question

ant avatar image
ant asked

Wifi adapter "disappeared" from Venus?

For a year, my Venus worked fine through a wifi connection to my network. Sometime while upgrading a few other devices, the wifi connections in the Venus have disappeared. The configuration (Settings/Wi-Fi/Wifi networks) shows "No Wifi adapter connected". I have upgraded the firmware to the latest version.

Note that when it first "disappeared" I was trying various reboots and power offs, and I managed to get the settings to appear briefly, and then they disappeared again. I have not again been successful at getting them back every again

The device is about 2m away, with clear line of sight to the router hotspot.

Any ideas how I should go about fixing this. I use an Ethernet cable, but I do want Wifi to work as I need to move the equipment


Thanks


Venus GX - VGX
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8 Answers
ant avatar image
ant answered ·

For the record, my "missing" in-built wifi adapter on the Venus has now reappeared 18 months later, together with the settings. It is not related to any firmware update, or hard/soft resets that I am aware of. But it is now back.

I had given up trying to get a fix for the problem and ran a network cable to the router instead. Then last week a mysterious new IP appeared on my network. It was the Venus connecting via the wifi adapter. Go figure.....

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christian-loft avatar image
christian-loft answered ·

Me too it disappeared suddenly?!


I was trying to find a way to re-establish data transmission to Victron
from my Venus (which is inoperative since I changed my wireless
Router/WiFi device & Internet provider on last November 19), and
suddenly I lost any LAN access (I used to have despite this change) to
the Venus from my Windows7 LapTop, my iPad & my iPods.


I did refer to suggested "Troubleshooting CCGX to VRM connectivity
Guide", I tried to power off/on the Venus several times, removed/reinserted
the WiFi Dongle on the Venus, nothing worked.


Please, how to re-establish LAN & Remote access?

1 comment
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John Rushworth avatar image John Rushworth ♦♦ commented ·

If you lost LAN access, maybe the local IP in the 192 range change. In most routers you can set the CCGX to have the same IP assigned every time.

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rbritton avatar image
rbritton answered ·

I have experienced this multiple times as well, always it seems when there's frequent network throughput (e.g., when connected and listening to the MQTT feed). There has been no fix aside from restarting the CCGX.

Things I have tried:

  • Installing a stronger, directional access point.
  • Two different WiFi adapters.
  • Running the WiFi adapter through a powered 12V hub.

My next step is to start looking for some kind of hint in the system logs that may help.

3 comments
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John Rushworth avatar image John Rushworth ♦♦ commented ·

Over the years I have had a USB WiFi, tested with CCGX and USB GPS, and both dongles have a habit of dropping out on my CCGX. I too fitted ferrite beads but to no avail. Also tried a powered USB hub but still had issues. I understand it is a software thing and it’s to do with how ports are assigned. As the manual says and whilst this might not seem helpful - a wired ethernet solution is the key to reliability. For some years I have been using this 4G router with direct SIM card insertion and it works flawlessly:

https://eu.dlink.com/uk/en/products/dwr-921-4g-lte-router

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rbritton avatar image rbritton John Rushworth ♦♦ commented ·

Thanks. As soon as winter backs off a bit, I'm going to try the ethernet route. I can't get it into the main switch easily, but I have a standalone bridge I can try.

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John Rushworth avatar image John Rushworth ♦♦ rbritton commented ·

Ethernet and fixed broadband or mobile broadband is the most reliable solution. If reception is not great then a router like mine above with external higher gain MIMO aerials is the key. However if you don’t need a router then do consider this:

https://www.victronenergy.com/accessories/gx-gsm

Do read the manual linked in that page to recognise when a router may be preferable.

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rbritton avatar image
rbritton answered ·

I've managed to get a relevant snippet from the log:

Jan 12 15:09:58 ccgx user.err kernel: [316359.265777] hub 1-0:1.0: port 1 disabled by hub (EMI?), re-enabling...
Jan 12 15:09:59 ccgx user.info kernel: [316359.265899] usb 1-1: USB disconnect, device number 62
Jan 12 15:09:59 ccgx user.info kernel: [316359.265930] usb 1-1.1: USB disconnect, device number 63
Jan 12 15:09:59 ccgx user.info kernel: [316359.265960] usb 1-1.1.2: USB disconnect, device number 64

In this context, I'm guessing "EMI" is electromagnetic interference? The WiFi adapter typically does not recover after being disconnected like this and reconnected, requiring manual intervention to be used again.


The CCGX documentation shows two different arrangements for ferrite beads based on the serial number, and I've done the single bead on the power as shown here: https://www.victronenergy.com/live/ccgx:start#snap-on_ferrite_beads_for_class_b_emi_compliance

I've ordered some more beads to try on the main USB cabling to see if that helps at all.

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ant avatar image ant commented ·

Please direct me to a resource that explains how to access the system logs on the Venus. This will help me troubleshoot my issue, which is different from yours. Thanks

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rbritton avatar image rbritton ant commented ·

This will tell you how: Venus OS root access

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christian-loft avatar image
christian-loft answered ·

It would be appreciated if someone from Victron Support Team step in to answer this. Thank you!

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Paul B avatar image Paul B commented ·

Hi Christian, this is not a victron support staff service, Its based on a victron community helping others, sometimes Victron staff will chime in if they have time and will help. Please read the communities terms and conditions

If you want direct victron help then please use the correct direct support channels

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christian-loft avatar image christian-loft Paul B commented ·

Hi Paul. I understood this community is not part of any support being offered by Victron. Thanks! I miss the Disqus platform where Victron was more supportive compare to now. Unfortunately, Victron is referring to your installer when something is not working as it is supposed to according to their docs; which installer is charging 90$/quarter of an hour to look after your issues. If you were not happy with your installer, you have to find another one willing to work on an installation not performed by him. The only other one is 400 km away in my Country (Canada).

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Paul B avatar image
Paul B answered ·

Two things and just a idea

1. Is this a Venus GX or a CCGX (as far as I know the Venus GX unit has inbuilt wifi so you dont need a dongle) having one inserted may cause conflict)

2. has the router been set to 5 Ghz only by chance (change to 2.4 and 5Ghz or try turning 5 Ghz off

3. Is the dongle a unit supplied from victron. if not then its not there issue, please get a supported unit.

another way to overcome the issue is to buy a small wifi extender unit. connect it to your router and then hard wire the venus unit to the extender via the RJ45 port on both units.


Another thing to consider is that Victron ONLY support there own Wifi Dongle, if you are using a different unit then it may not be compatible.


I have just installed a Venus GX unit (now on the latest firmware), and I have found these issues. (I dont think Venus issues but issues never the less)

1. the internal wifi connection through one floor of concrete to the Router is not very stable.

2. the wifi connection to a wifi extender unit 1 mtr away is UNSTABLE as well (I suspect it does not like the double relay of something as I have had other devices doing the same issue Ie Samsung Air con will not connect through a range extender)

3. a direct cable lan connection from the wifi extender to the Venus GX unit works fine.




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christian-loft avatar image
christian-loft answered ·

Sorry to follow-up that late Paul. I was not available to look after this issue before today.

For few weeks after installation, there was no problem to get access to the Data of the System through the Venus GX (not a CCGX) with an iPod, an iPad and my LapTop. There was no problem neither to transmit data to VRM automatically through internet, even after I changed my Hotspot (Wireless Router/LAN Wifi device_from a Netgear AirCard 763S in Canada to a Netgear AirCard 797S in USA) while traveling down south in United States. I am still in US for few weeks. The Firmware of the Venus GX I am using is v2.16.

I don't know if the USB-WiFi dongle that has been installed on the Venus may have cause any conflict, but the installer told me it was a REQUIREMENT to connect it to the internet, as indicated in the Venus GX manual (item 1., note 3.), and of course has been provided by Victron in this 15K$ installation.

The WiFi channel for my Hotspot in USA is setup at 2.4GHz only, at a bandwidth of 20MHz.

When I've tried several times to re-establish contact with my Venus, I was less than a meter from it. I do not have a wired Router on hand (just the wireless indicated above), and I am not sure to want one just to go around a Victron's problem with their equipment.

I am not a 'Techy' person, more a 'super user' that is not afraid of techy stuff.

May I use my LapTop as LAN Network to connect to the Venus in an attempt to re-establish connection? I have a RJ-45 port on it, and a RJ-45 cable with me.


Thanks & Regards

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christian-loft avatar image christian-loft commented ·

While revising my late comment, just realized that I was wrongly mentioned that I still had connection between the VENUS and Internet when I changed the wireless Router/WiFi Hotspot. I was never able to transmit any data to VRM since then.

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rbritton avatar image
rbritton answered ·

I believe I have resolved this satisfactorily on my end; however, I am unable to use a USB WiFi dongle. The CCGX will not keep it consistently connected due the underlying Linux kernel forcefully disconnecting the internal USB hub:

Feb 27 05:16:16 ccgx user.err kernel: [181186.498748] hub 1-0:1.0: port 1 disabled by hub (EMI?), re-enabling...

The Nano USB dongle is able to come back up and eventually re-establish a connection in most cases, but I can't use it due to its weak antenna. I also have the listed Startech USB300WN2X2D dongle, and that one is very random on whether or not it will come back up correctly. More often than not, it requires physically unplugging it and plugging it back in.

Instead, what I've done is install a Ubiquiti NanoStation loco M2 to act as a bridge a few feet away, connecting it to the CCGX by a length of Cat5e. It is powered with a DC PoE injector, and so far, I haven't had one drop using this method.

Other Notes:

  • The WiFi dongle issues seem to be exacerbated by frequent network access (e.g., polling the ModbusTCP or MQTT services).
  • The WiFi dongles behaved identically whether connected directly to the CCGX's USB ports or an external, self-powered hub.
  • The USB GPS dongle does not have any issues.
  • I've heard from another with a similar setup that an ethernet-based connection like this can have issues if the polling frequency is high enough, but I haven't noticed it at a 5s interval.

This is the full relevant log snippet:

Feb 27 05:16:16 ccgx user.err kernel: [181186.350860] usb 1-1.2.2: device descriptor read/8, error -71
Feb 27 05:16:16 ccgx user.err kernel: [181186.461364] hub 1-1.2:1.0: cannot disable port 2 (err = -71)
Feb 27 05:16:16 ccgx user.err kernel: [181186.465820] hub 1-1.2:1.0: cannot reset port 2 (err = -71)
Feb 27 05:16:16 ccgx user.err kernel: [181186.470092] hub 1-1.2:1.0: cannot reset port 2 (err = -71)
Feb 27 05:16:16 ccgx user.err kernel: [181186.474334] hub 1-1.2:1.0: cannot reset port 2 (err = -71)
Feb 27 05:16:16 ccgx user.err kernel: [181186.478637] hub 1-1.2:1.0: cannot reset port 2 (err = -71)
Feb 27 05:16:16 ccgx user.err kernel: [181186.482849] hub 1-1.2:1.0: cannot reset port 2 (err = -71)
Feb 27 05:16:16 ccgx user.err kernel: [181186.482879] hub 1-1.2:1.0: Cannot enable port 2. Maybe the USB cable is bad?
Feb 27 05:16:16 ccgx user.err kernel: [181186.490081] hub 1-1.2:1.0: cannot disable port 2 (err = -71)
Feb 27 05:16:16 ccgx user.err kernel: [181186.490173] hub 1-1.2:1.0: unable to enumerate USB device on port 2
Feb 27 05:16:16 ccgx user.err kernel: [181186.494354] hub 1-1.2:1.0: cannot disable port 2 (err = -71)
Feb 27 05:16:16 ccgx user.err kernel: [181186.498596] hub 1-1.2:1.0: hub_port_status failed (err = -71)
Feb 27 05:16:16 ccgx user.err kernel: [181186.498748] hub 1-0:1.0: port 1 disabled by hub (EMI?), re-enabling...
Feb 27 05:16:16 ccgx user.info kernel: [181186.498779] usb 1-1: USB disconnect, device number 123
Feb 27 05:16:16 ccgx user.info kernel: [181186.498809] usb 1-1.2: USB disconnect, device number 124
Feb 27 05:16:16 ccgx user.info kernel: [181186.800964] usb 1-1: new high-speed USB device number 3 using ehci-omap
Feb 27 05:16:16 ccgx user.info kernel: [181186.957794] usb 1-1: New USB device found, idVendor=0424, idProduct=2412
Feb 27 05:16:16 ccgx user.info kernel: [181186.957855] usb 1-1: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=0, SerialNumber=0
Feb 27 05:16:16 ccgx user.info kernel: [181186.966705] hub 1-1:1.0: USB hub found
Feb 27 05:16:16 ccgx user.info kernel: [181186.967773] hub 1-1:1.0: 2 ports detected
Feb 27 05:16:16 ccgx user.info kernel: [181187.254211] usb 1-1.2: new high-speed USB device number 4 using ehci-omap
Feb 27 05:16:17 ccgx user.info kernel: [181187.371673] usb 1-1.2: New USB device found, idVendor=0409, idProduct=005a
Feb 27 05:16:17 ccgx user.info kernel: [181187.371734] usb 1-1.2: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=0, SerialNumber=0
Feb 27 05:16:17 ccgx user.info kernel: [181187.380432] hub 1-1.2:1.0: USB hub found
Feb 27 05:16:17 ccgx user.info kernel: [181187.381317] hub 1-1.2:1.0: 4 ports detected
Feb 27 05:16:17 ccgx user.info kernel: [181187.668334] usb 1-1.2.2: new high-speed USB device number 5 using ehci-omap
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