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Cyclapse Classic

Troubleshooting Guide

Debug Flow Chart:    DigiSnap 2700 – Terminal

http://www.harbortronics.com/

10 Of 12

2/11/2016

Install the driver for the USB/Serial cable (black color cable provided with each Cyclapse Classic), from the included 

Harbortronics CD-Rom, or from 

http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm

. Connect the USB/Serial cable to the 9 pin connector on 

the DigiSnap. Connect the other end to the USB port of a computer (Mac, PC, Linux, Android). Run the supplied terminal 

program (Mac or PC) available on the CD-Rom, or from http://www.harbortronics.com/Support/DigisnapProgramming. 

Once the terminal is open, you can power up the DigiSnap.On the Turn off the switch on the Cyclapse Power Module for several 

seconds, then back on again. While turning it on, watch the DigiSnap.

Yes

No

Amber blink first?

Yes

No

The internal Real-Time Clock 

has been cleared. You will 

need to re-set the clock when 

connected to the terminal. If 

the Red blink persists, the 

DigiSnap may require service.

Followed by

4 quick green

flashes?

Menu show

 up on screen?

Weird.... If this 

persists, call 

Harbortronics.

Refer to the 

Power 

section.

Congratulations, connecting the DigiSnap to a 
terminal is by far the most common difficulty 
experienced by our customers. You many now 
set the clock, and program the Time-Lapse 
sequences. Make sure to Quit at the main 
menu to save the changes. Disconnect the 
serial cable from the DigiSnap, and cycle the 
power to re-start the DigiSnap.

We have had problems with many DigiSnap 
2700 controllers when running firmware earlier 
than 4.30. At the top of the menu, the DigiSnap 
will report the firmware version. If your 
controller isn't running version 4.50 or later, 
please contact Harbortronics, to upgrade your 
firmware.

The DigiSnap has not detected a terminal 
connection, and thinks it's attached to a 
camera.
1) Cable
There are a variety of USB/Serial converter 
cables on the market, and each may need a 
driver installed before use. If you use a 
standard USB/Serial converter or are 
connecting directly to a computer serial port, 
you will need a Null Modem cable or adapter. 
The black USB Serial cable from 
Harbortronics include the Null Modem 
adapter.
2) Terminal Program
We offer a Mac application, as well as a PC 
program. You can also use any generic 
'Terminal Emulator' program (Mac, PC, Linux, 
Android), but you would need to configure it 
properly. The DigiSnap 2700 user guide can 
help with this.

Yes

Yes

No

No

Followed by

Long Red Blink

Summary of Contents for Cyclapse Classic

Page 1: ...bout 4500 of our systems in use all over the planet as of early 2016 While the Cyclapse Classic system design was introduced in 2015 the fundamentals of long term digital time lapse have not changed significantly over time The Classic refers to the use of the DigiSnap 2700 controller the DigiSnap 2000 series has been in production since 2000 While our systems are quite reliable there have been eno...

Page 2: ...the camera Most of them are already set properly but in case you aren t familiar with SLR cameras this discussion may help There are three basic goals to setting up the camera for a long term time lapse project Minimize the power drawn power off stabilizer image review distortion Maximize consistency to the image manual focus lighting optimizer Maximize exposure adaptability program mode auto whit...

Page 3: ...The short power connection cable would occasionally fail but other than this mechanical issue they were great In 2011 we developed the DigiSnap 2700 controller which added an internal Real Time clock simplifying programming Advanced Time Lapse sequences We also redesigned the interfaces to simplify connections to the camera and power Unfortunately we have experienced hardware problems at various t...

Page 4: ...er Details Everything in the Cyclapse is powered by one or two large Lithium Ion Polymer battery packs made specifically for Harbortronics They should last for a number of years before the capacity degrades significantly We hear from customers whose Time Lapse Package systems are still working after 5 6 years different battery pack but same chemistry The battery pack is large enough to power the s...

Page 5: ...here is a separate Product guide which has additional detail Battery Pack The red test point on the Cyclapse Power Module will indicate the voltage on the battery packs If two battery packs are connected the voltage will be of the higher charge pack Battery Pack Voltage Range 0 volts Very odd There is apparently no charging power i e from solar panel and the battery doesn t have any charge There s...

Page 6: ... camera As long as the battery pack has 10 volts or more the supply should be able to power a camera The yellow test point on the Cyclapse Power Module will indicate the output voltage of the camera power supply Camera Power Supply Voltage Range 0 volts There is no output from the camera power supply The DigiSnap 2700 has the ability to control this power supply output Try disconnecting the square...

Page 7: ...trols this 5V output turning it on off This 5V output power is available on the Mini USB cable coming from the bottom of the Cyclapse Power Module The blue test point on the Cyclapse Power Module will indicate the USB power output USB Power Voltage Range 0 volts There is no auxiliary output power The DigiSnap 2700 has the ability to control this output Try disconnecting the square 4 pin cable at t...

Page 8: ...pics etc You might check the voltage on the battery pack If it s low take it out of the housing and use the AC charger included with the system to charge it up It may take up to 9 hours for a fully drained battery pack Solar panels are sized to keep up with the power draw from the system not to charge the battery quickly The standard 10 watt solar panel is sufficient to keep the battery charged wh...

Page 9: ...again If this persists call Harbortronics DigiSnap cables and camera seem to be working properly Other issues may be due to configuration Followed by 4 quick green flashes DigiSnap is blinking periodically Every 4 12 seconds Weird If this persists call Harbortronics Camera takes pic DigiSnap has powered up correctly and presumes connected to a camera Connect Shutter release cable to camera turn ca...

Page 10: ...atulations connecting the DigiSnap to a terminal is by far the most common difficulty experienced by our customers You many now set the clock and program the Time Lapse sequences Make sure to Quit at the main menu to save the changes Disconnect the serial cable from the DigiSnap and cycle the power to re start the DigiSnap We have had problems with many DigiSnap 2700 controllers when running firmw...

Page 11: ...on LCD lights up Refer to the Power section Camera takes pic Press the Shutter Release button on the camera Are there any warning error messages blinking lights Memory card Installed Formatted Full If there is a shutter release cable plugged in disconnect it It s possible the cable is faulty or the DigiSnap is continuously activating the camera release While digital cameras are very reliable it s ...

Page 12: ...er Module failure replace The power seems OK You may want to check the battery charge but the power circuitry is OK and the power cables are OK 1 Make sure camera battery pack is charged 2 Replace the camera Disconnect the square 4 pin connector on the side of the DigiSnap yellow orange wires This will bypass the DigiSnap 2700 s control over the camera power There should be power applied to the ca...

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