

I have two touch panel programmers. I've tried connecting them using a standard off the shelf Cat 5E cable ALA networking. Both units power up and
read "initializing..." doesn't matter which one or what MCU connected to. Says that forever too.

The override Does work correctly though... it's the only thing that does.

Honestly, what it acts like is a computer that is stuck in reboot mode or something. Like a reset line is stuck.

I put a help request in on the Centralite website, but they didn't contact me today. I really don't want to take a day off work to make a phone call...

 

[ctay]

I picked up a straight thru RS232 cable tonight just in case. I plugged in both ends, to RS232-1 on one end, and com1 on the computer on the other.

All dip switches were off. Double checked. Press reset button on MCU #1 several times. No effect. If i push the reset on #2, the red light comes on for a bit then goes off. Not on #1.

Load LJ software. Set to automatic. Try to connect. No dice. Red icon.

Double check the com port settings on the PC. Set to 19,200 baud, 8, N, 1. No flow control. No dice. No connection.

I have two touch panel programmers. I've tried connecting them using a standard off the shelf Cat 5E cable ALA networking. Both units power up and
read "initializing..." doesn't matter which one or what MCU connected to. Says that forever too.

The override Does work correctly though... it's the only thing that does.

Honestly, what it acts like is a computer that is stuck in reboot mode or something. Like a reset line is stuck.

I put a help request in on the Centralite website, but they didn't contact me today. I really don't want to take a day off work to make a phone call...

Ok, does the computer you are connecting with have an ACTUAL com port or a USB to rs232 port? I couldn't get mine to connect with my usb to RS232 cable so I had to get another USB to RS232 cable that did work.

I don't know what to tell you about the TPP's. I don't have one so I never dealt with them.

Check your IM.

Chris

 

[86turbodsl]

Ok, does the computer you are connecting with have an ACTUAL com port or a USB to rs232 port? I couldn't get mine to connect with my usb to RS232 cable so I had to get another USB to RS232 cable that did work.

I don't know what to tell you about the TPP's. I don't have one so I never dealt with them.

Check your IM.

Chris

Yep, I hauled the kid's pc down there with an old fashioned honest to goodness com port. I know it works too, I programmed my J1 remote with it.

 

[ctay]

One more thing... With all the DIP's off you should not get ANY messages out of RS232-1. Make sure the unit is powered on when you press the reset switch. It should turn the little red light on for about three seconds then it will go off (as long as there aren't any stuck switches).

 

[86turbodsl]

One more thing... With all the DIP's off you should not get ANY messages out of RS232-1. Make sure the unit is powered on when you press the reset switch. It should turn the little red light on for about three seconds then it will go off (as long as there aren't any stuck switches).

Nope, when I press reset on unit#1, the red light doesn't come on. Unit 2, yes, but not Unit 1.

I even tried disconnecting the cable connecting the two units and trying to connect to them individually, but that didn't work either.
I don't know what makes a unit #1 or #2, but it didn't work anyway. I'd assumed that the firmware chip wouldn't be unit specific, as they
are both marked the same.

 

[ctay]

Did you have the override on when you pressed the reset button?

 

[86turbodsl]

Did you have the override on when you pressed the reset button?

Nope. Normal mode, all dip switches down.

 

[ctay]

One more thing... With all the DIP's off you should not get ANY messages out of RS232-1. Make sure the unit is powered on when you press the reset switch. It should turn the little red light on for about three seconds then it will go off (as long as there aren't any stuck switches).

Nope, when I press reset on unit#1, the red light doesn't come on. Unit 2, yes, but not Unit 1.

I even tried disconnecting the cable connecting the two units and trying to connect to them individually, but that didn't work either.
I don't know what makes a unit #1 or #2, but it didn't work anyway. I'd assumed that the firmware chip wouldn't be unit specific, as they
are both marked the same.

Actually they are unit specific. I am not sure exactly what chip is different but the unit 2 has a different chip than unit 1. You can still connect to either one but the unit 2 will not work with out unit one (I should say that I am not 100% certain of this... only maybe 95%).

 

[86turbodsl]

One more thing... With all the DIP's off you should not get ANY messages out of RS232-1. Make sure the unit is powered on when you press the reset switch. It should turn the little red light on for about three seconds then it will go off (as long as there aren't any stuck switches).

Nope, when I press reset on unit#1, the red light doesn't come on. Unit 2, yes, but not Unit 1.

I even tried disconnecting the cable connecting the two units and trying to connect to them individually, but that didn't work either.
I don't know what makes a unit #1 or #2, but it didn't work anyway. I'd assumed that the firmware chip wouldn't be unit specific, as they
are both marked the same.

Actually they are unit specific. I am not sure exactly what chip is different but the unit 2 has a different chip than unit 1. You can still connect to either one but the unit 2 will not work with out unit one (I should say that I am not 100% certain of this... only maybe 95%).

Hmmm.... That's interesting, because both chips are identified exactly the same. Same firmware numbers. The instructions noted that all LJ48's are shipped as singles and field converted. So i assumed that my distributor did the conversion. Perhaps they botched it? I don't want to publicly say who sold it to me so I won't.

 

[ctay]

Did you have the override on when you pressed the reset button?

Nope. Normal mode, all dip switches down.

Well I'm a little stumped. When I go to my unit and push the reset it does exactly as I described. If I turn the override on it does not change the lights. Hopefully Centralite can shed some more light on this for you.

It is too bad this isn't working for you! I really like my Litejet 48. I had a little trouble getting it to talk to my Elk out of the box but once I sorted that out it has been great!

Let us know what you find out!

 

[ctay]

Hmmm.... That's interesting, because both chips are identified exactly the same. Same firmware numbers. The instructions noted that all LJ48's are shipped as singles and field converted. So i assumed that my distributor did the conversion. Perhaps they botched it? I don't want to publicly say who sold it to me so I won't.

I think the instructions are a little out dated on that. I got my units from Worthington and I guarantee that they did not do the conversion but it was done when I got them.

 

[86turbodsl]

It is too bad this isn't working for you! I really like my Litejet 48. I had a little trouble getting it to talk to my Elk out of the box but once I sorted that out it has been great!

Let us know what you find out!

Well that's encouraging. I *really* like the architechture and simplicity of the Litejet, and am very disappointed it didn't work out of the box, especially for
a US-built product. Let's hope my contact at Centralite can help out. I'll report back here what I find out.

Thanks for the tips.

Mark