Our camera, which was previously working, has started to have an undependable network connection. Basically the camera is working and then the connection is lost. This occurs on several computers. If there is a network connection icon we will get a "network cable is unplugged" error statement. I have been unable to detirmine what is causing this. We tried replacing the network cables and this did not help. Any suggestions?
Power issues are the usual culprit. Make sure that the internal power supply of the camera is operating properly. Remove the end plates from the camera case. Disconnect the lense and sensor array with the ribbon cable. Slide the back panel out of the case. Lift and clean the 4 pin connector between the power supply and the main circuit board. These connections can slighly corrode during the off season. This can be causing the power drops that break the network connection.
Posts: 1170 | Location: Trexlertown, PA, USA | Registered: September 10, 2002
excellent suggestion from Fred. Let me also add: 1. bad power---use a UPS for camera, hub and computer (if internal battery is bad). 2. bad hub/switch 3. plastic table? builds up a lot of static electricity
Posts: 21 | Location: CA, USA | Registered: September 23, 2003
We have followed Fred's suggestion about the power supply cleaning both ends of the cable that connects the power supply to the circuit board. We have also gotten a UPS. These things have improved the network dropping problem but have not eliminated it. Any futher suggestions?
try using an older style (10mbs) hub (not a switch) --or at least isolate the computer and camera on the older hub. i am finding that with the newer, fancier, and smarter switches out on the market now FL sometimes has some problems with them. FL seems to like "dumber" older style hubs better. This has been confirmed with Lynx as well.
Posts: 21 | Location: CA, USA | Registered: September 23, 2003
The network adapter does not seem to be the problem. I am having the same problem with several different computers. It is also not firewalls or wrong IP address not only because I have no firewalls on and the IP address correctly but also because the connection does work and then gets dropped suddenly and stops working. If the IP address was wrong or the firewall on I would never be able to connect in the first place. Any more suggestions?
I have disassembled the Finishlynx yet again and disconnected and reconnected the wires from the power supply to the circuit board. This appears to fix the problem but when we have done this before it has not stayed fixed.
At some point then I would send the unit back to Lynx to have it evaluated. Perhaps there is an issue with the power supply itself. They are quite quick about turnaround.
Posts: 1170 | Location: Trexlertown, PA, USA | Registered: September 10, 2002
you might want to clean the connectors that the cable connects with. Maybe even replace that cable. the fact you're getting a network connection and the camera boots is a good sign. the problem is that it's not staying connected. Sounds like a faulty camera internal wire or camera nic card.
You might want to try using a BNC connector (the COAX connector) instead of the RJ45 connector. We have not had this problem (yet?) but the BNC is much more secure than the RJ45.
If you are using a HUB it will probably have a BNC connector and if you are using a desktop computer the older NIC's from 3com (etc) also have the BNC connector.
Finishlynx fixed my problem for me. They sent me a new cable that connects the 2 circuit boards. That has fixed the problem. That cable brushes against the side of the housing when the camera is disassembled so when I was addressing the power supply cable I was also wiggling the other cable so it appears that there was never a problem with the power supply. Kevin Holden and Rich MacMullin were very helpful, figuring out the problem remotely from e-mails, sending me the correct cable at no charge and even offering a loaner camera if needed. This was better customer service then I have ever experienced.
