Getting no GPS signal / cords from OVMS

1. Check if GPS is enabled in the modem configuration (Config → Modem)
2. Check if you have an active (powered) GPS antenna (needs to have a voltage range 3-5 V on the label)
3. Check if you've got a voltage on the antenna port
4. Check if the internal modem PCB pigtail connection to the GPS antenna port is OK

You can enable verbose logging on "gsm-nmea" to see the NMEA sentences in the log / shell.

If they look like this, the modem has no GPS signal:

V (408301) gsm-nmea: IncomingLine: $GNGNS,131702.0,,,,,NN,,,,,,*4B
V (408311) gsm-nmea: IncomingLine: $GPRMC,,V,,,,,,,,,,N*53

Regards,
Michael

Which antenna do you use?

That's the standard GPS antenna (active) and should work. You possibly have a hardware issue. The most typical source for this is the pigtail cable.

If you can't check the antenna and don't know how to check the voltage & pigtail cable, you'll need to send the kit back to OpenEnergyMonitor for a test / repairing / replacement.

Contact Glen for details.

Regards,
Michael

You should see ~ 4V there. As your modem is working, the next thing to check would be the pigtail cable.

Open the module, trace the cable from the GPS socket to the modem PCB. Check if it's connected tightly on the PCB socket. Try disconnecting and reconnecting. Test if the cable is broken.

As you bought the module from Glen, you should contact him first. Send him the link to your support case.

Regards,
Michael

One comment on testing antenna connections, is that the following tests can be done with a mulitmeter:

1. Disconnect all cables from the module. No power. No external antennas.
2. With a multimeter, test the GPS cable connector on the side of the module for resistance between centre pin and screw terminal. You should see around 900 ohms.
3. With a mulitmeter, test the GSM cable connector on the side of the module for capacitance between centre pin and screw terminal You should see around 125 uF.
4. If either are more than 25% off from those values, then disconnect the internal antenna cables and repeat the test using the antenna connectors on the modem board itself.
5. If ok using internal connectors, but bad using external connectors, then try re-seating the internal antenna cables where they plug into the modem board. You can do this while measuring resistance / capacitance, to see if the problem is a loose connection.
6. The above should help you identify if the internal cable is damaged/faulty, or the modem itself.

Regards, Mark.

Hi. I got the same issue, ie, GPS not working: Currently at 0.000000,0.000000 (without GPS lock). Just got the equipment, came with the same antenna posted before.

On Config/Cellular, I've got GPS enabled, (even though I don't have yet GMS card installed, left all in blank except "Enable GPS") 

I don't know how to check voltage.

On "Cellular Modem" (Status), it says "GPS: Connected on channel: #1"

Is it because I don't have a SIM card?

Any other ideia besides sending back to OpenEnergyMonitor (it took almost 2 weeks to receive it)? 

GPS works just fine without a SIM card, and your configuration should also be OK, as you see "GPS connected".

See above for possible log checks and hardware troubleshooting. If you're not able to do that, you'll need to return the unit.

Regards,
Michael

Hi,

FYI: I've had the same problem as the OP (also same antenna). I've opened the case and dis- and reconnected both antenna cables. I guess I would have only done that for the GPS antenna but I wasn't sure which was which. I've also dismounted the modem board which was most likely unecessary. After reassembly it worked.

One stern look in the direction of QA... but now it works which is ok.

I'm facing the exact same issue. Just received my unit, assembled it while connecting both GPS and GSM antennas. Stuck at 0.0, with no lock. GPS says it is working and Modem is working just fine (has reception and comms).
Indeed not the best QA :/
To be honest, I might just try a 3rd party antenna, since returning it and getting a new unit would imply again 2 months at customs... :S