CAI Webcontrol Analog-In noise issue

[CAI_Support]

Yes, non-blocking delay work for VAR, TTL input and output. However, if in that 100 second delay, your VAR has any spike above 230, the non-blocking delay will restart another 100 seconds. To address this problem, the best way is to solve the noise problem.

From your description, if disconnected AUX connector, the noise level would go down. That indicates that the noise is from the outside of the board. On WebControl, there are three analog inputs. Do you see the same noise problem on the other two analog inputs?

What kind of resistor do you use in your voltage divider? If possible, please use high quality metal film resistors, because carbon resistors generate noise, variable resistor or potentiometer also can generate noise.

 

[Machineman]

I will look into better resistors for the divider. I ran another test eliminating the voltage divider, wiring, and origonal DC source.

Hooked up a 9V batter directly across the A/I and A/I gnd. thus eliminating the potential issues. Still high noise. When unpluged the floating A/I moves from 0 - 5. Same issue with A/I 1 and A/I 2.

And the second issue is that the non-blocking delay is still not working after a VAR. Even with a VAR1 well under a tigger point.

TSTLT VAR1[10000] 900
SET OP6 1

This should mean if VAR1 is less than 900 for more than 10sec then set OP6=1. Even if VAR1 is as far down as 200 it does not trigger in 10sec or ever. It does trigger if I have the delay [100] or <0.1sec but I can't tell if its even using the delay since its so fast.

 

[CAI_Support]

If you have
TSTLT VAR1[100] 900
SET OP6 1
works, but [100000] does not work, it means the AIP picked up some noise after [100], and the non-block delay does work.
You said same issue with AIP1 and AIP2, what about AIP3? does that also have same noise issue? Did you try to replace the
16 pin connector to see if that help?

 

[Machineman]

If you have
TSTLT VAR1[100] 900
SET OP6 1
works, but [100000] does not work, it means the AIP picked up some noise after [100], and the non-block delay does work.
You said same issue with AIP1 and AIP2, what about AIP3? does that also have same noise issue? Did you try to replace the
16 pin connector to see if that help?

I've tried everything seggusted. I need to buy another board for another project and will test if it has the same issue or not. I read somewhere theres a new hardware version coming out soon. Should I wait till the new hardware comes out to get another webcontrol or is it still months out?

After using the Webctontrol for about 6 months now here's my wishlist for future revisions:
1. Ship with that 16pin connector. Its not cost effective for us to get just one connector shipped by itself.
2. To not briefly activate all the outputs when first powered up. Devices can get accidedntly activated during a power cycle.
3. SSL email support. So it can send to gmail, yahoo, etc...
4. The option to password protect all the changable settings but still allow guests to view the status or use "Get" commands
5. Wi-Fi + Wired version. Have wireless version but also retain the wired ethernet jack.
6. User upgradble firmware.
7. A field on the status page next to each A/I, Temp, or D I/O where the user can type in a label or name to it.
8. POE capable.

 

[CAI_Support]

Thanks for your suggestions. What is your hardware revision? HW 2.2.2 should not have output briefly on during power up.

We are working on a bigger sister, WebControl32, using different chips, but have no intention to use it to replace current WebControl8. WebControl32 will have some of the features you listed, it will be a more expensive board. Current WebControl8 remains a low cost remote
control I/O board.

 

[wj9jrg]

I got two of the boards on June 25.

Having the same analog dance around a value issue.

Using a simple 9V battery as a test It can indicate anywhere from 850 to about 950. I have emailed support, and all I get is I am doing something wrong.

I just wanted people to know I have the issue because the response I got today was:

"The only other person we knew had problem was also running from battery and claiming having problem measure battery.
A lot of other users don?t have problem. There are many thousands of WebControl boards out there. Each one reported
problem is seriously considered."

So my question is this, can you not sample the same battery for a/d conversion that is also powering the unit?

And yeah, I have tried, capacitors (oh and BTW - leakage current WILL NOT affect a/d conversion). My Fluke is rock solid and my techtronix cannot even see (ac coupled) any noise on either the input supply or the sampled voltage.

The problem even manifests itself if you just short the analog input to ground, the count will just around and hit over 10 at times.

 

[apostolakisl]

If you have 50 points of bounce powering both the unit and the analog input from a 9v battery, I see no other explanation than to say the cai unit is at fault.

What about when you hook the analog input directly to the 5v source on the cai? Does that bounce as well. Does your zero bounce when hooked to nothing?

I have several cai units and none of them bounce more than 3 or 4 points.

 

[wj9jrg]

Yes the 0 bounces when hooked to nothing (and battery powered). I have two units and they both do this. I managed to mitigate the issue with 20 loops of averaging. Now it is usable.

Is there any progress on making these SSL capable? My DSL provider does not do SMTP port 25 anymore (which is att.net)

Thanks

 

[apostolakisl]

Yes the 0 bounces when hooked to nothing (and battery powered). I have two units and they both do this. I managed to mitigate the issue with 20 loops of averaging. Now it is usable.

Is there any progress on making these SSL capable? My DSL provider does not do SMTP port 25 anymore (which is att.net)

Thanks

Their new unit will be ssl capable. But I am 99% sure they will not ever make this unit ssl compatible. A lot of mail servers will take port 587 as non-ssl and the isp's don't block it.

 

[salesguy]

Check the thread on using stunnel to work around the SSL issue.

 

[fwd03]

check out this thread:
http://cocoontech.com/forums/topic/21499-webcontrol-email-through-google-email-server/

 

[qwiksilver96]

Speaking of the new unit, any idea when they will be available for purchase?

Their new unit will be ssl capable. But I am 99% sure they will not ever make this unit ssl compatible. A lot of mail servers will take port 587 as non-ssl and the isp's don't block it.

 

[fwd03]

I soldered a larger capacitor in place of C2, that helped reducing the analog noise level from 5 to 2. Before I did that, it was jumping between 0 to 5.

 

[electron]

Guys, do you think we should start a dedicated sub forum for this CAI controller? It looks like plenty of people are using this device now, and it would keep things together. Not sure yet if it is a good idea, but would love your feedback (in a new thread if needed).

 

[wj9jrg]

I soldered a larger capacitor in place of C2, that helped reducing the analog noise level from 5 to 2. Before I did that, it was jumping between 0 to 5.

Is C2 Part of the reference voltage?