Hardware Watchdog?

[greg]

I'm in the market for a hardware watchdog for a solar powered warboard. I've got one that we've had to reboot twice in the last month. Can't access it via any of the three radios but it comes up fine after hard reboot. This site is very remote and not easy to access on warm sunny days. Something that works with a pager or maybe even just some sort of pinging ethernet hardware device that cuts power if it loses connection.

[Stratolinks]

I'm in the market for a hardware watchdog for a solar powered warboard. I've got one that we've had to reboot twice in the last month. Can't access it via any of the three radios but it comes up fine after hard reboot. This site is very remote and not easy to access on warm sunny days. Something that works with a pager or maybe even just some sort of pinging ethernet hardware device that cuts power if it loses connection.


But the WAR board do have a hardware watchdog on them, don't they? If the hardware watchdog is there and is not resetting the board (which means the software is still running), then set up a ping watchdog to monitor the opposite end of the link that stops responding. This should let the software reboot the board.

If that works then you still have to narrow down what is really happening and fix the problem because there is definitely something wrong.

[nickwhite]

http://www.digitalloggers.com/EPCR2.html

We have several of the first version. I think we got them in bulk (10 pack?) for about $200 each. The new version has some better features, plus free firmware upgrades.

-Nick

[soulmata]

While I can't vouch for those in particular, what you are looking for is a network-enabled PDU. I've been using the APC MasterSwitch series. They are pricey ($450+) but are extremely reliable and very functional. Any PDU with a ping watchdog feature (like the one nickwhite linked) will probably suffice for you.

[Stratolinks]

While I can't vouch for those in particular, what you are looking for is a network-enabled PDU. I've been using the APC MasterSwitch series. They are pricey ($450+) but are extremely reliable and very functional. Any PDU with a ping watchdog feature (like the one nickwhite linked) will probably suffice for you.

I have used the dataloggers device myself, but I wouldn't put it a solar site. The relays which switch the outputs on consume power all the time they are on. The device itself requires 12V and 5V power to operate (get the industrial unit and you can mount it inside a case yourself) The controller board has a vacant spot for a standard 7805 5V regulator so you could power it with just 12V. The included AC power supply provides both 12V and 5V.

[greg]

I found a couple of interesting ones but they run ~$400. One has a temp sensor and tells you the voltage too. I got to go visit it my favorite tower yesterday. It is actually quite pretty with a hell of a 360 degree view. 20 minute snowmobile ride with fun hill climb. Good thing about cold weather, no rattlers! Just lots of jackrabbits and deer. Like always, just power cycle it and it comes right back up. No snow/ice on the antennas or solar panel. Techs assure me it's grounded great and I'm not inclined to climb this tower We have lots of the same config humming along without issue. Seems to fail during snow storms or in sympathy when some other radio on the system croaks. I upgraded to the latest release and hope that has a positive impact.

I attended the Electrocomm show last week in Denver. There was a company there with a climate controlled sealed box for radio units. The big one that can handle several batteries was around 600. We discussed the temp/voltage wishlist and he said he'd look into it.

https://shop.invictusnetworks.com/detail.php?id=16030