Help new system blue

[allsorts]

This day and age ethernet crossover cables aren't required. The ports work out between themselves which is to talk down which pair. Even the lowly ENC28J60 chip used for the ethernet port on the controller can do this, just tested that...

Assuming that anything plugged into the "switch" can access the internet via the "router", plug the controller into the switch. Then look in the routers DHCP table for the IP address it has given to the MAC address of your controller. Enter that IP address into a browser and you should get the controllers home page returned. Bit of a Catch 22 is that there is no easy way to know the controllers MAC address without using the web interface. So just look for recently issued leases, or just try each IP address untill you get the controller.

[mikey141]

I took this as using a crossover cable. I take it the system is damaged now and wasted a lot of money:-(

[mikey141]

Dave thanks for the advice and will have a go tomorrow as none of the LEDs are not lighting up instead of power one. It was the same when I switched the system on first thing with nothing else connected to it.

One good thing is that it will allow me to update the firmware using the USB on my computer

[mwaters]

Which instruction? Have I missed something? Crossover cables are for connecting computer to computer directly, not computer to router. I immediately used a normal ethernet cat5 cable and it worked.
The system blue assembly instructions say:
"The router is connected at the RJ45 network port with a shielded twisted pair network cable (FTP,STP, S/STP, or S/FTP)."

I fully agree. The instructions I read said to not use a crossover cable.

And although I now use a shielded cable, it worked perfect without either cable being shielded.

[mwaters]

I took this as using a crossover cable. I take it the system is damaged now and wasted a lot of money:-(

I don't think using a crossover cable will damage it.

[readbueno]

Patience! Don't throw it through the window. It will work it just may take a little more time. The first thing is to get it to light up.
The USB connector on the board is a USB mini-B, most phones do not use this. So yes you will need the proper connector or an adaptor cable.
After you have got past that stage you can then use your computer to get access to the controller via your router.
At First switch on I could not find the ip address that the router had assigned either. I used "Angry IP scanner" and that found it. There are other programs that will work for this as well.
I was then able to access the controller.
The only dumb questions are the ones that you did not ask until it was too late. If you have a problem ask in the forum.
Good Luck!

Brian.

[mwaters]

Well said, Brian! :-)

[kevinmcc]

No need for crossover nor rollover cables. All Ethernet cables should be regular straight through cables.

Now using a crossover on the network jack should not break anything.

Connecting a crossover or rollover cable to the H-Field connection you may cause damage as you are connecting some powered signal lines to ground.

[cutty]

It's good comments!  Correct,..

I made a real dumb error once, while working on my BLUE... I inadvertently reversed  the Blue H amp and IP cables... had
some very strange issues... thought I'd blown my amp, controller and router...  whew.

First, Give this system time to stabilize!  It may take several minutes... I don't know why, but it does... even after stabilization it will NOT work properly until it receives and stabilizes GPS, and communicates with the server. You might have to do a 'factory reset', remove all power, wait several minutes, then do a completely cold startup with everything connected properly, and give it time to stabilize before doing anything.

Also, I note at least two colored LEDs on your build picture are reversed... no big deal, but I might review all my 'build' steps ...I generally will have another 'error' if I've found one... but I'm old, can't see, etc...

Cheers!
Mike

[mikey141]

thank you to everyone and will give it another go this week and let you know the outcome. Sorry for all the questions and I'm new at this but everyone's advice will help me...