Tracker may lock up when connected to a large number of VariTrac CCPIII controllers

Issue:

#276 - Tracker may lock up when connected to a large number of VariTrac CCPIII controllers

Resolution:

Issue: Tracker BMTK Model 24 may lock up when used with large numbers of VariTrac CCPIII controllers.  Cycling Tracker's power is required to return the Tracker to normal operation.  When locked up, Tracker PC software cannot connect to the panel and the Tracker Operator Display is not functional.

Discussion: This problem was discovered while upgrading a Tracker BMTK site from Version 11 to Version 12.  Although V12 Trackers are more susceptible to this problem, recent field reports have confirmed these lock ups can occur on existing V11 sites.  This problem is related to heavy comm5 traffic associated with VariTrac CCPIIIs.  We have determined that Trackers communicating with seven or more VariTrac CCPIII controllers are candidates for this mode of failure.  In our testing, Tracker sites with six or fewer VariTrac CCPIII controllers have not experienced lockups.  Also, sites fully loaded with SCCs have not displayed this lockup problem.  Once locked up, the Tracker's power must be cycled to temporarily restore normal operation.  The time between lockups will vary with several factors but could range from several hours to several days.

This issue impacts Tracker Model 24 panels with either V11 (11.00.040) or V12 (12.01.007) embedded software.  We have identified the cause and are working to produce an update to the Tracker software image that will correct the problem.

Action: The current Tracker embedded software version is 12.01.007.  V11 Tracker sites with seven or more CCPIII controllers connected should not be upgraded to V12.01.007 until an updated firmware version is released.  Although V12 contains a number of improvements over V11, GCC recommends that V12 upgrades be postponed until updated firmware is released.  If you are starting up a newly purchased V12 Tracker on a job with seven or more CCPIIIs, contact GCC Product Support (1-800-TRACER1) for assistance.

Notes:

 

Changes:

 

Other Question/Problem/Cause Statements:

• #276 - Tracker may lock up when connected to a large number of VariTrac CCPIII controllers

Facts:

• Tracker BMTK
• VariTrac III Central Control Panel (CCP)

Original wave: case3569