Troubleshooting Unstable ABMS-WiFi Connectivity on Boat


  • Hello,

    For context, I am installing an ABMS-PreCharge-WiFi with LFP 3P4S EVE314 cells on a boat.

    The WiFi functioned correctly during bench testing in the shop. However, once installed on the boat at the marina, the connection became unstable, frequently disconnecting and reconnecting. The disconnection frequency varied throughout the day; sometimes it occurred every few minutes, while at other times it dropped multiple times within a single minute. The problem seemed less severe at night. Most of the time, the connection was re-established within a few seconds. Overall, despite this nuisance, I was still able to test the setup and averything else seemed to work fine.

    I am attaching 3 screenshots showing the disconnected status, the connected status, and the WiFi Scanner screen.

    I am also showing the WiFi scan at the marina. It shows several known networks including: Nina Wi-Fi, the boat's main WiFi (which supports Victron equipment, VRM, etc.), RE_BMS_AP (the REC BMS Access Point), the REC WiFi, and Beacon Harborage (the marina's network), and many unknow networks of various nature (moslty other boats). I note that the boat network Nina WiFi, based on a NRadio C2000 4G LTE router, in the exact same location, does not suffer from the same issues.

    I haven't ruled out any potential causes, including hardware issues or connections that may have become loose during transit.

    I would appreciate any suggestions on how to troubleshoot this issue.

    Thank you,

    Stefano

     

     

    Disconnected message

     

     

     

    Normal operation

    WiFi Scanner screen shot



  • Which firmware is installed in the WiFi unit?


  • Hi Ben,

    Thank you for looking into this.

    It is the latest, the REC-WiFi-module-firmware-update-1.6.3-March-28-2024 firmware, which I installed on first connection along with all available firmware updates available around the end of march this year.

    Thanks again,

    Stefano

     


  • @Stefano I have many wifi's running on 1.6.2,  very stable.

    1.6.2 was an improvement compare to older versions 

    I didn't have tried the 1.6.3 version.

    Maybe try 1.6.2 or that works better.

    Ask your dealer or he can supply you from this version.

    Another test could be to connect to another WiFi access point. As example create an excess point on your phone and test or this works better.


  • @Ben de Groot thank you. I have brifly tried to have the REC Wifi module to join the boat AP, but unsucessfully. I admit, that have not tried hard enough.

    But I will get the 1.6.2 from OGM and see how that goes next time I am at the boat in a couple of weeks. 

    I will post back then.

    Stefano


  • @Stefano 

    Email with 1.6.2 F/W sent.  Also check for any nearby AC power lines.  Induced AC noise can be a contributing factor

    1. Is your wifi module in a natural faraday cage?
    2. Does it work better closer?
    And here is a quick video on how to add your wifi to your boat local network.  It can be a bit finickity
     

  • Update. I still experience randon disconnections. I have tried different firmware configurations and gotten the latest from Tine. Currently as running as follows:

    The signal is otherwise strong. The unit is the basement I can connect (with drops) from the second floor.

    Now it is as follows:

    BMS

    SW 2.96

    HW 2.1

    Wifi

    HW2.0

    SW 1.6.8

    Also  all baud rates are now 115200 as per Tine recommendation.  The unit is AP mode. No specific situation that i can think of to trigger the drop. I have two devices connected at the WiFi at most. PC and iPhone, and it happens with only one as well. It happens at irregular intervals. It goes down and it comes back up after a few seconds. I am at home and unlike at the marina there is only my home WiFi - I ruled out wifi interference.

    In addition, I tuned the BMS off to try and isolate the issue. Wifi is powered on  - direct power from battery. I set REC_BMS_AP  wifi connection to do not connect automatically on the devices. The WiFi unit stays connected for a while but it disconnects after a few mintes. I tested twice and confirmed behavior. Upon this type of unexpected disconnection, the LED on the REC WiFi turned red first and then off.

    A power off and on restores the communication and I can access the Firmware tab again.

    How to further troubleshoot?

    Thanks


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