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DataHub GPS tracking not working
DataHub GPS tracking not working

Troubleshooting DataHub GPS tracking when it is not working or has stopped

Jon Bilger avatar
Written by Jon Bilger
Updated over a week ago

If your DataHub Tracking has worked previously but is not working now, there could be several reasons why, including:

  1. The DataHub has no Internet connection.

  2. The DataHub is not receiving a GPS Signal.

  3. Enable Tracking is not checked (selected).

  4. Spool count greater than zero.

  5. Incorrect DataHub serial number.

1. DataHub has no Internet connection

The DataHub requires an internet connection to send the position report, so cellular, Iridium GO!, GO exec or Starlink.

To check your DataHub has an Internet connection:

  • Log in to the DataHub portal 10.10.10.1

  • Click on the Services > Settings menu > Internet Status

  • Check the WAN Interfaces; at least one box must be green with Status: Online. If you are connected with high speed internet.

  • If you are using the Iridium GO! or GO exec, then the box being red is expected; (You will not see a GREEN Box since it is on an always online connection). This is normal.

    2. Check that the DataHub is receiving a GPS position

  • Click the NMEA menu then select the GPS tab

  • Status should be ACTIVE. If it is VOID we are not receiving a position, please check your instruments are turned on.

IF YOU ARE USING NMEA2000 (N2K) GPS FEED.

  • If you have connected your NMEA2000 network to the DataHub N2K port and turned your instruments on and still have VOID status,

  • Click the NMEA menu. >Settings.

  • Select Source NMEA2000 on CANO.

  • Click SAVE & APPLY.

  • Please check that the GPS Status is Active and that a full reading of GPS data is being received. The status may update in up to 30 seconds.

  • Then click Advanced, then tick Internal GPS

  • Click select Save & Apply.

  • This will enable the built in GPS to be used as a backup if you turn your instruments off

  • Now click on the top menu GPS.

Please check that the GPS Status is Active and that a full reading of GPS data is being received. It may take 30 seconds to update the status.

IF YOU ARE USING BUILT IN/PATCH ANTENNA

  • Check connection of the GPS Antenna on the back of the DataHub

  • Click NMEA

  • Next to Source, check that the Built-in GPS is already selected.

  • If it is not, click the drop-down box next to Source, select Built-in GPS, and then click Save & Apply.

  • Click the GPS menu from the top menu to see if you have GPS data available.

  • If you cannot achieve a GPS Status Active with either the patch antenna, or the black stubby antenna, as below, and you're sure the DataHub and antenna are well positioned, please contact us for support.

3. Enable Tracking

Please enable tracking in the DataHub.

A common mistake is to have 'Enable tracking' turned off.

  • Click on the Services > Tracking > Settings.

  • Ensure 'Enable Tracking' is checked, if not select it > then save and apply.

4. Network Spool count greater than zero

If the network spool count is greater than zero, it means position reports are waiting to be sent.

  • Log in to the DataHub portal 10.10.10.1

  • Click on the Services > Tracking > Settings.

  • Check if your Network Spool is at 0. If the Network Spool count is greater than 0, there are pending positions to be sent, and they are being stored on the DataHub until the Hub has an internet connection.

  • If you have a high spool count, as soon as an internet connection is detected, the HUB will send 25 position reports and then sleep for 60 seconds. So, every 60 seconds, 25 position reports are sent. If you have 2000 position reports, this can take 80 minutes.​

  • TO SEND A MANUAL POSITION

    • Click Tracking

    • click the Tools menu.

    • Click POSITION to send your position immediately.

    • Check your tracking page after 1-2 minutes to see if it has updated, and check that the spool count is now 0.

    • If the spool count is still increasing, return to the Tools menu, click RESTART, wait one minute, then click POSITION, and recheck it.

    • If required, please press PURGE to delete pending reports and start again.

5. Correct DataHub serial number

If position reports are being sent from your DataHub successfully, and you are not seeing these reflected in the tracking page for your boat within a few minutes, please copy and paste the DataHub serial number and send it to us so we can check the set-up in your account. Please click here to contact Support.

6. Other

Enable Remote Access so the PredictWind Support Staff can assist you to troubleshoot.

If you have a cellular or Wi-Fi/Starlink Internet connection, enable remote support with Startup on Boot and Persistent Connection so we can log in remotely and review your DataHub settings.

Update DataHub Firmware

We continuously update the DataHub Firmware to add new features and fixes. Please update the DataHub Firmware and try again.

Check the Tracking SysLog

Once you have sent a position report manually, after 1-2 minutes, please check the end of the Tracking > Sys Log for new log lines which are added there.

If it shows lines like the above, with GPS Status for..... = ACTIVE and PW: Success, your tracking reports are being sent successfully. If you see GPS status = VOID or failures reported, please copy and paste the whole log into an email, or send us a photo, with your DataHub Serial number from the Tracking Page and Contact Us for more help,

DataHub SD Card file system error

If you see errors like this in your SysLog, or similar issues where files cannot be read, please reformat the SD card on the DataHub as the file system may be corrupt.

Important Note: Please send anything in your PredictMail Outbox and use your email app to download any email from the DataHub Inbox before following the steps below.

How to Reformat your DataHub SD Card

  • Update your Firmware if it is not 3.92 or later.

  • Click on Settings under the Services menu.

  • Click on the Maintenance top menu.

  • Click the FORMAT button and click OK.

  • Please wait around 5 minutes for the DataHub to reformat your SD card. Your browser might show it doing this continuously, not letting you know when it is complete. It will be finished after five minutes.

  • After you have reformatted the SD card

  • Reconnect to DataHub Wi-Fi and refresh the web browser.

  • Log into the DataHub on 10.10.10.1 again.

    • Send a fresh Position report from the Tracking->Tools page.

    • Check the Syslog to see that the GPS position has been uploaded successfully.

    • Wait a few minutes then check your tracking page.

    Important Note: If an SD Card reformat resolves the GPS tracking issue immediately and the file system error reoccurs later, the SD card may need to be replaced. Please see this article: Datahub Memory card / SD card - how to remove, upgrade and reformat it.

Complete GPS Tracking Setup

If you have not done so already, please follow the step-by-step guide here to set up GPS tracking for your boat:

GPS Tracking Support video

If the above fails, or if you wish to, this video is available, which further explains GPS tracking and troubleshooting steps: https://share.predictwind.com/X6u5m96o

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