WiFI Issues (no interface) and weird colors

[rossg10]

Good Evening/Morning!
I got the fully assembled falcon v4 a few months ago. I can connect to my network via Ethernet no problem. I can run test patterns no problem. I can get xlights to control it while networked no problem. I can switch the controller to player mode to use the SD card, I can upload and manually select the sequence and play it.

Last night I tested it all before mounting it outside. I put the controller in player mode, set the time, unplugged the network and power. Plugged power back in. Sequence ran on time, and ended on time. Perfect!! I tried to set up wifi and got NOTHING. The web interface is set up for WiFi, the OLED on controller shows no IP.

Now today.... Mounted and plugged in outside, i can run the test patterns directly from controller. I plugged it into the network and I can run test patterns from the web interface. I set the time, upload the sequence and set the scehdule from the web interface and unplug the network. The allotted time comes and nothing happens. I check the controller OLED and now i have an IP address for WiFi?!?!?!?!?!?!?

SO,
-why did it work last night and not today?!?

-whats going on with the WiFi. Ethernet IP is 192.168.1.242. The WiFi showed 192.168.4.128. I have a fios router with 1 SSID and I have a Eero extender attached to that with a different SSID.

-Why does the time reset to UTC every time I plug into network?

-When I was connected via Ethernet outside and had xlights controling things, colors did not match up at all

-and do i REALLY need to plug into the network to update the SD card?

Any help, pointers is appreciated!
Greg
EDIT: ok. As I work the problem, the different ip's are because of the eero and Fios. Fios is 192.168.1.xxx. Eero is 192.168.4.xxx. I couldn't access the web interface no matter what router I was on or what router I had the controller connect to.
Also, I think that even though I can't access the web when it's grabbing the IP it's also resetting the time, just like when I connect to Ethernet. If that's the case then it explains why the show isn't starting.

[JonD]

-why did it work last night and not today?!?

Most likely because something changed.  You should backup your configuration before and after any changes.  Can you restore to the prior state?

-whats going on with the WiFi. Ethernet IP is 192.168.1.242. The WiFi showed 192.168.4.128. I have a fios router with 1 SSID and I have a Eero extender attached to that with a different SSID.

Devices will get IP addresses two ways.  Either manually assigned (static), or server assigned (DHCP).  If APIPA is enabled, it would assign itself an 169.254.x.x address which does not appear to be the issue.  The IPs you mentioned appear to be coming from your network.

-Why does the time reset to UTC every time I plug into network?

Unless a Real Time Clock (RTC) battery was installed, the device will lose the correct time every power cycle.  If you are getting a different time every time you plugin in a network cord.  It is most likely reaching out to the assigned NTP server and updating.  Check under the settings tab and review the NTP server settings.

-When I was connected via Ethernet outside and had xlights controling things, colors did not match up at all

Hard to say.  Not all strings follow the typical Red Green Blue configuration.  Some are BGR, RBG, and etc, it is possible you just need to adjust color order?  Bad light strings can show different colors.

-and do i REALLY need to plug into the network to update the SD card?

I have never tried to use it this way.  I know many people update their system via wireless, but believe most are using FPP.  I know there are some limitations placing an SD card in the controller, but do not recall what they are.

[rossg10]

I figured out why the show wasn't working.  When it connected to WiFi after I cycled power it grabbed the time from the server.  My schedule is set to end at 930pm and the time was reset to 330am.  So show goes off.  As long as i don't lose power I'm fine.  I checked the setting and I see no way of shutting off the automatic time update.

Also I cant access the web interface from WiFi, the manual states that I should be able to do it. All I get is "page not found (esp)".

Any ideas?

[JonD]

My schedule is set to end at 930pm and the time was reset to 330am.

Time is set to world UTC time formally Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), then adjusted for your time zone, and daylight saving settings.

Sounds like it is picking up UTC time and not being adjusted.  From the webpage of the F16v4, select the settings tab.  Review the NTP server settings.  Under time zone enter your timezone offset.

Eastern Time -5  (Minus 5 hours = 5 hours difference than UTC Greenwich England time)
Central Time -6
Mountain Time - 7
Pacific Time -8

Also I cant access the web interface from WiFi, the manual states that I should be able to do it. All I get is "page not found (esp)".

Not sure you can use BOTH the wifi and the ethernet port.  Was thinking it was one or another, but have never had the need to try.  Maybe someone else will confirm that or have some suggestions.

[JonD]

My schedule is set to end at 930pm and the time was reset to 330am.

Time is set to world UTC time, formally Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), then adjusted for your time zone, and daylight saving settings.

Sounds like it is picking up UTC time and not being adjusted.  From the webpage of the F16v4, select the settings tab.  Review the NTP server settings.  Under time zone enter your timezone offset.

Eastern Time -5  (Minus 5 hours = 5 hours difference than UTC Greenwich England time)
Central Time -6
Mountain Time - 7
Pacific Time -8

Also I cant access the web interface from WiFi, the manual states that I should be able to do it. All I get is "page not found (esp)".

Not sure you can use BOTH the wifi and the ethernet port.  Was thinking it was one or another, but have never had the need to try.  Maybe someone else will confirm that or have some suggestions.

[rossg10]

THANK YOU!  It was the time zone thing.  I also updated the firmware and now I can see the web interface.