New Router Cutting Out

[kevinx231]

We have the new OM5P-AN on our robot. We are able to connect to the router just fine and the controls work. However the router keeps cutting out when going over obstacles. Upon closer inspection we found that when touched, shook, or tapped the router immediately cuts out. Does anyone else have this problem? We're thinking about buying a new router right now. Is there any other solution or is buying a new one our only option?

[Mark McLeod]

Check to see if it is just the power connection into the radio.

Does it cut out, then immediately come back with no delay for rebooting or reconnecting?

[Alan Anderson]

If you determine that the power connection to the OM5P is flaky, you can use its 12-24V Power Over Ethernet feature to power it. To make a "passive POE injector", I have spliced into a short Ethernet port extender in order to connect a red wire to the blue and white-with-blue-stripe pair in the cable, and a black wire to the brown and white-with-brown-strip pair. Those red and black wires become the radio power input (from the VRM).

I didn't want to have 12v on the RoboRIO's ethernet, so the power only goes to the female jack on the port extender. The male plug goes to the RoboRIO, and a standard Ethernet patch cable connects from the extender to the OM5P.

[kevinx231]

We're pretty sure it's not the power. And when the router disconnects it's comes back immediately after we stop tapping it.

[MecaNaught]

Originally Posted by kevinx231

We're pretty sure it's not the power. And when the router disconnects it's comes back immediately after we stop tapping it.

You should be able to find a standard 12V 1A or 2A router power adapter. Linksys and Cisco routers generally use them and have the same barrel.

If the same problem persists, then its most likely a problem with the female barrel connector internally and you would have to get a new router.

If it fixes the problem, then it is your wiring. Make sure you don't have any copper showing out of the 12V 2A and that you're using the proper barrel connector size.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by kevinx231

We're pretty sure it's not the power. And when the router disconnects it's comes back immediately after we stop tapping it.

The "immediately" part is a strong confirmation that it isn't a power problem.

Can you see the lights on the router doing anything unusual while you're tapping on it? How about the "link" light on the RoboRIO's Ethernet connector? I'm thinking that you might have an intermittent network cable connection. Have you tried using the other Ethernet port on the OM5P router?