Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers for Senquip users. For further assistance, contact support@senquip.com. Model-specific features and limits should be checked against the relevant user guide.
Senquip Portal
I created an account but did not get a confirmation email.
Almost certainly our confirmation email has been blocked by your company server or is in your junk or spam folder. We do see that approximately 2% of accounts are created with incorrect email addresses and so it is possible that you have entered an incorrect email address. If the problem persists, contact support@senquip.com and we will manually confirm your account.
Do I need a hosted subscription to remotely configure my device?
No. The purchase of a Senquip device entitles the owner to make configuration changes, perform firmware updates and view data using the Senquip Portal for the life of the device.
Do I need a hosted subscription to perform firmware updates?
No. The purchase of a Senquip device entitles the owner to perform firmware updates using the Senquip Portal for the life of the device.
Can I view data on the Senquip Portal for free?
Yes, you can view data on the Senquip Portal on a free basic plan. Updates to the Senquip Portal may be limited to 5 minute intervals and the data will not be stored for more than a day.
I cannot see historical raw data on the Senquip Portal.
If your device is on a free basic plan, Senquip will not store more than 1 day of historical data. Continuous backups of data storage becomes expensive so is feature of hosted plans where data will be saved for 2 years. Updating a device plan to hosted can be done on the Senquip Portal by using the subscriptions facility.
What payment methods are available for Hosted Portal plans?
Payment methods vary by region and include Credit Card, Direct Debit, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and others.
Do I have to use the Senquip Portal to view my data?
No. Senquip can send data directly to a customer-managed MQTT or HTTPS endpoint, to the Senquip Portal, or to both. UDP is also available for integrations that require it.
Can I completely disconnect from the Senquip Portal?
Yes. To stop sending data to the Senquip Portal, unselect the Send Data to Senquip Portal option in the endpoint settings. To stop configuration settings from the Senquip Portal unselect Configuration via Senquip Portal. Further settings updates will have to be done using the Senquip webserver.
Does Senquip have access to my data?
No. Unless you give a Senquip employee access to a device by giving them view, operator, user, or admin status, Senquip employees will not be able to view your data. Sometimes, you may give a Senquip employee access to your device so that they can assist you in setup. As an administrator, you can remove this access at any time.
Can I secure proprietary scripts?
Yes. You can use the lock feature on the Senquip Portal to lock scripts so that only you can access the content of the script.
I am getting a network error when I try to login to the Senquip Portal
The Senquip Portal requires accurate time to correctly secure your connection. If the time on your PC is out by more than a few minutes, you will get a network error. Correct the time on your PC and retry.
I have added a measurement in the settings, but the widget is not showing in the portal.
Browsers typically cache most of the elements in a webpage. Refresh your Chrome or Edge browser by:
Hold down Ctrl and click the Reload button.
Or Hold down Ctrl and press F5.
Check that the widget has not been turned off in the portal display settings. To turn on (or off) a widget, press the eye icon on the device page and select which widgets you would like to show, and the order in which you want to show them. Remember to refresh your browser.
There are measurements missing in the data stored on the Senquip Portal.
When a Senquip device tries to connect to a network but cannot, it will retry several times and then discard the measured data and return to sleep. If you would like data to be stored when there is no coverage, select the Offline Buffer option in endpoint settings. If the transmit interval is different to the base interval, the measurement that coincides with the Transmit Interval is the one that will be sent. If you would like the measurements taken on every base interval to be stored, select the Batch Transmit option under general settings.
I have logged into the Senquip Portal but there is no data showing.
Measurements will only show on a device page in the Senquip portal once a device has published measurements to the portal at least once. When you receive a new device, it will be in freight mode, and it will not have published data to the Senquip Portal. Power the device to exit freight mode, configure the network settings and the device will start to publish data at the specified Base Interval.
I have changed a setting on the Senquip Portal, but the Senquip device has not changed behaviour.
When a setting is changed on the Senquip Portal, it is added to a queue that is stored until the device next makes contact. To see if a setting has been applied by a device, press the command queue button at the top of each settings page. Settings changes shown in green have been applied. For remote configuration using the Senquip Portal to be possible, the Configuration via Senquip Portal option must be selected in the endpoint settings.
I have many Senquip devices and I am struggling to identify them.
Once you have many devices installed, it can be difficult to identify which Senquip device is performing which function. It is highly recommended that each device is named using the Device Name setting when first installed and that devices are added to logical groups on the Senquip Portal. If a device has not been named and it needs to be identified, turn the GPS on to determine its location.
The columns on the device summary page can be customised to show key data for a group of assets. You may, for instance want to show fuel level, utilisation and alerts on the summary page.
How can I increase the number of users on a device?
Devices with hosted plans can have up to 50 users attached to each device. Take out a hosted plan by selecting the subscriptions button on the device summary page, or by contacting your distributor. For more detail on hosted plans, see: Hosted Plans.
How can I find the IMEI number for a Senquip device?
The IMEI number is available on the device diagnostics page for all mobile enabled devices.
How can I find the IMSI and ICCID number for the SIM in a Senquip device?
The IMSI and ICCID are related to the SIM in the Senquip device and will be available on the diagnostics page if a SIM is inserted and the SIM responds to the ICCID and IMSI request commands.
Is my data secure?
Senquip devices use unique client certificates and TLS/mTLS for secure communication with the Senquip Portal. Device flash is encrypted, and customer certificates can be loaded for secure communication with other endpoints.
Can I use symbols and characters as units on the Senquip Portal?
Yes. Copy the required symbol, such as ?C, into the units field. On Windows, Alt+0176 enters the degree symbol using the numeric keypad.
I can’t add a user to a device.
To add a user to a device, you must have administrator privileges for that device. For a user to be added to the Senquip Portal, they must have activated an account on the portal. To add a user, from the device page, press the Users icon in the top right. Enter the email address with which the user has signed up to the Senquip Portal. Select the user permissions as Admin, User and Read. If the email address entered is not associated with an activated account on the Senquip Portal, an error will occur, and the user will not be added.
How do I change the payment details for my subscriptions?
You may want to change your payment method when, for instance, your credit card has expired and you need to add an updated version. To change payment details, login to the Senquip Portal and select the Account option at the top right to navigate to your account page. Select the Billing Detail option and then press the Edit Billing Detail or View Invoices banner. This will take you to the secure payment portal from where you can add payment methods by pressing Add payment method and delete payment methods by pressing the cross next to each payment method.
Where can I find copies of invoices for subscription payments?
Login to the Senquip Portal and select the Account option at the top right to navigate to your account page. Select the Billing Detail option and then press the Edit Billing Detail or View Invoices banner. This will take you to the secure payment portal where invoice history can be seen at the bottom of the page. Click on an invoice to open the details of that invoice and to download a copy.
Will I get a warning from Senquip before my hosted plan expires
Yes, you will get an email reminder 30 days and 5 days before your hosted plan expires. Please make sure to add Senquip to your trusted email address list to avoid the reminders going into your junk or spam folders.
How much data can I download?
Each Raw Data download is limited to 50MB. For more data, it is recommended to use the API.
How can I export data from multiple devices?
Use the Senquip API to retrieve data across a group or fleet. Individual device data can also be exported from the Portal.
Why does a configuration API request return an HTTP 500 error?
Check that the request body matches the format required by the API endpoint.
Sorting of my All group is only sorting the first 10 entries.
The sort functionality is limited to the first page when the All category is chosen. This is to prevent delays when a users has hundreds of devices in their All group. Create your own groups to execute the sort function correctly.
What happens if my device is still in the trial period and I take out a subscription?
The subscription starts to run immediately. The 90 day trial continues in parallel and will be available if the subscription is cancelled in the 90 day period.
Does Senquip have an API?
Yes. The Senquip API provides access to device data and supported management functions, including settings and script updates. See the API documentation for access requirements and limits.
Can settings be changed through my own MQTT broker?
Yes. A device script can subscribe to a configuration topic and apply received settings. Restrict access to authorised publishers, validate the settings and restart the device where required.
Can scripts be updated through an external system?
Yes. An external system can use the Senquip API to update device scripts remotely. The device needs access to the Senquip Cloud via Wi-Fi or cellular to receive the update.
Network
I have inserted a SIM card, but the device is not connecting to the network.
Senquip devices that use 4G networks need to be configured with an Access Point Name (APN). The APN is unique to each mobile service provider and should be known by the provider of the SIM. Sometimes a username and password are also needed for a SIM. To configure SIM settings, use the device network settings page.
Later versions of firmware for Senquip devices include a feature called Auto-APN. With Auto-APN, the Senquip device reads data off the SIM and searches a database to try and find a suitable APN. If successful, the Senquip device will connect directly to the network.
Senquip produces devices for 4G LTE CAT-M1 and 2G, 3G, 4G CAT-1 networks. CAT-M1 is a newer protocol supported by most networks and delivers extended range from a given 4G tower. Make sure that the 4G network that you are using supports CAT-M1, sometimes referred to CAT-M.
What is Auto-APN?
Later versions of firmware for Senquip devices include a feature called Auto-APN. With Auto-APN, the Senquip device reads data off the SIM and searches a database to try and find a suitable APN. If successful, the Senquip device will connect directly to the network.
My APN is not on the list of Auto-APN options.
If you have a SIM card for which Auto-APN does not work, please contact support@senquip.com to have your service provider details added.
How do I know which Senquip variant I should use in my country
Senquip offers two variants of each device, for instance ORB-C1-G and ORB-C1-H. The -G product is for use on 4G LTE CAT-M1 networks, and the -H product is for use on 2G, 3G, 4G LTE CAT-1 networks. If your country has CAT-M1, use it as you will get a range improvement.
You can check for CAT-M coverage using the official global coverage map found here: Mobile IoT Deployment Map
Can I have a PIN on my SIM
No, the SIM must not have a pin. You can remove a pin from a SIM by inserting it in your phone. Here is a guide on how to remove a PIN from a Vodafone SIM: Turn use of PIN on or off.
Why does Senquip prefer to operate on the 4G LTE CAT-M1 network?
Senquip supports 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G LTE networks. We prefer to use the 4G and 5G LTE CAT-M1 service where available.
3G networks are being turned-off in many counties including Australia and New Zealand from 2020. 4G and 5G networks are capable of very high-speed data transfer that is not required for IoT devices. The designers of the networks realized this and introduced IoT specific services NB-IoT and CAT-M1. These services use lower power and achieve extended ranges, meaning longer battery life and better coverage in buildings and remote areas. Senquip prefers 4G and 5G CAT-M1 over NB-IoT as the prior has data rates that allow for in-field updates and the technology allows roaming between towers in mobile applications.
I cannot see my Senquip device on my local Wi-Fi network.
If you know a Senquip device IP address on your local Wi-Fi network, then you can login to the device webserver provided it is active. The webserver will only be active in setup mode unless the Web Server option has been selected in general settings.
The webserver will be inactive if the Senquip device is sleeping, to prevent the device sleeping, select the Device Always On option in general settings.
The webserver will be disabled if 4G communication options have been chosen as it is a significant security risk to leave the webserver active when operating on an open network.
I am not sure if my Wi-Fi network is reliable enough.
Wi-Fi networks can be affected by the number of transceivers, the geometry of the site and the way in which a Senquip device is mounted. To receive information of the quality of the connection made by a Senquip device, enable the Report Network Info option in endpoint settings. You will be able to map network coverage using this feature.
What SIM card should I use?
Senquip devices use a Micro SIM. The SIM can be either 1.8V or 3.3V. The SIM needs to be for an operator that supports either a CAT-1 (-H devices) or CAT-M1 (-G devices) network. Nano SIMs with adapters should not be used as the SIM card can become loose in the carrier, damaging the SIM holder.
For volume applications, Senquip can provide devices with SIM cards that are soldered to the PCB during manufacture. Soldered SIMs are more reliable in high vibration environments.
Why does Senquip not allow the webserver to be on when operating on an LTE network?
Disabling the webserver during LTE operation reduces exposure to unsolicited network access. Use the Portal for remote configuration and setup mode for local access.
I have been using the hotspot on my phone to test Senquip devices and it is not working anymore.
The Wi-Fi Hotspot feature available on most smartphones is typically limited to between 3 and 5 active device connections. Once this limit is reached, the smartphone will not allow further devices to connect. We note that one some newer smartphones, this limit has been increased to 10. We also note various work arounds to increase this limit.
What does a “PPP WDT Triggered” error mean?
The cellular data connection stopped responding and was automatically restarted by the watchdog. Occasional occurrences are normal.
What should I check if a device will not reconnect to the cellular network?
Check signal strength, SIM status and APN settings, then power-cycle the device if required.
Can a device be locked to a particular cellular network?
Supported devices and firmware can be configured to use a specific network where roaming between networks causes connectivity problems.
The orange light is solid but I’m not receiving data
If the orange light is solid but no data is arriving on the Senquip Portal, then the device has attached to the network, but it is unable to connect to the Senquip servers. It is likely that the ports used to connect are blocked. See the FAQ on testing outgoing MQTT and HTTP ports.
How can I check if MQTT ports are open?
From a Windows PC on the same network, run Test-NetConnection your-broker-hostname -Port 8883 in PowerShell, replacing the hostname with your actual endpoint. TcpTestSucceeded : True confirms TCP access to that host and port, but does not verify MQTTS authentication.
How can I check if HTTP ports are open?
From a Windows PC on the same network, run Test-NetConnection your-server-hostname -Port 443 in PowerShell, replacing the hostname with your actual endpoint. TcpTestSucceeded : True confirms TCP access to that host and port, but does not verify HTTPS authentication.
My QUAD will not connect over LTE and I’m sure the APN is correct.
Check that the LTE antenna is plugged in to the purple FAKRA connector.
How Can I tell if a Country Has a CAT-M Network?
GSMA keeps a record of all CAT-M and NB-IoT deployments and has a map available: GSMA Mobile IoT Deployment Map. Click on a country to see which providers offer what networks.
SFW001 device will not connect to secure MQTT or HTTP endpoint
Check the endpoint address, port and certificate settings. SFW001 also has a TLS handshake-size limitation; contact Senquip about a firmware upgrade or compatible server configuration.
How can I improve reception in a cabinet or below-ground installation?
Use a device with an external antenna connection, such as QUAD, and position the antenna above ground or outside the metal enclosure. Check coverage at the antenna’s intended location.
Can Senquip operate where there is no cellular coverage?
Yes. New Senquip devices are Direct to Cell ready, with service dependent on network availability and support in your region. An external satellite modem, such as Iridium EDGE, is another option.
Why won’t my SIM connect even though the APN is correct?
CAT-M (LTE-M) is often excluded from roaming agreements, even where ordinary LTE roaming is available. Ask your SIM provider to confirm CAT-M roaming support in the installation country.
Why is my device buffering data?
The connection may be unavailable or too slow to keep up with reporting. Check signal quality, connection diagnostics and whether the backlog clears when connectivity improves.
GPS / GNSS
Is the Senquip GPS compatible with other GNSS networks?
Yes, the Senquip GPS will receive data from GPS, GLONASS, Bei Dou, Galileo, and QZSS satellites. Senquip uses the term GPS instead of the more correct GNSS because it is more commonly understood.
I have enabled GPS but I am not seeing any GPS data.
To provide GPS data such as position, and speed of satellites, Senquip devices needs to connect to satellite constellations. Ensure that the device is mounted in a location where the device has a clear view of the sky, not through metal. Ensure that the device is mounted with the cable gland down.
In poor reception areas, the device may require additional time to acquire satellite data. Try increasing the GPS Max Time to 240 or even 360 seconds in poor reception areas.
Can I attach an external GPS or cellular antenna?
ORB uses internal antennas. QUAD supports external antennas; choose the device and antenna arrangement to suit the installation.
How accurate is the GPS on my Senquip device?
With a clear view of the sky, the position accuracy of the GPS is better than 2.5m 50% of the time, and better than 5m 95% of the time.
GPS position accuracy depends on many factors such as the mounting position, orientation, visibility of the sky, weather conditions and time of day. The best position accuracy will always be obtained when the Senquip device is mounted vertically in a position where it has a clear view of the sky. To enhance GPS position accuracy, the Senquip devices track GPS, GLONASS, Bei Dou, Galileo and QZSS satellites.
Modbus & RS485
My Modbus readings are failing regularly on RS485.
Check wiring, serial settings and polling timing. Fit termination at the two ends of the main RS485 cable; enable the Senquip termination resistor only if it is at an end that needs termination.
How should multiple Modbus registers be polled from a script?
Use callback-based sequential reads. Start the next read only after the previous read has completed.
Can I send raw Modbus messages from a script?
Yes. SERIAL.write() can send manually constructed frames, and SQ.crc() can calculate the Modbus CRC.
Does Senquip validate the CRC of received Modbus messages?
The Modbus parser rejects packets with an invalid CRC. If your script processes raw serial data directly, include CRC validation in the script.
How do I extract individual bits from a Modbus register?
Use standard JavaScript bitwise operators to extract individual status or alarm bits.
I’m powering a Modbus device from a current source on a Senquip device but it takes a while to boot.
Newer firmware versions on SFW002 and greater will delay Modbus reads until the Start Time on the Source or IO pin has elapsed. This allows time for externally powered Modbus and other sensor to boot or stabilise measurements.
Modbus float values are only to 2 decimal places.
By default, the Modbus peripheral sends float values with 2 decimal places of precision. To increase this, use the calibration option. For instance, 1.23456V will be dispatched as 1.23V without calibration and 1234.56mV with calibration (0-1 in gives 0-1000 out). If, in the example, you have to have the result shown in Volts, use a script to dispatch the scaled version with the required number of decimal places.
Can I set a baud rate other than the standard 9600, 19200 etc?
Yes, you can set arbitrary baud rates like 62500 which may be useful for some machine diagnostics interfaces.
Can Senquip collect Modbus data when another master is already polling?
Yes. Senquip can listen to existing Modbus traffic and send the decoded readings to the Portal without adding read requests. See APN0046 for Modbus sniffing.
Can Senquip send commands on an RS485 bus that already has a Modbus master?
Modbus RTU does not provide multimaster arbitration. Commands can sometimes be scheduled in a verified gap in the existing polling cycle, but the bus timing must be checked to avoid collisions.
What if a Modbus device cannot keep up with the requests?
Reduce the request rate and, where supported, read consecutive registers in one request. Leave enough time between requests for the connected device to respond.
Why are my Modbus values incorrect?
Check the register address, signed or unsigned format, scaling and byte/word order. Also check whether the device uses special values to indicate unavailable data.
Which Modbus function should I use?
Match the function to the device’s register map: 01 for coils, 02 for discrete inputs, 03 for holding registers and 04 for input registers. Check whether the documented addresses need converting to zero-based offsets.
Why is my Modbus device not responding?
Check the wiring, RS232/RS485 selection, baud rate, parity, stop bits and slave address. Confirm the connected device is configured as a slave and that the request matches its register map.
Can Senquip write floating-point values over Modbus?
Yes. A 32-bit float occupies two 16-bit registers, so check the target device’s byte and word order. See APN0020, ?Writing to Modbus Devices?.
Does an RS485 connection need a common ground?
Check that both devices have a suitable signal reference and remain within the interface’s common-mode voltage limits. Large ground differences can damage the transceivers; use isolation where necessary.
CAN Bus & J1939
Does a CAN bus require termination?
Fit 120 ohm termination at each end of the main CAN bus. Check the existing termination before adding resistors; missing or excessive termination can cause communication errors.
I sent a CAN message and it is spamming the bus.
The CAN protocol will automatically resend CAN messages if they are not acknowledged by a device on the network. Ensure that there is a second CAN device on the network.
Why am I receiving no CAN data?
Check CAN H/L wiring, bit rate, termination and capture filters, and confirm the other device is transmitting. If Senquip is the only receiver, the sender may also need it to acknowledge messages.
What engine information can Senquip read over J1939?
Senquip can decode supported J1939 parameters, such as engine speed, temperature and fuel use, when the machine provides them. Proprietary messages require the manufacturer’s decoding information.
Can Senquip request J1939 data that is not broadcast?
Yes, if the ECU supports requests for that parameter. Enable CAN transmission and configure the appropriate request PGN, destination and polling interval.
Measurements
I have enabled IO voltage measurements but there is no data shown
This could be because the Measurement Time on the IO is longer than the Base Interval and so the measurement cycle is ending before the IO is measured. Reduce the Measurement Time or increase the Base Interval.
How do I connect a flow meter to a Senquip QUAD?
For a compatible voltage-free pulse output, connect the switch between IO1 and ground, set Default State to PULLUP and Measurement State to No Change. Enable pulse or frequency measurement and calibrate it to the meter’s pulse-per-volume specification.
Bluetooth / BLE
How many simultaneous BLE connections are supported?
Up to four BLE client connections are supported, although available memory and the application may limit the practical number.
Can a BLE notification subscription be cancelled without disconnecting?
Not currently. Disconnecting from the BLE device cancels its notification subscriptions.
Can scripts subscribe to BLE sensor notifications?
Yes. Scripts can discover BLE characteristics, subscribe to notifications and process the received data.
Power
Do I need to add AA batteries as a backup in a solar installation?
No. Senquip devices have an internal LiPo battery which, in most solar applications, will be sufficient to power the device during the night and in low sunlight conditions. In low power configurations, the internal LiPo battery can power a Senquip device for months. Use the battery calculator on the Senquip website to estimate how long the internal battery will power your solar setup.
Senquip devices report the internal LiPo battery voltage. It is recommended that the LiPo battery be monitored for a while after a solar install to ensure it is being sufficiently charged by the solar panel.
AA batteries are only required in applications where there is no permanent or solar power available. They can be added as an additional backup when using permanent or solar power.
I am running on solar and am losing data at night and on cloudy days.
It is likely that your solar panel is not supplying enough energy to power your application and charge the Senquip device internal LiPo battery. Monitor the LiPo battery voltage on the Senquip Portal. A charged battery will reach approximately 4.2V. A low battery is below 3.5V.
The simplest way to extend battery life is to increase the Base Interval in general settings.
What is the Vset current budget?
Check the Vset rating in your model’s user guide, including the combined limit across all IO pins. Add the loads together and allow for sensor start-up current.
Why won’t a sensor powered from Vset start reliably?
Check the sensor’s start-up current against both the Vset supply limit and the IO current limit. If Vset cannot support the load, use a suitable external supply or switched VIN arrangement.
How can I extend battery life on my Senquip device?
Measure and transmit less often, shorten sensor power-on time, and disable unused functions such as GPS and Wi-Fi. Poor cellular coverage can also increase power consumption. Use the battery calculator to estimate runtime for your application.
I wired my Senquip device incorrectly; have I damaged it?
Senquip devices have protection against the most common wiring faults like reversing the voltage. There are some inputs such as the serial, current sense and thermocouple inputs that can be damaged if connected to supply voltages.
Do I need a fuse in-line with the power supply of my Senquip device?
It is always a good idea to include a fuse in the supply to any electronic device. A 1A fuse would be a suitable size for use with the Senquip device.
I have opened my Senquip device, and the lights are not on.
Your device is most likely sleeping; this is good as it conserves power. The lights will come on when the device next wakes for a measurement cycle. If you want to access the device immediately, press the setup button to access the device webserver or press reset to initiate a re-start that will trigger a measurement cycle. If you want to be able to access your device to make settings changes at any time, select the Always On option in the general settings.
The device that I am setting up via the webserver keeps switching off.
The device webserver is activated by pressing the setup button and then connecting to the device Wi-Fi. The device will exit the webserver when settings are saved and it executes a reset, when the lid is closed or when no activity is detected for a few minutes. To ensure that the webserver does not close-down when you are configuring a device, make sure that you do not cover the device light sensor and that you are not inactive for extended periods of time.
Can I use AA NiCd batteries in my Senquip device?
NiCd batteries are generally rated at 1.2V. Although the Senquip device will operate from 1.2V batteries, they will not last very long. It is recommended to use high quality Alkaline or Lithium batteries. For longest life, use 1.6V or 3.6V lithium batteries.
Can I use 3.6V lithium batteries in my Senquip device?
Yes. 3.6V Lithium Thionyl Chloride batteries are generally the longest lasting when used with a Senquip device. The improvement in life is however small when compared with lower cost Lithium Energizer and other brand batteries that are widely available.
How long will the internal LiPo battery in the Senquip device last?
The lithium battery is expected to last 5 years without significant degradation. The life of the battery may be reduced if it is exposed to temperatures above 55? C or below -10? C, if it experienced an unusually high number of charge/discharge cycles or if it is left in a discharged state for an extended time. Spare LiPo batteries can be sourced from Senquip and can be replaced by a qualified technician.
How long can I run my Senquip device off AA batteries?
To achieve maximum life, use high quality Lithium batteries such as Ultimate Lithium from Energiser. Battery life will depend entirely on your application, the rate of measurement, transmissions and the types of sensors attached. As a guide, if your Senquip device was to be left sleeping, it could achieve up to 10 years of life. In a typical battery powered application, where the Senquip device is communicating over GSM, with once per hour updates, the Senquip device can be expected to last 2 years on a set of batteries. The Senquip device can be configured to monitor its batteries and report low battery conditions.
Use the battery calculator available on the Senquip Portal to estimate the battery life of your system.
Why is my AA battery voltage reading lower than I expect?
If you have inserted four 1.5V AA batteries into your Senquip device, you would expect the battery voltage shown on the portal to be 6V. It may sometimes instead show 5.5V. There is internal resistance in your battery so that when current is drawn from it, the measured voltage drops. If, for instance, the Senquip device was drawing energy from the AA batteries to charge the internal battery when a measurement was made, the measured battery voltage would be slightly lower than 6V. There is also a small amount of protection circuitry between the battery and the measurement circuit and again, we would expect a small drop across this circuitry.
I have not used my device for a while, and it is taking a long time to make a first connection.
If you leave a device unpowered for an extended time and you have set the Senquip device in a high-power mode by for instance setting a fast update rate, the internal LiPo battery will have run flat. When the Senquip device first receives power, it evaluates the internal LiPo battery and if it is found to be extremely flat, the Senquip device will pre-condition the LiPo before resuming normal operation. If you open the lid during pre-conditioning, you will see the green light pulsing slowly during pre-conditioning.
How do I make a Senquip device safe for shipping?
Put the device in freight mode. In freight mode, the battery drain is reduced to almost zero and all transmitters are turned off. Enable freight mode via the webserver, on the Senquip Portal in the Admin page, or from setup mode by pressing the setup button 3 times.
The device will exit freight mode when power is applied or batteries are inserted.
Will my ORB enter hibernate mode if AA batteries are installed
Yes, hibernate mode, if enabled, is triggered when the supply voltage drops below 9.5V whether the device is powered with AA batteries or not. Hibernate can be disabled in the General settings.
Why does my 4?20 mA sensor trigger overcurrent protection at start-up?
Some 4?20 mA sensors briefly draw a higher current when starting. Turn off ?Optimise for 4?20 mA? to increase the current limit and allow the sensor to start.
Setup
If I perform a factory reset, will I lose my settings?
Yes. A factory reset clears settings, including network settings and the script. Save an export first, then use local setup to restore connectivity after the reset.
I performed a factory reset and I cannot remember a setting.
Go to the settings page for the device and open the command queue at the top of the page. You will be able to see a log of previous settings applied to the device.
If I perform a firmware update, will I lose my settings?
No. Performing a firmware update preserves your settings. If the firmware update introduces new settings, these will be set to the default value. Note that updates to major firmware revisions may reset some variables such as non-volatile variables used in scripts and hour meters.
Can I save my settings to a file?
Yes. You can export your settings, scripts and Senquip Portal settings to a file using the export settings option in the admin settings. Before exporting your settings, you will need to use the Request Device Settings option to get the latest settings from the Senquip device.
Can I save settings to another device?
Yes. Use the Import Settings option in the admin settings to import settings from another device.
I have lost my password, what can I do?
If you are a device administrator, check ADMIN > Device Passwords on the Portal for available password-recovery options. Otherwise, contact your administrator or support@senquip.com.
How long does a firmware update take?
The time taken to perform a software update depends on the network type chosen and the signal strength of the connection. A typical update over Wi-Fi will take 5 minutes and an LTE update will take 15 minutes. The orange light will flash during the update process. If the upload is interrupted, it will need to be restarted. A failed firmware upgrade will not harm the Senquip device.
If a firmware update fails, will my Senquip device be harmed?
No. If a firmware update fails, your Senquip device will not be harmed. The Firmware update will need to be restarted.
My device is not accepting a firmware update.
Heavy measurement or reporting workloads can leave too little processing time for an update. Try increasing a short Base Interval to 60 seconds, apply the update, then restore the required interval.
How can I force a Senquip device to accept a change made on the Portal if it is sleeping?
Since the device will not contact the Senquip Portal during sleep, no changes can be made until the next transmit interval. To force a device to make immediate contact, press the reset button. After reset, contact is made with the Senquip Portal, and any outstanding settings will load. This is most useful when you have set a long sleep period and want to test a quick change before deployment.
I have enabled the webserver in General settings but I lose contact with it every few minutes.
The webserver will be terminated when the device enters sleep mode between measurement cycles. To keep the webserver on, select Device Always On in the General settings.
Android phone will not stay connected to device webserver.
Phones always attempt to connect to the best available Wi-Fi network. Since the Senquip device hotspot does not have internet access, it is not considered a good network and the phone switches to an alternate network. This behaviour can be disabled on Android phones by accessing Wi-Fi settings >> Intelligent Wi-Fi and turning off the option to Switch to Better Wi-Fi Networks.
Operation
Is the time on my Senquip device accurate?
The device synchronises its clock using NTP, with cellular or GPS time available as alternatives. The NTP server and check-in interval can be configured under Settings > Network > Advanced.
How often is time synchronised on a Senquip device?
The time-sync interval can be configured under Settings > Network > Advanced. Check the setting on your device rather than assuming a fixed interval.
Why does the first measurement after a reset take longer?
After a reset, a Senquip device needs to load the operating system into memory, configure itself and load user settings. This can take a few seconds.
My device does not go to sleep between measurement cycles.
The minimum time between cycles that warrants the device going to sleep depends on the network settings and peripherals enabled. For instance, if you have GPS enabled and a base interval of 1 minute, the device will not go to sleep because it would likely take longer to re-acquire satellites than the 1 minute sleep time. These are the minimum base intervals that will allow the device to go to sleep:
Parameter |
Specification |
|---|---|
Operating on Wi-Fi |
10 seconds |
Operating on LTE |
120 seconds |
GPS enabled |
180 seconds (or the Max Time specified in GPS settings) |
When my device wakes from hibernate, will it perform measurements before returning to sleep?
Yes, waking from hibernate is considered a normal measurement cycle and all enabled measurements will be performed. If, in a script, a timer is enabled for a future time, the device will not wait for that timer to trigger before returning to hibernate.
Why am I getting measurements more regularly than my transmit interval?
There could be a few reasons for this. Firstly, if your device is currently reporting an exception (alert, warning, alarm), then the exception interval will be used instead of the transmit interval. This allows for faster reporting during an exception.
It could be that you have batch transmit enabled. if so, all measurements will be buffered and sent on the transmit interval. From the Senquip Portal, it will look like measurements are being sent every base interval. If you look carefull in the raw data, you will note that the server timestamps for all the measurements will be similar. Furthermore if the base interval is such that the device doesn’t go to sleep, then if batch transmit is available, and the network is connected, we will send each sample immediately.
Scripting
What does “Script: CPU Threshold Exceeded” mean?
The script has exceeded its allowed processing time. Reduce the work performed in each callback and filter unnecessary input data; keep the script watchdog enabled.
What is the maximum script size?
The limit is firmware-dependent; firmware covered by this FAQ uses a 20,000-byte limit. Check the scripting guide for your device before uploading a larger script.
Can a script affect battery life?
Yes. Long-running operations, frequent measurements and SQ.keep_awake() can prevent the device from sleeping and increase power consumption.
Can events such as impacts be used in scripts?
Yes. On supported firmware, events are included in the data passed to the Device Handler and can be detected by the script.
Does mJS support try/catch/throw?
No. Error handling must be implemented using explicit checks.
Does my script run in the Senquip Portal?
No. Your script will run on the Senquip device in field. This means that your script will continue to execute even if your device loses contact with the network.
How do I get access to scripting?
You must be an administrator of the device to access its scripting page.
How can I tell if there is an error in my script?
Limited error detection is available real-time in the scripting page. For feedback on why a script that looks ok in the editor has failed, turn on Send Errors in the scripting window. Errors will show up as script events in the events widget on the device page.
My script looks ok in the editor but is failing to run.
Check that each data field exists and has the expected type before using it; unavailable measurements may be omitted. For example, use typeof obj.analog1 === "number" before processing an analogue reading.
If my script fails, will my Senquip device fail?
Maybe. In general, if a script fails to end correctly, the script will terminate, and the device will continue to run. Scripting is an advanced feature, and an incorrectly written script can cause a Senquip device to fail or even brick a device. Read the scripting guide carefully before committing a script.
My script looks ok, but I get a calling non-callable error.
Your script may be trying to use a function that is not available in the version of firmware that you are using. Update to the latest firmware version before using scripting.
I’m not seeing the latest script that is loaded in my device.
Empty the cache on your browser. You may need to enable developer tools and do a hard reload of your cache (In Google Chrome, enable developer tools, right click on the refresh icon).
Can you dispatch custom variables from within a timer function?
Yes, this functionality has been added to newer firmware versions of SFW002 and higher.
Should I disable the script watchdog if my script keeps stopping?
No. The watchdog protects the device from scripts that consume too much processing time; disabling it can make the device unreachable. Reduce the script’s workload instead.
How can I reduce the load of a CAN decoding script?
Apply CAN filters so the script receives only the messages it needs to decode. Turn off raw CAN reporting once debugging is complete to further reduce memory use and data traffic.
How can I prevent a brief abnormal reading from triggering an alarm?
Require several consecutive abnormal readings before raising the alarm, and reset the count when readings return to normal. Choose the count to suit the sampling interval and required delay.
Why do my script variables reset after sleep?
The script restarts when the device wakes, so ordinary variables are reinitialised. Use the supported non-volatile storage functions for state that must survive sleep.
How should I validate numeric custom settings?
Check for missing, empty and non-numeric values before applying range limits. Use a sensible default when validation fails; comparisons alone will not catch NaN.
How can I make a script smaller?
Move repeated code into functions, remove unused entries from lookup tables, and use arrays instead of objects with repeated field names where practical. Minification can then remove comments and unnecessary whitespace from the uploaded copy.
How can I see what data my script receives?
Temporarily dispatch the data handler’s input to a spare custom parameter, for example SQ.dispatch(3, data). Remove the diagnostic output when finished.
How can a script raise an alert?
Call SQ.dispatch_event(index, SQ.ALERT, 'Message') when the condition is met. The index identifies the custom parameter, and the message is limited to 30 characters.
Access & Security
Do I need an account to use the Senquip Connect app?
No. Local device access uses the device’s setup password.
Does connecting Senquip automatically enable machine control?
No. Control must be deliberately configured. CAN transmission is disabled by default and requires an integrator with ADMIN permissions to enable it.