Troubleshooting

By regularly reviewing collected data, you can identify problems with the system. Troubleshoot problems as soon as possible after they arise. Some clues relating to the source of the problem can change, even becoming more obscure, over time. Small problems can often escalate into larger ones due to cascading consequences.

Status Monitor is a key tool for identifying a problem in the system exists (see Status monitor for guidance about using Status Monitor). Some common indicators that something is wrong with a station are:

• Scheduled (automatic) collection is not working, as shown by the Status Monitor or Table Monitor

• Connection to the station does not work in the LoggerNet Connect Screen

• Clock checks (Setup Screen) are not working

• Manual collection via Collect Now or Custom Collect does not work

• Station Status (such as Summary and Status tables) are unviewable

• Station can communicate but collected data from that station has problems

Troubleshooting a part of the system that has never worked as desired is typically related to the installation process.

When a problem arises in a system area that used to work but has recently stopped working, the main question to ask is, “What changed?” What changed in the system to cause the station to stop operating? When did the failure begin? Examine key aspects of the system and its recent maintenance history to obtain clues about changes to the system. Sometimes a change to the system that seems harmless or unrelated turns out to be the cause of the trouble.

Problems may be caused by acts of nature, such as lightning strikes, storms, animal intrusion, or by operational features of the station that worsened gradually and remained undetected until they finally ceased to function, such as a bad battery. An on-site camera can be helpful if physical problems occur with on-site equipment on a regular basis.