FS-4 1394 power on/off at DVinfo.net

Chris C. Corfield · October 25th, 2006, 06:01 PM

I am trying to find out if there is a firmware update or an option to have a FS-4 be remotely powered on/off by firewire? Attached (hopefully) is a picture outlineing the need for this option.

Thanks
Chris

Matt McEwen · October 26th, 2006, 03:59 PM

Hi Chris...cool rig! Looks like it is going to go underwater!

Unfortunately, there is not a way of powering off/on FS-4 over FireWire. However, it is possible to turn it off (not on) using RS-232C using the serial control port on the top of the unit. You would need some way of providing a terminal control to the unit though (which usually involves a computer).

Would love to see the final setup and hear about the application!

Hope that helps,

Matt

Chris C. Corfield · October 26th, 2006, 07:57 PM

Hello

Thanks for the reply Matt. Yes it is an underwater housing and the firestore is great in it. It just needs to be able to power it on/off without having to open the housing every time. Just a few questions about the rs232. Ontop of the Firestore there are two 1394 ports and a headphone looking port. I am assuming that the headphone looking port is what I would connect to. Is there a diagram set somewhere to show what to hook to or which pins control the on/off? Is it a software related on/off? Thanks for the help.

Chris

Chris C. Corfield · October 26th, 2006, 07:59 PM

As a quick follow up. Is there a simple way to make a remote to just turn it on/off, without all the other functions?

Thanks
Chris

Matt McEwen · October 26th, 2006, 09:52 PM

Hi Chris,

Yes, the 3.5mm mini jack port on the top of the FS4 is the control port. Unfortunately, it only controls off, not on, and as I mentioned, it would probably require a computer with a custom script to control the off function. The on switch is actually a hardware switch, so it cannot be controlled via software via the serial control port. There really is not anything else that will allow you to trigger the unit on via a remote. Is battery life the issue?

Hope that helps,

Matt

Chris C. Corfield · October 27th, 2006, 06:34 PM

Yes battery life is my main issue. And trying to find a way to preserve it without having to open the housing everytime would be great. But thanks for your replies.

Chris

Matt McEwen · October 30th, 2006, 12:13 PM

Hi Chris,

You could consider using either our 3-hour FS-4 battery or there is also a large number of 3rd. party 12-15V batteries and solutions which will work on FS-4. Anton/Bauer, IDX and Pag all make cable adapters for the FS-4. Also, search this forum as many external battery solution have been discussed.

Matt

Daniel Kohl · November 4th, 2006, 05:20 PM

Hi Chris,

If you are open to solutions which would void the warranty on your FS-4, you could consider opening it up and soldering a long wire with a button on the end directly onto the circuit board where the on/off key is. It wouldn't be very hard to do, but it would definitely void the warranty.

I'm curios as to whether you have had any overheating issues with the FS-4 in the enclosure.

Matt McEwen · November 22nd, 2006, 10:16 AM

Hi Chris,

Question for you...who made the underwater housing you were using?

Thanks!

Matt

Chris C. Corfield · November 22nd, 2006, 08:39 PM

Hello

Sorry for the delay in responding. My warranty is up in December anyhow so I am looking at any options. The housing is made by Equinox, it is a ProPak 8 style. I have pictures of all parts if you are interested. I have had no overheating issue in the housing as the water I dive in is 40-65 degree F usually. Sometimes it is warmer and sometimes colder but it is a general range.

Thanks
Chris

Chris C. Corfield · November 22nd, 2006, 08:46 PM

Picture of the rear with FS-4

October 25th, 2006, 06:01 PM	#1
Chris C. Corfield Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 44	FS-4 1394 power on/off I am trying to find out if there is a firmware update or an option to have a FS-4 be remotely powered on/off by firewire? Attached (hopefully) is a picture outlineing the need for this option. Thanks Chris Attached Thumbnails

November 4th, 2006, 05:20 PM	#8
Daniel Kohl Contributor Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Frankfurt, Germany Posts: 571	Hi Chris, If you are open to solutions which would void the warranty on your FS-4, you could consider opening it up and soldering a long wire with a button on the end directly onto the circuit board where the on/off key is. It wouldn't be very hard to do, but it would definitely void the warranty. I'm curios as to whether you have had any overheating issues with the FS-4 in the enclosure. __________________ Daniel Kohl Frankenstein meets XL1

November 22nd, 2006, 08:46 PM	#11
Chris C. Corfield Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 44	Picture of the rear with FS-4 Attached Thumbnails

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October 26th, 2006, 03:59 PM	#2
Matt McEwen Focus Enhancements Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Campbell, CA. Posts: 508	Hi Chris...cool rig! Looks like it is going to go underwater! Unfortunately, there is not a way of powering off/on FS-4 over FireWire. However, it is possible to turn it off (not on) using RS-232C using the serial control port on the top of the unit. You would need some way of providing a terminal control to the unit though (which usually involves a computer). Would love to see the final setup and hear about the application! Hope that helps, Matt

October 26th, 2006, 07:57 PM	#3
Chris C. Corfield Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 44	Hello Thanks for the reply Matt. Yes it is an underwater housing and the firestore is great in it. It just needs to be able to power it on/off without having to open the housing every time. Just a few questions about the rs232. Ontop of the Firestore there are two 1394 ports and a headphone looking port. I am assuming that the headphone looking port is what I would connect to. Is there a diagram set somewhere to show what to hook to or which pins control the on/off? Is it a software related on/off? Thanks for the help. Chris

October 26th, 2006, 07:59 PM	#4
Chris C. Corfield Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 44	As a quick follow up. Is there a simple way to make a remote to just turn it on/off, without all the other functions? Thanks Chris

October 26th, 2006, 09:52 PM	#5
Matt McEwen Focus Enhancements Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Campbell, CA. Posts: 508	Hi Chris, Yes, the 3.5mm mini jack port on the top of the FS4 is the control port. Unfortunately, it only controls off, not on, and as I mentioned, it would probably require a computer with a custom script to control the off function. The on switch is actually a hardware switch, so it cannot be controlled via software via the serial control port. There really is not anything else that will allow you to trigger the unit on via a remote. Is battery life the issue? Hope that helps, Matt

October 27th, 2006, 06:34 PM	#6
Chris C. Corfield Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 44	Yes battery life is my main issue. And trying to find a way to preserve it without having to open the housing everytime would be great. But thanks for your replies. Chris

October 30th, 2006, 12:13 PM	#7
Matt McEwen Focus Enhancements Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Campbell, CA. Posts: 508	Hi Chris, You could consider using either our 3-hour FS-4 battery or there is also a large number of 3rd. party 12-15V batteries and solutions which will work on FS-4. Anton/Bauer, IDX and Pag all make cable adapters for the FS-4. Also, search this forum as many external battery solution have been discussed. Matt

November 22nd, 2006, 10:16 AM	#9
Matt McEwen Focus Enhancements Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Campbell, CA. Posts: 508	Hi Chris, Question for you...who made the underwater housing you were using? Thanks! Matt

November 22nd, 2006, 08:39 PM	#10
Chris C. Corfield Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 44	Hello Sorry for the delay in responding. My warranty is up in December anyhow so I am looking at any options. The housing is made by Equinox, it is a ProPak 8 style. I have pictures of all parts if you are interested. I have had no overheating issue in the housing as the water I dive in is 40-65 degree F usually. Sometimes it is warmer and sometimes colder but it is a general range. Thanks Chris