Specifications
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Appendix F—Troubleshooting
TROUBLESHOOTING COMMUNICATION ISSUES
When the baud rate on the HeadStart Communications screen and the Power Patrol do not match,
communication fails, the Status box displays the following message: “Unable to establish connection
with meter, please check settings and try again”
The following headings provide possible solutions for communication errors.
Baud Rate Communications Error
(RS-485 Serial Communication)
To correct a baud rate communications error, use the following steps:
1) In HeadStart, set the Modbus Base Address Switches field to 00.
2) Set the address switches to 00,
3) Power up the meter. With both settings at 00, HeadStart and the Power Patrol will communicate at
a 9600 baud rate regardless of a baud rate mismatch. Communications is established.
4) Next, select the desired baud rate in HeadStart from the Baud Rate drop-down list. This
synchronizes the baud rates between HeadStart and the Power Patrol.
5) Click Connect in HeadStart to reconfirm communications.
Port Error
If the PC COM Port drop-down list does not contain a RS-485 COM port, the RS-485 adapter driver is not
installed or the device is not connected to the computer’s USB port. Check that the adapter is connected
to a live USB port or move the USB cable to another USB port.
Other Communication Failures
The following items can also cause a communication failure.
Check for wiring and cabling issues with the RS-485 adapter. Check for polarity, frayed wires,
and/or pinched insulation.
Verify that the dip switches on the back of the USB to RS-485 adapter are set to the following:
Reboot the computer. Click Connect on the Communications tab to reestablish communications.