2020/2/3 Power Issues

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Power Issues
The number one reason that Spiders are either not tracking, or tracking intermittently is that the power supply is not consistent. If you're using the
factory supplied cigar lighter plug, it may be that the aircraft is creating too much vibration, or that power is simply not getting to the Spider at all.

You can verify that the Spider has power by checking the LEDs on the unit. The LEDs are coloured as follows for the various states that the units
are in.

If the Spider is not getting reliable power:

It will not create tracks

It will create many short/one point tracks all at once (broken tracks)

Each time the Spider powers up it creates a new track ID which in turn creates a new track, this is usually caused by a power cycling problem.

Normally, there are a number of reasons this can happen. The internal power connection between the power lead and the board is faulty, the
connection between the power lead and the Spider is faulty or broken, or the power connection with the lead and the aircraft is not consistent.

In order to troubleshoot this, you will need to work out what is causing the Spider's power to be cut/unreliable, and correct this issue.

Steps to follow:

Please check that the power cable and connectors are secure at both ends and serviceable, if you are using the cigar plug please unscrew this
unit and check the internal fuse is intact and check the unit for corrosion.

We recommend hardwiring the Spider directly into the avionics bus, with fuse protection. You can nd the wiring diagram here.

Please make sure that the power supply speci cations for this Spider are as follow:

Input Voltage: 12-32VDC. Ensuring the power supply is capable of delivering at least 1A.
Spidertracks recommends to protect the device from damaging spikes by using an in-line fuse, we recommend a 3A rating, and if required 18 – 22
AWG wire can be used depending on length.

If you have any questions, please contact our Support Team and provide as much information as possible, you will be asked:

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2020/2/3 Power Issues

To supply the Spider serial number and aircraft it is assigned to

A photograph of the installation and position of the Spider relative to the rest of the cockpit

How is the Spider connected to the power supply, is it hardwired directly or are you using the cigar plug?

Are the connections between the aircraft and unit securely in?

Is there any damage to the back of the unit or around the power coupling?

Has the pilot noticed anything with the LEDs on the unit, are they lit all of the time? Are the LEDs going through the power up lighting
sequence mid ight?

During the ights could there/has there been anything placed on top of the Spider?

Please send all this information to support@spidertracks.com and we will be able to help you.

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