OP2 network troubleshooting and repair

[dth122]

I wanted to see if anyone is successfully repairing the network ports on OP2 boards. I posted a few weeks ago about replacing my system, but it seems that the cost and effort involved isn't worth it if I want to try and keep the other components in my system... lighting, audio, stats, etc. Too much to replace/upgrade if I go with something more modern.

From a troubleshooting standpoint, I've tried power cycling and I've added a TP Link 10/100 switch between my Ubiquiti router and the OP2. Ping typically fails (about 75%), even with a direct connection with a xover cable. I am able to sometimes connect with PC Access, usually after 2-3 retries. I can start reading from the controller but it will always retry a few times and eventually go offline before completing the download.

So, my question is... now that Leviton isn't servicing these boards anymore, is anyone successfully repairing them? I think that's going to be my best option, unless it isn't an option at all. Do used boards ever come up for sale? I've seen some on ebay but they're the cost of an entirely new system. I'd also be skeptical that they might be on borrowed time before exhibiting these same network problems. It would be ideal to find one someone is taking out of a working system to upgrade.
- Dave

 

[dwalt]

Dave,
A couple things to bear in mind....
I have installed many HAI systems and only a very few have had network port issues. Some of them after lightning strikes.
A small number will fail but all electronics can fail.

If you purchase a used board, try to get the installer code. If you purchase the older eprom version (3 serial port version).
There is a way to clear the installer code back to default.
If you purchase the newer eeprom version (5 serial port version), there is no way to reset an unknown installer code as Leviton stopped providing that service.
dwalt

 

[dth122]

That's a great point. I doubt I'll go down that route anyway. Unless I can find a replacement that's very inexpensive, I think it would be better to invest in an entirely new system that's current and still supported.

 

[sjht]

I wanted to see if anyone is successfully repairing the network ports on OP2 boards. I posted a few weeks ago about replacing my system, but it seems that the cost and effort involved isn't worth it if I want to try and keep the other components in my system... lighting, audio, stats, etc. Too much to replace/upgrade if I go with something more modern.

From a troubleshooting standpoint, I've tried power cycling and I've added a TP Link 10/100 switch between my Ubiquiti router and the OP2. Ping typically fails (about 75%), even with a direct connection with a xover cable. I am able to sometimes connect with PC Access, usually after 2-3 retries. I can start reading from the controller but it will always retry a few times and eventually go offline before completing the download.

So, my question is... now that Leviton isn't servicing these boards anymore, is anyone successfully repairing them? I think that's going to be my best option, unless it isn't an option at all. Do used boards ever come up for sale? I've seen some on ebay but they're the cost of an entirely new system. I'd also be skeptical that they might be on borrowed time before exhibiting these same network problems. It would be ideal to find one someone is taking out of a working system to upgrade.
- Dave

Have you set the actual speed from your router to the lowest possible? Should do that from the UniFi console. Create a profile and set to 10 Mbps HDX. Assign to the IP address of the OP2. Maybe this would help. Don’t need a 10/100 switch if you can manage from your network.

 

[dth122]

Have you set the actual speed from your router to the lowest possible? Should do that from the UniFi console. Create a profile and set to 10 Mbps HDX. Assign to the IP address of the OP2. Maybe this would help. Don’t need a 10/100 switch if you can manage from your network.

That's a good idea, but I actually had an old 10/100 switch lying around already. I tried it, but it didn't help.

 

[sjht]

That's a good idea, but I actually had an old 10/100 switch lying around already. I tried it, but it didn't help.

Did you set it to 10? 100 is too fast I believe….

 

[dth122]

It doesn't have any settings, so I assume it would work however the connected devices auto-negotiate.

 

[sjht]

I’m just suggesting that you could force it to 10 via the UniFi console. Don’t need any switch

 

[pete_c]

I have been using my microrouter band aid fix for a few years now. I have no Ethernet issues with my OP2 panel.

The fix is documented here.

Microrouter DIY for use with the Omni Pro Panel Ethernet port

 

[dwalt]

Someone on another board reminded me about how some HAI ethernet port connectors have been physically damaged. It never hurts to check the solder connections on the connector. I have run across some other HAI boards with cracked solder joints on the resistors on the power supply section. Specifically, the two that have an air gap under them.

 

[vCocoon]

I have been using my microrouter band aid fix for a few years now. I have no Ethernet issues with my OP2 panel.

The fix is documented here.

Microrouter DIY for use with the Omni Pro Panel Ethernet port

I have been having ethernet connectivity and speed issues with my Omni2e for many months. I tried two different 10/100 hub/switches each of which worked for a few weeks. Most recently I separated the subnet with Omni from rest of the network by putting an old Linksys 10/100 router to bridge the two networks. It is similar to what your post says. It worked for a few weeks and slowly got slower and slower and now it doesn’t work at all.

The router physically stops the packets not targeted to the specific ip address of the Omni board. So, the board is not receiving any packets not addressed to it and hence is not overwhelmed by too many packets. Still the board doesn’t respond to pings. It used to respond with packet loss of 70 to 80% for some time. Now it doesn’t respond at all.

It is very strange the way the response deteriorates. If it is a hardware issue why would it work at first with three different setups and deteriorate. It is almost like some charge accumulation on the board or something similar that is building up over time.

Is there a solution that works for more than few weeks? If this requires a board disconnect and reset every few weeks, that is not very practical.

Thanks in advance.

 

[pete_c]

Never touch or reboot my microrouter.

 

[dwalt]

I have a client OmniPro II that is having the same issue of 90% packet loss on ethernet. It's been fine for 20 years.
I hope someone does figure out the cause. I suspect Pete's problem was more traffic on the subnet than the system could handle while the issue I see is probably a failing ethernet chip.

 

[vCocoon]

Never touch or reboot my microrouter.

Ok. I will give that a try if I can get it to work once again. Thanks.

 

[vCocoon]

I reset the RAM and powered the board down completely (disconnect both AC and the battery). It didn’t restore connectivity. Ping packets are 100% lost. Just as a sanity check, I connected another device to the same endpoint and IP address and it responds and is accessible over its interface. So, this is an Omni board problem and I am out of options other than replacing it.

If anyone has any other suggestions, please let me know.