Unstable Blue boat connection

Blue Robotics Vehicles BlueBoat
1

Heyoo!

We’ve been having issues with our blue boat and cerulean sonar. The connection seems unreliable, dropping frequently. It reconnects almost straightaway but this crashes sonarview.

In BlueOS I get the error messages:

“ETHERNET_AVAILABLE_FETCH_FAIL”

And

“SERVICE SCAN FAIL”

Can anyone suggest what a fix may be? We’re currently unable to reliably use the boat. We have used the boat successfully before, but now have this unstable connection.

Thanks in advance!

2

Hi @TobyT,

Sorry to hear about the issues you’re having with your BlueBoat.

Could you share some more information about how you’re connecting to the boat (e.g. which antenna, with/without a mast, clear line of sight, etc), and which BlueOS version you’re using?

It could also be helpful to know if BlueOS is displaying any warnings about overheating or CPU throttling, and whether it’s using much CPU. If possible please provide some system logs (from the cog at the bottom of the sidebar).

3

Hi Eliot,

Thanks for getting back to me.

We are using the stock antenna that came with the BlueBoat, without a mast. We have a clear line of sight, it’s dropping out while located right next to the boat.

I haven’t seen any warnings about overheating or CPU throttling.

I’ve uploaded the logs (I hope they’re the right ones, it did show an error just before downloading them).

If you need anymore info just let me know!

system_logs (2).zip (18.5 MB)

4

Hi @TobyT -

Has either the BaseStation or BlueBoat been powered up without an antenna connected? This can damage the radio leading to behavior like you’re describing…

5

Hi Tony,

As far as I’m aware, the antenna has always been plugged in before being turned on.

6

Hi Eliot,

Did you get a chance to look at the logs?

Any help or indication on what’s going on would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers!

7

Hi Tony,

I am also experiencing unstable connection with my blueboat from time to time, what would be the solution if the radio would be damaged due to the powering without antenna? Is there a way to check if this is the case?

Thankyou in advance!

8

Hi @Blueboat23
Welcome to the forums!
With the antenna connected and linked to the base station, check the signal strength on the interface at 192.168.2.4. if you’re at very close range, it should be better (lower number) than 60-70db. If it isn’t, the radio may have been permanently damaged and require replacement…

9

Hi Tony,

Thankyou for your response. I have an idditional question since our usb-c cable seems to be broken, do you possibly have a link for a waterproof threaded male (i think m24?) usbc-usbc cable for the base station? Otherwise we keep on replacing an usbc cable every few weeks. I have searched the web for a long time now but can’t seem to find it..

10

Hi @Blueboat23 -
It sounds like you’re using an older BaseStation - newer units don’t actually use a USB-C cable internally I think? In any case, reaching out to support via the Help Center, including your order number to report a problem with a product, should give you an option for replacement.