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Thermal Protection???

liamc

May 14, 2007 22:41

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Hello
I have a BrightSign unit mounted horizontally in the top section of an enclosed display kiosk. After about 3 hours the unit shuts itself off. There are vents at the top of the kiosk, and while previously using a VCR in the same location, heat buildup in the cabinet was never an issue. I am wondering if heat could be the culprit here. How much heat is generated by BrightSign's processor during decoding? Given the fact that the unit only draws 5 watts and never feels unusually hot to the touch, I am a bit puzzled. This unit loops continuously for 8 hours per day. Thanks for any input.

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6 comments

• 0
  
  RokuLyndon May 15, 2007 03:06

  
  
  Liamc,
  
  
  
  When you say shutoff, do you mean that the loop stops playing?
  
  Or, is there actually no power to the unit, no lights on the front of the unit?
  
  
  
  How long is the loop you are running?
  
  What is being looped?
  
  What flash card are you using? Have you tried different flash cardfs?
  
  
  
  
  
  Is it possible for you to test this unit connected to a computer using a serial cable so we can see any output that's procduced when the unit stops playing?
  
  
  
  You are correct that the unit produces little heat. We need to indentify if it's a content related issue, your flash card, or the unit.
  
  
  
  I sent you an email as well.
  
  Lyndon
  
• 0
  
  liamc May 15, 2007 23:12

  
  
  Yes, the loop stops playing and the screen goes blank.  The power light remains on, but the unit no longer plays.  A power cycle is required to restore operation.  Here are the details of the setup:
  
  
  
  30 minute loop
  
  
  
  Sandisk Ultra II 2Gb card
  
  
  
  Looping an MPEG2 file (VOB's would play once and not loop, despite many iterations of the autorun.bas file)
  
  
  
  I did have this issue a few weeks back with another unit.  I am running three throughout our venue.  I have mounted the other two in the vertical to allow convection to cool the player and have not had any trouble since, but do not have that option with this unit in question.
  
• 0
  
  mkeymont August 01, 2007 20:43

  
  
  I have seen heat/humidity related issues as well, I believe. At least they occur far more frequently in high heat situations. We have a script that runs great most of the time, however, when we bring it to Oshkosh, WI and run it for a week straight inside an enclosure with some but not much ventilation, it crashes several times a day. I'm actually glad to hear that someone else has had similar issues because now I know that I"m not crazy!
  
  - M
  
• 0
  
  RokuLyndon August 01, 2007 21:52

  
  
  Hi,
  
  
  
  Do you have a way to test the ambient air temperature inside the kiosk? It should not be above 40 c. Try mounting the unit vertically with vents on the top and bottom.
  
  
  
  Also, you should check the temperature rating on your compact flash card.
  
• 0
  
  Ggarner August 04, 2007 03:48

  
  
  Also as a test, could you temporarily leave the door open or put a fan inside the kiosk to see if it makes a difference in the run time?
  
  
  
  What version of software are you running on the units?
  
  
  
  Greg Garner
  
  Director of Hardware Engineering
  
• 0
  
  mkeymont August 07, 2007 22:16

  
  
  My next opportunity to do a heat test is the end of September in California. I will do my best to gather as much information regarding heat and stability at that time.
  
  - Mike