How to use the “Diagnostics mode” on the Trident/TridentX

Our reliable radio remote controls use a great deal of expert software engineering to give operators a more efficient and user-friendly way to remotely control their equipment. Before it reaches the hands of an operator it usually goes through equipment manufacturers, dealers or other service teams who determine the internal logic required for their machines, and to provide to most efficiency and intuitiveness to operators in the field. During a new firmware installation or in the event of an issue with the hardware the service team may have to troubleshoot a problem with the help of the “Diagnostics Mode” built into the firmware of each Trident remote control. To learn how to access and use the “Diagnostics Mode” menu built into the Trident, follow along with our guide below!

How to Enter the Diagnostics Mode

To enter Diagnostics Mode, you first must go into Configuration Mode by doing the following:

1. Press and hold Red

2. Press and hold Green

3. Release Red

4. Keep holding the Green button - Wait until the Red LED flashes

5. When the Red LED flashes, let go of the Green button

6. When into the Configuration Mode menu, press the RIGHT and LEFT rectangular buttons together

Now you will be in “Diagnostics Mode”!

Within this mode there are several information pages the user can display onscreen, which you can scroll through using the RIGHT and LEFT buttons (on the top half of the remote control). These pages contain a variety of live data from the machine controller, which may be useful when troubleshooting (to view fault details and error messages). On the last page you will see the handheld Firmware part number (#####-#####-###), which may be needed in the event of troubleshooting the software or updating the firmware of the Trident.

One of the first things you will see on the LCD screen after entering Diagnostics Mode is “Problems:” which will list relevant information in the event of a connection, hardware, or firmware error you’re your system. If all is running correctly, your Trident should display “(None Detected)”.

Pressing the Green button will toggle to (and back from) a legend display which explains the button functions and fault code abbreviations.

When to Consult the “Diagnostics Mode”

Not everyone needs to access the “Diagnostics Mode” on the Trident – It is used by service teams when solving a problem with the Trident or the receiver, such as troubleshooting a new firmware installation.

Utilizing both screens, the user can see information such as the battery voltage, vacuum/pump functionality, and various other controller information. This information is used when diagnosing issues such as wiring problems, determining where backfeeding errors are coming from, and other hardware, firmware and connectivity problems.

Diagnosing the Receiver - Status Lamp / LED Light

The C220 receiver contains a single LED light, which indicates the operational status of the controller using various RGB colours and blink rates. (Note that the colour mixing may not be ideal when the LED is viewed at certain angles). When troubleshooting a problem with your Trident system, the LED on the receiver will help you to figure out what the problem is. Below you can find some of the Trident’s fault codes and their explanation, all of which are indicated by the receiver’s status lamp/LED.

undefined	Explanation
Steady Frosty White	The controller is operating properly and waiting for a radio link from a portable remote controller.
Steady Green	The controller has a radio link from a remote control.
Steady Turquoise	Some application feature a colour change of the status LED from a Steady Green to Steady Turquoise to indicate that the controller has a radio link from a portable remote controller and is bring commanded to turn on an output aside from LOOP OUT*.
Quickly Blinking Green	1. An activated output is overloaded (the connected load is drawing too much current) or the output is short-circuited to ground; or 2. The current-controlled output I/O16 has detected a solenoid with unusual inductance or resistance This is a warning indication and the controller will continue to operate, with the possible exception of an output that has excessive load or is shorted to ground (indicating a fault in the harness). This will never shut down the machine.
Quickly Blinking Blue	A recently activated output was overloaded for long enough to trigger the over-temperature protection of the associated output driver. The controller will continue to operate and the affected output will resume operation when the driver cools down sufficiently.
Slowly Blinking Turquoise	The controller has detected that its supply voltage is below 8.0 volts. The controller will attempter to continue operating, but some outputs may not be available or the controller may restart itself if the voltage drops further. Check the wiring and/or the machine’s battery and charging system
Quickly Blinking Turquoise	The controller has detected that its supply voltage exceeds 34.0 volts. The controller has turned off its output functions and will resume operation when the supply voltage decreases to an acceptable level.
Alternating Blue & Red	The controller has detected power being fed back into one of its outputs, and it is not a normal condition for that output to be powered externally in the machine involved; or The controller has detected that an internal power driver has failed in the active state If the condition was transient, power-cycling the controller will restore it to operation.
Alternating Green & Red	1. The LOOP OUT* signal has been short-circuited to ground; or 2. The controller has detected an internal fault in its safety loop (E-Stop) system If the condition was transient, power-cycling the controller will restore it to operation.
Quickly Blinking Violet	The controller has detected an internal error condition that prevents it from operating. This condition may occur temporarily after reprogramming the controller’s firmware via the US programming cable, in which case power-cycling the controller will return it to normal operation.
Quickly Blinking Orange	1. The controller is unable to communicate with its base (ELR) board; or 2. The controller has detected an error with the PWM driver chips This condition may occur wile updating the firmware of the base (ELR) board using the USB programming cable, in which case there is no reason for concern. This condition will clear itself once the communications and/or PWN driver has returned to normal.
Steady Violet	1. The controller’s radio module is not programmed; or 2. The controller’s radio module has failed Programming or replacing the radio module is required for the controller to operate.
Steady Orange	1. The controller has not been assigned a radio key; or 2. The controller has been programmed with an incorrect firmware image Configuration or reprogramming is required for the controller to operate.
Very Slowly Blinking Red	The controller has detected a hardware failure with its base (ELR) board. Replace the controller.
Steady Red	1. The controller is not being fed power and ground properly. The power and/or ground wire(s) is loose or disconnected, or the 30-way connector is not completely mated–check the 1/4″ hexagonal-head securing screw; or 2. The base ELR board’s processor is not programmed The wiring or programming problem must be remedied in order for the controller to operate.

* LOOP OUT is on it there is link. It is the safety loop – when the remote is linked, that output is always on!

If you’re having issues with your Trident or TridentX following a recent firmware update, please reach out to our Technical Support Team by emailing support@aarcomm.com. When speaking with our team, please include your Trident/TridentX handheld part number, serial number & a description of the problem – We’ll get your remote back in the field as soon as possible!

Visit our Support page for more information.