How To Identify Spider 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.

 

Spider X

When powered, the Spider will automatically connect, no interaction is required from the pilot or crew. The small LED on the front of the Spider X (see image below) will give you a colour or sequence indication as to what is happening, the Spider X can self diagnose any issues it might be having.

The USB cable is only used to update the Spider, in order for the unit to connect to the satellite we recommend hardwiring the Spider to the power supply of your aircraft or using the cigar plug of the aircraft.

Spider Models 1 to 8

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 several 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 between the lead and the aircraft is not consistent.

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 find the wiring diagram here.
• Please make sure that the power supply specifications for this Spider are as follows:

Input Voltage:

12-32VDC. Ensuring the power supply is capable of delivering at least 1A. Spidertracks recommends protecting 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:

• 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-flight?
• During the flights could there/has there been anything placed on top of the Spider?

 

Please send all this information to [e-mail] and we will be able to help you.